EP2222470B1 - Application device having a forming cylinder and at least one application roller in a processing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an application device having a forming cylinder (1) and at least one application roller (7-8) associated with the forming cylinder in a processing machine, wherein the forming cylinder comprises at least one cylinder channel (10), and a medium such as dye, fountain solution, or paint can be applied to the forming cylinder (1) by means of the at least one circumferentially elastic application roller (7-8), wherein the at least one application roller (7-9) comprises a roller core (13), wherein a first, compressible layer (14) made of a homogenous elastomer is adhesively disposed concentrically on the roller core (13), and a second, elastic layer (15) made of a homogenous elastomer, including a cover layer guiding the medium to be processed, is adhesively disposed on said first, compressible layer (14), and wherein the first, compressible layer (14) has a lower Shore-A hardness than the second, elastic layer (15).

Description

The invention relates to an applicator with a forme cylinder and at least one mandrel associated with the form cylinder in a processing machine according to the preamble of claim 1. The processing machine is preferably a printing machine with printing units and preferably combined with at least one coating unit or a varnishing machine with at least one coating unit. The application device can be integrated in a printing and / or coating unit.

An applicator of this kind is made EP-0 090 179 B1 for preventing roll tabs (in the printing result) in a roll mill of a printing press. Such roll strips result, for example, from impacts that occur during rolling of the rolls on a plate cylinder with at least one cylinder channel.

In order to ensure the most uniform compressive stress between the plate cylinder and an associated applicator roller, the applicator roller is supported by resilient plungers against an adjacent, upstream roller and in addition, this upstream roller are also associated with resilient plungers. The spring forces of all pressure pieces are designed such that the bearing clearance is shifted in each case at the application roller on the side facing away from the upstream roller and in the upstream roller on the side facing away from the applicator roller.

Disadvantages are herbei the relatively high device overhead and insufficient at higher machine speeds and / or larger format widths of the printing material damping behavior.

Out DE 93 10 713.7 U1 an inking roller is known, which is in functional connection with a forme cylinder with a clamping channel and which rolls on the forme cylinder with high damping and virtually vibration-free. This roller carries on a core an elastic compactor as color-leading cover layer. The roll core has in its contour to the clamping channel of the forme cylinder associated withdrawal (recess), which is filled by a thickening of the roll cover. In this case, the inking roller on its outer periphery on a completely cylindrical shell.

The disadvantage here is the high production cost and the thickening of the roll cover must always be operated synchronously to the clamping channel. Furthermore, the achievable damping behavior at higher machine speeds and / or larger format widths of the printing material is insufficient.

Out WO 03/103967 A1 is an application device for a printing / coating unit in a processing machine with at least one form cylinder associated applicator roller known. With the application device, the occurrence of shocks when passing through a cylinder channel can be reduced and the print quality can be further increased. For this purpose, the applicator roll on a roll core, on the roll core is concentrically arranged a compressible layer of a cellular foam material adherent and on the compressible layer leading to the processing medium, elastic cover layer is arranged adherent.

According to US 3,152,387 and US 5,257,967 A Rollers are known with a roll core having at least two concentric layers on the core. These layers are made of elastomeric materials with different hardness and lead to the surface of a fountain solution or a color. EP-A-1 506 859 discloses a roller for inking / dampening of an offset printing machine, whose roller body comprises at least two layers. An outer layer is made of an incompressible material and an inner layer is made of a compressible material.

FR-A-2 726 505 discloses an offset printing unit with a color and a dampening unit. In this case, the metering of the dampening unit on a first and a second elastomeric layer, which differ in terms of hardness.

US-A-5,257,967 discloses a roller for an inking unit, which has a first layer of an elastomer with a Shore hardness of 15-35 and a second layer of a polyurethane, which has a different hardness.

US-A-5,777,650 discloses an offset inkjet printing device having a paint carrying drum and a backing roll. The backing roll comprises a core having an inner elastomeric layer and an outer elastomeric layer.

The invention is based on the object to provide an applicator device of the type mentioned, which avoids the above-mentioned disadvantages, in particular the occurrence of shocks when passing through a cylinder channel and the resulting Roll strip on the substrate reduces and thus further increases the duck quality.

The problem is solved by the training features of claim 1. Further developments will become apparent from the dependent claims.

A first advantage is due to the fact that the application device with at least one application roller and a forme cylinder with a cylinder channel has a noticeably improved damping behavior with respect to the impacts resulting from the passage of a cylinder channel. Due to the design of the applicator no or only negligible vibrations, shocks, vibrations in the adjacent groups of rollers or cylinders and optionally side frames of the processing machine are transmitted. Furthermore, the formation of roller strips on the printed product (substrate) can be avoided and thus an increase in print quality (or coating quality) on the substrate can be realized.

A further advantage is that the applicator device with at least one applicator roller allows the operation of a processing machine with increased machine speed, especially with larger format widths of the substrates, without vibration.

Another advantage is that the application device with at least one application roller is universally applicable to processing machines with a forme cylinder and at least one cylinder channel. Preferably, the application device as part of an inking unit, such as offset and / or flexo color, can be used. In offset printing assisted by fountain solution, the application device can also be used as part of a dampening system. Furthermore, the applicator can be used as part of paint or flexographic printing. In this case, the at least one application roller is always in functional connection with a forme cylinder or plate cylinder with at least one cylinder channel.

It is likewise advantageous that the application device can be operated with at least one application roller, preferably in the inking unit and / or dampening unit, with a peripheral speed differing from the forme cylinder having at least one cylinder channel. In this case, the applicator roller is frictionally drivable for the forme cylinder and the adjacent roller, for example, the distributor roller, can be driven in a form-fitting manner.

Finally, it is advantageous that the at least one applicator roller of the applicator device is compressible during unrolling over the entire roller circumference. The application roller in this case has a roller core on which at least a first compressible layer is arranged concentrically adherent and on this compressible first layer is a second elastic layer, including a cover layer, arranged concentrically adherent, the cover layer, the medium to be processed (color, Paint, dampening solution) leads.

When passing through a cylinder channel of the forme cylinder, the thus formed, at least one application roller dives into this and into the channel edges. After passing through the cylinder channel, including the channel start, especially the first, compressible layer of the applicator roll has a sufficiently elastic restoring force, so that the basic roll adjustment, in particular the predetermined roll strip (Walzenbeistellung) is again ingestible on the adjacent form cylinder. Preferably, several such applicator rollers are circumferentially assigned directly to the forme cylinder with at least one cylinder channel, so that successively each of the applicator rollers after passing through the cylinder channel has a sufficiently elastic restoring force for the purpose of re-taking the basic roll adjustment.

In this case, the first, compressible layer is preferably cylindrical in outer diameter. Alternatively, the outer diameter of this layer can deviate from a cylindrical shape, for example, have a crown (with convex curvature) or another configuration.

Alternatively, the outer diameter of the roller core may also be cylindrical or deviating from this shape. By such training adjustments of the moisture over the format width can be realized.

The invention will be explained in more detail using an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 1

ein Offsetdruckwerk,

Fig. 2

ein Lackwerk,

Fig. 3

eine Auftragwalze der Auftragvorrichtung im Querschnitt (Seitenansicht),

Fig. 4.

eine Auftragwalze der Auftragvorrichtung im Querschnitt (Vorderansicht).

Here are shown schematically:

Fig. 1

an offset printing unit,

Fig. 2

a coating plant,

Fig. 3

an application roller of the application device in cross section (side view),

Fig. 4.

an application roller of the applicator in cross section (front view).

According to Fig. 1 is an offset printing unit with an inking unit 6 and a dampening unit 5 shown if necessary. The inking unit 6 has, inter alia, at least one inking roller train, which has several applicator rollers as inking rollers 8 at the end. The inking rollers 8 axially changeable and rotatably driven distributor rollers 17 may be arranged upstream. The drives can be stopped if necessary.

In the present example, in the direction of rotation of a here designed as a plate cylinder forme cylinder 1 circumferentially four inking rollers 8 directly associated with this form cylinder 1 frictionally. Here, in the direction of rotation of the forme cylinder 1, the first and second inking roller 8 together with an upstream first distributor roller 17 frictionally in contact and the third and fourth inking roller 8 is common with an upstream second distributor roller 17 frictionally in contact. In the peripheral arrangement of several inking rollers 8 to the forme cylinder 1, at least the first and second inking roller 8 may preferably be in contact with a distributor roller 17.

The form cylinder 1 has at least one axially parallel cylinder channel 10, for example, for receiving clamping means for fixing printing plates on. The forme cylinder 1 is furthermore provided with a blanket cylinder 2 and the blanket cylinder 2 is in contact with a sheet guiding cylinder 4 leading to the printing material in the conveying direction 3, here designed as a printing cylinder.

If necessary, for example, the dampening assisted offset printing, a dampening unit 5 is upstream of the inking unit 6 in the direction of rotation of the forme cylinder 1. The dampening unit 5 has at least one application roller which can be brought into contact with the forme cylinder 1 as a dampening applicator roller 7, which is in functional connection with an upstream dampening agent metering system.

According to Fig. 2 is a coating unit, alternatively a flexographic printing unit, with a forme cylinder 1 with at least one cylinder channel 10 and one with the forme cylinder 1 in functional connection, the printing material leading sheet guiding cylinder 4, shown here as a pressure cylinder shown.

The coating unit has at least one applicator roller 9 which can be brought into contact with the forme cylinder 1, here designed as a lacquer applicator roller, which is coupled to a metering device 11 for the medium to be processed (flexographic ink, lacquer), for example a chambered doctor blade or roller system.

According to Fig. 3 is an application roller 7, 8, 9 and intermediate roller 19 (for use as dampening roller 7, inking roller 8, paint application roller 9 or intermediate roller 19) shown in cross section. This application roller 7 to 9 or intermediate roller 19 has a roller core 13 arranged concentrically around a roller axis 12 (with roll necks arranged at the end side) as a carrier material. Preferably, the roller core 13 may be formed of a metallic material such as steel or aluminum. Alternatively, the roller core 13 may be made of a carbon fiber composite material Be formed (CFRP material). In this case, the roller core 13 may each be formed from a solid material or a hollow cylindrical material.

On the roll core 13, a first, compressible layer 14 of a homogeneous elastomer is at least concentrically arranged adherent, on which in turn concentrically a second elastic layer 15 is arranged adherently from a homogeneous elastomer. The surface of the second layer 15 is used as a cover layer 16, i. the second layer 15 encloses the cover layer 16, designates and guides the respective medium to be processed (paint, lacquer, dampening solution). In this case, the first, compressible layer 14 has a lower Shore A hardness than the second, elastic layer 15.

The layers 14, 15 are preferably each composed of a rubber material mixture. In this case, the first, compressible layer 14 of the application roller 7 to 9 or intermediate roller 19 comprises a rubber compound having a hardness of 10 to ≦ 25 Shore-A. The second, elastic layer 15 of the applicator roller 7 to 9 comprises a rubber compound having a hardness of> 25 to 50 Shore-A.

Preferably, the thickness of the first, compressible layer 14 is greater than the thickness of the second elastic layer 15 (with cover layer 16). For example, the second layer 15 (with cover layer 16) may be ≦ 5 mm and the first layer 14 is noticeably thicker.

Preferably, a plurality of applicator rollers 7 to 9 are assigned to the forme cylinder 1 on the circumference. At least one of the applicator rollers 7 to 9 in this case has a roller core 13 made of a metallic material and at least one further of the applicator rollers 7 to 9 a roller core 13 made of a CFRP material.

The consisting of an elastomer, preferably each a rubber material, existing second layers 15, especially their outer layers 16, preferably depending on the application of the applicator rollers 7 to 9 or as an intermediate roller 19 color, paint or fountain solution leading surface properties or wetting properties.

The first, compressible layer 14 is adherent, preferably by means of a first vulcanization, arranged on the roller core 13. The second, elastic layer 15 with cover layer 16, which is arranged concentrically on the first, compressible layer 14, is preferably adhered to the first layer 14 by means of a second vulcanization.

The layer structure of the applicator roller 7 to 9 or intermediate roller 19 can be executed in such a way that in a further development between the first, compressible layer 14 and the second, elastic layer 15 and / or between the first, compressible layer 14 and the roller core 13 at least in addition Layer of a fabric or a plastic, eg a film is adherent. Preferably, the layer, for example between the roller core 13 and the first, compressible layer 14, a concentrically arranged barrier layer 18 (or for improved adhesion), for example of a rubber material.

In another embodiment, the applicator roller 7 to 9 or intermediate roller 19 is formed as a sleeve and is thus sleeve-shaped as a sleeve on the roller core 13 can be pulled up and pulled off (not shown). Preferably, the material of the sleeve is made of a metal or a plastic. The first, compressible layer 14 and, concentrically to this, the second, elastic layer 15 (with cover layer 16) are in each case arranged adherently on the sleeve.

In a further development, between the sleeve and the first, compressible layer 14 and / or between the first, compressible layer 14 and the second, elastic layer 15 with covering layer 16 at least additionally a layer of a fabric or a plastic, e.g. a film, or a rubber material adhered.

The barrier layer 18 or the additional layer preferably also serves as an adhesive layer for better connection of the first, compressible layer 14 with the roller core 13 or the sleeve.

The arrangement of the at least one application roller 7 to 9 as an inking roller 8 in the inking unit 6 is such that at least one of the four inking rollers 8 can be formed with the first, compressible layer 14 and second, resilient layer 15. The then remaining inking rollers may differ from this training. In Fig. 1 For example, all four inking rollers 8 each have the first, compressible layer 14 and the second, elastic layer 15 (with covering layer 16), which appreciably increases the damping effect in the entire inking unit.

In a further embodiment, at least the first and second (alternatively third and fourth) inking roller 8 associated with a common distributor roller 17 are formed with a first, compressible layer 14 and second, resilient layer 15 (with cover layer 16) adhesively secured thereto.

The formation of the applicator roller 7 to 9 is not limited to an inking unit 6. In a further embodiment, the at least one dampening roller 7 of a dampening unit 5 with a roller core 13 and concentrically and adherently arranged first, compressible layer 14 and adhered to this layer 14 second elastic layer 15 may be formed with cover layer 16.

For printing units with inking and dampening units 7, 8 per printing unit, a combination of at least one dampening roller 7 and a plurality of inking rollers 8 in each printing unit with this at least two-ply layer structure, formed from roller core 13, first, compressible layer 14 and second, elastic layer 15 (FIG. with cover layer 16) can be realized.

In the case of coating units (alternatively flexographic printing units), the application roller 9 can be realized with this at least two-ply layer structure formed by roller core 13, first, compressible layer 14 and second, elastic layer 15 (with cover layer 16). For this purpose, the applicator roller 9 is preceded by a metering device 11.

Preferably, several applicator rollers 7 to 9 the form cylinder 1 circumferentially directly assigned. In this case, at least one of the application rollers 7 to 9 a Roller core 13 of a metallic material and at least one further of the applicator rollers 7 to 9 have a roller core 13 made of a CFRP material.

Preferably, a plurality of applicator rollers 7 to 9 are assigned to the forme cylinder (1) peripherally directly and all the applicator rollers 7 to 9 have a roller core 13 made of a metallic material.

Preferably, a plurality of applicator rollers 7 to 9 are assigned to the forme cylinder 1 on the circumference and all applicator rollers 7 to 9 have a roller core 13 made of a CFRP material.

In a further development, the application device may comprise at least one application roller 7 to 9 and additionally at least one, the application roller 7 to 9, the medium (color, dampening solution, paint) to the application roller 7 to 9 feeding intermediate roller 19 have. In the inking unit 6, dampening unit 5 or coating unit / flexographic printing unit, the intermediate roller 19 of the at least one applicator roller 7 to 9 is arranged directly or indirectly. In this case, the intermediate roller 19 has a roller core 13 and on the roller core 13 is concentrically a first, compressible layer 14 of a homogeneous elastomer is arranged adherent and on this first, compressible layer 14 is a second, elastic layer 15 of a homogeneous elastomer, including a leading to the processing medium, cover layer 16, arranged adherent. In this case, the first, compressible layer 14 has a lower Shore A hardness than the second, elastic layer 15. The further roll construction is analogous to the o. G. Formations of applicator roller 7 to 9.

If desired, the top layer 16 of the second layer 15 and / or the surface of the first layer 14 (prior to being adhesively bonded to the layer 15) may be machined, i. a cutting shaping, for example by grinding, received.

The formation of an applicator roller 7 to 9 is not limited to the described embodiment with roller core 13, first and second layers 14, 15 (with cover layer 16). limited. Rather, such an applicator roller 7 to 9 may be formed from a roller shaft 12 or a roller core 13 with on this or this end arranged bearings. The bearings preferably carry a rotatably mounted hollow cylindrical body, which receives the layers 14, 15.

Fig. 4 shows an example of a design of the applicator roller 7 to 9; 19, which has a cylindrical roller core 12, concentrically arranged thereon, the first, compressible layer 14 and arranged thereon, the second elastic layer 15 with cover layer 16. Here, the first, compressible layer 14 is formed with a convex curvature 20. The curvature 20 may be generated, for example, by a grinding process, and then the second layer 15 (with covering layer 16) is applied to this layer 14.

• Bei Betrieb der Verarbeitungsmaschine rotiert der Formzylinder 1 in Drehrichtung (Pfeil), so dass wenigstens eine der Auftragwalzen 7 bis 9 auf dem Formzylinder 1 abrollt. Beim Passieren des Zylinderkanals 10 an der Kontaktstelle mit wenigstens einer der Auftragwalzen 7 bis 9 wird der durch die Zylinderkanalkanten initiierte Stoß in Folge des Schichtaufbaus, insbesondere der kompressiblen Schicht 14, der Auftragwalze 7 bis 9, nahezu völlig kompensiert.
• Bei der Ausbildung mit wenigstens einer Zwischenwalze 19 wird der durch die Zylinderkanalkanten initiierte, gegebenenfalls in das Farbwerk 6, Feuchtwerk 5 oder Lackwerk / Flexodruckwerk weitergeleitete Stoß insbesondere durch die kompressible Schicht 14 der Zwischenwalze 19 kompensiert.

The mode of action is as follows:

• During operation of the processing machine, the forme cylinder 1 rotates in the direction of rotation (arrow), so that at least one of the application rollers 7 to 9 rolls on the forme cylinder 1. When passing through the cylinder channel 10 at the contact point with at least one of the applicator rollers 7 to 9 initiated by the Zylinderkanalkanten shock due to the layer structure, in particular the compressible layer 14, the applicator roller 7 to 9, almost completely compensated.
• In the training with at least one intermediate roller 19 initiated by the Zylinderkanalkanten, optionally in the inking unit 6, dampening unit 5 or coating unit / flexographic printing passed on impact is compensated in particular by the compressible layer 14 of the intermediate roller 19.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Form cylinder (plate cylinder)

2

Blanket cylinder

3

conveying direction

4

Sheet guiding cylinder

5

dampening

6

inking

7

Dampener roller

8th

Inking roller

9

applicator roll

10

cylinder gap

11

metering

12

roll axis

13

roll core

14

first shift

15

second layer

16

topcoat

17

distributor roller

18

junction

19

intermediate roll

20

curvature

Claims (18)

1. An application device with a form cylinder (1) and at least one application roller (7 to 9) assigned in contact to the form cylinder (1) in a processing machine, wherein the form cylinder (1) comprises at least one cylinder channel (10) and a medium such as ink, dampening solution or varnish can be fed to the form cylinder (1) via the at least one application roller (7 to 9) that is elastic on the circumference, characterized in that the at least one application roller (7 to 9) comprises a roller core (13), in that on the roller core (13) a first compressible layer (14) of a homogeneous elastomer is concentrically arranged in an adhesively fixed manner and in that on this first compressible layer (14) a second elastic layer (15) of a homogeneous elastomer including a covering layer (16) guiding the medium to be processed is arranged in an adhesively fixed manner and in that the first compressible layer (14) has a lower Shore-A hardness than the second elastic layer (15).
2. The application device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the application roller (7 to 9) is a dampening form roller (7) that is in contact with the form cylinder (1).
3. The application device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the application roller (7 to 9) is at least one ink form roller (8) that is in contact with the form cylinder (1).
4. The application device according to Claim 1 and 3, characterized in that a plurality of ink form rollers (8) are assigned to the form cylinder (1) and that in direction of rotation of the form cylinder (1) at least the first and second ink form roller (8) is in contact with a vibrator roller (17).
5. The application device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the application roller (7 to 9) is a varnish form roller (9) that is in contact with the form cylinder (1).
6. The application device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the first compressible layer (14) of the application roller (7 to 9) is a rubber compound with a hardness of 10 to ≤ 25 Shore-A.
7. The application device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the second elastic layer (15) of the application roller (7 to 9) is a rubber compound with a hardness of 0 25 to 50 Shore-A.
8. The application device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the roller core (13) is formed of a metallic material.
9. The application device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the roller core (13) is formed of a carbon fibre reinforced plastic material.
10. The application device according to at least Claim 1, characterized in that the application roller (7 to 9) can be fitted onto the roller core (13) as sleeve in the manner of a sleeve, wherein on a sleeve the first compressible layer (14) is concentrically arranged and on the first compressible layer (14) the second elastic layer (15) including the covering layer (16) is arranged in an adhesively fixed manner.
11. The application device according to at least Claim 1 and 10, characterized in that the application roller (7 to 9) between the roller core (13) and the first compressible layer (14) or between the sleeve and the first compressible layer (14) comprises a barrier layer (18).
12. The application device according to at least Claim 1, characterized in that the first layer (14) is arranged on the roller core (13) in an adhesively fixed manner by means of a first vulcanisation and the second layer (15), including the covering layer (16) is arranged on the first layer (14) in an adhesively fixed manner by means of a second vulcanisation.
13. The application device according to at least Claim 1 and 8 or 9, characterized in that the roller core (13) is formed of a solid material or a hollow-cylindrical material.
14. The application device according to at least Claim 1, characterized in that the thickness of the first compressible layer (14) is greater than the thickness of the second elastic layer (15).
15. The application device according to at least Claim 1 and 8 and 9, characterized in that a plurality of application rollers (7 to 9) are directly assigned to the form cylinder (1) on the circumference and in that at least one of the application rollers (7 to 9) has a roller core (13) of a metallic material and at least one further one of the application rollers (7 to 9) has a roller core (13) of a carbon fibre reinforced plastic material.
16. The application device according to at least Claim 1 and 8, characterized in that a plurality of application rollers (7 to 9) are directly assigned to the form cylinder (1) on the circumference and in that all application rollers (7 to 9) have a roller core (13) of a metallic material.
17. The application device according to at least Claim 1 and 9, characterized in that a plurality of application rollers (7 to 9) are directly assigned to the form cylinder (1) on the circumference and in that all application rollers (7 to 9) have a roller core (13) of a carbon fibre reinforced plastic material.
18. The application device according to at least Claim 1, characterized in that the application device comprises at least one application roller (7 to 9) and in that upstream of the at least one application roller (7 to 9) an intermediate roller (19) feeding the medium to the application roller (7 to 9) is arranged, wherein the intermediate roller (19) has a roller core (13) and on the roller core (13) concentrically a first compressible layer (14) of a homogeneous elastomer is arranged in an adhesively fixed manner and in that on this first compressible layer (14) a second elastic layer (15) of a homogeneous elastomer including a covering layer (16) guiding the medium to be processed is arranged in an adhesively fixed manner and in that the first compressible layer (14) has a lower Shore-A hardness than the second elastic layer (15).

Images