EP2338683B1 - Board revolver - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves connecting the pressure plates (10) with each other in a detachable manner, where the beveled ends of a pressure plate surround the beveled ends of another pressure plate in order to hold the pressure plates in a combined state until a release operation is performed. An independent claim is also included for a plate revolver with an information carrier.

Description

The invention relates to the handling, in particular the summarization or bundling of printing plates and an apparatus and a method for detaching a printing plate from the combined or bundled printing plates. In particular, the invention relates to a method for handling printing plates in web offset printing, in particular in newspaper printing, and to an apparatus for carrying out the method.

In industrial newspaper production, the offset process is the predominant printing process. A paper web is passed through a printing tower and printed on both sides in 4 colors. For each color and web page a printing unit is used. A printing unit can print several pages at the same time, depending on the type of machine. On a single plate cylinder, several printing plates are usually mounted side by side or circumferentially one behind the other.

Pressure plates are thin metal plates, for example aluminum plates with thicknesses of typically 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm, which have at the top of colorfull and non-ink-bearing areas. The number of maximum in a printing unit side by side mountable printing plates and thus the number of pages that are adjacent to each other on a paper web is a design feature of a printing press. The number of pressure plates that can be mounted in the circumferential direction is another design feature. If two plates or printing plates can be mounted in the circumferential direction, it is possible to print the same page twice in one revolution, which is called double production. But it is also possible to print two different pages, which is referred to as collective production. These two features - with other features, which are less relevant in connection with the present invention - the configuration and thus the production possibilities of a printing unit, or of a printing tower. Typical configurations are 4x1, 4x2 and 6x2. It is possible to print on a paper web which does not have the maximum printing unit width, but only for example 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, 5/6, 4/6, 3/6, 2/6 or 1/6 of the maximum width.

It is also possible to combine several pages on a common printing plate - a so-called panorama plate - this possibility is used, for example, for the production of 2-page images. It is also possible to rotate the position of the printing side by 90 ° or 270 ° and produce so-called tabloid newspapers. On a plate cylinder typically 1 to 12 printing plates are mounted.

For a newspaper production, a large number of printing plates must be produced and mounted on the appropriate cylinders in the right place. If a change of the print image on one or more newspaper pages is required, the printing plates of the affected newspaper pages are changed. During printing plate change, the printing press is stopped. Newspaper production takes place in the majority of cases at night, usually the production times are scarcely calculated. In practice, several hundred to several thousand printing plates per night are changed in a newspaper printing plant. There are cases in which all printing plates of a printing unit must be changed, but it also happens that only individual, selected printing plates of a printing unit must be changed. Downtimes and errors in the assembly of printing plates reduce productivity and lead to increased costs.

When newspaper printing several printed webs are separated longitudinally, one above the other, folded in the folder and separated transversely, usually there is no trimming of the copies, which would incur paper waste. The fixed section length corresponds to the cylinder circumference, or half the circumference of the cylinder. In order to maximize the printable area, the fixing elements for fixing the printing plates on the plate cylinder must be made as space-saving as possible, the printing plates are usually bent at the ends.

A plate cylinder has fasteners to fix printing plates on its surface. Fastening elements are for example parallel to the cylinder axis, located on the surface clamping or clamping devices. Furthermore, a Fastener be a recess with an acute-angled edge. In this case, differently acting fasteners can be used for fixing the front or rear edge of the printing plate. For example, it is possible that the fold forms an acute angle (<90 °) with the printing surface of the printing plate. In this case, a recess with an acute-angled edge, in which the front edge of the pressure plate is hung, be used as a fastener. A fixation of the pressure plate can then be achieved, for example, by the pressure plate is tensioned at its rear end. It is also possible for the front or rear end of a printing plate terminals to be used as fasteners. For lateral alignment of the printing plates on the plate cylinder pins and side stops can be used. The pressure plates may have at the bent ends recesses, which ensure in cooperation with the stops precise lateral positioning of the printing plates on the plate cylinder.

The transport of the printing plates to the appropriate printing units and the error-free installation of the printing plates on the plate cylinders require a considerable amount of qualified personnel. On each plate is in the non-printing area, for example on the bent end, information about the position at which the plate must be mounted inside the printing press. The manual handling of the individual printing plates increases the risk of damage to the plates and also the risk of errors during plate assembly.

There are a number of methods and apparatus known to automate the plate transport to the printing unit or the plate change. The goal is to reduce set-up times, reduce operating costs for changing production, and avoid errors when installing printing plates. The known solutions relate in part to the field of sheet-fed presses, some concepts are also found in processes that are suitable for newspaper printing.

DE 10 2004 042 268 A1 describes a method for feeding a printing plate provided in a disk magazine. The disk magazine is positioned in such a way to the plate cylinder, that the pressure plate can be guided to a clamping device located on the plate cylinder. However, the disk magazine can only a single Record the printing plate, so that after feeding the printing plate to the plate cylinder, the plate magazine must be re-equipped.

The DE 3 940 795 A1 discloses a method for automatically feeding a printing plate. In this case, the pressure plate is placed in a storage chamber, the plate cylinder suitably rotated, fed the pressure plate by means of transport rollers and by means of a pressure roller of a clamping device of the plate cylinder. The disadvantage is that the storage chamber can accommodate only a printing plate, which is adjusted by an operator.

The EP 435 410 B2 discloses an apparatus for replacing a printing plate in a printing press, in which a plurality of new and a plurality of old printing plates can be stacked and held in a cassette. The disadvantage is that the order of the disks to be placed is determined by the stacking order. In addition, obviously plates are used, which are bent only on one side.

The Utility Model DE 20 2006 019 943 U1 discloses a printing plate apparatus in which a plurality of printing plates are individually stored in cassettes. The cassettes are moved together by a conveyor to achieve each removal positions for the individual printing plates.

The DE 10 2004 022 089 A1 discloses a printing plate cassette with an old and a new book with closable openings on the top or bottom through which a new printing plate can be inserted into the cassette, the new printing plate can be fed to the forme cylinder, an old printing plate from the forme cylinder are guided into the cassette can and can be removed by an operator from the cassette. The disadvantage is that only a new panel and an old panel of the cassette can be fed, removed and stored. A printing machine which is equipped with such cassettes requires a cassette for each printing point. Another disadvantage is the high mechanical complexity and the deterioration of accessibility to the plate cylinder.

The EP 1 987 954 A2 discloses a method for handling printing plates in which each printing plate is encoded, each printing plate is placed in a cassette which can hold a plurality of printing plates, the encoding of each printing plate is read out, and it is checked whether the printing plate is on the correct cassette and Subsequently, a defined receiving position in the cassette is released for the printing plate. A disadvantage of the method is the design effort for the cassettes, which requires the possibility of release or non-release certain recording positions. A further disadvantage is that the coding of each pressure plate to be introduced into the cassette has to be read out.

One difficulty with known automatic plate changing methods is the tight tolerances which must be maintained with respect to the position of the printing plate on the cylinder. The DE 19 620 997 A1 discloses a method for axially positioning a printing plate during assembly. The method has the object to improve the page register in the print. A disadvantage of the proposed solution is the use of a variety of additional actuators. Another disadvantage is that the position of the plate to be mounted is determined with respect to the cylinder.

The DE 4 408 025 A1 discloses a printing unit. In the printing unit each form cylinder is associated with a printing plate changing device. The disadvantage of this solution is that in each case only one printing plate per printing zone can be stored in the printing plate changing device. In the event of malfunctions, the pressure bridge units must be set at a distance from each other for a manual change of the printing plates in order to allow access to the plate cylinders.

In the press release No 53/07 - 1/2, MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG introduces a system for automatic plate change. The printing plates juxtaposed in magazines are guided by a 4-axis robot arm to the printing cylinder and then fixed on the plate cylinder by means of a plate positioning mechanism. A disadvantage of the method is the high technical and safety effort. In addition, the effort to provide the printing plates in the corresponding magazines.

The DE 3 630 876 A1 discloses a process control system for a newspaper printing press. The publication describes a printing plate transport system and a controller. The printing plates are individually identified and transported by a transport system to the appropriate printing units. The automatic transport of individual plates requires a variety of devices and is very expensive.

The DE 10 2007 030 174 B3 (or EP 2014467 A2 ) describes a method for mounting a printing forme on a plate cylinder in the printing plate using holding means each holding a plate at the bottom. The method uses an approximately cylindrical feed system which is subdivided into adjacent sections. For each section a holding system is needed to carry out the assembly process. Disadvantages are the high mechanical complexity and the reduced accessibility to the forme cylinder.

The DE 10 2006 032 203 A1 discloses a feeding apparatus for feeding printing plates to a plate cylinder. The printing plates are provided in magazines which have several layers for receiving printing plates. A disadvantage is the high mechanical complexity and the requirement that the supply of the printing plates to the individual magazines and layers of the device by an operator.

The DE 10 2005 055 116 A1 discloses a printing form allocation device which enables the assignment of printing forms in the respective storage locations of a printing form memory. A disadvantage is the high number of detectors required.

The DE 10 2006 006 136 A1 discloses a printing form allocation device comprising code readers, which can jointly detect the encoding of a plurality of printing plates. The disadvantage is that the printing plates have to be stored in a magazine and their identification information must be visible.

The DE 10 2004 023 434 A1 discloses a method for changing a printing form in which the assembly or disassembly of a printing plate using a suction device takes place. A disadvantage of the method is that a manual hooking a page of the printing form is required.

DE 10 2005 042 756 A1 discloses a method for changing printing forms. In this case, printing plates located in memories are automatically mounted on a printing form cylinder. The disadvantage is the requirement of at least one memory location for each disk position. In addition, the supply of the printing forme to printing forme cylinder by pushing from the rear edge of the printing form. In the case of flexible printing plates, as used in newspaper printing, the position accuracy is reduced during assembly, or the effort for positionally accurate mounting increases.

The DE 103 14 344 B3 discloses an apparatus for storing an elevator to be fed to a cylinder of a printing press, wherein printing forms to be mounted on a form cylinder are stored separately from each other in an upper shaft and printing forms are hooked on one side in a lower shaft of the form cylinder taken off.

It is an object of the invention to propose a method and a plate turret for easy handling of printing plates.

The inventive method according to claim 1 relates to the handling of printing plates. It comprises method steps for transporting printing plates from the place of manufacture to the desired printing unit; Method steps for automatic mounting of printing plates, which were transported to the printing unit; the disassembly of printing plates and / or monitoring methods to detect errors early. Advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention relate to technical details in the plate transport and plate assembly.

The basic idea of the method according to the invention for handling printing plates is, in many cases, not to provide only a single plate on a printing unit, but a package of printing plates. Hereinafter, a package of printing plates will be referred to as a package or disk turret.

A plate turret according to claim 3 comprises such printing plates, which must be newly installed in a printing unit during a production change. It can also include plates that need to be installed on multiple printing units. It is possible, for example, that a package contains printing plates for two printing units, or the plates for the printing units assigned to a web page, or the plates for the printing units associated with a printing tower.

A package may contain between one and k * n printing plates, depending on the machine configuration and the number of pages to be changed, where n is the number of printing units to be supplied from the package with printing plates and k is the maximum number of printing plates mountable within a printing unit.

A package may consist of simply superimposed plates, but may also comprise a transport means, for example a cassette or a container. It is important that an identification of the parcel can be recorded at at least one point in the parcel. Such identification may be a separate identifier added to the package. In a preferred embodiment, the identification of at least one printing plate associated with the package is used as identification of the package. In a higher-level planning system, the identifications of printing plates which have to be exchanged during a production change are known, so that the information for a printing plate contained in the package is sufficient, without all plate identifications having to be visible. It does not matter which of the plates in a package can be identified.

The fact that not individual printing plates but packages are transported by plates between plate making and printing unit, reduces the number of transport operations, which reduces the risk of error. Also, a package of printing plates has a higher mechanical rigidity compared with a single printing plate, thereby reducing the risk of damage during transport.

The formation of packages in the field of plate production can be done automatically, or manually. It is also possible to form a package if not all plates have been produced which are required for a change. It is later possible to add the missing plates to the package, or to transport missing plates either individually or as a package to the appropriate printing unit.

According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a method for combining pressure plates, wherein the pressure plates are connected, clamped, nested, pressed or wedged together by a pressure plate at least partially surrounding at least one other pressure plate. A pressure plate is, for example, a plate-shaped, flexurally elastic body. In the longitudinal direction, the pressure plate has an upper and a lower one End, which complete or include a central portion of the printing plate. The pressure plate is folded at the top and at the bottom, in particular rectified folded so that the respective edge can be inserted into a channel of a plate cylinder to fix the pressure plate to the plate cylinder. Preferably, the ends are angled at an angle between 75 ° and 105 ° of the pressure plate in the uninstalled state. Particularly preferred is the angle between 85 ° and 95 ° or 90 °.

The connection between the printing plates can be non-positive, frictional and / or positive. Moreover, a connection due to a magnetic force, a latching device, a screw, a snap closure or a hook with a corresponding eyelet is conceivable. Furthermore, an energy storage, such as a tension or compression spring exert a force on a holding or locking device for holding the pressure plates, so that for example the tension or compression spring, in particular by means of bolts, the pressure plates in the holding or locking device pinched or pushed in. However, the connection of the printing plates is preferably carried out without additional holding and / or fastening elements. The compound is able to hold the printing plates in a consolidated state until a release operation is performed. Preferably, the printing plates are connected only in the region of the bends and separated from each other in the area between the bends, that is not connected.

In a preferred embodiment, the pressure plates are arranged one inside the other or one on the other, so that the bent ends or the bends of one pressure plate can be connected, clamped, nested, pressed or wedged with the bevelled ends of another pressure plate. Here, the folded ends of a pressure plate surround the folded ends of the other, inner pressure plate. This type of connection of the printing plates can be done by simply pressing the printing plates together by means of a mechanical force. Advantageously, two, three or more printing plates are connected simultaneously or successively in this way.

A pressure plate has a length that can be defined, for example, as the distance between the folded ends of the pressure plate. All summarized printing plates are preferably the same length. When nesting or merging For example, two pressure plates results in a Um- or overvoltage of the inner, surrounding of the folded ends of the other pressure plate printing plate, so that this, for example, a bulbous curvature in the central portion of the printing plate has due to the Um- or overvoltage. Moreover, the bulbous bulge prevents the contact of the surface of one pressure plate with the underside of the other pressure plate, whereby the surface of the pressure plate can be protected.

Preferably, the connection is detachable, so that a single printing plate can be removed from the combined printing plates, pulled out or removed. If several printing plates are combined, one, two or more printing plates can be released, in particular simultaneously or successively. In a peeling operation, the connection can be solved by pulling out, bending or pushing out. Advantageously, the connection is achieved by a curved or arcuate, in particular circular arc-shaped movement of a part, in particular one of the bevelled ends, of the pressure plate to be released. This curved or circular movement is preferably performed about an axis of rotation which is in a plane orthogonal to the central portion of the pressure plate and / or parallel to one of the edges of the folded ends of the pressure plate. This movement can partially or completely release the connection between two pressure plates or between a pressure plate and the plate turret. It is advantageous if this detachment movement is not rectilinear. The connection can be solved all at once or successively, for example in two or more steps. Advantageously, in a second step, the partially bent-out pressure plate is pulled out of the plate turret or pushed out and thus completely dissolved out.

Preferably, printing plates with an integral multiple of four printing plates or with an integral multiple of six printing plates are connected together. For example, between 2 and 40 printing plates, but preferably 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 18, 20 or 24 printing plates can be joined together to form a plate revolver.

Printing plates, in which a pressure plate at least partially surrounds at least one other pressure plate and thus a connection, in particular releasably, can be produced between the pressure plates, are also referred to as a plate turret. Preferably, the Plates of a plate turret are summarized or bundled according to the method described above. The printing plates of a plate turret can be provided for equipping one or more plate cylinders. Preferably, each printing plate is assigned a position on a plate cylinder.

The plate turret is preferably stored substantially vertically in a storage facility or a harass. However, a horizontal storage or other type of storage of the plate turret is possible.

An advantage of the invention is that the printing plates can be summarized and provided in the correct order for equipping the plate cylinder and thus a space-consuming and time-consuming handling of many individual printing plates is avoided.

The gathering or bundling of the printing plates is due to the nesting or clamping of the printing plates. This type of bundling is simple and quick to perform and, moreover, inexpensive, since preferably no additional components for holding the printing plates must be used.

Another advantage of the invention is that an employee can be responsible for several printing machines, since the employee does not have to insert the printing plates individually in each Druckplattenzuführvorrichtung, but the Druckplattenzuführvorrichtung can provide a plate turret and the device, the required printing plates preferably individually and independently can come out of the plate turret.

An apparatus according to the invention comprises, in one aspect, means for merging printing plates into packages; Sensors for identifying printing plates or packages; Means for transporting parcels; Means for removing individual printing plates from packages; Means for transporting individual printing plates near the mounting position; and / or means for disassembling and removing printing plates. It preferably comprises a computer system comprising a network and one or more Has data storage and which can be used as a planning system or as a control system.

In the formation of packages, it is advantageous to capture the plate identifications of the packaged printing plates. It is possible to automate this acquisition by a corresponding sensor detects the individual identifications. A sensor may include, for example, bar code readers, cameras, scanners, electromagnetic sensors or RFID sensors, or a combination thereof. The term sensor comprises on the one hand electronic or optoelectronic detectors, but also optionally associated controls and software functions for evaluating the detector signals. It may be advantageous to detect the identification of printing plates at different times or at different locations in order to quickly detect possible errors in the course of handling and to take appropriate measures. The sensors used for this purpose can be of different types.

A sensor can detect the identifications of several or all of the disks belonging to a package. But it is also possible to record the identifications individually. It is also possible to enter the identifications by an operator. It may be advantageous to also capture the order of the printing plates in a package as information.

The identification may be placed in the folded portion of a printing plate. It can be applied in connection with the plate exposure, it can also be applied with a separate device, for example a printer. It is also possible to use the printed image itself or parts thereof for identification. It is possible that the identification is permanently connected to the printing plate or is removable. It can be used repeatedly identifiable means for identification, for example, signs or RFID sensors. It is also possible to use multiple identifications.

The information about the printing plates contained in a package or disk turret will be referred to hereafter as package data.

Packet data may be more or less extensive, but may also be incomplete if, for example, it includes the information about packaged plates but not their order.

Packet data may be provided for subsequent operations in a network accessible data store. It is also possible to dispense with the storage of packet data in order to reduce the information technology effort, however, the availability of packet data offers advantages in the detection of errors that can occur when handling printing plates.

Packet data may also include other, for example, production-related or machine-related data, for example the mounting positions of the packaged printing plates, image data of the printing plates, parameters for presetting of printing units, product names, production time, or other information. But it is also possible to provide such information in separate data stores.

In the following, the identification can also be referred to as an information carrier, which can be multi-part and can be attached to one of the printing plates, in particular to the uppermost and / or lowermost printing plate, of the plate revolver. The lowermost pressure plate may, for example, be the one that can be removed from the plate turret first and the uppermost pressure plate may be the last plate contained in the plate turret after the other plates have been removed from the plate turret. Preferably, only a single information carrier is attached to the disc turret to facilitate and / or facilitate the process of acquiring the information. The information carrier may be a linear bar code, a stacked bar code, a 2D code or the like. An RFID unit for storing information can also serve as an information carrier. Preferably, the information carrier force, friction, form and / or cohesively connected to the pressure plate. Preferably, the information carrier is glued to the printing plate, clamped or integrated into the printing plate. Advantageously, the information carrier is mounted in such a way that slipping or accidental removal of the information carrier is not possible. Preferably, the information carrier has a redundant code or a system for error correction, so that despite slight contamination or damage of the Information carrier information can be read out of the information carrier, such as a 2D code.

Furthermore, the information carrier can be attached to the top and / or bottom of the printing plate, wherein the edge region is preferred in this regard. Moreover, it is conceivable that a plurality of information carriers are attached to one and / or more or each pressure plate in the plate turret. Moreover, the information carrier can be attached to or integrated in the bearing device of the plate turret. It is advantageous if the information carrier for a scanning device or read-out device is easily accessible, so that the scanning process can be carried out quickly and without time-consuming handling of the printing plates or the plate turret.

The information carrier may contain information about the printing plates contained in the plate cylinder, about the order of the printing plates, about the format to be printed and about the marking of the plate turret in the form of, for example, numbering. Furthermore, the information carrier may comprise information specifying which plate cylinder (s) should be equipped with the plates located in the plate turret (s) and at which position on the respective plate cylinder, the printing plate is to be arranged.

The information carrier can be detected and / or read out by means of a scanning device in order to forward the obtained information, for example, to an evaluation or control unit. The scanning device may be a mobile hand-held scanner, an image processing device such as a camera, or a fixed scan unit, such as a robotic arm with a scanning device. Furthermore, the scanning device can also be arranged on a device for feeding the printing plate to a plate cylinder or to the plate cylinder itself. Preferably, the scanning device has a display on which the scanned information is visualized.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a measuring or scanning device is provided, which is capable of measuring or determining the number of printing plates in a printing plate bundle, for example not yet fully combined on both sides, or in a plate revolver. For example, the measurement of a to Example, only one-sided summarized printing plate bundle before the printing plates combined to form a plate turret, in particular fully summarized, as described above. Preferably, the measurement is carried out when the folded ends of the printing plates are already summarized or interleaved on one side and on the other opposite side, the folded ends of the printing plates lie on one another, in particular loose and / or not nested. Preferably lies on this non-nested side of the printing plates in each case the edge of a bent end of a printing plate on the subsequent printing plate on or on. Seen from the front side, the outer surfaces of the loosely superimposed, bent ends of the printing plates can be seen. By detecting or detecting this end face, the entire height of the folded, superposed ends of the printing plates can be detected by means of a scanning or measuring device and the number of printing plates can be determined, calculated and / or determined. Preferably, the measured total height of the superimposed folded ends of the printing plate can be divided by the height of a folded single end of a printing plate to obtain the number of printing plates.

During the measuring process, the printing plates, in particular the printing plates nested only on one side, can move relative to the measuring or scanning device, wherein, for example, the scanning device is arranged stationary. The printing plates can be located on a device which moves relative to the scanning device in such a way, in particular in a straight line, translationally and / or rotationally, that the scanning device can detect or detect the folded, superimposed ends of the printing plates. For example, the printing plates can be arranged or arranged on a lift, on forks of a forklift or on another device which can be moved mechanically, hydraulically and / or pneumatically, in particular moved horizontally. The printing plates can also be held at the nested, combined end by a clamping or holding device and the other end of the printing plates, on which the folded ends of the printing plates are loosely on each other, can be moved past the scanning device, passed or pivoted past, so that the Scanning device can detect or measure the entire height of the folded ends of the printing plates and determine or calculate the number of printing plates, as described above. The passing or vorbeischwenken the printing plates on the Scanning device can be done by a mechanical, magnetic, hydraulic and / or pneumatic pressure or tensile force that can be exerted on the top or bottom pressure plate. Preferably, the measurement or the measuring process, in particular the entire measuring process, succeeds manually, semi-automatically or fully automatically.

In a further embodiment, the measuring or scanning device can move relative to the printing plates, in particular to the previously described, unilaterally summarized printing plates. Preferably, the scanner, as described above, directed to the front side, in which the printing plates lie loosely on one another. For example, the scanning device can preferably be moved by an operator or by a robot, in particular in a straight line, translationally and / or rotationally. Determining the number of printing plates is done as described above.

Alternatively or additionally, the above measuring method can also take place at the combined end or in the middle region of the printing plate bundle or plate turret.

The scanning device may be a mobile hand-held scanner, an image processing device such as a camera, or a fixed scan unit, such as a robotic arm with a scanning device. Preferably, the scanning device for determining the number of printing plates and the scanning device for detecting the information carrier, as described above, identical or similar.

Furthermore, a measuring or scanning device can be provided, which is able to measure the thickness of the combined printing plates or the plate turret and in this way to calculate or determine the number of printing plates in the plate turret. As described above, when summarizing or nesting two printing plates, the folded end of a printing plate surrounds the folded end of the inner printing plate. Since the pressure plates are the same length, the inner pressure plate is compressed or compressed during nesting or bending in one pressure plate in the other pressure plate. In this case, the elastic body or the middle portion of the pressure plate may elastically deform, such as in the form of a bulbous curvature of the central portion of the printing plate. For each additional added pressure plate, this bulbous buckle or elastic Deformation to be more pronounced, as results in the nesting or the bending of the added pressure plate in the existing printing plates, as described above, an increased compression or increased pressure on the added pressure plate.

The largest distance between two located in the plate turret printing plates is due to the Um- or overvoltage, for example, in the central portion of the printing plate, especially in the middle between the two folded ends of the printing plate. No distance or only a very small distance between the pressure plates in the plate turret may be present at the folded ends of the pressure plates, because the folded ends of the pressure plates in the plate turret, as described above, are connected by jamming or nesting.

As described above, the combined printing plates touch each other at the folded ends. Preferably, the measurement of the thickness of the plate turret is made at the folded ends, in particular before or in the area of the fold, since at this point the bulbous curvature or deformation of the printing plate is not or only to a small extent and thus no or only a small distance is present between the printing plates. However, when measuring the thickness at or near the folded ends, care should be taken that all pressure plates contained in the plate turret are detected, especially with several plates contained in the plate turret, which are slightly offset from each other, for example due to nesting of the plates in the plate turret lie on one another. When measuring the thickness of the plate turret at one of the bevelled ends, as described above, the number of printing plates in the plate turret is calculated by dividing the measured total thickness of the plate bundle or plate turret by the known thickness of a single printing plate.

In the thickness measurement at a position where the pressure plates do not abut each other due to the bulbous curvature, such as in the central portion of the printing plates of the plate turret, the number of printing plates, especially taking into account the distance between the printing plates, for example, from previously determined Values or empirical values. For example, one of these values may be by measuring the thickness of a plate turret at a particular measuring point on the printing plates, counting or knowing the number of printing plates in the plate turret of a person and assigning the number of printing plates to the measured thickness. Preferably, this process can be carried out at different meaningful or possible measuring points on a plate turret with two printing plates and iteratively carried out for each additional printing plate added to the plate turret. Useful measuring points are, for example, at the lateral edge regions of the central portion of the printing plates, as these areas are easily accessible to the scanning device. Preferably, a thickness is measured for each possible or useful measuring point on a plate turret and for every possible or meaningful number of printing plates in a plate turret, and the corresponding number of printing plates are assigned to this thickness. These values can be stored in tabular form, as a formula or in a database. Subsequently, this data stock can be accessed manually or electronically during each measurement. Preferably, the measurement of the thickness always takes place at the same location of the plate turret to ensure the reproducibility of the measurement. However, other approaches to determining or calculating the number of printing plates in the disk turret are also possible, such as by a function that describes the bulbous bowing or deformation and feeds it into the calculation or determination of the number of printing plates.

The measuring or scanning device is preferably applied laterally to the plate turret, in particular at the lower or upper end or in the central portion of the printing plates. This process is preferably suitable for quickly checking the number of printing plates that are in the disk turret. Preferably, the same scanning device is used, which is also used for scanning an information carrier mounted on a printing plate, as described above. However, a further or different measuring or scanning device may also be provided, such as, for example, a plate-turret-comprising, in particular U-shaped, measuring or scanning device. Preferably, a scanning device can be integrated in the storage device of the plate turret.

The method for detecting the number of printing plates by means of the thickness measurement of the plate turret and the method for detecting information about the plate turret by means of an information carrier can be performed simultaneously, successively or be carried out individually. Preferably, the methods are coupled or executed independently. However, both methods have the advantage that one or more information about the printing plates and / or the plate turret can be read out or recorded via a single scanning process, without time-consuming scanning of each individual printing plate.

A package transported to the printing unit is provided at a defined position in a mounting store, Harrass or storage facility. The mounting memory can accommodate one or more packages. Disassembled from a printing plate plates can be included in a disassembly memory. It is possible to use a mounting memory as a disassembly memory, it is also possible to provide a disassembly memory independent of the mounting memory.

A printing unit associated with the assembly device has mechanical actuators, which can isolate and identify plates from a package located in the mounting memory and position the scattered plates in the printing unit and assemble.

The mounting device has one or more sensors that can read the identification of the packages located in the mounting memory. The mounting device can via one or more sensors, which can read the identification of an isolated from the package pressure plate. It is advantageous if the same sensors can be used to identify a package of printing plates, as well as to identify the individual printing plates. If the order of the printing plates contained in a package is known, identification of the separated printing plates can be dispensed with. However, it may also be advantageous to provide an identification of the individual printing plates in order to obtain increased error safety through this additional test. It is also advantageous if the sensors can also be used for the identification of plates which are mounted by an operator.

The assembly device has a controller that controls the mechanical processes, the controller is networked with higher-level systems for production control, for example, to exchange identification information on the packages and printing plates and status messages and automatically trigger production changes. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the mounting device has a control station arranged in its vicinity, with which an operator can trigger, for example, individual functions or functional sequences or read or input status information.

1. 1. Vereinzelung von Druckplatten aus Paketen, welche sich im Montagespeicher befinden.
2. 2. Entnahme einer vereinzelten Platte aus dem Montagespeicher.
3. 3. Transport einer Platte an eine Montageposition des Plattenzylinders.
4. 4. Montage einer Platte auf dem Plattenzylinder.
5. 5. Demontage einer Platte vom Plattenzylinder.
6. 6. Transport einer Platte zu einem Demontagespeicher.
7. 7. Ablegen einer demontierten Platte in einen Demontagespeicher.

The mounting device preferably comprises mechanical actuators for the following method steps:

1. 1. Separation of printing plates from packages, which are located in the mounting memory.
2. 2. Removal of an isolated plate from the mounting memory.
3. 3. Transport a plate to a mounting position of the plate cylinder.
4. 4. Mounting a plate on the plate cylinder.
5. 5. Disassembly of a plate from the plate cylinder.
6. 6. Transport a plate to a disassembly storage.
7. 7. Place a disassembled plate in a disassembly storage.

It is possible to perform some of these process steps with the same actuators. For example, assembly and disassembly can be performed at least partially with the same actuators. It can also be carried out the transport of a disassembled plate for disassembly storage or the transport of a plate to be mounted from the mounting memory to the mounting position with the same actuators. But it is also possible for some process steps to provide separate actuators to perform certain mechanical processes in parallel can.

1. 1. Identifikation der im Montagespeicher befindlichen Pakete.
2. 2. Entnahme einer Druckplatte aus einem im Montagespeicher bereitgestellten Paket.
3. 3. Identifikation der aus dem Paket entnommenen Druckplatte (falls Reihenfolge der Platten unbekannt).
4. 4. Demontage der Druckplatten, welche ausgewechselt werden muss, wobei die demontierten Druckplatten an einer definierten Position in einem Demontagespeicher gesammelt werden können.
5. 5. Montage der identifizierten Platte an der definierten Position auf dem Plattenzylinder.

In the course of a production change, the mounting device carries out, for example, the following method steps:

1. 1. Identification of the packages in the mounting memory.
2. 2. Removal of a printing plate from a package provided in the mounting memory.
3. 3. Identification of the printing plate removed from the package (if the order of the plates is unknown).
4. 4. Disassembly of the printing plates, which must be replaced, the disassembled printing plates can be collected at a defined position in a disassembly storage.
5. 5. Assembly of the identified plate at the defined position on the plate cylinder.

If you need to change several plates, repeat steps 2 through 5. If all the plates of a package have been assembled but not all the plates required for the production change have been assembled, steps 1 to 5 are repeated. Step 3 may be omitted if the order of the disks contained in a package is known.

It is also possible, for example, to partially or completely carry out the disassembly of the printing plates to be replaced.

After all required plates have been mounted in the appropriate places, the completion of the process can be reported automatically and the printing unit marked as "ready for printing". If a package located in the mounting memory or a disk removed from the package is identified as being incorrect in the identification, for example, the misrecognized disk can be transported to the disassembly memory and an error can be reported. If the package does not contain all the plates needed for the production change, a corresponding error message or a warning can be triggered. This then requires an intervention to correct the error. For example, an operator may hand over a missing plate to the fixture, or manually perform the assembly and trigger an acknowledgment message to cause the print engine to be labeled as "ready for printing." For example, it is also possible for the missing disks to be brought into the mounting memory individually or as a package, and the automatic assembly of the subsequently supplied disks to be started manually or automatically.

The mounting memory comprises one or more containers that can accommodate plates or packages of plates. It is possible that a container contains several packages. A bin of the mounting storage may have a fixed position. The mounting memory may also include a positioning device with which the containers can be brought into different positions. It is also possible that a container can be detached from the mounting memory and used to transport printing plate packages between plate making and printing unit. Preferably, a container can accommodate a plurality of packages of printing plates.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a positioning device of the mounting memory can bring a container into a first position - the loading position - in which packages of plates are introduced into the container. The loading can be done by an automatic device which, for example, also carries out the transport of the printing plate packages from the plate production to the printing unit. The loading can also be done by an operator. A container can then be brought to a second position - the mounting position - which allows the removal of printing plates by the automatic mounting device. However, it is also possible to introduce plates into the container by an operator, for example, or to remove them from the container when the container is in the assembly position.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the order of packages loaded into the mounting memory is adapted to the production sequence, that is, the package needed for the next production change is, for example, at the foremost position in the mounting memory for the singulation and assembly of the package to allow contained printing plates. After all the plates of one package have been assembled, the next package is in the foremost position in the mounting memory. But it is also possible to design the mounting device so that the order in which different packages are present in a mounting memory is irrelevant. The mounting device in this case is designed so that it can identify all the packages located in a mounting memory and that it can make a separation of disks from any packages.

The mounting device separates a plate from a package in the mounting memory and identifies it. In order to carry out the separation of the plates, it has retaining elements. These may be, for example, grippers or preferably one or more individually controllable suction cups. The holding elements move for the singulation process in a plane perpendicular to the folded plate side. Typically, the plates are positioned in the mounting storage so that the folded plate side is parallel to the cylinder axis of the forme cylinder.

During the singulation process, the mounting device moves the printing plate out of the mounting memory into a first intermediate position, the identification position. In this position, an identification of the separated printing plate takes place.

Now, a shift of the isolated and correctly identified pressure plate in a mounting position of the printing plate. For this purpose, a movement of the pressure plate takes place on the one hand parallel to the axis of the forme cylinder, so that the plate reaches the desired lateral position, which corresponds to the pressure zone in which the plate is to be mounted. In addition, the pressure plate is moved in a plane perpendicular to the cylinder axis. It is possible to pass the plate to other holding or transporting elements, as were used for the singulation process, but it is also possible to use the same holding elements, as for the singulation process. The plate cylinder is moved so that the plate fasteners are in a defined position with respect to angle of rotation and lateral position, the mounting position of the plate cylinder. The movement of the plate cylinder may be a rotational movement or a movement along the cylinder axis, it may be carried out as soon as the control of the printing unit has received the information on the position of the mounting plate.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a slider is used. The slider can exert a force on the pressure plate by pressing against the fold from the underside of the plate. He can also hold a pressure plate in the middle. It is moved in a plane perpendicular to the fold of the plate and conveys the pressure plate from the identification position to the mounting position. The sliding of the plate by means of a slide located under the plate and acting on the front edge of the plate has the advantage that a high positioning accuracy of the flexible pressure plate is achieved. The slider can have additional positioning elements, such as pins, for a precise lateral positioning of the printing plate. In an advantageous embodiment, the plate is pushed against a stop located above the plate fastening elements, for example a strip, in order to improve the alignment of the pressure plate with respect to the fastening elements and their position in the circumferential direction of the plate cylinder.

Now both the pressure plate and the plate cylinder are in the mounting position.

The mounting position is preferably characterized in that a subsequent movement of the folded plate end in the radial direction to the plate cylinder brings the bending of the pressure plate with a fastening element of the plate cylinder in operative connection.

In an alternative embodiment, a device is provided for handling at least one printing plate, which device may be considered as an automatic feeding device or machine for feeding printing plates to a plate cylinder. This device is intended to detach at least one printing plate from a plate turret, in particular singly or individually, and to guide the printing plates to a plate cylinder and to position or center on the plate cylinder so that a Nachpositionieren is no longer required. This process is preferably carried out until the printing plates of the plate turret are used up.

This handling device comprises a detachment device, which can be multi-part and which can release a pressure plate from the plate revolver. The detaching device is able to release the force, friction and / or positive connection between the pressure plates of the plate turret. It is advantageous if the detachment device comprises or is a suction device, which can detect or suck in by means of negative pressure an internal or external, in particular the herauszulösende, pressure plate of the plate turret. A magnet or other device may also be used to detect the printing plate. Preferably, the release device is able to release the connection of the printing plates in the plate turret according to the above-described method for detaching a printing plate from a plate turret, for example by means of a curved Movement of the release device relative to the plate turret after it has grasped or sucked the pressure plate to be released, for example, at one end.

Furthermore, a release device can cause the release of two pressure plates by strong vibrations or by a mechanical shock. Moreover, it is conceivable that the detachment device can release several printing plates simultaneously, in particular substantially simultaneously, from the plate revolver.

Furthermore, the device for handling at least one pressure plate can comprise a plate revolver holding device, which can be multi-part. The disc turret holder is disposed on or in the harass or storage device and is capable of holding and / or displacing within the harass the printing plates contained in the disc turret in position and orientation. Preferably, the disc revolver holding device is provided to hold the disc turret or the pressure plate to be released, in particular at an edge region, for example at or near a fold or in the middle portion, while the release device detects one of the ends of the pressure plates and then bends out to the connection to solve the remaining plates in the plate turret. It is advantageous if the disc revolver holding device comprises or is a suction device, a magnet or a clamping device.

The device for handling preferably further comprises a holding device, which may be multi-part and hold the pressure plate after pulling out of the plate turret and / or lead. This holding device may preferably comprise or be a suction device or an air cushion device. The air cushion device may have a so-called inverted air cushion, which can suck and hold the pressure plate due to a generated vacuum. However, other holding devices such as a magnetic device or a clamping device are possible.

With the help of the detachment device and / or the holding device, the detached printing plate can be transported and / or guided by the plate turret to the plate cylinder. By means of a detaching and / or holding device, for example, both a translation and a rotation of the pressure plate in all degrees of freedom of movement possible. The detachment and / or holding device can be arranged or guided at the upper and / or lower end and / or in the middle section of the printing plate. Furthermore, the detachment and / or holding device can rest on the same and / or on different sides of the printing plate. Holding the pressure plate at the folded ends by means of the holding device is also possible. The holding device is advantageously able to hold the pressure plate in any position optionally independent.

Preferably, the handling device has a slide, which can be multi-part and advantageously may have a centering pin. The slider and / or the centering pin can / can be connected to the pressure plate in a form, friction and / or non-positive manner. Preferably, the slider is arranged with the centering pin at one of the two or both folded ends of the pressure plate and / or connected. However, a different position of the slider is not excluded. It is advantageous if the bent end of the pressure plate has a groove, opening or opening into which the centering of the slide can be introduced, in particular with little play or clearance. Preferably, the slider can be arranged centrally in the longitudinal direction of the pressure plate. The handling device may also include two or more slides for guiding the printing plate. Another type of connection between the slider and the pressure plate, such as by means of clamping device or magnets, is also possible.

Advantageously, the handling device has a positioning device, which can be multi-part and which helps to position the printing plate on the plate cylinder. For this purpose, the positioning device can be positioned or arranged in the vicinity or on the plate cylinder, in particular such that the positioning device is arranged above a channel on the plate cylinder for inserting or suspending a bent end of a printing plate, but preferably does not touch the plate cylinder. The positioning device advantageously has at least one recess which is suitable for receiving the slider and / or the centering pin and enables the exact positioning and / or centering of the slider, in particular laterally, and thus the pressure plate carried by the slider relative to the positioning device. However, other embodiments for positioning the slider are also possible. Prefers the recess can be aligned prior to insertion of the centering pin by means of a jig or a register cam, in particular laterally, so that after insertion of the centering pin of the slider into the recess no repositioning of the slider and the pressure plate relative to the positioning and thus against the plate cylinder more must take place. After insertion of the centering pin in the recess located at the centering pin bent end of the pressure plate is preferably located on a stop on the positioning, which is arranged transversely to the recess and parallel to a channel of the plate cylinder. The stopper is provided, for example, for the axial positioning of the printing plate relative to the plate cylinder.

After positioning the slider with the pressure plate on the positioning device, the slider can be removed, wherein the pressure plate can still be held in position by the holding device. By a jig, the properly positioned pressure plate, the folded end of which rests against the stop of the positioning and is located above the channel of the plate cylinder, are suspended or pushed into the channel. Advantageously, a cam can perform the indenting process, but other possibilities are not excluded. A fixing device can fix the bent end of the printing plate in the channel of the plate cylinder. After a rotation of the plate cylinder, the other loosely bent end of the printing plate can also be hung and fixed in a corresponding channel of the plate cylinder to then perform the printing process can.

After the printing operation has been carried out, the used printing plate can be released from the channel of the plate cylinder by means of a Ausspannvorrichung or stretched out. Preferably, the pressure plate is transported after unclamping via a conveyor belt to a disposal basket. Advantageously, the band is pivotally mounted and / or displaceable, so that it is able to take the stretched pressure plate at any point and transport it to the disposal basket without damaging or jeopardizing other devices. At the same time, the tape can serve as access protection so that people can not be injured when changing the printing plate.

The handling device can have, in addition to the devices already mentioned, other devices which can assist in loosening, holding, guiding, positioning, centering, fastening, clamping and / or unclamping the pressure plate (s).

The following describes the method steps that can be performed when handling the printing plate. Advantageously, the process steps can be carried out individually or in any combination.

A release device, in particular a suction device, is able to release a pressure plate from a plate turret. Advantageously, the plate turret is held and / or displaced with the aid of a plate revolver holding device such that the detaching device can suck in and / or grasp the printing plate to be released. To detach the pressure plate to be released, the detaching device can detect one of the ends of the pressure plate and partially release the pressure plate by means of a curved or circular, in particular non-linear, movement of the detaching device relative to the plate revolver. Subsequently, the partially released pressure plate can be pulled out completely from the plate turret with the aid of the detaching device. The detached printing plate is then transported or guided by a holding device and / or the release device to a plate cylinder. A slider, in particular with a centering pin, can be attached to or connected to the detached printing plate and guide the printing plate to the plate cylinder and / or into the vicinity of a channel of the plate cylinder. Advantageously, in this case the centering pin of the slider can be inserted or hooked in an opening or an opening at one of the folded ends of the printing plate. Thus, the pressure plate follows the movement of the slider. A positioning device is positionable on the plate cylinder and is provided for centering the slider and the pressure plate on the plate cylinder. In this case, the centering pin of the slider can be inserted into a recess of the positioning device, wherein the recess has previously been aligned or adjusted with the aid of a jig or a register cam relative to the plate cylinder, in particular laterally. After centering the pressure plate on the positioning device by means of slide, the slider can be removed, wherein the holding device keeps the pressure plate in position. Located adjacent to the positioning device is the pressure plate or the beveled end of the pressure plate over the channel of the plate cylinder. With a clamping device, the folded end of the pressure plate can be hung in the channel of the plate cylinder and then fixed in the channel.

A fold, a bent end, a beveled end or a folded surface of a printing plate are used in this description as synonyms, unless the context indicates otherwise.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be explained with reference to figures. The features disclosed in the figures form each individually and in any combination of features with the features described above, the invention advantageously further.

Figur 1

eine Seitenansicht von einseitig zusammengefassten Druckplatten miteiner Mess- oder Scanvorrichtung zum Bestimmen der Anzahl derDruckplatten;

Figur 2

eine Seitenansicht eines Druckplattenbündels mit einseitigzusammengefassten Druckplatten mit Krafteinleitungspunkt und zweiHaltepunkten zum Verschachteln der Druckplatten;

Figur 3

eine Seitenansicht eines Plattenrevolvers mit vollständigzusammengefassten Druckplatten;

Figur 4

eine Plattenrevolverhaltevorrichtung, die einen von zweiPlattenrevolvern hält;

Figur 5

eine Ablösevorrichtung beim Ansaugen einer einzelnen Druckplattedes Plattenrevolvers;

Figur 6

die Ablösevorrichtung vor dem Herausziehen der einzelnenDruckplatte aus einem Plattenrevolver;

Figur 7

die Ablösevorrichtung beim Herausziehen der einzelnen Druckplatteaus dem Plattenrevolver;

Figur 8

das Zuführen der Druckplatte zu einem Plattenzylinder mit Hilfe derAblösevorrichtung;

Figur 9

das Führen der Druckplatte mit der Ablösevorrichtung und einerHaltevorrichtung;

Figur 10

die Haltevorrichtung und die Ablösevorrichtung beim Positionieren derDruckplatte am Plattenzylinder;

Figur 11

das Ablösen der Ablösevorrichtung von der Druckplatte, wobei dieDruckplatte weiterhin von der Haltevorrichtung gehalten wird;

Figur 12

das Einführen eines Schiebers an die von der Haltevorrichtunggehaltene Druckplatte;

Figur 13

das Führen der Druckplatte an den Plattenzylinder mit Hilfe desSchiebers und der Haltevorrichtung;

Figur 14

eine detaillierte Ansicht des Schiebers mit einem Zentrierzapfen undder Haltevorrichtung an der Druckplatte;

Figur 15

eine Draufsicht des Schiebers mit dem Zentrierzapfen, der in einerÖffnung der Druckplatte zentriert ist;

Figur 16

das Zuführen des Schiebers mit der Druckplatte an einePositioniervorrichtung am Plattenzylinder;

Figur 17

eine Draufsicht des Zuführvorgangs aus Figur 16;

Figur 18

eine Draufsicht der Zentrierung des Zentrierzapfens in einerAussparung der Positioniervorrichtung;

Figur 19

das Einstellen der Aussparung der Positioniervorrichtung;

Figur 20

den Einspannvorgang der Druckplatte in einen Kanal desPlattenzylinders;

Figur 21

das Positionieren des Schiebers während des Einspannvorgangs;

Figur 22

das Eindrücken des abgekantenten Endes der Druckplatte in den Kanal
des Plattenzylinders;

Figur 23

der Abtransport gebrauchter Druckplatten mittels Transportbands;

Figur 24

ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel für den Abtransport gebrauchterDruckplatten;

Figur 25

ein drittes Ausführungsbeispiel für den Abtransport gebrauchterDruckplatten;

Figur 26a

ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel für das Ablösen einer Druckplattenaus einem Plattenrevolver;

Figur 26b

den Ablösevorgang einer einzelnen Druckplatte nach dem in Figur 26agezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel;

Figur 26c

das Zuführen der Druckplatte an einen Plattenzylinder nach dem inFigur 26a gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel;

Figur 27a

ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel für das Eindrücken eines abgekantetenEndes einer Druckplatte in einen Kanal eines Plattenzylinders;

Figur 27b

das Anheben der Druckplatte, um einen Schieber zu entfernen nachdem in Figur 27a gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel;

Figur 27c

das Eindrücken des abgekantenen Endes der Druckplatte in einen Kanaldes Plattenzylinders nach dem in Figur 27a gezeigtenAusführungsbeispiel;

Figur 28a bis 28c

die Bildung eines Plattenrevolvers oder Paktes aus Druckplatten unddas Erfassen eines Informationsträgers oder einer Identifikation mittelseines Scanners oder Sensors; und

Figur 29a bis 29c

einen Ablauf eines Montagevorgangs an einem Druckwerk, wobei Druckplatten an einen Plattenzylinder angeordnet werden.

Show it:

FIG. 1

a side view of unilaterally summarized printing plates with a measuring or scanning device for determining the number of printing plates;

FIG. 2

a side view of a printing plate bundle with one-sided summarized pressure plates with force application point and two holding points for nesting the printing plates;

FIG. 3

a side view of a plate turret with fully assembled printing plates;

FIG. 4

a disc revolver holding device holding one of two disc turrets;

FIG. 5

a detachment device for sucking a single printing plate of the plate turret;

FIG. 6

the detachment device before pulling out the single printing plate from a plate turret;

FIG. 7

the detachment device when removing the individual printing plate from the plate turret;

FIG. 8

feeding the printing plate to a plate cylinder by means of the releasing device;

FIG. 9

guiding the printing plate with the detachment device and a holding device;

FIG. 10

the holding device and the detachment device when positioning the printing plate on the plate cylinder;

FIG. 11

the detachment of the release device from the pressure plate, wherein the pressure plate is further held by the holding device;

FIG. 12

inserting a slider to the pressure plate held by the holder;

FIG. 13

guiding the printing plate to the plate cylinder by means of the slider and the holding device;

FIG. 14

a detailed view of the slider with a centering pin and the holding device on the pressure plate;

FIG. 15

a plan view of the slider with the centering pin, which is centered in an opening of the pressure plate;

FIG. 16

feeding the slider with the pressure plate to a positioning device on the plate cylinder;

FIG. 17

a top view of the feeding process FIG. 16 ;

FIG. 18

a plan view of the centering of the Zentrierzapfens in a recess of the positioning device;

FIG. 19

adjusting the recess of the positioning device;

FIG. 20

the clamping operation of the printing plate in a channel of the plate cylinder;

FIG. 21

the positioning of the slider during the clamping process;

FIG. 22

the impressions of the bent end of the pressure plate in the channel
the plate cylinder;

FIG. 23

the removal of used printing plates by conveyor belts;

FIG. 24

a second embodiment for the removal of used printing plates;

FIG. 25

a third embodiment for the removal of used printing plates;

Figure 26a

a second embodiment for the detachment of a printing plate from a plate turret;

FIG. 26b

the detachment process of a single printing plate after the in Figure 26a embodiment shown;

FIG. 26c

feeding the printing plate to a plate cylinder after in Figure 26a embodiment shown;

Figure 27a

a second embodiment for the impressing of a folded end of a printing plate in a channel of a plate cylinder;

Figure 27b

lifting the pressure plate to remove a slider after in Figure 27a embodiment shown;

Figure 27c

the impressions of the bent end of the printing plate in a channel of the plate cylinder after the in Figure 27a shown embodiment;

FIGS. 28a to 28c

forming a disk turret or pact from printing plates and detecting an information carrier or an identification by means of a scanner or sensor; and

FIGS. 29a to 29c

a sequence of a mounting operation on a printing unit, wherein printing plates are arranged on a plate cylinder.

FIG. 1 shows a plurality of pressure plates 10, both at the left end 10a and at the right end 10b in the FIG. 1 shown pressure plates 10 are folded, wherein the beveled ends 10a and 10b protrude in the same direction. The folded left ends 10a of the printing plates 10 are combined and the folded opposite ends 10b of the printing plates 10 are loosely on each other. A scanner 11 is able to scan the combined printing plates 10 in order to calculate the number of printing plates in order to check whether the desired number of printing plates 10 is present. The scanner 11 is stationary in this case. The right end of the in

FIG. 1 apparent printing plates 10 is guided past the scanner 11 by means of a mechanical pressure force which is exerted on the pressure plates via the force introduction point 12. In this case, the scanner 11 detects and calculates the number of printing plates. The already summarized end of the printing plates 10 can be held by a holding device. Moreover, the scanner 11 can detect an information carrier 10c adhered to the folded end 10b of the uppermost printing plate 10 in the form of a bar code. The information carrier 10c includes information about the printing plates and the destination of the respective printing plate.

FIG. 2 shows one-sided nested pressure plates 10 and two holding points 13, which are arranged in the vicinity of the folded ends 10a, 10b of the uppermost pressure plate 10. Via a force introduction point 12, a pressure force is exerted on the lowermost pressure plate 10, so that the pressure plates are pressed against the holding points 13. By this Eindrückvorgang the folded ends 10b of the printing plates 10 are nested in one another analogous to the folded ends 10a.

FIG. 3 shows the combined to a plate turret 14 or bundled printing plates 10th

FIG. 4 shows a harass 22 in which two plate turrets 14 are located. FIG. 4 further shows a disc turret holder 20 which has pulled one of the two disc turrets 14 to the edge of the harass and holds the disc turret 14 in this position. A release device 23 detects with the suction cup 24, the upper folded end 10 b of the releasing pressure plate 10 of the plate turret 14, as in FIG. 5 shown.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show the bending out of the upper part of the releasing pressure plate 10 from the plate turret 14. Here, the detected by the detaching device 23 upper bent end 10 b of the pressure plate 10 is bent out by a curved movement of the detaching device 23.

FIG. 8 shows the guide of the detached printing plate 10 by means of the detaching device 23 to a plate cylinder 30. Here, the remaining part of the printing plate 10, which may still be in Harass 22, are pulled out of the harass 22.

FIGS. 9 to 11 show the guiding or positioning of the printing plate on the plate cylinder 30 by means of the detaching device 23 and a holding device 25. The holding device 25 is a so-called inverted air cushion 25, which can hold the printing plate by means of vacuum. After the holding device 25 has detected the pressure plate and the pressure plate is positioned in front of the plate cylinder 30, the detachment device 23 is released from the pressure plate 10. The pressure plate 10 is further held by the holding device 25 in position and orientation independently.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show the positioning of a slider 26 at the beveled end 10b of the pressure plate 10. The slider 26 is provided for feeding the pressure plate 10 to the plate cylinder 30 and to a positioning device 40 disposed on the plate cylinder 30. The pressure plate 10 has at the beveled end 10b an opening 10d, in which a centering pin 27 of the slider 26 is inserted, as in FIG. 14 shown. The holding device 25 keeps the pressure plate 10 in position. A plan view of the inserted centering pin 27 of the slider 26 in the opening 10d of the pressure plate 10 is in FIG. 15 seen. Thus, upon movement of the slider 26 in the direction of the plate cylinder 30, the pressure plate 10 is carried.

FIG. 16 shows how the pressure plate 10 is guided by means of the slider 26 to the plate cylinder 30. A channel 31 of the plate cylinder 30 is provided to receive the folded end 10 b of the printing plate 10. The positioning device 40 has a recess 41 for the centering pin 27 of the slider 26. As in FIGS. 17 and 18 shown, the slider 26 leads to the centering pin 27, the pressure plate 10 to the positioning device 40, wherein the centering pin 27 is inserted into the recess 41. In this case, the pressure plate 10 is laterally aligned with the plate cylinder 30. Furthermore, the positioning device 40 has a stop 42, which is arranged parallel to the channel 31 of the plate cylinder 30 and the printing plate 10 axially aligns with the positioning device 40 and on the plate cylinder 30.

FIG. 19 shows the lateral adjustment of the positioning device 40 by means of a jig 43 and a register cam 40, wherein the gauge 43 is inserted into the recess 41 and aligned in accordance with the register cam 40.

FIGS. 20 to 22 show a clamping operation, which hangs the beveled end 10 b of the pressure plate 10 to the channel 31 of the plate cylinder 30. The bent end 10 b is located after positioning the pressure plate 10 by means of slider 26 on the positioning device 40 above the channel 31 of the plate cylinder 30 and abutment with the positioning device 40. The slider 26 is from the recess 41 of the positioning device 40 and the opening 10 d of Pressure plate 10 pulled out, wherein the holding device 25 further holds the pressure plate 10 in position. With the help of in FIG. 22 As can be seen, the folded-in end 10b of the pressure plate 10 can be inserted or hooked into the channel 31 of the plate cylinder 30 and subsequently fixed with a fixing device (not shown).

FIG. 23 shows two superimposed plate cylinder 30, each with a counter-pressure cylinder, which are each suitable for printing a paper web. Each plate cylinder 30 is associated with a harass 22 comprising two plate turrets 14. Each plate cylinder 30 has a jig that unclamps the printing plate 10 after the printing operation. A conveyor belt or conveyor belt 53 has two pivot arms 53a and 53b, which are pivotally mounted with respect to an axis Z, in particular horizontally. The conveyor belt corresponds in principle to a conveyor belt which is driven by a motor M. The pivot arm 53b is capable of receiving the used, stretched pressure plates 10 from the plate cylinders 30. If necessary, the Schenkarm 53b must be pivoted to accommodate the used pressure plate 10 can. Subsequently, the swivel arm 53b transports the used printing plates 10 via the swivel arm 53a to a disposal basket 50 into which the printing plates 10 slide.

FIG. 24 shows a second embodiment of the disposal of printing plates 10. The in

FIG. 23 described device with two plate cylinders 30 and an associated conveyor belt 53 is present in duplicate in the second embodiment and arranged one above the other. Thus, the two conveyor belts 53 are each capable of transporting the used printing plates 10 of the plate cylinders 30, analogous to that in FIG FIG. 23 described device. The main difference to that in FIG. 23 described embodiment is that the used printing plates 10 are transported via the conveyor belt 53 to a hollow column 52 which guides the pressure plates 10 to the disposal basket 50. In this way, used printing plates of a plurality of plate cylinders 30 arranged one above the other can be guided via the hollow column 52 to a disposal basket 50.

FIG. 25 shows a third embodiment of the disposal of used printing plates 10, wherein two plate cylinder 30, each with a harass 22 analogous to that in FIG. 23 arranged device are arranged. The difference to that in FIG. 23 described embodiment is that the conveyor belt 53 has only one pivot arm 53 b, which is arranged on a sliding carriage 54. Here, the used printing plates 10 are transported via the conveyor belt 53b directly into the disposal basket 50, wherein the disposal basket 50 is arranged on the transfer carriage 54. By moving the transfer carriage 54 with the disposal basket 50, the personnel can be made easier access to the plate cylinders 30 and the harass 22.

The Figures 26a to 26c show a further embodiment for the extraction and feeding of the printing plate 10 from a Harass 22 to the plate cylinder 30. The only difference from the first embodiment described above is that the in Figure 26a herauszulösende pressure plate is bent at its lower end 10a from the plate turret 14 by means of detachment device 23. Subsequently, the pressure plate 10 is guided to the plate cylinder 30, wherein the suction force of the suction cup 24 of the detachment device 23 is able to hold the pressure plate 10 from above and thus exert a tensile force on the pressure plate 10, as in FIG. 26c shown.

FIGS. 27a to 27c show a further embodiment of the clamping of the pressure plate 10 in the channel 31 of the plate cylinder 30. After the pressure plate 10 has been centered on the positioning device 40 by means of slide 26, the pressure plate 10 is sucked by a press and suction device 46 and raised. The slider 26 may then be removed from the positioning device 40 as the squeeze and suction device 46 holds the pressure plate in place. Subsequently, the pressure plate is pressed or hooked by the press-in and suction device 46 in the channel 31 of the plate cylinder 30, as in Figure 27c shown.

FIGS. 28a to 28c show an example of the formation of packages of printing plates. In the example, three disks are combined into one package. It is possible to form packages from a larger number of printing plates, in particular a package may contain as many printing plates as there are mounting positions on a plate cylinder for which the package is intended. It is also possible to view a single printing plate as a package.

FIG. 28a shows a section of a printing plate 10, on the angled edge of an information carrier or an identification 10c is located, which can be detected by a scanner or sensor 11. In the example, the identification is applied to the folded end or the beveled surface, for example as an optically recognizable pattern. The identification can also be at other locations of the printing plate, for example on the top or the bottom. In particular, the printed image located on the printing plate or a part thereof can also be used as identification.

FIG. 28b shows a package or plate turret 14 of printing plates 10, 15, 16, which are arranged so that a sensor 11 can detect the identifications 10c, 15c, 16c of the printing plates. The detection of the identifications of the individual printing plates allows control over the summarized in the package 14 printing plates. The information about the printing plates contained in the package is stored in a higher-level system and can be called up as needed. This information can also be generated without a corresponding sensor, for example by manual input, by an operator or by an automatic system which monitors the manufacturing process of the individual printing plates.

FIG. 28c shows a package 14 of pressure plates 10, 15, 16, which are arranged so that a sensor 11 can detect at least one identification 16c of a printing plate. The arrangement of the printing plates in the package 14 is such that the bent edges are superimposed; This is possible because the flexible printing plates can be compressed or arched. An advantage of this type of package formation is the low space requirement for the package and the mechanical stabilization of the plates and folds, both reduces the risk of damage during transport.

FIGS. 29a to 29c illustrate the sequence of an assembly process on a printing unit. The plate cylinder 30 has juxtaposed pressure zones.

Figure 29a shows a package 14 located in a harass or mounting storage 22 associated with a plate cylinder 30. The package 14 is identified by a sensor 11. A slider 26 is located in the region of the plate cylinder 30.

FIG. 29b shows a pressure plate 10, which is removed from the package 14 and transferred to the slider 26.

Figure 29c shows the transport of the pressure plate 10 by means of a slider 26 to a mounting position on the plate cylinder 30th

Reference numerals:

10

printing plate

10a

Beveled end of the printing plate

10b

Beveled end of the printing plate

10c

Information carrier, barcode

10d

Opening, breakthrough

11

Scanning device, barcode reader, sensor

12

Pressure initiation point, force application point

13

halt

14

Printing plate bundles, plate turrets, package

20

Plate revolver holding device, suction device

21

suction cup

22

Harass, mounting storage

23

Detachment device, suction device

24

suction cup

25

Holding device, air cushion device

26

pusher

27

spigot

30

plate cylinder

31

channel

40

positioning

41

recess

42

attack

43

teaching

44

register cam

45

Press-in

46

Press-in and suction device

50

disposal basket

52

Hollow pillar

53

conveyor belt

53a

swivel arm

53b

swivel arm

54

Transfer cars

Claims (4)

1. A method for combining printing plates (10) having ends (10a, 10b) which are bevelled on the left and right, wherein the printing plates (10) are detachably connected or clamped to each other, characterised in that the ends (10a, 10b) of one printing plate (10) which are bevelled on the left and right surround the ends (10a, 10b) of at least one other printing plate (10) which are bevelled on the left and right, in order to hold the printing plates (10) in their combined state until a detaching process is performed.
2. The method according to Claim 1, characterised in that the printing plates (10) are connected or clamped in each other in a force fit, a frictional fit and/or a positive fit.
3. A plate revolver comprising at least two printing plates (10) having ends (10a, 10b) which are bevelled on the left and right, wherein the printing plates (10) are detachably connected to each other, characterised in that the ends (10a, 10b) of one printing plate (10) which are bevelled on the left and right surround the ends (10a, 10b of at least one other printing plate (10) which are bevelled on the left and right, in order to hold the printing plates (10) in their combined state until a detaching process is performed.
4. The plate revolver according to the preceding claim, characterised in that an information carrier (10c) is attached to a printing plate (10) of the plate revolver (14), wherein the information carrier (10c) can contain information about the order of the printing plates (10) in the plate revolver (14), the plate revolver (14) and the assignment of an individual printing plate (10) situated in the plate revolver (14) to a position on a plate cylinder (30).

Images