EP2574461A1 - Printing tower for a rotary offset printing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The tower (4) has four print units (10) that are vertically superimposed, where each print unit includes a form cylinder (12) or a cylinder plate carrier, and a transfer cylinder (14) or a cylinder strainer that are associated with each other. Each print unit is arranged according to a specific configuration in which an axis of the form cylinder is shifted vertically downward with regard to axis of the transfer cylinder. Two print units are arranged in a particular configuration, and other print units are arranged according to another configuration.

Description

The present invention relates to a printing tower for an offset rotary press, of the type comprising four vertically superimposed printing units vertically for printing a continuous web, each printing unit comprising two printing units each comprising a cylinder of shape and an associated transfer cylinder, the transfer cylinders of the two printing units being designed to bear against each other, each printing unit being arranged in an "n" configuration in wherein the axis of the forme cylinder of each printing unit of the printing unit is offset vertically downward relative to the axis of the associated transfer cylinder, or a "U" configuration in which the The axis of the forme cylinder of each print unit of the printing unit is vertically offset upward with respect to the axis of the associated transfer cylinder.

US2008 / 0121125 discloses an offset press printing tower comprising four vertically superimposed printing units vertically for printing a web. Each printing unit comprises two print groups each for printing a respective face of the tape. Each printing unit comprises a plate cylinder, a blanket cylinder, an inking unit and a damping unit. The printing units of the printing tower are arranged selectively in the so-called "arch" or "n" type configuration, in the so-called U-shaped configuration open upwards or in a linear configuration.

Such arrangements do not make it possible to obtain a tower that is compact in height, the printing units of which are easy to access for the operators who are required to carry out maintenance operations on the printing units.

One of the aims of the invention is to propose a printing tower that can be compact vertically and easily accessible.

For this purpose, the invention proposes a printing tower of the aforementioned type, characterized in that one printing unit is arranged in one configuration and the other three printing units are arranged according to the other configuration.

• l'unité d'impression inférieure et l'unité d'impression supérieure sont agencées selon des configurations différentes, et les unités d'impression intermédiaires sont agencées selon la même configuration ;
• l'unité d'impression supérieure est agencée dans la configuration en « U » et les trois autres unités d'impression sont configurées dans la configuration en « n » ;
• l'unité d'impression inférieure est agencée dans la configuration en « n » et les trois autres unités d'impression sont configurées dans la configuration en « U » ;
• chaque cylindre de forme est un cylindre porte-plaque ;
• chaque groupe d'impression comprend une unité de changement de plaque automatique pour le changement automatique des plaques sur le cylindre porte-plaque;
• chaque cylindre de transfert est un cylindre porte-blanchet.

According to other embodiments, the print tower comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in any technically possible combination:

• the lower printing unit and the upper printing unit are arranged in different configurations, and the intermediate printing units are arranged in the same configuration;
• the upper printing unit is arranged in the "U" configuration and the other three printing units are configured in the "n"configuration;
• the lower printing unit is arranged in the "n" configuration and the other three printing units are configured in the "U"configuration;
• each forme cylinder is a plate cylinder;
• each printing unit comprises an automatic plate changing unit for automatically changing plates on the plate cylinder;
• each transfer cylinder is a blanket cylinder.

The invention also relates to an offset rotary press comprising at least one printing tower as defined above.

• la Figure 1 représente schématiquement une tour d'impression d'une presse rotative conforme à l'invention, selon un premier mode de réalisation ; et
• la Figure 2 représente schématiquement une tour d'impression d'une presse rotative conforme à l'invention, selon un deuxième mode de réalisation.

The invention and its advantages will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• the Figure 1 schematically represents a printing tower of a rotary press according to the invention, according to a first embodiment; and
• the Figure 2 schematically represents a printing tower of a rotary press according to the invention, according to a second embodiment.

As shown on the Figure 1 , a rotary offset press 2 comprises a printing tower 4 adapted for offset printing of a continuous strip 6, in particular a paper strip.

Only one printing tower 4 is shown. The rotary press 2 conventionally comprises several printing towers, each printing tower allowing the printing of a strip. Downstream of the printing towers, the rotary press 2 conventionally comprises a set of combinations of the printed strips to ensure the meeting, folding and longitudinal and / or transverse cutting of the strips, to output books or signatures. . Upstream of the printing towers, the rotary press 2 generally comprises a set of unwinding strips.

The printing tower 4 comprises four printing units 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D superimposed vertically. In practice, each printing unit 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D is provided to print a color on the strip 6. The colors usually used are: black, cyan, magenta and yellow.

The printing units 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D are duplex printing units designed for double-sided printing of the web 6.

The printing units 8 are of similar configuration. Each printing unit 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D comprises two printing units 10. Each printing unit 10 is provided for printing a respective face of the strip 6.

Each printing unit 10 comprises a form cylinder 12, a transfer cylinder 14, an inking unit 16, a wetting unit 18, and optionally a plate changing unit 20.

The axes of the shape cylinder 12 and the transfer cylinder 14 are parallel.

The shape cylinder 12 carries on its periphery the forms to be printed. The shaped cylinder 12 is here a plate cylinder provided for the removable attachment of flexible plates (not shown) carrying the forms to be printed. The plates are changed according to the productions to be made.

The transfer cylinder 14 is arranged to be in contact with the forme cylinder 12 and to transfer ink of the forme cylinder 12 onto the strip 6. The transfer cylinder 14 is here a blanket cylinder adapted to receive on its periphery a blanket (not shown).

The inking unit 16 is adapted to feed the peripheral surface of the forme cylinder 12 in ink. The inking unit 16 comprises, for example, an ink fountain and an inking roller train arranged between the ink fountain and the shaped cylinder 12 so as to take ink from the fountain and from the fountain. deposit on the periphery of the shape cylinder 12. Other types of inking unit are possible.

The wetting unit 18 is designed to deposit on the periphery of the form cylinder 12 a wetting liquid.

The plate changing unit 20 is adapted to automatically change the plate (s) carried by the shape cylinder 12. The plate changing unit 20 is optional. The plate change can be done manually.

The transfer cylinders 14 of the two printing units 10 of each printing unit 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D are arranged to bear against each other. They define between them a pinch slot 22 ("nip" in English) for the strip 6. The transfer cylinders 14 pinch the strip 6 between them. Each transfer cylinder 14 defines for the other a printing cylinder.

Such printing units are generally referred to as "blanket blanket" printing units.

The printing units 8A, 8B, 8C 8D define a tape path along which the tape scrolls during operation of the print tower. Each printing unit 8A, 8B, 8C 8D includes a printing group on one side of the tape path for printing one side of the tape and a printing group on the opposite side for printing the other side of the tape. .

The printing units 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D comprise a lower or lower printing unit 8A located below the other printing units 8B, 8C, 8D, an upper or higher 8D printing unit, located above the other printing units 8A, 8B, 8C, and two intermediate printing units 8B, 8C located vertically between the printing unit 8A lower and upper 8D printing unit.

Each printing unit 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D is selectively arranged in a first so-called "n" configuration, in which the axis of the forme cylinder 12 of each printing unit 10 of the printing unit is offset vertically downwardly relative to the axis of the transfer cylinder 14 of said printing unit 10 or in a second so-called "U" configuration, in which the axis of the forme cylinder 12 of each printing unit 10 of the printing unit is vertically offset upwardly with respect to the axis of the transfer cylinder 14 of said printing unit 10.

The "n" configuration is open downwards. The "n" configuration is also referred to as an arch configuration or an inverted "U" configuration. The "U" configuration is open upwards.

According to one aspect of the invention, one of the four printing units 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D is in one of two configurations among the "n" configuration and the "U" configuration, and the other three units of impression are in the other configuration.

Preferably, the lower printing unit 8A and the upper printing unit 8D are arranged in different configurations and the two intermediate printing units 8B, 8C are arranged according to the same configuration

In the example shown on the Figure 1 , the upper 8D printing unit is arranged in a "U" configuration, and the other three printing units 8A, 8B, 8C, located under the upper 8D printing unit, are arranged in a configuration of " not ".

As a result of such an arrangement, on each side of the travel path of the web 6 through the printing tower 4, a first center distance E1 between the shape cylinders 12 of the lower printing unit 8A and of the upper printing unit 8D is greater than a second center distance E2 between the transfer cylinders 14 associated. Thus, the printing tower 4 is compact vertically, while having a first center distance E1 important conditioning the ease of access to the transfer cylinders 14 between the plate cylinders 12.

The mooring units 18 are arranged under the form cylinders 12 and prevent access to the transfer cylinders 14 from below. Access to the transfer cylinders 14 of the upper 8D printing unit is easily done from above. The "n" configuration of the other printing units 8A, 8B, 8C facilitates access to transfer cylinders 14 of these printing units 8A, 8B, 8C from above, in the intervals between the form cylinders 12.

In the example illustrated, the printing units 8A, 8B, 8C 8D are distributed vertically so that, on each side of the scrolling path, the pitch E3 between the axes of the cylinders 12 is regular for easy access to the transfer cylinders 14 of the lower printing unit 8A and the intermediate printing units 8B, 8C.

The Figure 2 , on which numerical references to elements similar to those of the Figure 1 have been preserved, illustrates a printing tower 4 according to a second embodiment.

Print Tower 4 differs from that of the Figure 1 in that the lower printing unit 8A is arranged in an "n" configuration and the other three printing units 8B, 8C, 8D, located above the lower printing unit 8A, are arranged in a "U" configuration.

This arrangement makes it possible to maintain a vertically compact printing tower 4 with easy access to the transfer rollers 14 between the shape cylinders 12 of the printing units 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D on each side of the tape running path. 6. Access to the transfer cylinders 14 of the intermediate printing units 8B, 8C is nevertheless less easy than in the case of the Figure 1 .

In general, the printing tower comprises four superimposed duplex printing units each arranged in an "n" configuration or a "U" configuration, the lower printing unit and the printing unit wherein the two intermediate printing units are arranged in the same configuration. Preferably, the lower printing unit is arranged in an "n" configuration and the upper printing unit is arranged in a "U" configuration.

Thanks to the invention, access to the printing units between the form cylinders is facilitated for the operators while being able to obtain a reduced height printing tower with access to easy transfer cylinders, without providing a bearing frame. the printing units made in two moving parts, each moving part carrying a respective printing unit of each printing unit, so as to be able to move the moving parts to access the cylinders of printing units. It is therefore not necessary to provide space around the printing tower for moving moving parts, so that the print tower has a low footprint. There is no need for a moving part moving mechanism that complicates the printing tower and reduces its reliability and cost of manufacturing and maintenance.

Claims (8)

Printing tower for an offset rotary press, comprising four vertically superimposed printing units (10) superimposed for printing a continuous web, each printing unit (10) comprising two printing units each comprising a form cylinder (12) and a transfer cylinder (14) associated therewith, the transfer cylinders (14) of the two printing units (10) being arranged to bear against each other, each unit of printing being arranged in an "n" configuration in which the axis of the forme cylinder (12) of each printing unit of the printing unit is offset vertically downwardly with respect to the axis of the printing cylinder. associated transfer (14), or a "U" configuration in which the axis of the forme cylinder (12) of each print unit of the printing unit is vertically offset upwards with respect to the axis transfer cylinder (14), characterized in that a unit the printing unit (8A; 8D) is arranged in one configuration and the other three printing units (8B, 8C, 8D; 8A; 8B, 8C) are arranged in the other configuration. A printing tower according to claim 1, wherein the lower printing unit (8A) and the upper printing unit (8D) are arranged in different configurations, and the intermediate printing units (8B, 8C) ) are arranged in the same configuration. The printing tower according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the upper printing unit (8D) is arranged in the "U" configuration and the other three printing units are configured in the "n" configuration. The printing tower of claim 1 or 2, wherein the lower printing unit (8A) is arranged in the "n" configuration and the other three printing units are configured in the "U" configuration. A printing tower according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each forme cylinder is a plate cylinder. A printing tower as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each printing unit comprises an automatic plate changing unit for automatically changing plates on the plate cylinder. The printing tower according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each transfer cylinder is a blanket cylinder. Rotary press comprising at least one printing tower according to any one of the preceding claims.

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