EP2042315B1 - Printing unit and printing press - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a printing unit with a printing form cylinder, an impression cylinder and an inking roller, in which a recorded on the printing form cylinder printing plate in contact with the inking roller is adjustable, wherein the printing form cylinder and the impression cylinder form a printing nip, in which a substrate is printable. Furthermore, the invention relates to a printing press with such a printing unit.

Printing presses that are designed or used for label printing or packaging printing are becoming increasingly demanding in terms of cost-effectiveness and ease-of-use while at the same time maximizing variability for product production. For example, the printing machine should cause as little paper waste as possible, for example when converting between different print jobs, and also between different printing methods or print lengths. Common narrow-web presses designed for label printing, in particular for self-adhesive label printing, usually have a machine construction in which a printing material or a substrate is passed between different process levels (for example for printing and for drying) via a large number of cylinders and rollers. so that a not insignificantly long web section is stored in the printing press and potentially corresponding waste can occur. A convertible between different printing process label printing machine is in the document WO 2005/028202 A1 described. In order to achieve that only a comparatively short web section is stored in the printing press, a printing press configuration is required for another machine structure, which on the one hand enables the desired variability with regard to printing methods and printing lengths and, on the other hand, a short web path.

For the arrival and dismantling of individual cylinders in a printing unit is often provided that cylinders are pivotally received. In the document DE 44 35 986 A1 is an offset printing unit with a corresponding on and off device for the Blanket cylinder disclosed. By means of the displacement of swivel arms, an adjustment of the optimum pressure and an adaptation to the substrate thickness can be achieved. For example, a variable-length printing unit for offset printing is in the document EP 1 101 611 A1 described. Bearing arms are pivoted about an axis by means of spindle drives in order to move the axes of rotation of the printing forme cylinder, the blanket cylinder and the impression cylinder apart from one another or to each other. Printing cylinder and blanket cylinder different format can be used in the printing unit.

In the document GB 1,147,778 an embodiment of an offset printing unit of a sheet-fed printing machine is described, in which for turning on and off the blanket cylinder by means of a bearing arm about the axis of rotation of the printing forme cylinder is pivotable, at the same time in a superimposed radial movement of the blanket cylinder can be lifted from the plate cylinder.

The post-published publication EP 2006 099 A2 discloses a label printing machine having a plurality of printing units, each printing unit having a cylinder and an impression cylinder forming a printing nip. The rotational axis of the cylinder is thereby ver¬ verkabbar by a linear movement of a receiving element relative to the axis of rotation of the impression cylinder, so that a diagonal register adjustment can be realized.

Object of the present invention is to provide a printing unit in a compact design, in which the printing forme cylinder of the cylinders contacting him for the purpose of format variation is turned off.

This object is achieved by a printing unit with the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are characterized in the dependent claims.

An inventive printing unit comprises a printing form cylinder, an impression cylinder and an inking roller. In the printing unit according to the invention, a printing form recorded on the printing form cylinder can be set in contact with the inking roller, wherein the printing form cylinder and the impression cylinder form a printing gap in which a substrate can be printed. The printing form cylinder is pivotable about a parallel to the axis of rotation of the impression cylinder pivot axis about the impression cylinder and the distance of Printing form cylinder and the impression cylinder variable.

The pivot axis may in particular lie within the contour of the impression cylinder. In addition, or alternatively, when the printing forme cylinder is pivoted about the pivot axis, the impression cylinder can at least partially lie in a circle segment bounded by a line swept by the axis of rotation of the printing forme cylinder. In other words, the printing form cylinder is pivotable about the impression cylinder and not pivoted away from it. The pivot axis may, viewed from the axis of rotation of the printing forme cylinder, lie within the plate cylinder or behind the plate cylinder. The distance variation of the axes of rotation may be along a linear or straight path. Depending on the specific embodiment of the printing unit according to the invention, the counter-pressure cylinder and / or the inking roller can be accommodated with a frame-mounted or with a position-variable rotation axis.

In particular, a printing forme cylinder receiving element is pivotable, wherein the distance of the receptacle of the printing forme cylinder is adjustable to the pivot axis. By combining the two degrees of freedom of movement or adjustment, a format adjustment, a print job and print job and an addition to the inking roller for coloring done. The printing unit according to the invention requires only a small space and is inexpensive together of few components.

Particularly advantageous for label printing, the printing unit according to the invention can be designed for the execution of a flexographic printing process or for the execution of a letterpress printing process or for the execution of a gravure printing process.

Preferably, the pivot axis of the printing form cylinder runs along the cylinder center axis of the impression cylinder or coincides with the cylinder center axis of the impression cylinder. Also preferably, the spatial position of the axis of rotation of the printing form cylinder is displaceable. The spatial position of the axis of rotation of the impression cylinder can be fixed. The spatial position of the axis of rotation of Ink roller and possibly other components of an inking unit of the printing unit according to the invention may be displaced.

In an advantageous embodiment, the printing unit according to the invention has an adjustment mechanism and / or a Verstellaktorik, by means of which the pivoting movement and the distance variation of the plate cylinder can be executed coupled. In this way, a simplified operation of the adjustment with high automation is achieved. The economy can be increased.

In the printing unit according to the invention, the printing form cylinder can be detachably connected in the printing unit. Also, printing form cylinder can be accommodated with different diameters in the printing unit. Alternatively, intermediate sleeves with different diameters can be accommodated on the printing form cylinder.

In a preferred embodiment, in the printing unit according to the invention, the rotational axes of the printing form cylinder and the impression cylinder lie in a vertical plane during pressure adjustment, so that the printing gap lies in the upper tangential point of the impression cylinder (preferred) or of the printing plate cylinder.
The impression cylinder can form the center of the printing unit.

In one development of the invention, the printing unit comprises a drying device acting on a substrate located on the impression cylinder. In concrete embodiments, the drying device can be, for example, a UV drying unit, an infrared drying unit or a hot-air drying unit. In an advantageous consequence, process levels of a printing machine equipped with the printing unit according to the invention can be combined, so that a short path through the printing press is achieved.

It can be provided that the printing unit is designed such that it is for the front side pressure in a first direction of rotation of the impression cylinder and for the back pressure in a second, opposite to the first direction of rotation the impression cylinder is operable.

The impression cylinder and / or the printing form cylinder of the printing unit according to the invention can be driven by a separate drive.

In the context of the inventive idea is also a printing press, in particular a label printing machine. A printing press according to the invention is characterized by at least one printing unit according to the invention having features or combinations of features according to this representation. Preferably, the printing machine in a row construction and / or modular with respect to individual modules, in particular the printing units or groups of printing groups, including their supporting structures executed.

The substrate may be web-shaped. In particular, the substrate may be a multilayer material web, in particular a self-adhesive label material on a carrier web. The printing machine may be a web-processing printing press. It may comprise transport means for moving the web-shaped substrate through the printing press. The printing press can be a so-called narrow web press. The width of the web to be printed can be less than 900 mm, in particular less than 515 mm. Typical widths for embodiments of narrow web printing machines according to the invention are in particular 330 mm and 280 mm.

The printing machine according to the invention can have a plurality of printing units, in particular four printing units for a multi-color printing. The printing press may have a plurality of printing units according to the invention. Due to the advantageous arrangement of the cylinder of the printing unit according to the invention short web paths can be realized by the printing press. As a consequence, the amount of waste occurring can advantageously be reduced. A faster print job facility is possible, the press can be quickly brought into the register.

In embodiments of the printing press according to the invention which are particularly preferred for label printing, the path of the web-shaped substrate can run straight through a plurality of printing units according to the invention. In this case, the straight path of the web-shaped substrate can be horizontal.

In addition, a printing press according to the invention can also have the further features individually or in combination: A printing unit according to the invention can be accommodated on a frame wall with one or more integrated drives. The printing press may have receiving elements on which alternately modules for different printing processes or for processing / processing of the substrate are releasably connectable receivable. Printing processes may be in particular: flexographic printing, gravure printing, letterpress printing, offset printing, direct or indirect planographic printing, film embossing printing, screen printing, inkjet printing or xerographic printing. In particular, machining can be punching, cutting, punching, perforating, creasing, folding or painting. In other words, the printing press can have a (normalized or neutral) interface, so that printing unit or processing unit components can be received in a connectable manner to the printing press. In particular, components which can be used by all these plants or all components which complement each other for functionality can be directly part of the printing press. The order of the individually arranged printing units and / or processing units can be selected or adapted according to the print order.

The printing unit according to the invention can be accommodated in a support element produced at least partially from stone, in particular natural stone or a natural stone, by means of a bearing element. A printing machine with a support element made at least partially of stone is in the filed German patent application DE 10 2006 042 884.6 as well as the priority of these German patent applications claiming filed US patent application.

In the context of the invention is also a method for producing labels or self-adhesive labels in a printing press. According to the invention, a printing press is operated with features or feature combinations according to this description, and a web-shaped substrate which is suitable for the production of labels or self-adhesive labels is processed. In a preferred embodiment, a web-processing printing press is operated, in which the path of the web-shaped substrate extends straight through a plurality of printing units, in particular horizontally. In this case, individual color separations of a multi-color print are wet-wet-nested. Optionally, drying can be carried out after multicolor printing has taken place.

Figur 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Druckwerks zur Erläuterung der Bewegungsfreiheitsgrade,

Figur 2

eine erste Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Druckwerks mit gekoppelten Freiheitsgraden,

Figur 3

eine zweite Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Druckwerks mit gekoppelten Freiheitsgraden,

Figur 4

eine Ansicht einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Druckmaschine,

Figur 5

eine Ansicht der Druckmaschine gemäß Figur 4 in einer Betriebskonfiguration mit geradem und horizontalen Bahnlauf,

Figur 6

in vier Teilbildern A bis D eine Ausführungsform eines Gestellmoduls für zwei Druckwerke,

Figur 7

in zwei Teilbildern A und B den Bahnlauf bei Vorderseitendruck und bei Rückseitendruck bei gleichzeitiger UV-Trocknung durch eine Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Druckwerks,

Figur 8

in zwei Teilbildern A und B den Bahnlauf bei Vorderseitendruck und bei Rückseitendruck bei gleichzeitiger UV-Trocknung in alternativer Anordnung zur Figur 7 durch eine Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Druckwerks, und

Figur 9

in zwei Teilbildern A und B den Bahnlauf bei Vorderseitendruck und bei Rückseitendruck bei gleichzeitiger Heißlufttrocknung in alternativer Anordnung zu den Figuren 7 und 8 durch eine Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Druckwerks.

Further advantages and advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying figures. It shows in detail:

FIG. 1

a schematic representation of a preferred embodiment of the printing unit according to the invention for explaining the degrees of freedom of movement,

FIG. 2

A first embodiment of the printing unit according to the invention with coupled degrees of freedom,

FIG. 3

A second embodiment of the printing unit according to the invention with coupled degrees of freedom,

FIG. 4

a view of a preferred embodiment of a printing machine according to the invention,

FIG. 5

a view of the printing machine according to FIG. 4 in an operating configuration with straight and horizontal web run,

FIG. 6

in four partial images A to D an embodiment of a rack module for two printing units,

FIG. 7

in two partial images A and B the web run at front side printing and at backside printing with simultaneous UV drying by an embodiment of the printing unit according to the invention,

FIG. 8

in two sub-images A and B the web run at front side printing and backside printing with simultaneous UV drying in an alternative arrangement to FIG. 7 by an embodiment of the printing unit according to the invention, and

FIG. 9

in two fields A and B, the web run at front side pressure and back pressure with simultaneous hot air drying in an alternative arrangement to the FIGS. 7 and 8th by an embodiment of the printing unit according to the invention.

The FIG. 1 shows an inventive printing unit 10 for flexographic printing with a printing form cylinder 12, an impression cylinder 14 and an inking roller 16, more precisely an anilox roller. The cylinders are each rotatable about their figure axes, wherein the impression cylinder 14 and the inking roller 16 are fixed to the frame in the printing press. The impression cylinder 14 is arranged in the center of the printing unit 10. By means of a rocker 18, a bearing arm, in particular only or exactly one rocker arm 18, the printing form cylinder 12 is pivoted about the axis of rotation of the impression cylinder 14 (pivoting movement 20). The rocker 18 is mounted in the axis of rotation of the impression cylinder 14. The rocker 18 can drive side attack on the plate cylinder 12, so that the operator side for the purpose of format change the operator is accessible. The rocker 18 has a linear guide 22, so that a linear distance variation 24 between the printing plate cylinder 12 and impression cylinder 14 by spatial displacement of the rotational axis of the plate cylinder 12 (without tilting the axis) performed becomes. This embodiment represents a simple printing unit construction with a simple and precise impression cylinder adjustment.

In a further development not shown in the drawing, the counter-pressure cylinder 14 has integrated cooling and, due to its arrangement, can be accessible at least three positions for drying the printed substrate on the impression cylinder 14 (see also below with reference to FIGS FIGS. 7 to 9 ).

For the concrete realization of the pivoting movement, for example, one of the following actuators for the movement of the rocker can be used: screw in manual or threaded adjustment with motor adjustment, pneumatic cylinder,
Hydraulic cylinder, gear with pinion in manual adjustment or gear with pinion with motor adjustment, worm with worm in manual adjustment or worm with worm with motor adjustment, timing belt in manual or timing belt with motor adjustment or a crank handle in manual adjustment / motor adjustment with threaded spindle, in cylinder adjustment by air pressure or hydraulics and in manual adjustment with rack and gear manually or with motor.

For example, one of the following actuators for the movement of the linear slide can be used for the concrete realization of the distance variation, in particular in linear motion: screw jack in manual adjustment, screw jack with motor adjustment, threaded spindle in manual adjustment, threaded spindle with motor adjustment, rack and pinion in manual adjustment, rack and Gear with motor adjustment, pneumatic cylinder, hydraulic cylinder or a crank handle in manual adjustment / motor adjustment with threaded spindle, in cylinder adjustment by air pressure or hydraulic and in manual adjustment with rack and gear manually or with motor.

The aforementioned adjusting elements can also be designed in combination of manual and automatic adjusting members. In other words, the adjustment can be manual, semi-automatic or fully automatic.

The FIG. 2 1 shows a first embodiment of the printing unit 10 according to the invention with coupled degrees of freedom for the pivoting movement 20 and the linear distance variation 24. In order to stop the printing form cylinder 12 from the inking roller 16 and at the same time to increase the rotational axis distance with respect to the impression cylinder 14, the rocker 18 by means of an actuator 26, which may be concretely, for example, an actuator in the list above, moves. The axis of the plate cylinder 12 is guided in a gate 28 and is acted upon by the force of a return element 30, for example a tension spring against the guideway of the link 28.

The FIG. 3 refers schematically to a second embodiment of the printing unit 10 according to the invention with coupled degrees of freedom for the pivoting movement 20 and the linear distance variation 24. For the change in the absolute position of the plate cylinder 12 relative to the impression cylinder 14 and the inking roller 16 is a sliding block with actuator 26, which concretely For example, an actuator in the list above may be provided. The axis of the plate cylinder 12 is acted upon by the force of a return element 30, such as a tension spring, against the link 28.

In the FIG. 4 is a view of a preferred embodiment of a printing machine 32 according to the invention, more specifically a label printing machine according to the invention, shown in a row construction, with printing units 10 according to the invention following in the horizontal direction. The label printing machine is used to process a substrate 34 in web form. The substrate is unrolled from a substrate roll 36 in a feed section 38 of the printing machine 32 and guided along a path through the printing press 32. The printing machine 32 has a plurality of frame modules 40, here by way of example three frame modules 40. In this embodiment, two printing units 10 or a printing unit 10 and a processing unit 42, here a punching unit for punching the labels on the web-shaped substrate 34, are received on a rack module 40. After the individual processing stations follows an outlet part 44, in which the finished products are wound up in a label roll 46. Inlet part 38, frame modules 40 and outlet part 44 are detachably or separably connected to each other: The printing machine 32 is modular.

In the representation of the individual printing units 10, here flexographic printing, in the FIG. 4 In addition to the printing forme cylinders 12, the impression cylinders 14 and the inking rollers 16 and chamber doctor blade 48 are shown. Furthermore, the printing units 10 have various drying devices in the printing machine 32: The drying cylinders 50 are assigned to the impression cylinders 14 at the respective printing nip of the printing unit 10, so that the printed substrate 34 can be dried directly on the impression cylinder 14. The printing units 10 also have web guide rollers 52 for guiding the web-shaped substrate 34. The fifth printing unit 10 comprises a hot air drying device 54 for both the top and the bottom of the substrate 34. The hot air drying device 54 is disposed downstream of the fifth printing unit 10, the web-shaped substrate is passed through the hot air drying device 54. The individual printing units 10 and the processing unit 42 are fastened by a receiving element 56 to the frame modules 40 of the printing press 32. the second printing unit 10 is operated by way of example in the back pressure.

The FIG. 5 shows a printing machine in a machine design according to FIG. 4 in a straight and horizontal web run configuration, allowing multi-color printing from wet to wet. The web-shaped substrate 34 is moved by the substrate roller 36 in the feed part 38 in a straight and horizontal path, in a straight and horizontal path 58 through the printing units 10 received on the rack modules 40. Before the processing unit 42 and after the fifth printing unit 10, a hot air drying device 60 and a UV drying device 62 are provided. Depending on the type of drying process of the printing inks, drying of the printed substrate 34 can be achieved by hot air (solvent displacement) or by UV light (curing). The finished Labels are stored in the outlet part 44 in a label roll 46.

In each of the printing units 10, the respective printing gap formed by the printing form cylinder 12 and counter-pressure cylinders 14, through which the web-shaped substrate 34 is guided, lies in the upper tangential point of the impression cylinder 14. With regard to the format variability, although not explicitly stated in US Pat FIG. 5 shown - the position of the inking roller 16 along with the other inking unit components, in particular the chambered doctor blade 48, made changeable, so that different print lengths, for example, by the recording of printing forme cylinder 12 with different diameters, can be achieved. In this case, the printing form cylinder 12 is always hired in the upper tangency point of the impression cylinder 14 to the impression cylinder 14.

The FIG. 6 in four partial images A to D refers to an embodiment of a frame module 40 for two printing units 10 according to the invention FIG. 6 is a view of the frame module 40: It comprises a stone side wall 64, specifically a single natural stone, in particular a granite, or a monolith. There are four drive interfaces 66 for the male print engine modules provided. The mechanical interface is in each case a receiving element 56. The stone side wall 64 rests on two base profiles 68. The frame module 40 can be aligned by means of leveling elements 70. In the series of drawing files B to D of the FIG. 6 the rack module 40 is shown from the side. On the back of the stone side wall 64 motors 72 are attached, which are accessible via the drive interfaces 66. On a receiving element 56, a process module 74, which has printing unit or processing components, and under the receiving element 56, an additional component module 76, which, for example, a hot air drying device, releasably connectable to the frame module 40 are added. The receiving element 56 may for this purpose, for example, linear guides or rails, so that the process module 74 and / or the additional component module 76 can be postponed.

The FIG. 7 serves in two partial images A and B, the explanation of the web run of the substrate 34 at front side printing and backside printing with simultaneous UV drying by an embodiment of the printing unit according to the invention 10. The substrate 34 is guided in the substrate transport direction 78 through the printing unit 10. In drawing field A of FIG. 7 the impression cylinder 14 is operated in a first direction of rotation 80 for the front side pressure. The web-shaped substrate 34 guided around the web guide rollers 52 partially wraps around the counter-pressure cylinder 14. The impression cylinder 14 forms a pressure gap in the upper tangency point with the printing-form cylinder 12. The recorded on the printing form cylinder 12 printing plate is colored by means of the inking roller 16, which receives an ink supply by the chambered doctor blade 48. Downstream of the printing nip in the substrate transport direction 78 (right-hand outlet side) is a UV drying device 50, which dries the substrate 34 still located on the impression cylinder 14. In drawing B of the FIG. 7 For backside printing, the substrate is guided via the deflection rollers 82 over the printing unit 10 such that the printing forme cylinder 12 and counterpressure cylinder 14 are reached from the opposite direction compared to the configuration of the partial image A. The counter-pressure cylinder 14 rotates in a second direction of rotation 84. After the printing gap in the substrate transport direction 78 (left exit side), a UV drying device 50 is arranged at a different position compared to the situation shown in the partial image A, which substrate 34 is still on the impression cylinder 14 dries.

In the FIG. 8 with two partial images A and B is the web run at front side printing and backside printing with simultaneous UV drying in an alternative arrangement to FIG. 7 represented by an embodiment of the printing unit 10 according to the invention. Both the configuration for the front side print in the part A of the FIG. 8 as well as the configuration for the backside printing in the partial image B of the FIG. 8 correspond to the partial images A and B of FIG. 7 , The same reference numerals are used, so that the previous, the FIG. 7 Reference is made to reference. In the in the FIG. 8 In the embodiment shown, a UV drying device 50 directed at the lower tangential point of the impression cylinder 14 is shown. Advantageously, in this embodiment, the printing unit 10 both in the front side printing, as in Partial picture A of the FIG. 8 shown (in the first direction of rotation 80) and in the backside printing, as in the drawing B of the FIG. 8 shown (in the second direction of rotation 84) are operated with the same UV drying device 50. For this purpose, the web-shaped substrate 34 is guided in each case in such a sufficiently wide loop around the impression cylinder 14 that a direct drying of the substrate 34 can be carried out on the impression cylinder 14 in the lower tangency point. In addition to one of the two web guiding rollers 52, further web guiding rollers 86 are provided for the front side printing, while for the rear side printing the web-shaped substrate is removed from the printing unit 10 via the other of the two web guiding rollers.

The FIG. 9 shows in two partial images A and B the web run at front side pressure and back pressure with simultaneous hot air drying in an alternative arrangement to the FIGS. 7 and 8th by an embodiment of the printing unit 10 according to the invention. Both the configuration for the front side printing in the partial image A of FIG. 9 as well as the configuration for the backside printing in the partial image B of the FIG. 9 correspond to the subpictures A and B of FIG. 7 , The same reference numerals are used, so that the previous, the FIG. 7 Reference is made to reference. In the in the FIG. 9 shown embodiment, below the impression cylinder 14, a hot air drying device 54 is arranged. This can be used for both-sided drying of the web-shaped substrate both at the front side pressure (partial image A of FIG. 9 ) as well as the backside printing (drawing B of the FIG. 9 ) are used. In order to allow the web to pass through the hot air drying device 54, further web guide rollers 86 are provided. The web-shaped substrate 34 is supplied to the hot-air drying device 54 from the original inlet side of the substrate 34 into the printing unit 10, respectively. In other words, the hot-air drying device 54 is operated in the same direction or orientation in both cases.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

printing unit

12

Plate cylinder

14

Impression cylinder

16

Inking roller

18

wing

20

pivotal movement

22

linear guide

24

distance variation

26

actuator

28

scenery

30

Return element

32

press

34

substratum

36

substrate roll

38

supply part

40

rack module

42

Cutting

44

outlet part

46

label roll

48

chambered doctor blade

50

UV drying device

52

web guide

54

Hot air drying device

56

receiving element

58

straight and horizontal trajectory

60

Heißluftendtrocknung

62

UV final drying

64

stone sidewall

66

Drive interface

68

stand profile

70

leveling

72

engine

74

process module

76

Additional Components module

78

Substrate transport direction

80

first direction of rotation

82

idler pulley

84

second direction of rotation

86

another web guide roller

Claims (15)

1. Printing unit (10) including a printing form cylinder (12), an impression cylinder (14), and an ink applicator roller (16),
   wherein a printing form received on the printing form cylinder (12) is engageable to be in contact with the ink applicator roller (16),
   wherein the printing form cylinder (12) and the impression cylinder (14) form a printing nip for printing on a substrate (34),
   wherein the impression cylinder (14) and the impression cylinder (12) have a respective axis of rotation,
   wherein the printing unit (10) has a swivel axis that is assigned to the printing form cylinder (12) and aligned to be parallel to the axis of rotation of the impression cylinder (14) for swivelling the printing form cylinder (12), and
   wherein the printing unit (10) includes a rocker (18) with a linear guide (22) for varying the distance between the axes of rotation of the printing form cylinder (12) and of the impression cylinder (14).
2. Printing unit (10) according to Claim 1,
   characterized in
   that the swivel axis is located inside the contour of the impression cylinder (14).
3. Printing unit (10) according to Claim 1 or 2,
   characterized in
   that when the printing form cylinder (12) swivels about the swivel axis, the impression cylinder (14) is at least partly located in a segment of a circle delimited by a line over which the axis of rotation of the printing form cylinder (12) passes.
4. Printing unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in
   that the printing unit (10) is designed for implementing a flexographic printing process or for implementing a letterpress printing process or for implementing a gravure printing process.
5. Printing unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in
   that the spatial position of the axis of rotation of the printing form cylinder (12) is displaceable.
6. Printing unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in
   that the printing unit (10) includes a mechanical adjustment system and/or an adjustment actuating system by means of which the swivelling movement and the distance variation of the printing form cylinder (12) are implementable in a coupled way.
7. Printing unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in
   that either the printing form cylinder (12) is releasably received in the printing unit (10) and printing form cylinders (12) of different diameters are receivable in the printing unit (10), or intermediate sleeves of different diameters are receivable on the printing form cylinder (12).
8. Printing unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in
   that in the printing position, the axes of rotation of the printing form cylinder (12) and of the impression cylinder (14) are located in a perpendicular plane so that the printing nip is located in the upper tangent point of the impression cylinder (14).
9. Printing unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in
   that the printing unit (10) comprises a drying device (50) that acts on a substrate (34) located on the impression cylinder (14).
10. Printing unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in
    that for front-side printing, the printing unit (10) is operatable in a first direction of rotation (80) of the impression cylinder (14) and for rear-side printing, the printing unit (10) is operatable in a second direction of rotation (84) opposite to the first direction of rotation of the impression cylinder (14).
11. Printing press (32),
    characterized by
    at least one printing unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims.
12. Printing press (32) according to Claim 11 for printing on a web-shaped substrate (84),
    characterized in
    that the printing press (32) includes transporting means for moving the web-shaped substrate (34) through the printing press (32), the path of the web-shaped substrate being straight and passing through a plurality of printing units (10) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 10.
13. Printing press (32) according to Claim 11 or 12,
    characterized in
    that the printing press includes receiving elements (56) for alternately receiving modules (74, 76) for different printing processes or for processing the substrate in a releasable way and/or that the printing unit (10) is received by means of a bearing element in a supporting element (64) that is at least partially made of rock.
14. Method of producing labels or self-adhesive labels in a printing press (32),
    characterized in
    that a printing press (32) according to one of the preceding claims 11 to 13 is operated and that a web-shaped substrate (34) suitable for producing labels or self-adhesive labels is processed.
15. Method of producing labels or self-adhesive labels in a printing press (32) according to Claim 14,
    characterized in
    that a printing press (32) according to Claim 12 is operated and the individual colour separations of a multi-colour print are printed wet on wet into each other.

Images