EP3847020B1 - Device for printing on hollow bodies - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for printing hollow bodies according to the preamble of claim 1.

such as B. from the WO 2012/148576 A1 is known, in the packaging industry in a device for decorating hollow bodies each having a cylindrical lateral surface, mostly several printing units are used. Each of these printing units transfers one printing ink to a printing blanket that is used jointly by these printing units. The lateral surface of the hollow body in question is then pressed by a relative movement between the lateral surface of the hollow body in question and the printing blanket, which was previously in particular multicolored inked, in particular by rolling the lateral surface of the hollow body in question on this printing blanket, with a z. B. decorated multicolored print motif.

Such a device for printing or for decorating hollow bodies, in particular each having a preferably cylindrical lateral surface, is used, for. B. used in connection with a usually several workstations having production plant for the manufacture and further processing of such hollow bodies, wherein the printing or the decoration of the hollow bodies is done by a printing process, which is why these hollow bodies can also be generally referred to as printed products. In such a production plant, the hollow bodies to be printed are mass-produced with e.g. B. several hundred or even a few thousand pieces per minute, z. B. between 1,500 and 2,500 pieces per minute, particularly preferably between 1,800 and 2,200 pieces per minute. Such hollow bodies are z. B. made of metal, in particular steel or aluminum, or made of a plastic. Such hollow bodies made of metal z. B. used as beverage cans or as aerosol cans.

Such hollow bodies made of plastic are z. B. in the form of thermoplastic moldings and z. B. as a cup for packaging z. B. of liquid or pasty food, especially dairy products or beverages. However, the respective hollow body can also be a round tube body made either from plastic or from aluminum, a tube being understood as an elongate, solid but malleable container which is provided for filling with a particularly paste-like substance. Aluminum tubes are z. B. produced in a reverse extrusion process. Plastic tubes are z. B. each made as seamless tubes by extrusion. Another type of hollow bodies to be printed in an aforementioned device can be made of glass, preferably cylindrical containers or vessels, e.g. B. bottles or flasks.

Beverage cans are preferably made of aluminum and are i. i.e. R. so-called two-piece cans, in which a circular bottom together with a preferably straight cylinder jacket each from a single workpiece, d. H. from a so-called slug or from a round, d. H. a circular disk, in a forming process, e.g. B. in a cold extrusion process or in a compression molding process, preferably by deep drawing, in particular by ironing, to a hollow body open on one side, d. H. are made into a so-called raw can and in a manufacturing step carried out at the end of production, a circular lid is placed on the cylinder jacket and connected airtight to the cylinder jacket by flanging.

Another type of can are tin cans. Tinplate is a tinned sheet of steel. For the production of tinplate cans, the thickness of the steel sheet is e.g. B. 0.15 mm to 0.49 mm, the thickness of the tin layer z. B. 0.2 microns to 0.8 microns, the tin coating is used to protect against corrosion. Tin cans are so-called three-piece cans. To produce the shell of a tinplate can, a rectangular strip of sheet steel is bent into a preferably straight cylindrical shell, where the ends of this strip, which is bent into a cylindrical shell, are welded in a butt joint. A circular base and a circular cover are then placed on the cylinder jacket and the edges are flanged. In order to obtain a higher resistance to indentation for the tinplate can in question, z. B. all three parts, ie the cylinder jacket, the bottom and the lid preferably have a corrugated profile.

An aerosol can, also known as a spray can or spray can, is a metal can for spraying liquids. In an aerosol can, the filled liquid is under pressure, with z. B. propane, butane, dimethyl ether or mixtures thereof or compressed air or nitrogen is used.

The aforementioned WO 2012/148576 A1 describes a device for decorating cans, an arrangement of several printing units, each with an inking unit, being provided for the multicolored decoration of a large number of cans. Each of the inking units belonging to one of the printing units has an ink fountain for providing printing ink, with an ink fountain roller being provided in each ink fountain to receive the printing ink from the relevant ink fountain. An ink ductor is provided in each inking unit, with the ink ductor picking up printing ink from the respective ink fountain roller, with several iridescent ink distributor rollers and several ink transfer rollers each cooperating with at least one of the ink distributor rollers being provided in a roller train following the respective ink ductor in the inking unit concerned. A plate cylinder with at least one printing plate is provided for each inking unit, with only a single inking roller interacting with the respective plate cylinder for applying the printing ink.

through the U.S. 4,741,266 A a device for decorating cans is known, with a plurality of inking stations and plate cylinder means, each of said plate cylinder means being separately driven by a main gearbox, said main gearbox being associated with pressure roller means so as to be completely independent of the roller drive means of each inking station.

through the WO 2018/015 134 A1 a device for decorating hollow bodies is known, with at least one plate cylinder and with an inking unit designed in particular as a short inking unit with an inking roller that is or at least can be thrown onto the relevant plate cylinder and an anilox roller that is or at least can be thrown onto the inking roller, the inking roller and the anilox roller each have their own drive for their respective rotation. Likewise, the plate cylinder, a rubber blanket cylinder that interacts with it, and an impression cylinder each have their own drive for their respective rotation. The respective speeds of the plate cylinder, blanket cylinder, impression cylinder, ink forme roller and anilox roller are coordinated with one another in terms of control technology.

through the WO 2004/109581 A2 is a device for performing a contactless digital printing process, e.g. B. an inkjet printing process is known to print round objects, especially two-piece cans, as required, individually without using a printing blanket, preferably with a plurality of print heads being provided, each printing a single ink.

through the DE 10 2006 004 568 A1 a short inking unit for a printing press is known, containing a printing forme cylinder, an ink forme roller interacting with the forme cylinder and an anilox roller contacting the inking forme roller, to which an ink supply device is assigned, with at least one leveling roller between the location of the ink supply and the contact gap between the anilox roller and the inking roller, related to the direction of rotation of the anilox roller, is arranged, wherein the device for ink supply is designed as a chamber doctor blade.

through the DE 101 60 734 A1 a printing press is known which comprises at least one printing forme, a dampening unit for dampening the printing forme with a dampening solution, an inking unit for inking the printing forme with a printing ink and a dehumidifying device with a heating roller (tempering roller) for reducing a proportion of the dampening solution conveyed together with the printing ink , wherein the inking unit is designed as a short inking unit without a lifter, wherein an inking unit roller of the inking unit has a first rolling contact point at which the inking unit roller is in rolling contact with the heating roller, wherein the inking unit roller has a second rolling contact point and wherein the shortest conveying path for the printing ink is from the inking unit roller to the Printing form is specified by at most one intermediate roller.

through the DE 32 32 780 A1 an inking unit for offset printing machines for printing sheets or webs with a plate cylinder is known, which receives the required color from a maximum of two inking rollers with an elastic surface, which interact with an inking cylinder, to which the color is fed via an inking system that produces a continuous ink film, where the ink cylinder is followed by an ink forme roller with almost the same diameter as the plate cylinder, where the ink cylinder is assigned a dampening unit with at least one roller that transfers the dampening solution, and where the dampening solution is transferred to the ink cylinder in the direction of rotation of the same after the ink application and before its contact point with the inking roller takes place.

through the DE 10 2006 048 286 A1 a method for driving a printing unit with a short inking unit in a processing machine with an anilox roller and an associated squeegee device and an inking roller downstream of the anilox roller is known, which has a plate/forme cylinder in the direction of ink flow downstream, with the plate/forme cylinder being operatively connected to a rubber blanket cylinder and the rubber blanket cylinder to a printing cylinder guiding the printing material, the anilox roller being driven by a single drive, wherein in the printing/coating operation the main drive has an input on a drive wheel of the printing cylinder and a drive wheel of the blanket cylinder and a second and first drive wheel of the plate/forme cylinder as well as a drive wheel of the inking roller and a drive wheel of the anilox roller are fed in, with the individual drive of the anilox roller being inactive, and with the drive connection to the main drive being between the first drive wheel and the second drive wheel during set-up operation of the plate/forme cylinder is separated, the individual drive of the anilox roller is activated and a drive torque is applied to the drive wheel of the anilox roller and the drive wheel of the inking roller and the first drive wheel of the plate/forme cylinder by means of an individual drive w ir.

through the DE 196 24 440 A1 a device for filling depressions in a cylinder of a printing press with a liquid is known, with at least two doctor devices for filling depressions in the cylinder with the liquid being arranged on the cylinder, with an application device connected to a conveyor system for the liquid and one of these in the direction of rotation working doctor blades are provided downstream of the cylinder, the doctor blades being fastened to a beam, the liquid scraped off being discharged to a collecting pan.

through the DE 89 12 194 U1 discloses an inking unit for use in a printing press with a working doctor blade that can be set against an anilox roller and an ink trough with ink conveying means, the working doctor blade, the ink trough and the means for conveying the ink to the anilox roller being combined into one structural unit and the structural unit on one of the printing press mounted carrier is releasably fastened.

through the DE 10 2007 052 761 A1 is an anilox printing unit known, which as inking unit rollers has an inking unit roller and an anilox roller, with the anilox roller being mounted on pivoting levers, with the anilox roller and the inking unit roller each having bearer rings, with a device arranged to press the bearer rings of one against the bearer rings of the other inking unit roller having springs for compensating for diameter differences caused by manufacturing tolerances.

through the DE 28 51 426 A1 discloses a device for printing one lateral surface of hollow bodies, one transport device being provided that transports the hollow bodies to be printed about an axis of rotation, several printing units being provided, each hollow body to be printed being transportable with the transport device into a printing area of at least one of the printing units , wherein at least one of the printing units has a printing forme cylinder and an inking unit with a single inking roller.

through the U.S. 2010/0282402 A1 it is known to use a torque motor in a marking or labeling machine.

through the US 2010/0313771 A1 a rotary printing machine for printing containers is known, with a carousel carrying a chuck being provided, with the carousel being driven in rotation by an electric motor with an integrated rotary encoder.

through the EP 1 132 207 A1 a transfer device is known for hollow bodies that are to be printed in a printing machine or have already been printed, such as sleeves, tubes, cans or the like, with a transfer rotor having holding units arranged one after the other in its direction of rotation, with the holding units defining receiving locations for the detachable holding of hollow bodies to be transferred, with the Holding units via vacuum holding means for holding the hollow body during the transfer process.

through the US 2001/0039889 A1 there is known a rotary printing apparatus comprising: a) a conveyor belt containing a plurality of pockets accommodating a plurality of pill-shaped objects such as capsules and caplets; b) a print roller spaced a predetermined or relative distance from the conveyor belt and contactingly printing on each of the pills a strip of indicia enclosing a range of 0° to 360° of a circumference of each pill; and c) means for adjusting the predetermined or relative distance between the printing roller and the conveyor belt to vary a length of the strip of indicia printed on the pill-shaped objects.

through the US2015/0336750A1 there is known a feeder for feeding can bodies to a can body decorating apparatus, the feeder comprising: a) a conveyor which transports can bodies from an upstream supplier; b) a rotatable mandrel wheel which receives each can body in a pocket on the circumference of the wheel, the can bodies being fed undecorated; c) the apparatus comprising one or more circular pitch turrets; d) a separating turret which separates each can body received by the conveyor, thereby converting the linear can pitch on the conveyor to a circular can pitch on the feed turret(s); e) the device being characterized by a transfer turret for transferring the can bodies to the mandrel wheel and by a circular pitch which corresponds to the pitch of the mandrel wheel, whereby the can stability during loading is increased and whereby the can pitch between the conveyor and the mandrel wheel is in one or changed in several stages.

through the WO 2018/013465 A1 is a decorator with a mandrel wheel, a Segmented wheel, a transfer disk and a transport chain, the mandrel wheel, the segmented wheel, the transfer disk and the transport chain each having a motor and a decoder, a controller being provided, the controller based on information received from the decoders the respective speed of the mandrel wheel, the segment wheel, the transfer disc and the transport chain adjusts or adjusts.

through the DE 10 2017 202 384 A1 a device for printing on hollow bodies is known, with a mandrel wheel and a segmented wheel, the mandrel wheel having its own motor separate from the motor of the segmented wheel, with several printing forme cylinders being or at least being able to be thrown radially onto this segmented wheel being provided along its peripheral line, an inking unit is assigned to each printing forme cylinder, the respective printing forme cylinder and an anilox roller arranged in the associated inking unit being each independently driven in rotation by a motor.

The invention is based on the object of creating a device for printing on hollow bodies, with which a high print quality can be achieved through high positioning accuracy of its rotating components involved in the printing process.

The object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claim 1. The dependent claims relate to advantageous developments and refinements of the solution found.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings and is described in more detail below. Advantages attainable with the invention are mentioned in connection with the exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 1

eine Vorrichtung zum Bedrucken bzw. zur Dekoration von jeweils eine Mantelfläche aufweisenden Hohlkörpern;

Fig. 2

ein Farbwerk insbesondere für die in Fig. 1 dargestellte Vorrichtung in einer ersten Betriebsstellung;

Fig. 3

das Farbwerk insbesondere für die in Fig. 1 dargestellte Vorrichtung in einer zweiten Betriebsstellung;

Fig. 4

ein Kammerrakelsystem insbesondere für das in den Fig. 2 und 3 dargestellte Farbwerk;

Fig. 5

einen Plattenwechsler in einer ersten Betriebsstellung;

Fig. 6

den Plattenwechsler der Fig. 5 in einer zweiten Betriebsstellung;

Fig. 7

eine Speichereinrichtung für Drucktücher;

Fig. 8

eine Einrichtung für einen senkrechten Transport der Speichereinrichtung gemäß der Fig. 7;

Fig. 9

eine Einrichtung für einen waagerechten Transport von jeweils einem der Drucktücher zwischen der Speichereinrichtung gemäß der Fig. 7 und einem Montageort an einem Segmentrad in der Vorrichtung gemäß der Fig. 1;

Fig. 10

die Speichereinrichtung der Fig. 7 in ihrem an der für ihren senkrechten Transport vorgesehenen Einrichtung angeordneten Betriebszustand;

Fig. 11

die Einrichtung für einen waagerechten Transport von jeweils einem der Drucktücher gemäß Fig. 9 im Querschnitt mit einem aufgestellten Spachtel zum Abnehmen eines gebrauchten Drucktuchs vom Segmentrad;

Fig. 12

eine perspektivische Darstellung der Einrichtung für einen waagerechten Transport von jeweils einem der Drucktücher gemäß Fig. 9 mit dem aufgestellten Spachtel;

Fig. 13

die Vorrichtung zum Bedrucken bzw. zur Dekoration von jeweils eine Mantelfläche aufweisenden Hohlkörpern gemäß der Fig. 1 mit einer schematischen Darstellung der Segmente des Segmentrades;

Fig. 14

eine perspektivische Einzeldarstellung des Segmentrades mit seiner Welle;

Fig. 15

eine perspektivische Einzeldarstellung des das Segmentrad rotativ antreibenden Antriebs;

Fig. 16

eine Schnittdarstellung des Segmentrades mit seinem Antrieb im in der Vorrichtung zum Bedrucken von Hohlkörpern angeordneten Zustand;

Fig. 17

das Segmentrad mit auswechselbaren Segmenten;

Fig. 18

ein einzelnes wechselbares Segment;

Fig. 19

die Vorrichtung zum Bedrucken von Hohlkörpern mit mehreren Einzelantrieben;

Fig. 20

einen eine Zuführung der Hohlkörper betreffenden Ausschnitt aus der Fig. 19;

Fig. 21

eine schematische Darstellung eines Antriebskonzeptes für ein Förderrad und ein Mandrelrad;

Fig. 22

eine mit dem Förderrad zusammenwirkende Saugeinrichtung.

Show it:

1

a device for printing or for decorating hollow bodies each having a lateral surface;

2

an inking unit especially for the in 1 device shown in a first operating position;

3

the inking unit especially for the in 1 device shown in a second operating position;

4

a chamber doctor blade system in particular for the 2 and 3 illustrated inking unit;

figure 5

a disc changer in a first operating position;

6

the record changer figure 5 in a second operating position;

7

blanket storage means;

8

a device for a vertical transport of the storage device according to 7 ;

9

a device for a horizontal transport of one of the printing blankets between the storage device according to FIG 7 and a mounting location on a segmented wheel in the device according to 1 ;

10

the storage device 7 in their operating condition arranged on the device intended for their vertical transport;

11

the device for a horizontal transport of one of the blankets according to 9 in cross section with a put up spatula for removing a used printing blanket from the segmented wheel;

12

a perspective view of the device for horizontal transport of one of the printing blankets according to FIG 9 with the put up spatula;

13

the device for printing or for decorating one each Lateral surface having hollow bodies according to 1 with a schematic representation of the segments of the segment wheel;

14

a perspective detail view of the segment wheel with its shaft;

15

a perspective detail view of the segmented wheel rotating drive;

16

a sectional view of the segmented wheel with its drive arranged in the device for printing on hollow bodies;

17

the segment wheel with interchangeable segments;

18

a single interchangeable segment;

19

the device for printing hollow bodies with several individual drives;

20

a section relating to a supply of the hollow body from the 19 ;

21

a schematic representation of a drive concept for a feed wheel and a mandrel wheel;

22

a suction device cooperating with the feed wheel.

Printing in particular the lateral surface of a hollow body with a z. B. multicolored print motif, ie at least one print image, is carried out in a preferred embodiment in a letterpress process. Alternative or additional printing processes are e.g. B. a screen printing process or an offset printing process or a formless digital printing process. In the following, the invention is exemplified in connection with describes an indirect letterpress process in which printing ink is first applied to a printing blanket and only from there to the lateral surface of a hollow body. To carry out this special letterpress process, a printing plate is arranged as a printing form on a lateral surface of a plate cylinder, which is why this cylinder is sometimes also referred to as a plate cylinder, especially if the printing plate z. B. is arranged on a mounted on the cylinder sleeve sleeve or is. The more general term "printing form cylinder" used below includes both embodiments, ie the classic design as a plate cylinder as well as the design as a "cliché cylinder". The printing cliché ready for the printing process is a printing form with a printing relief, whereby this printing relief reproduces the print image provided for the printing process of the indirect letterpress method without being reflected, in contrast to the classic, i.e. direct letterpress method, whereby in a trouble-free printing operation only the printing relief is transferred to the plate cylinder ink supplied by the inking unit on at least one printing blanket interacting with this plate cylinder. The printing form or printing block to be mounted on a plate cylinder has a plate-shaped, preferably flexible, support of finite length, e.g. B. from a sheet steel, wherein a particularly flexible pressure body is arranged on this carrier. At least the opposite ends of the carrier in the circumferential direction of the plate cylinder can e.g. B. according to the curvature of the lateral surface of the plate cylinder can be pre-bent or angled to allow easier assembly of the printing form, ie here in particular the printing block on the plate cylinder. The carrier of the printing form or the printing plate has a thickness in the range of z. 0.2mm to 0.3mm. The pressure plate has, including its carrier, a total thickness in the range of z. B. 0.7 mm to 1.0 mm, preferably about 0.8 mm. The pressure body is z. B. formed from a plastic. The printing body is used to produce the printing block that can be used for the printing process, e.g. B. exposed with a negative film depicting the print image, with unexposed areas then being removed from the print body, e.g. B. removed by washing or by means of a laser will.

A device for printing or for decorating hollow bodies, in particular each having a preferably cylindrical lateral surface, preferably has a plurality of, e.g. B. eight or ten or even more printing units - also called printing stations -, wherein at least one of these printing units, in the preferred embodiment all of these printing units each have a rotatable printing forme cylinder, in particular a printing forme cylinder designed as a plate cylinder. The printing units or printing stations and possibly also the printing forme cylinders in this device are each mounted in a frame and can be used in the same printing process in order to form a multicolored print motif on the same hollow body according to the number of printing units or printing forme cylinders involved. The storage of the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder is preferably carried out at both ends, but it can also be designed as a cantilever mounting, in which the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder in question is only on one of its end faces, e.g. B. is mounted on a preferably conical pin. As a rule, only a single printing block is arranged on the lateral surface of each plate cylinder, with the carrier of the printing block enclosing the circumference of the relevant plate cylinder completely or at least for the most part, in particular more than 80%. A length of the printing body of the printing plate directed in the circumferential direction of the relevant plate cylinder is preferably shorter than the circumferential length of the relevant plate cylinder. The printing form or the printing cliché is or at least can be arranged magnetically on the lateral surface of each plate cylinder by means of its carrier, ie the printing form or the printing cliché is preferably held there magnetically, ie by means of a magnetic holding force. In an alternative or supplementary embodiment variant of the device for printing or for decorating hollow bodies each having a preferably cylindrical lateral surface, at least one of the printing units or there are also several of these printing units each as one in one Digital printing method printing formless printing printing unit formed, such a printing unit in particular having at least one inkjet print head or a laser.

The particular simultaneous transfer of a plurality of printing inks, in particular to the lateral surface of the hollow body in question, requires this ink transfer to take place in register in order to achieve good print quality in the printing process. For a register-accurate arrangement of the printing forme or the printing block on the outer surface of the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder in question, in the preferred embodiment several z. B. in their respective position adjustable dowel pins are provided, which engage in corresponding recesses formed on the printing forme or on the printing plate and the printing forme or the printing plate as a result when it is arranged on the lateral surface of the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder in question there give a defined position. In particular, a side register of the printing form or the printing plate on a z. B. cut side edge of this printing form or this printing plate and a circumferential register of this printing form or this printing plate can be aligned with a stop. In a preferred embodiment, each printing form cylinder or plate cylinder has a diameter in the range between 100 mm and 150 mm, in particular between 120 mm and 130 mm, with an axial length of the printing form cylinder or plate cylinder in question z. B. between 200 mm and 250 mm, in particular between 200 mm and 220 mm. The printing plate to be arranged on the lateral surface of the relevant plate cylinder has a width in the range of 150 mm to 200 mm, preferably about 175 mm, directed in the axial direction of the relevant plate cylinder.

Each of the z. B. designed as a plate cylinder printing forme cylinder transfers with its printing forme or with its printing block in each case a specific ink on a blanket. The printing inks used are it is usually pre-mixed, in particular order-specific special colors that are matched in terms of their respective printability in a special way to the material of the hollow body to be printed, depending on whether a surface z. B. aluminum, a tinplate or a plastic is printed. In a preferred embodiment of a device for printing or for decorating each z. B. a cylindrical lateral surface having hollow bodies, a printing ink from the printing forme or the printing block to the lateral surface of the hollow body in question is provided transferring device. This ink-transferring device is preferably designed as a segmented wheel rotating about a horizontal axis in particular, wherein on the periphery of this segmented wheel, ie along its circumference, preferably several, e.g. B. eight, ten, twelve or even more blankets are arranged or at least can be arranged. As an alternative to the segmented wheel, depending on the printing process used, the ink-transferring device can also be designed as a decoration drum or as a printing blanket cylinder or as a transfer cylinder, which can each be rotated about an axis of rotation, at least during printing. The arrangement of the blankets on the circumference of the segmented wheel has so far been characterized in that the blankets on the circumference of the segmented wheel each z. B. are attached by a material connection, preferably by gluing. The preferably several printing forme cylinders or plate cylinders are or at least can be placed radially on the printing blankets arranged on the circumference of the relevant segmented wheel. In a particularly preferred embodiment of a device for printing or for decorating a z. B. cylindrical lateral surface having hollow bodies is arranged along the circumference of the segmented wheel one behind the other a larger number of printing blankets than radially employed or at least adjustable printing forme cylinders or plate cylinders are provided on the segmented wheel. The preferably carousel-like ink-transferring device, in particular the segmented wheel has a diameter of z. B. 1400 mm to 1600 mm, preferably about 1520 mm to 1525 mm, and has at z. B. eight assigned printing forme cylinders or

Plate cylinders on its circumference in a row z. B. twelve printing blankets. The surface of each printing block is preferably designed with a greater hardness than the hardness of the respective surface of the printing blankets. The surface of the blankets is preferably flat, i. H. formed without a profile. In an operating state in which the printing forme cylinders or plate cylinders involved in the printing process are each set radially against the printing blankets of the rotatively driven segmented wheel, the respective printing formes of these printing forme cylinders or the respective printing blocks of these plate cylinders roll on the printing blankets moved with the segmented wheel, with the printing blocks press at least their printing relief into the respective printing blanket. An intensity of the indentation is z. B. before or at the beginning of a printing process z. B. by means of a remote control by adjusting a pressure force exerted by the relevant printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder on the relevant printing blanket of the segmented wheel or is set in this way.

The hollow body to be printed here as an example, e.g. B. the two-part cans to be printed, z. B. by means of a transport device that transports the hollow bodies to be printed preferably along at least part of a circular path, i.e. an arc of a circle around an axis of rotation, preferably by means of at least one feed wheel, in particular by means of a mandrel wheel continuously or in a set cycle to at least one of the devices for printing in each case brought up to a lateral surface of printing units belonging to hollow bodies and thus transported into a printing area of at least one of these printing units. In particular, the hollow bodies to be printed are each attached to at least one of the z. B. on the segmented wheel arranged printing blankets, or the hollow bodies to be printed are each directly and immediately by means of this transport device, ie without the aid of a z. B. designed as a segment wheel ink-transferring device transported in the respective printing area of at least one of these printing units, which z. B. is the case when the relevant Printing unit in a direct printing process, e.g. B. prints in an inkjet printing process.

That like e.g. B. the segmented wheel also rotates around a preferably horizontal axis feed wheel or mandrel wheel has concentrically to its circumference in preferably equidistant distribution several, z. B. 24 or 36 holding devices - in short: holder - z. B. each in the form of a mandrel projecting from a front side of the mandrel wheel or a spindle, wherein one of the hollow bodies to be printed is held or at least can be held by each holder. A transport device designed as a mandrel wheel is sometimes also referred to as a turntable with spindles. A mandrel wheel is z. B. in the EP 1 165 318 A1 described. A description of suitable holders, spindles or mandrels can be found e.g. B. in the WO 2011/156052 A1 . In the following, each mandrel is referred to as a mandrel for short. A longitudinal axis of each mandrel is directed parallel to the axis of the mandrel wheel. In the case of each z. B. designed as a two-piece can to be printed hollow bodies, each of these hollow bodies z. B. by means of a conveyor, z. B. a belt conveyor and / or a conveyor wheel to which z. B. trained as a mandrel wheel transport device and there at a transfer station z. B. pulled up sucking by means of vacuum on one of the mandrels of the mandrel wheel and then held by the mandrel in question, while designed as a mandrel wheel transport means the respective hollow body to be printed z. B. to the occupied with at least one blanket segment wheel and thus transported in the direction of at least one of the printing units or in an alternative embodiment z. B. transported directly to at least one of the printing units without segment wheel. i.d. R. are fed to the mandrel wheel with the conveyor in rapid succession in rapid succession to a larger amount of hollow bodies to be printed. A conveyor is z. B. in the EP 1 132 207 A1 described.

A gap with a width of less than 1 mm, e.g. B. formed of 0.2 mm, so that the hollow body to be printed is not held by a pressure on the mandrel in question. Each mandrel can be rotated almost smoothly around its respective longitudinal axis. Each of the mandrels is driven by a drive means cooperating with the respective mandrel, e.g. B. by means of friction to a certain peripheral speed or is at least adjustable such that each held by a mandrel hollow body to be printed is rotatable in addition to the rotation of the mandrel wheel by a rotation performed or at least executable independently by the mandrel. The hollow body to be printed is placed on one of the mandrels of the mandrel wheel preferably during a standstill phase of the relevant mandrel, with the relevant mandrel not rotating about its own longitudinal axis during its standstill phase. The occupancy of each mandrel with a hollow body to be printed is preferably checked, e.g. B. contactless with a sensor. If there is no occupancy of a mandrel with a hollow body to be printed, the mandrel wheel z. B. moved in such a way that contact of the relevant free mandrel and optionally a few other mandrels is reliably avoided with a printing blanket of the segmented wheel.

Two-piece cans to be printed are z. B. to the mandrel wheel in a processing station upstream of the mandrel wheel, e.g. B. deep-drawn from a blank. In a further processing station, the edge of each two-part can is trimmed at its open end. Each two-part can is processed in further processing stations, e.g. B. washed, especially its interior washed out, if necessary, the inner wall and the bottom of the two-piece can in question are also painted. At least the outer surface of each two-piece can is z. B. primed, especially with a white primer. After printing its lateral surface, each two-piece can is removed from its respective holder, e.g. B. on the mandrel z. B. removed by compressed air or by a preferably switchable magnet and fed to at least one processing station downstream of the mandrel wheel, e.g. B. a painting station for painting the outer surface of each printed Two-piece can and/or an edge processing station. The printed two-part cans pass through a dryer, e.g. B. a hot air dryer to cure the at least one applied to their respective lateral surface printing ink.

The printing process for printing in particular the respective lateral surface of z. B. held on the mandrel wheel hollow bodies, especially two-part cans, begins with the fact that all the inks required for the print image to be printed on the respective lateral surface of the hollow body z. B. from the respective printing block z. B. applied to the segmented wheel employed plate cylinder on the same of one of the arranged on the periphery of the segmented wheel printing blankets. The printing blanket in question, which has been inked with all the necessary printing inks in this way, then transfers these printing inks simultaneously during a single rotation of the hollow body to be printed, which is held on one of the mandrels of the mandrel wheel, about its longitudinal axis to the lateral surface of this hollow body in a physical contact between the printing blanket and the lateral surface of the hollow body to be printed. The z. B. held by one of the mandrels of the mandrel wheel to be printed hollow body with an equal peripheral speed as the relevant z. B. at the periphery of the segmented wheel arranged printing blanket. The respective circumferential speeds of the hollow body and the blanket or segmented wheel are therefore synchronized with one another, with the z. B. held on one of the mandrels of the mandrel wheel to be printed hollow body in particular by a driving means acting on the relevant mandrel z. B. from its standstill in particular until reaching the peripheral speed z. B. the segmented wheel is accelerated accordingly, the peripheral speed of the mandrel in question of the mandrel wheel preferably starting from a first point of contact of the hollow body to be printed with the printing blanket in question during the unrolling of its lateral surface over a distance z. B. is synchronized from the first 50 mm of the circumferential length of the blanket with the peripheral speed of the segmented wheel. In the preferred Execution is the relevant blanket bearing segment wheel z. B. on the respective mandrel of the mandrel wheel to be set peripheral speed. The peripheral speed of the printing forme-carrying printing forme cylinder or of the plate cylinder carrying the printing plate is or is preferably a function of the peripheral speed z. B. the segment wheel. In the preferred embodiment, the mandrel wheel and the segmented wheel are each driven individually by their own drive and their respective rotational behavior is controlled or regulated by a control unit.

In particular, with reference to the device described so far for printing or for decorating in particular one z. B. cylindrical lateral surface having hollow bodies are explained below by way of example, various details. 1 shows a simplified schematic representation and example of a generic device for printing on or decorating hollow bodies 01, e.g. B. two-piece cans 01, these hollow body 01 with a conveyor sequentially z. g. as a rotating or at least rotatable feed wheel, in particular as a mandrel wheel 02, and held there individually on a holder on this transport device. Based on the exemplary embodiment selected for the printing press or the device for printing on hollow bodies, it is assumed below that this transport device is preferably designed as a mandrel wheel 02. An ink-transferring device, e.g. B. a rotating or at least rotatable segmented wheel 03, along whose circumference several printing blankets are arranged one behind the other. In association with the segmented wheel 03 mentioned by way of example, a number of printing forme cylinders 04, in particular plate cylinders 04, which are or at least can be thrown radially onto this segmented wheel 03 are provided along its circumferential line, with one printing forme each on the respective lateral surface of this printing forme cylinder 04 or plate cylinder 04, in particular a Printing cliché is arranged, this printing cliché being designed in particular for carrying out a letterpress process. Each of the printing forme cylinders 04 or plate cylinders 04 is supplied with a specific printing ink by means of an inking unit 06 for inking its printing forme or printing plate. It is assumed below, for example, that the printing forme cylinders 04 are each embodied as a plate cylinder 04 carrying at least one printing block.

2 and 3 show a simplified schematic representation of a few details of the inking unit 06 that interacts with a plate cylinder 04. B. for use in the in 1 device shown is provided for printing or decorating, in particular, hollow bodies 01, each of which preferably has a cylindrical lateral surface. The inking unit 06 proposed here advantageously has a very short roller train for transporting ink from an ink reservoir to the relevant plate cylinder 04, ie consisting of only a few rollers, preferably a maximum of five rollers, in particular two rollers. In the case of the two-roller roller train, this roller train consists of only a single inking roller 07 and an anilox roller 08. An inking unit 06 with a roller train consisting of a maximum of five rollers belongs to the type of short inking units. 2 shows an example of a (short) inking unit 06 with a two-drum roller train in a first operating position, in which the inking roller 07 and the anilox roller 08 are placed against each other, the inking roller 07 is placed on the plate cylinder 04 and the plate cylinder 04 is also placed radially on the printing ink from the plate cylinder 04 are applied to the lateral surface of the respective hollow body 01, in particular to the segmented wheel 03. 3 shows for the in the 2 the inking unit 06 shown has a second operating position, in which the inking roller 07 and the anilox roller 08 are separated from each other, the inking roller 07 is separated from the plate cylinder 04 and the plate cylinder 04 is also separated from the device that transfers the printing ink, in particular from the segmented wheel 03. The on and off mechanism will be discussed later.

The plate cylinder 04 and the anilox roller 08 are z. B. each independently of a motor 11; 12 driven in rotation, especially in the preferred used in the 2 and 3 illustrated inking unit 06, the motor in question 11; 12 e.g. B. in its respective speed of a z. B. electronic control unit is particularly regulated or at least adjustable. the z. B. designed as a segmented wheel 03 printing ink transfer device is driven in rotation by its own drive. The inking roller 07 is or is driven in rotation by the anilox roller 08 by friction. In the preferred embodiment, an outer diameter d07 of the inking roller 07 and an outer diameter d04 of the plate cylinder 04 carrying at least one printing forme, in particular at least one printing block, are equal in terms of amount. At least one printing plate is arranged or at least can be arranged on the lateral surface of the plate cylinder 04, so that in the embodiment with the same outer diameters d04; d07 the plate cylinder 04 carrying the printing block and the inking roller 07 each have an identical circumferential length. In the preferred embodiment, in the first operating position of the inking unit 06 interacting with the plate cylinder 04, in which the inking roller 07 and the anilox roller 08 are placed against one another, the inking roller 07 is placed on the plate cylinder 04 and the plate cylinder 04 is also placed on the segmented wheel 03. at least the respective centers of the plate cylinder 04, the inking roller 07 and the anilox roller 08 are arranged along the same straight line G. A detection device, e.g. B. provided in the form of a rotary encoder, this rotary encoder is in particular rigidly connected to a shaft of the ink forme roller 07. The signal generated by the rotary encoder when inking forme roller 07 rotates is used by the control unit to set the speed of inking forme roller 07 by rotating anilox roller 08 or, if necessary, to adjust it in such a way that plate cylinder 04 and inking forme roller 07 are synchronized or is set, so that the peripheral speed of the inking roller 07 with the peripheral speed of the plate cylinder 04 within previously defined permissible tolerance limits. To achieve this goal, it can be provided that the control unit sets the peripheral speed of the anilox roller 08, preferably during the setting phase it is executing, in such a way that it leads or lags the peripheral speed of the plate cylinder 04, particularly for a short period of time - and therefore not permanently. The design of the plate cylinder 04 and the inking roller 07 with the same circumferential length in each case and the setting of the synchronism between the plate cylinder 04 and the inking roller 07 largely prevent the effect of stenciling, which is detrimental to the print quality. The drive concept described here with a friction-driven inking roller 07 also has the advantage that a separate drive is not required for the inking roller 07, which saves costs and also because of the simpler mechanical design, e.g. B. facilitates replacement of the inking roller 07 during maintenance or repair work.

In its preferred embodiment, inking roller 07 has a closed, preferably rubberized, outer surface. The anilox roller 08 has a z. B. coated with a ceramic lateral surface, wherein in the ceramic layer has a hatch of z. B. 60, 80 or 100 lines per centimeter of axial length of the anilox roller 08 or a cell structure is formed. In order to enable the greatest possible quantity of printing ink to be fed into the roller train of inking unit 06 with each revolution of anilox roller 08, the outer diameter d08 of anilox roller 08 is preferably larger than the outer diameter d07 of inking forme roller 07. Anilox roller 08 should therefore have as large a delivery volume as possible. In the 2 the respective direction of rotation of the segmented wheel 03, the plate cylinder 04, the inking roller 07 and the anilox roller 08 is indicated by an arrow indicating the direction of rotation.

In the preferred embodiment, at least anilox roller 08 has a Tempering device, with the help of which the lateral surface of the anilox roller 08 is tempered. The temperature control device of the anilox roller 08 works e.g. B. with a tempering fluid introduced into the interior of the anilox roller 08, wherein the tempering fluid z. B. is water or another liquid coolant. The delivery volume of the anilox roller 08 can be influenced with the temperature control device of the anilox roller 08, since this influences the viscosity of the printing ink to be transported by the inking unit 06. The delivery volume of the anilox roller 08 and the viscosity of the printing ink to be transported by the inking unit 06 ultimately influence the color density of the printing ink to be applied to the cylindrical lateral surface of the hollow body 01 to be printed. The thickness of an ink film formed by the printing ink and to be applied to the cylindrical lateral surface of the hollow body 01 to be printed is e.g. B. at less than 10 microns, especially in a range of about 2 microns to 3 microns.

The ink reservoir of the inking unit 06 is z. B. as a chamber doctor blade system 09 acting in conjunction with the anilox roller 08. In this chamber doctor blade system 09, at least one ink tray, a doctor blade that is or at least can be placed on anilox roller 08 with an axis parallel to it, and preferably also a pump for conveying the printing ink, advantageously form a single structural unit. This chamber doctor blade system 09 is in the inking unit 06, ie on a frame of the inking unit 06, preferably only on one side, e.g. B. held or stored by a suspension, so that this structural unit in a simple manner after detaching it from the frame of the inking unit 06 laterally, ie by a movement directed axially parallel to the anilox roller 08, z. B. can be removed from the inking unit 06 and thus replaced by pulling on a handle arranged on this structural unit. This structural unit of chamber doctor blade system 09 preferably forms a cantilever arm on a side frame of inking unit 06. 4 shows a perspective view of the chamber doctor blade system 09, which is designed as a single structural unit, in interaction with the anilox roller 08 of the inking unit 06.

After the anilox roller 08 ink from the ink reservoir, ie in particular from the chamber doctor blade system 09, anilox roller 08 transports this printing ink directly or via other rollers of the roller train belonging to inking unit 06 to what is preferably only one inking forme roller 07 between the chamber doctor blade system 09 and the inking roller 07, a rider roller 13 is preferably placed or at least can be placed on the anilox roller 08 in order to improve the ink transport of the anilox roller 08. The rider roller 13 is arranged with its axis parallel to the anilox roller 08. The rider roller 13 is not considered to be part of the roller train of the inking unit 06, since it does not transfer any printing ink from the anilox roller 08 to another roller. The anilox roller 08 z. B. by friction rotationally driven rider roller 13 has z. B. on a rubberized surface. As it rolls on the lateral surface of anilox roller 08, rider roller 13, which is set against anilox roller 08, sucks some of the printing ink picked up by anilox roller 08 by chamber doctor blade system 09 from the hatch or the cells of anilox roller 08 and places this printing ink at least partially on the lateral surface of the Anilox roller 08 formed webs. As a result, the rider roller 13 rolling on the anilox roller 08 causes the anilox roller 08 to deliver a larger quantity of printing ink to the inking roller 07. In another episode, at a z. g. anilox roller 08 having a temperature control device, also improves the effectiveness of controlling the ink density in that the rider roller 13 rolling on the anilox roller 08 contributes to the provision of a larger quantity of printing ink. Irrespective of the specific design of the anilox roller 08, i.e. with or without a temperature control device, the rider roller 13 rolling on the anilox roller 08 thus reduces both density differences that can arise due to manufacturing tolerances of the anilox roller 08 and the risk of the hatching or cells of the anilox roller 08 being visible on the printing material, ie here on the lateral surface of the hollow body 01 to be printed as a result of insufficient ink application, at least in places.

In a very advantageous embodiment of the device for printing on hollow bodies is preferably in a fixed assignment z. B. for each printing forme cylinder, in particular plate cylinder 04, a plate changer 14 is provided, with which the printing forme intended for the printing forme cylinder in question or the printing block intended for the plate cylinder 04 in question within z. B. the device in question for printing or decorating hollow bodies 01, each of which has a particularly cylindrical lateral surface, can be exchanged, preferably in an automated manner. the figure 5 and 6 show a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a very advantageously designed plate changer 14 in two different operating positions for performing a z. B. in a production change in a very short set-up time, preferably automated, reliable and preferably also in register executable plate change or printing plate change. figure 5 shows a first operating position in which axially laterally next to the printing unit on the printing forme cylinder or plate changer 14 z. B. presented a printing plate or can be removed from the plate changer 14. 6 shows a second operating position in which directly in front of the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04 along this from the plate changer 14 z. B. a printing block can be placed directly on the associated plate cylinder 04 or a printing block can be removed from the plate cylinder 04 and removed with the plate changer 14 in its first operating position. The disk changer 14 has a particular plan, z. B. table-shaped support surface 16 on which z. B. a printing plate that is or is to be arranged on plate cylinder 04 can preferably be placed completely. The support surface 16 is preferably linearly movable along a transport path, in particular along the axis of rotation of the associated printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04, so that it can move bidirectionally between at least two defined positions, ie it can be moved back and forth. The plate changer 14 assumes its first operating position in a first position of the bearing surface 16 located laterally next to the printing unit, and assumes its second operating position in a second position of the bearing surface 16 located directly in front of the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04 along the latter.

In the first operating position, the bearing surface 16 of the plate changer 14 is located at least partially in front of an end face of the relevant printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04. In the second operating position, the bearing surface 16 of the plate changer 14 is preferably located at least partially below the lateral surface of the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04. The movement of the bearing surface 16 of the record changer 14 is z. B. along a traverse 17 arranged longitudinally to the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04. The bearing surface 16 of the plate changer 14 thus has an axial travel path with respect to the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04 in question. At the first or the second operating position of the disc changer 14 defining positions, the movement of the support surface 16 z. B. each limited by a stop. At least the carrier of the printing block in question is z. B. by a trimming executed in particular using fiducial marks in such a way that the printing block in question can be arranged in register on the bearing surface 16 of the plate changer 14 . For this purpose, at least two edges of the carrier of the relevant printing cliché, which are arranged at right angles to one another, are brought into physical contact with stops arranged on the support surface 16 of plate changer 14 and formed in particular by register pins, with a first edge of the carrier of the relevant printing cliché being pressed against a first register pin and a second edge, orthogonal to the first edge, of the carrier of the relevant printing block strikes a second register pin, one of these two register pins being changeable and preferably adjustable in its position. By setting the variable in its position register pin z. B. the printing block in question can be aligned in register. The register pin, which can be changed in its position, can be adjusted manually or automatically. Since the printing block is fed to the relevant plate cylinder 04 in register, z. B. no centering pin and no other register means provided.

In its preferred embodiment, the record changer 14 has, in addition to the support surface 16 for receiving a z. B. the plate cylinder 04, in particular printing blocks to be fed in register, e.g. B. a subject in which z. B. a printing block removed from the plate cylinder 04 can be stored. a z. B. by means of its carrier, in particular magnetically held on the lateral surface of the relevant plate cylinder 04, z. B. by means of a tangentially guided to the printing form tool, z. B. by means of a spatula guided between the carrier of the printing plate and the lateral surface of the plate cylinder 04 in question is lifted off the lateral surface of the plate cylinder 04 in question, or can at least be lifted from there. One end of the printing block in question, which is lifted off the lateral surface of the plate cylinder 04 in question, is inserted into the compartment in question of the plate cylinder 04 by rotating the plate cylinder 04 in question. By continuing this rotation of the plate cylinder 04 in question, the entire printing plate that has been detached from the lateral surface of the plate cylinder 04 in question is then pushed into the compartment in question of the plate changer 14.

A printing plate that is to be fed to the plate cylinder 04 in question, preferably in register, is held on the bearing surface 16 of the plate changer 14 by a magnetic holding force, in particular after it has been aligned in register. There is at least one stamp, preferably two stamps arranged spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the plate cylinder 04 in question, each with a stamp that is directed counter to the magnetic holding force, towards the bearing surface 16 of the plate changer 14, e.g. g. an essentially orthogonal direction of action, with which at least one stamp can be used to detach at least one end of the printing block held on the bearing surface 16 of the plate changer 14 that faces the plate cylinder 04 in question and transfer it to the plate cylinder 04 in question as a result of a lifting movement of the at least one stamp is. The at least one stamp is z. B. pneumatically operated or is at least so operable. Magnets are used to hold the printing forme or the printing plate on the support surface 16 of the plate changer 14 or on the lateral surface of the plate cylinder 04, these magnets are preferably each formed as a permanent magnet. The configuration of plate cylinder 04 described above has the advantage that a conveyor device for transferring the printing plate to the relevant plate cylinder 04 or for removing the printing plate from the relevant plate cylinder 04 is not required and the plate changer 14 can therefore be implemented very cost-effectively. In particular, a plate change can be carried out automatically with the plate changer 14 described above.

The respective engagement and/or disengagement of printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04, ink forme roller 07 and/or anilox roller 08 and/or an adjustment of the contact pressure exerted by each of them is carried out with a 2 and 3 shown on and off mechanism, which will now be described in more detail. In the preferred embodiment, the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04 is mounted, in particular at both ends, on a load arm of a first lever assembly 18, which is preferably one-sided and consists of a power arm and the load arm, with the power arm and the load arm of this first lever assembly 18, which is arranged at a fixed angle to the power arm, rotating around an axis parallel to the Plate cylinder 04 directed first axis of rotation 19 are pivotable. In an operative connection to the force arm of the first lever arrangement 18, a first drive 21, e.g. g. in the form of a hydraulic or pneumatic working cylinder, wherein when this first drive 21 is actuated, depending on its direction of action, the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04 arranged on the load arm of this first lever arrangement 18 is either moved by a printing blanket, e.g. B. the segment wheel 03 is turned off or employed on the same. To limit the pressure from the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04 against the printing blanket in question, e.g. B. the segmented wheel 03, a first stop 22 is provided, for example for the power arm of the first lever assembly 18, by means of which a path covered by the pivoting movement of the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04 against the segmented wheel 03 is limited. With the first drive 21, the contact pressure exerted by the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04 against the segmented wheel 03 is set or at least adjustable.

In the preferred embodiment, the inking roller 07 is also mounted, in particular at both ends, on a load arm of a preferably one-sided second lever arrangement 23 consisting of a power arm and the load arm, with the power arm and the load arm of this second lever arrangement 23 together about the first axis of rotation 19 are pivotable. In the preferred embodiment, anilox roller 08 is also mounted, in particular at both ends, on a load arm of a preferably one-sided third lever arrangement 24 consisting of a force arm and the load arm, with the force arm and the load arm of this third lever arrangement 24 jointly rotating about a second axis of rotation directed axially parallel to anilox roller 08 26 are pivotable, wherein the second axis of rotation 26 of the third lever assembly 24 is arranged on the second lever assembly 23, wherein the second axis of rotation 26 is formed on the second lever assembly 23 stationary. On the load arm of the first lever arrangement 18, there is a preferably controllable second drive 27, which acts on the force arm of the second lever arrangement 23 when it is actuated, and by means of which the inking roller 07 can be moved towards or away from the plate cylinder 04, depending on the direction of action of the second drive 27. A preferably controllable third drive 28, which acts on the force arm of the third lever arrangement 24 when it is actuated, is arranged on the load arm of the second lever arrangement 23, by means of which the anilox roller 08, preferably together with the chamber doctor blade system 09, can be set against the ink forme roller 07 or from it, depending on the direction of action of the third drive 28 this one can be turned off. The second drive 27 and / or the third drive 28 are each z. B. also in the form of a hydraulic or pneumatic working cylinder. It can be provided that the second drive 27 and the third drive 28 z. B. are operated together and preferably simultaneously or at least are operable. The pivoting movement of the load arm of the second lever assembly 23 is z. B. by a preferably adjustable, in particular by an eccentric adjustable first stop system 29, as a result of which the contact pressure exerted by the inking roller 07 against the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04 is limited or at least can be limited. The pivotal movement of the load arm of the third lever assembly 24 is z. B. limited by a preferably adjustable, in particular adjustable by an eccentric second stop system 31, whereby the contact pressure exerted by the anilox roller 08 against the inking roller 07 is limited or at least can be limited. 2 shows an example of a first operating state in which the first drive 21 and the second drive 27 and the third drive 28 are each not actuated or in their idle state, as a result of which anilox roller 08 is attached to ink forme roller 07 and ink forme roller 07 to printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04 and the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04 are each set against the segmented wheel 03. 3 shows an example of a second operating state in which the first drive 21 and the second drive 27 and the third drive 28 are each actuated and are therefore in their respective working state, whereby the anilox roller 08 from the inking forme roller 07 and the inking forme roller 07 from the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04 and the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04 are each turned off by the segmented wheel 03. The respective power arm and / or load arm of the three aforementioned lever assemblies 18; 23; 24 is or are each z. B. as a pair of opposing lever rods or side frame walls, between which either the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04 or the ink forme roller 07 or the anilox roller 08 is arranged in the respective previously described assignment. The three aforementioned lever assemblies 18; 23; 24 are each arranged in different vertical planes spaced apart from one another, so that they do not impede one another in their respective pivotability.

As already described and in 13 shown, are usually several, e.g. B. eight to twelve printing blankets 33 are arranged, wherein in the printing process during the rotation of this segment wheel 03 about an axis of rotation 34 printing forms of the printing forme cylinder or printing plates of the plate cylinder 04 on the with printing blankets 33 moving with this segmented wheel 03. During the rolling press the printing blocks, ie at least their pressure relief each z. B. 0.2 mm to 0.25 mm deep in the respective printing blanket 33, whereby the printing blankets are subject to wear and depending on their nature and in particular mechanical stress after a certain number of prints, z. B. must be renewed after 50,000 printed hollow bodies 01. If in a device for printing or decorating hollow bodies 01 that has this segmented wheel 03, ie in a so-called decorator, in mass production, e.g. B. several hundred or even a few thousand of these hollow bodies 01 per minute, z. If, for example, between 1,500 and 3,000 pieces are produced per minute, the printing blankets 33 arranged on the circumference of the segmented wheel 03 have to be replaced quite frequently, possibly every half hour or approximately every three quarters of an hour. In order to keep the productivity of such a device for printing or decorating hollow bodies 01 high, it is advantageous to carry out the required replacement of the printing blankets 33 arranged on the circumference of the segmented wheel 03 with the shortest possible set-up time.

A device for automatically changing the printing blankets 33 is therefore advantageously provided in association with the segmented wheel 03. In the preferred embodiment, each of these printing blankets 33 to be arranged on segmented wheel 03 is mounted on a preferably flat, tabular metal support with a material thickness of e.g. B. 0.2 mm cohesively, in particular applied by gluing. The respective, preferably magnetizable, metal carrier, together with the printing blanket 33 arranged on it, is then mounted on one of the segments 32 on the circumference of the segmented wheel 03, e.g. B. by at least one holding magnet provided there on the circumference for each printing blanket 33 or its carrier, in particular arranged in the correct position. In order to support the correct positioning of the respective metal carrier on the relevant segment 32 on the circumference of the segmented wheel 03, e.g. B. on the leading edge 37 of the respective metal support in the direction of rotation of the segmented wheel 03 acute-angled suspension leg 38 is provided, this suspension leg 38 in the arrangement of the respective metal carrier on one of the segments 32 on the circumference of the segment wheel 03 in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation 34 on the circumference of this segment wheel 03 z. B. designed as a groove engages recess 36 and comes into contact with a leading edge 39 of the relevant recess 36 in the direction of rotation of the segmented wheel 03, in particular in a form-fitting manner. The printing blankets 33 are each preferably designed as a rubber blanket. The direction of rotation of the segmented wheel 03 during the printing process is in the 13 indicated by an arrow indicating the direction of rotation. During the printing process, the hollow bodies 01, which are guided by the mandrel wheel 02 rotating about the axis of rotation 41 on a mandrel to the segmented wheel 03, are individually and successively briefly attached to the relevant currently printing blanket 33 is pressed.

The device for automatically changing the blankets 33 is preferably modular and has - as in the Figures 7 to 12 shown as an example - as modules z. B. a memory device 42 for several, z. B. up to twelve printing blankets 33 on ( 7 ) and a device 43 for vertical transport of the aforementioned storage device 42 ( 8 ) and a device 44 for transporting one of the printing blankets 33 horizontally between the storage device 42 and a mounting location on the segmented wheel 03 ( 9 ). the 10 shows the storage device 42 in its operating state arranged on the device 43 provided for its vertical transport. The storage device 42 has, in a preferably cuboid housing, a plurality of compartments arranged vertically one above the other, in each of which a single printing blanket 33 is stored backwards, ie lying on its carrier, preferably in a horizontal orientation, or at least can be stored. B. at least as many compartments are provided as the associated segmented wheel 03 has segments 32 for printing blankets 33 on its circumference having. The subjects are each z. B. open at least on one of its long sides, in order to allow a supply or removal of the respective printing blanket 33 on the open side of the respective compartment. This storage device 42 is preferably on or on a carrier of the device 43 for the vertical transport of this storage device 42 as a light, z. B. tool-free interchangeable module attached or at least attachable. The device 43 for the vertical transport of the storage device 42 is z. B. executed a lifting movement, wherein the vertical travel z. B. is about 200 mm. The lifting movement of the device 43 for the vertical transport of the storage device 42 is z. B. by means of a preferably driven by an electric motor trapezoidal thread spindle. In order to transport the individual printing blankets 33 between the storage device 42 and an assembly location on a segment 32 of the segmented wheel 03, a device 44 for the horizontal transport of these printing blankets 33 is provided. This device 44 for the horizontal transport of the blankets 33 has z. B. a between two end points bidirectional in particular linearly movable carriage 46, with the carriage 46 in each case a single printing blanket 33 is transported or at least can be transported. A from the storage device 42 automatically removed printing blanket 33 is on the carriage 46 preferably lying on its back against a z. B. below the segmented wheel 03 and transported to the installation site and picked up there by a segment 32 of the segmented wheel 03. A printing blanket 33 that is to be removed from a segment 32 of segmented wheel 03 is preferably peeled off the segment 32 in question using a spatula 47 that is or can at least be placed on the segment 32 in question and removed from its dismantling location on the circumference of segmented wheel 03, e.g. B. lying on carriage 46 to the storage device 42, wherein the spatula 47, which is applied at an acute angle or tangentially to the segment 32 of the segmented wheel 03 in question, in conjunction with a rotational movement of the segmented wheel 03 directed against the spatula 47, in the preferred embodiment, respectively in particular, the metal carrier of the printing blanket 33 in question, which is held magnetically on the circumference of segmented wheel 03, from the segment 32 in question and thus stands out from the scope of this segmented wheel 03. In the 11 the spatula 47 is shown both in an operating position placed on the relevant segment 32 of the segmented wheel 03 and in a parked operating position, with these operating positions being assumed alternatively.

The renewal or replacement of at least one of the printing blankets 33 arranged on the circumference of segmented wheel 03 is then preferably carried out as follows:
As a result of its rotation, the segmented wheel 03 conveys a printing blanket 33 that is arranged on its periphery and is to be removed into an angular position at which this printing blanket 33 can be removed using the device for automatically changing the printing blankets 33. The carriage 46 of the device 44 for the horizontal transport of the printing blankets 33 travels along its travel path to that end point which is closest to the dismantling location of the printing blanket 33 to be removed. This position of the carriage 46 is preferably monitored by sensors and/or by a first switching element 48, e.g. B. by an inductive or capacitive proximity switch. The spatula 47 is then preferably positioned on the trailing edge 37 of the metal support of the relevant printing blanket 33 to be removed in the direction of rotation of segmented wheel 03. An at least brief rotary movement of segmented wheel 03 in the opposite direction to its direction of rotation during the printing process causes the printing blanket 33 to be removed, which is preferably held magnetically on the circumference of segmented wheel 03, to be peeled off the circumference of this segmented wheel 03, i.e. the metal carrier of printing blanket 33 is lifted from its support on segmented wheel 03 . The spatula 47 is then placed back off the circumference of the segmented wheel 03. The printing blanket 33 released from the relevant segment 32 of the segmented wheel 03 then either falls directly into a storage device for worn printing blankets 33 due to gravity or is transported to the device 44 for the horizontal transport of the printing blankets 33 by means of the carriage 46 Transported storage device for worn blankets.

A new printing blanket 33 glued to a metal carrier is inserted in at least one compartment, preferably in all compartments, of the storage device 42 provided for several new printing blankets 33, with this storage device 42 preferably being arranged in a raised, upper position by the device 43 for its vertical transport . The carriage 46 of the device 44 for the horizontal transport of one of the printing blankets 33 between the storage device 42 and the assembly location on the segmented wheel 03 is arranged below the compartment with the new printing blanket 33. By lowering this storage device 42 by the device 43 for the vertical transport, the new printing blanket 33 is deposited on the carriage 46 of the device 44 for the horizontal transport. It is preferably sensory and / or by a second switching element 49, z. B. by an inductive or capacitive proximity switch, whether the new blanket 33 has actually been placed on the carriage 46 of the device 44 for the horizontal transport. If this is not the case, an error message appears. Otherwise, i.e. in an error-free state, the carriage 46 of the device 44 for the horizontal transport of the printing blankets 33 moves along its adjustment path to the end point that is closest to the installation location of the new printing blanket 33, with this position of the carriage 46 again preferably being detected by sensors and / or is monitored by a third switching element 51, z. B. by an inductive or capacitive proximity switch. The segmented wheel 03 is also already in an angular position suitable for receiving the new printing blanket 33, with this angular position z. B. at the base of the segment wheel 03 or in its vicinity. In the preferred embodiment, the position of new printing blanket 33 is at least aligned in register by striking at least stop 52 before it is mounted on the circumference of segmented wheel 03. To move the carriage 46 of the device 44 for the horizontal transport of the printing blankets 33, a drive is provided. B. is designed as a compressed air cylinder. about that To mount a new printing blanket 33 on the circumference of the segmented wheel 03, this segmented wheel 03 rotates in the direction of rotation it carried out during the printing process and in doing so accommodates the new printing blanket 33 on its circumference. Thereafter, the carriage 46 of the device 44 for the horizontal transport of the printing blankets 33 is moved back to the storage device 42 for the several new printing blankets 33 in order to fetch another new printing blanket 33 if necessary.

In order to reduce set-up times, it is advantageous to design a device for printing on hollow bodies 01 in such a way that this device has a segmented wheel 03 that can be rotated about an axis of rotation 34, with segmented wheel 03 having a plurality of segments 32 one behind the other on its circumference, each for receiving a printing blanket 33 at least one of the printing blankets 33 arranged on one of the segments 32 is arranged to roll or at least be able to roll on the hollow body 01 to be printed on. A plurality of printing units are provided, with at least one of the printing units being or at least being thrown onto at least one of the printing blankets 33 arranged on the circumference of segmented wheel 03. At least one of the printing units has a printing forme cylinder 04, with a plate changer 14 being assigned to the printing forme cylinder 04 in question for automatically changing a printing forme on this printing forme cylinder 04, and being assigned to the segmented wheel 03 a device for automatically changing at least one of the am Circumference of this segmented wheel 03 arranged printing blankets 33 is arranged. The plate changer 14 preferably has a support surface 16 on which the printing forme to be or is to be arranged on the printing forme cylinder 04 is placed or at least can be placed, with this support surface 16 being movable bidirectionally along a transport path between at least two defined positions. The printing forme to be fed to the printing forme cylinder 04 in question is e.g. B. held by a magnetic holding force on the support surface 16 of the record changer 14. The device for automatically changing the printing blankets 33 is in particular modular, with a storage device 42 as a module for several printing blankets 33 and a device 43 for vertically transporting this storage device 42 and a device 44 for horizontally transporting one of the printing blankets 33 between the storage device 42 and one of the segments 32 of the segmented wheel 03. The storage device 42 has a plurality of compartments arranged vertically one above the other in a housing, in each of which a single printing blanket 33 is stored or at least can be stored. The printing blankets 33 are each stored in the storage device 42 preferably lying on their backs and/or in a horizontal orientation. The device 43 for the vertical transport of the storage device 42 is z. B. executing a lifting movement and/or the device 44 for the horizontal transport of the printing blankets 33 has a carriage 46 that can be moved bidirectionally between two end points, with a single printing blanket 33 being transported or at least being transportable with the carriage 46. The plate changer 14 and the device for automatically changing the blankets 33 are z. B. each controlled by a control unit, the plate changer 14 and the device for automatically changing the printing blankets 33 each z. B. are active at the same time, ie carry out their respective change of a printing forme or a printing blanket 33 during the same production interruption of this device for printing on hollow bodies 01. The printing forme to be arranged on the printing forme cylinder 04 is preferably arranged in register on the support surface 16 of the plate changer 14 with regard to its mounting position on the printing forme cylinder 04 and/or the printing blanket 33 to be arranged on the circumference of the segmented wheel 03 is on the carriage 46 of the device 44 for the horizontal transport of the Printing blankets 33 are arranged in the correct position with regard to their assembly position on a segment 32 of the segmented wheel 03. An inking unit 06 that transports printing ink to the printing forme cylinder 04 is preferably embodied as a short inking unit that has an anilox roller 08.

With regard to a device for printing hollow bodies 01, which has a segmented wheel 03 that can be rotated about an axis of rotation 34, the segmented wheel 03 on has a plurality of segments 32 one behind the other around its circumference, each for accommodating a printing blanket 33, with at least one of the printing blankets 33 arranged on one of the segments 32 being arranged to roll or at least be able to roll on the hollow body 01 to be printed, with adjacent segments 32 each being separated by a parallel to the axis of rotation 34 of segmented wheel 03 are separated from one another, it is also advantageous for each of the printing blankets 33 to be arranged on a plate-shaped metallic carrier, with the carrier together with the printing blanket 33 arranged on it being replaceable as a whole on one of the segments 32 of the segmented wheel 03 is arranged or at least can be arranged, with the carrier arranged on one of the segments 32 of the segmented wheel 03 being held on this segment 32 in a positive and/or non-positive fit. Each carrier of a printing blanket 33 is beveled, preferably at an acute angle, on its leading edge 37 in the direction of rotation of segmented wheel 03, with this bevel 38 being attached to an edge 39 of the relevant am Circumference of the segmented wheel 03 formed recess 36 is applied, wherein the fold 38 of the carrier is arranged or at least can be arranged in a positive fit on this edge 39 of the recess 36. The plate-shaped metallic carrier is in particular designed to be flexible and, together with the printing blanket 33 arranged on it, forms, e.g. B. a metal printing blanket. The carrier arranged on one of the segments 32 of the segmented wheel 03 is held on this segment 32 by a magnetic force. At the periphery of the segmented wheel 03 are in a row z. B. eight to twelve segments 32 are each arranged to accommodate a printing blanket 33 . In association with the segmented wheel 03 z. B. a device for automatically changing the printing blankets 33 is provided, the device for automatically changing the printing blankets 33 preferably having a modular structure and as modules a storage device 42 for a plurality of printing blankets 33 and a device 43 for vertical transport of the aforementioned storage device 42 and a device 44 for a horizontal transport of one of the blankets 33 between the Storage device 42 and one of the segments 32 of the segment wheel 03 has. The storage device 42 has in a housing, in particular, a plurality of compartments arranged vertically one above the other, in each of which a single printing blanket 33 is stored or at least can be stored. In the housing of the memory device 42 z. B. at least as many compartments are provided as the associated segmented wheel 03 has segments 32 for printing blankets 33 on its circumference. In the preferred embodiment, the device 43 for the vertical transport of the storage device 42 is designed to perform a lifting movement and/or the device 44 for the horizontal transport of the printing blankets 33 has a carriage 46 that can be moved bidirectionally between two end points, with the carriage 46 each having a individual printing blanket 33 is transported or at least can be transported.

There is also a method for operating a device for printing hollow bodies 01 that has a segmented wheel 03, in which case a printing blanket 33 is arranged on at least one segment 32 of segmented wheel 03, which has a plurality of segments 32 in succession around its circumference, with at least one being positioned on one of the When segmented wheel 03 rotates, the printing blanket 33 arranged in segments 32 rolls on the hollow body 01 to be printed, with a device for automatically changing printing blankets 33 assigned to segmented wheel 03, following a command sent to its control unit, changing that on the relevant segment 32 of the segmented wheel 03 automatically removes the printing blanket 33 to be arranged from a storage device 42 and transports it to the relevant segment 32 of segmented wheel 03. The device for automatically changing printing blankets 33 has a device 44 for horizontal transport of the printing blankets 33 with a movable carriage 46, the printing blankets 33 to be transported being transported lying on the carriage 46 in each case. A printing blanket 33 lying on carriage 46 is preferably arranged in the correct position with regard to an assembly position on one of the segments 32 of segmented wheel 03. In particular, a plurality of printing blankets 33 are stored in the storage device 42, wherein the printing blankets 33 are placed one after the other on the carriage 46 of the device 44 for the horizontal transport of the printing blankets 33 and are transported one after the other to one of the segments 32 of the segmented wheel 03. A printing blanket 33 to be arranged on one of the segments 32 of segmented wheel 03 is arranged on the segment 32 in question, in particular by a form fit created between the relevant segment 32 and the printing blanket 33 when this segmented wheel 03 rotates. A printing blanket 33 arranged on one of the segments 32 of the segmented wheel 03 is preferably moved by a z. B. magnetic friction on the relevant segment 32 is held. A printing blanket 33 that has been removed from one of the segments 32 of segmented wheel 03 is also preferably transported away from the relevant segmented wheel 03 by means of device 44 for the horizontal transport of printing blankets 33. Provision is preferably made for device 44 for the horizontal transport of printing blankets 33 to alternately transport a printing blanket 33 removed from one of segments 32 of segmented wheel 03 and a new, i.e. unused printing blanket 33 from storage device 42 to a free segment 32 of segmented wheel 03 transported, ie to a segment 32 on which no printing blanket 33 is currently arranged. By means of a switching element 49 z. B. monitors whether a printing blanket 33 to be removed or removed from the storage device 42 has actually and/or been placed in the correct position on the carriage 46 of the device 44 for the horizontal transport.

14 shows a perspective view of the segmented wheel 03 of the device for printing on hollow bodies 01, with several, e.g. B. twelve segments 32 for receiving a printing blanket 33 are arranged. This segmented wheel 03 is preferably made of a cast material, e.g. B. cast iron, and has a mass of z. B. more than 500 kg, in particular of about 1,000 kg or more. The segmented wheel 03 has an outer diameter in the range of z. B. 1,400 mm to 1,600 mm. The segmented wheel 03 is with its shaft 53 in a frame 66 of this device for printing Hollow bodies 01 preferably at both ends z. B. each mounted in particular in double-row roller bearings 63 and driven by a rotary drive. This drive, which drives segmented wheel 03 in rotation, is embodied as an electric motor 58 with a stator 61 and a rotor 62 having a hollow shaft 54, with hollow shaft 54 being arranged or at least capable of being arranged coaxially with shaft 53 of segmented wheel 03. In the arranged in the device for printing on hollow bodies 01 state - as the sectional view of 16 shown - protrudes the shaft 53 of the segment wheel 03 in the space of the motor 58 and the shaft 53 of the segment wheel 03 and the rotor 62 of the motor 58 are rigidly connected. The segmented wheel 03 is preferably z. B. rigidly connected to its shaft 53 by means of clamping elements 67 and thereby fixed on the shaft 53. The motor 58 provided for the rotary drive of the segmented wheel 03 is preferably designed as a high-pole, electric direct drive with a number of poles greater than twenty and/or as a permanent-magnet, brushless DC motor and is shown, for example, in FIG 15 shown in perspective. This motor 58 has z. B. a cooling device or is at least connected to such, wherein the cooling device is designed as a liquid cooling system. 15 shows two connections formed on the housing 59 of the motor 58 for this liquid cooling, namely a connection for the coolant inflow 56 and another connection for the coolant outflow 57. In an advantageous embodiment, this motor 58 is designed as a torque motor. A preferably digital control unit that controls or regulates this motor 58 is provided, with the control unit determining a position on the circumference of this segmented wheel 03 relative to a position on the lateral surface of a to be printed by positioning the shaft 53 of segmented wheel 03 in the stator of motor 58 Hollow body 01 is preferably set or at least adjustable with a positioning accuracy of less than 0.1 mm. Likewise, z. B. at the opposite end of the motor 58 of the shaft 53, a rotary encoder 64 is provided, wherein the rotary encoder 64 has a high angular resolution of z. B. has 27 bits and detects a rotational angle position of the shaft 53 of the segmented wheel 03 and one with the Angle of rotation position of the shaft 53 of the segmented wheel 03 corresponding measured value of the motor 58 controlling or regulating control unit is available. The motor 58 and/or the rotary encoder are preferably each connected to the control unit that controls or regulates the motor 58 via a data bus, in particular a control bus.

The aforementioned embodiment of the rotary drive of the segmented wheel 03 has the advantage that this drive is decentralized and gearless and clutchless. This drive of the segmented wheel 03 is play-free and compact. In conjunction with the control unit of this drive, a position on the circumference of this segmented wheel 03 relative to a position on the lateral surface of a hollow body 01 to be printed on can easily be set with a positioning accuracy of less than 0.1 mm, which has a very advantageous effect on the print quality that can be achieved . Likewise, i. In conjunction with the double-row bearing of the segmented wheel 03, this segmented wheel 03 runs very smoothly, which ensures uniform ink transfer from the respective inking units 06 to the relevant printing blankets 33 arranged on the circumference of the segmented wheel 03. With the rotary drive of the segmented wheel 03 described here, high acceleration and thus short run-up times of 10 s or less can be achieved for this segmented wheel 03. The proposed drive for the segmented wheel 03 also has the advantage of being low-noise and low-maintenance. All in all, this results in a very efficient drive for the segmented wheel 03.

17 shows again that already i. V. m. the 14 and 16 described segment wheel 03, but here in a particularly advantageous embodiment. The segmented wheel 03 mounted in the frame 66 of the device for printing on hollow bodies during the printing process has a preferably made of a metallic material, e.g. B. made of a welded construction or cast iron base body 68, wherein several, z. B. twelve segments 32 along the circumference of the base body 68 each at a joint 69 in particular spaced from each other or at least are arrangeable. The segmented wheel 03 is therefore not designed in one piece, with segments 32 already formed on it, but these segments 32 each form a separate machine element that can be separated from the base body 68 and are arranged on the base body 68 so that they can be changed. Each of these segments 32 is--as before in the same way--suitable for receiving a printing blanket 33 in the manner already described.

An advantage of the segment wheel 03 changeable segments 32 is that z. B. when changing the machine arrangement to produce hollow bodies 01 of a different format, e.g. B. on cans with a shorter or longer can height and/or a different can diameter compared to current production, an adjustment in the format of the printing blankets 33 required for printing is also possible more easily and quickly. In a machine arrangement with a segmented wheel 03 with segments 32 already formed, the entire segmented wheel 03 must be replaced when production is switched to hollow bodies 01 of a different format, which, in view of the usual size with an outer diameter in the range of z. B. 1,400 mm to 1,600 mm and / or the usual mass of the segmented wheel 03 of z. B. mean more than 500 kg, especially more than 1,000 kg, a considerable effort and unacceptably long set-up times.

In order to produce a printed image of high print quality on hollow bodies 01 in the printing process, a segmented wheel 03 must meet very high concentricity requirements, which means that such a segmented wheel 03 must be machined with great precision, ie with low permissible manufacturing tolerances. In the case of a segmented wheel 03 with segments 32 that are already formed, this is due to the relatively large outer diameter in the range of z. B. 1,400 mm to 1,600 mm very complex and expensive. What can still be done in the case of initial production using rather rare and expensive large-scale processing machines, in the event of damage to the segments 32 or other parts of the segmented wheel 03 is only possible using very expensive repair measures that are extremely difficult to carry out in the machine arrangement, such as straightening, machining, welding and grinding the damaged area or by replacing the entire segment wheel 03. For the operator of such a machine arrangement, this means not only high repair costs but also a long loss of production, since the entire machine arrangement is idle for the duration of the repair work. Ultimately, with one-piece segmented wheels 03, there is no variation in the materials used, e.g. B. to reduce the inertia of the relevant segment wheel 03 possible.

A segmented wheel 03 with a plurality of segments 32 that are arranged spaced apart from one another at a joint 69 along the circumference of its base body 68 and are therefore interchangeable simplifies the manufacture of the segmented wheel 03 in question and, thanks to its modular design, facilitates its adaptation to various formats depending on the respective production and if necessary, repairs to be carried out in the machine arrangement of damaged areas on this segmented wheel 03, in particular on its segments 32.

In the configuration of the segmented wheel 03 according to 17 the individual, exchangeable segments 32 are preferably finished ( 18 ). This means that the finished segments 32 only have to correspond to the desired outer diameter of the relevant segmented wheel 03 with a high level of accuracy in terms of their respective surface curvature. The remaining geometries play a subordinate role in terms of tolerances. The manufacturing tolerances of the external geometry are also of secondary importance for the base body 68 of the segmented wheel 03. That in the 18 exemplified individual segment 32 has z. B. has at least one holding magnet 73, in order to hold a printing blanket 33 having a magnetizable metal carrier on the circumference of this segmented wheel 03, in particular in the correct position, after this segment 32 has been mounted on the base body 68 of the segmented wheel 03.

The necessary high accuracy of the respective running surface of the printing blankets 33 in terms of concentricity and radius is achieved by a z. B. using a particular along the circumference of the segmented wheel 03 movable rider gauge 72 ( 14 ) executed alignment process of the segments 32 is achieved with the base body 68 of the segmented wheel 03 arranged in the machine arrangement and z. B. fixed by casting a compensation gap. Because at the joint 69 in question between the respective segment 32 and the base body 68, a compensation gap is formed in each case with a parting line lining arranged in the compensation gap in question, the parting line lining preferably being a z. B. low-viscosity casting material or as a putty. The respective segments 32 are cast at their joint 69 to the base body 68 of the segmented wheel 03 in particular with a precise fit. The compensating gap has a gap width of z. B. at least 1 mm up to z. B. 5 mm. In addition, the segments 32 are each z. B. fixed by at least one connecting element 71 on the base body 68 and / or detachably connected to the base body 68. The at least one connecting element 71 connecting the respective segment 32 to the base body 68 of the segmented wheel 03 is z. B. formed as a cylinder screw or as a tapered pin.

A parting line lining is used to adapt and fit machine parts with the highest accuracy requirements. It allows an adjustment in the µm range without complex mechanical preparation and rework. It has a high static compressive strength of z. B. 100 N / mm ² and / or a contact area of z. 100% up. A joint lining has a very high adhesive force and hardens without technically relevant shrinkage. Such a parting line coating is z. B. from SKC Gleittechnik GmbH in D-96469 Rödental.

19 shows a simplified and schematic view of a device for printing hollow bodies 01, in which a plurality of hollow bodies 01 are fed sequentially by a conveying device 74 in the transport direction indicated by an arrow to a conveying wheel 76 and from there to a mandrel wheel 02 and then to a segmented wheel 03. That Feed wheel 76 and the mandrel wheel 02 are usually components of the decorator and form a device for sequentially feeding the hollow bodies 01 to the circumference of the segmented wheel 03. On the circumference of the feed wheel 76 are several, e.g. B. eight or ten drivers and on the circumference of the mandrel wheel 02 are several, z. B. 24 or 36 holding devices are each arranged to accommodate one hollow body 01 to be printed in cooperation with the segmented wheel 03. Several z. B. eight, ten or twelve printing units, each preferably printing different inks, are arranged with a plate cylinder 04 and an inking unit 06, with each inking unit 06 preferably being designed as a short inking unit and e.g. B. has only a single inking roller 07 and an anilox roller 08. On the circumference of the segmented wheel 03, several, e.g. B. 12 printing blankets 33 are arranged, with a mandrel wheel 02 having 24 holding devices being set to rotate at half the speed compared to a segmented wheel 03 with 12 segments 32. Each of the printing blankets 33 arranged on a segment 32 on the circumference of the segmented wheel 03 is z. B. as a metal printing blanket and is preferably held by a magnetic force on the relevant segment 32 of the segmented wheel 03. The segmented wheel 03 preferably has a base body 68, the plurality of z. B. twelve segments 32 along the circumference of the base body 68 each at a joint 69 in particular spaced from each other arranged or at least can be arranged. In the preferred embodiment, the segmented wheel 03 is therefore not designed in one piece, with segments 32 already formed on it. B. by releasing at least one connecting element 71 arranged to be exchangeable. The drivers of the feed wheel 76 are z. B. formed by recesses on its periphery, each recess always receive exactly a single hollow body 01 at a certain point in time and can convey during the rotation of the conveyor wheel 76. The inclusion of a hollow body 01 in the relevant recess of the feed wheel 76 e.g. B. supported by an air blast device 98 arranged in the periphery of the feed wheel 76, with at least one air blast being triggered by the air blast device 98, which pushes the hollow body 01 in question, in the direction of the feed wheel 76, depending on an angular position of the feed wheel 76. In an advantageous embodiment, the feed wheel 76 is designed as a star wheel with a plurality of carriers, each in the form of pointed prongs, with a hollow body 01 received in a space between adjacent prongs being conveyed during the rotation of the star wheel.

The mandrel wheel 02 and the feed wheel 76 each have their own separate from the drive 58 of the segmented wheel 03, each z. B. designed as a motor drive 77; 78, the drive 58 of the segment wheel 03 and the drive 77 of the mandrel wheel 02 and the drive 78 of the feed wheel 76 being connected to one another in terms of data technology by a common data bus 79. This the drives 58; 77; 78 connecting preferably digital data bus 79 is z. B. formed in a ring topology or in a star topology. A control unit 82, which is connected to data bus 79 and is embodied as a central machine controller, controls at least both drive 78 of feed wheel 76 and drive 77 of mandrel wheel 02, drive 58 of segmented wheel 03 and others, in particular, by means of control data transported via common data bus 79 all drives connected to this data bus 79. In a decorator with several individual drives connected via a common data bus 79, e.g. B. the drive 77 of the mandrel wheel 02 or the drive 58 of the segment wheel 03 are each defined as the master, so that the other drives are each aligned as slaves in their respective rotational behavior according to the previously defined master. At least one pair of discrete angular positions φ1; φ2, which consists of a first angular position φ1 occupied or to be occupied by one of the drivers on the circumference of the conveyor wheel 76 and from one of one of the holding devices on the circumference of the mandrel wheel 02 is or is to be assumed at a transfer position 81 that transfers the respective hollow body 01 from the feed wheel 76 to the mandrel wheel 02, in each case with reference to this transfer position 81. This means that the relevant pair of angular positions φ1; ϕ2 forming angular positions ϕ1; ϕ2 remain unchanged during each rotation of feed wheel 76 and mandrel wheel 02 with respect to transfer position 81, preferably for all drivers of feed wheel 76 and all holding devices on the circumference of mandrel wheel 02, which are used at least during production of the device for printing on the hollow bodies 01 are to be positioned in each case at the transfer position 81 transferring the respective hollow body 01 from the feed wheel 76 to the mandrel wheel 02. Via the data bus 79 to the respective drive 58; 77; 78 transported control data preferably include at least the respective speed of the shaft of the relevant drive 58; 77; 78 and/or at least one angular position to be assumed by its shaft. With reference to the relevant decorator, this control data thus e.g. B. the function of a virtual leading axis. The control data transported via the virtual master axis are a command variable for the axes to be coordinated of the drives 58 connected to this data bus 79; 77; 78. From the control data forming a position value of the virtual master axis, ie the master value of the virtual master axis, for each by the drives 58; 77; 78 a position setpoint is calculated for the given following axis. At least the drive 77 of the mandrel wheel 02 and the drive 58 of the segmented wheel 03 and possibly also the drive 78 of the feed wheel 76 are each designed as an electrical direct motor drive whose respective speed is controlled and/or position-regulated by the control unit 82. The drive 58 of the segment wheel 03 is z. B. designed as a torque motor. In an advantageous embodiment, at least the respective drives 58; 77; 78 of the feed wheel 76, mandrel wheel 02 and segment wheel 03 are each assigned their own drive controller 83 connected to the data bus 79 and their own power unit 84.

The respective z. The hollow bodies 01, e.g. by means of vacuum suction, are successively placed one after the other on one of the mandrels of the mandrel wheel 02 and then held by the mandrel in question respective longitudinal axis rotatable and in particular set or at least adjustable to a specific peripheral speed. In a preferred embodiment, at least one hollow body 01, preferably a plurality of hollow bodies 01 each held on one of the mandrels of the mandrel wheel 02, are held in place prior to being printed on using at least one of the printing blankets 33 arranged on the circumference of the segmented wheel 03, e.g. e. H. rotated by friction and adjusted to the peripheral speed required for the printing process. This acceleration belt 86 preferably has its own drive 58; 77; 78 of the feed wheel 76, the mandrel wheel 02 and / or the segment wheel 03 separate, but z. B. also connected to the data bus 79 drive 87, wherein the peripheral speed of the acceleration belt 86 is optionally adjustable. The peripheral speed of the acceleration belt 86 is thus z. B. individually adjustable and / or changeable for each hollow body 01 depending on the requirements of the printing process. The drive 87 of the acceleration belt 86 is z. B. assigned its own drive controller 83 and its own power unit 84.

At least one processing station arranged in the periphery of the mandrel wheel 02 after the printing of the hollow body 01 is z. B. as a painting device 88 for painting the outer lateral surface of each printed hollow body 01 and/or, particularly in the case of two-piece cans, as an edge processing station. Trained as a painting device 88 processing station has a to the Lateral surface of at least one of the printed hollow bodies 01 held by the mandrel wheel 02 that is, or at least can be, turned on. Lacquer application roller 89 of lacquering unit 88 is preferably driven in rotation by its own drive 91, with a hollow body 01 held on mandrel wheel 02 being rotated by means of friction in Rotation offset and z. B. is set to a specific peripheral speed depending on the requirements of the painting process. In particular, the peripheral speed of the hollow body 01 by the drive 91 of the paint application roller 89 is independent of the drives 58; 77; 78 of the feed wheel 76, the mandrel wheel 02 and/or the segment wheel 03 is set or at least adjustable. Advantageously, the drive 91 of the paint applicator roller 89 is also assigned its own drive controller 83 and its own power unit 84 .

In the preferred embodiment, in the periphery of the mandrel wheel 02, z. B. at its lower edge, particularly in the transport direction of the hollow body 01 after the paint application roller 89 of the painting unit 88, a braking belt 96 is provided, with the braking belt 96 being arranged to brake at least one rotating hollow body 01 held on one of the holding devices of the mandrel wheel 02 by friction. Braking belt 96 is preferably driven by its own drive 97, whereby at least one rotating hollow body 01, which is held on mandrel wheel 02 and is to be braked by friction by braking belt 96, is moved by this drive 97 to a position for peripheral speed required for further transport is set. This peripheral speed of the hollow body 01 is independent of the drives 58; 77; 78; 91 of the feed wheel 76 and/or the mandrel wheel 02 and/or the segmented wheel 03 and/or the paint application roller 89 of the painting unit 88 is adjusted or at least adjustable. Also the drive 97 of the braking belt 96 is preferably a separate drive controller 83 and a separate power unit 84 are assigned. The deceleration belt 96 with its own drive 97 enables the mandrels to be optimally decelerated before the standing hollow bodies 01 are picked up. It is particularly advantageous or necessary at high rotational speeds of the mandrels in connection with mandrels for large-volume hollow bodies 01 with a high mass moment of inertia.

Furthermore, in the transport direction of the hollow body 01, a z. g. as a rotatable transfer disk 92, for receiving hollow bodies 01 that are held on the mandrel wheel 02, are printed using at least one of the printing blankets 33 arranged on the circumference of the segmented wheel 03 and, if necessary, have their lateral surface painted, with a peripheral speed of the transfer disk 92 preferably depending on the rotation of the feed wheel 76 z. B. with the drive 78 of this conveyor wheel 76 z. B. is set or at least adjustable by means of a belt drive. A drive of the transfer disk 92 is z. B. with the drive 78 of the conveyor wheel 76 z. B. mechanically or electrically, in particular coupled in terms of control technology. Alternatively, the transfer disk 92 is of its own, i. H. from the remaining drives 58; 77; 78; 87; 91; 97 separate drive rotary driven.

After the transfer disc 92 in the transport direction of the hollow body 01, there is preferably a further conveyor device 93 for conveying printed and/or painted hollow bodies 01, e.g. B. provided in a dryer, said conveyor 93 z. B. as a revolving transport chain 93 with several, z. B. twenty pickups is each designed to accommodate one of the hollow bodies 01 to be conveyed and preferably has its own drive 94, in particular a chain drive, with this drive 94 preferably being at least connected to the drives 58; 77; 78 of segment wheel 03, mandrel wheel 02 and feed wheel 76 connecting data bus 79 is connected. The drive 94 of this conveyor 93 is z. B. a separate drive controller 83 and a own power unit 84 assigned.

According to the drive concept for a decorator described here as an example, at least the drives 58; 77; 78 of segment wheel 03, mandrel wheel 02 and feed wheel 76 are each designed as individual drives and are connected to one another via a common data bus 79. Advantageously, further individual drives connected to the common data bus 79 are provided in the device for printing on hollow bodies 01, e.g. B. the drive 87 for the acceleration belt 86 and/or the drive 91 for the paint application roller 89 of the painting device 88 and/or the drive 97 for the deceleration belt 96 and/or the possibly own drive for the transfer disc 92 and/or the drive 94 for the transport chain 93. All these drives 58; 77; 78; 87; 91; 94; 97 are connected to the common data bus 79, z. B. as a central machine control unit 82 is controlled by means of control data transported via this common data bus 79, said control data preferably at least the respective speed of the shaft of the relevant drive 58; 77; 78; 87; 91; 94; 97 and contain at least one angular position to be assumed by its shaft. Trained as a central machine control unit 82 is z. B. formed as a belonging to the relevant decorator control center, with the relevant drives 58; 77; 78; 87; 91; 94; 97 have the necessary control data set at this control station.

In a preferred embodiment, the feed wheel 76, the mandrel wheel 02, the segment wheel 03 and the transfer disk 92 are controlled by their respective drives 58; 77; 78 are synchronized with one another by means of the control data transported via the common data bus 79 in such a way that at a specific point in time at which the feed wheel 76 transfers a hollow body 01 to the mandrel wheel 02, another hollow body 01 already arranged on the mandrel wheel 02 is being replaced by one arranged on the segmented wheel 03 Printing blanket 33 is printed and another already printed Hollow body 01 is transferred from the mandrel wheel 02 to the transfer disk 92.

An advantage of the drive concept using individual drives for a decorator instead of a central drive is the very high positioning accuracy that can be achieved in particular for the mandrel wheel 02 and the segmented wheel 03, which enables precise printing on the lateral surface of the hollow body 01. The separate drive 87 for the acceleration belt 86 enables the rotation of each individual hollow body 01 arranged on a mandrel of the mandrel wheel 02 to be controlled individually, with the rotation of the hollow body 01 in question being advanced or delayed, if necessary, in relation to one arranged on the circumference of the segmented wheel 03 Printing blanket 33 is set or at least adjustable. The separate drive 94 for the transport chain 93 enables an exact counting of the transported hollow bodies 01 and/or a targeted ejection of faulty hollow bodies 01. The separate drives 77; 78; 94 for the facilities directly involved in the transport of the hollow bodies 01, i. H. In particular, conveyor wheel 76, mandrel wheel 02, transfer disc 92 and/or transport chain 93 offer the advantage that the timing of the various transfer actions for transferring the hollow body 01 in question from one conveyor element to the other can be adjusted without mechanical intervention in the respective drive elements.

The motor 11 of the plate cylinder 04 and the motor 12 of the anilox roller 08 of the respective inking unit 06 interacting with the segmented wheel 03 are each assigned their own drive controller 83 and their own power unit 84, with the drive controller 83 in question generally being connected together with the associated power unit 84, e.g . B. represents an embodiment of the electronic control unit described above, with which the relevant motor 11 of the plate cylinder 04 and the relevant motor 12 of the anilox roller 08 each z. B. is regulated in its respective speed or at least adjustable. The respective drive controller 83 and the associated power unit 84 are via the data bus 79 with the central Machine control trained control unit 82 connected, this central control unit 82 z. B. is formed as the decorator belonging to the control center in question.

In the preferred embodiment, several, preferably all, drives or motors 11; 12; 58; 77; 78; 87; 91; 94; 97 each individually and independently controlled or at least controllable. It is preferably provided that for the respective motors 11; 12; 58; 77; 78; 87; 91; 94; 97 for their respective control at least one family of characteristics z. B. in the central control unit 82 or z. B. in the respective motor 11; 12; 58; 77; 78; 87; 91; 94; 97 associated drive controller 83 is stored. To e.g. B. a production change, in particular a conversion of the machine arrangement to produce hollow bodies 01 of a different format, e.g. B. on cans with a shorter or longer can height and / or a different can diameter compared to the current production, it is advantageous that the respective motors 11; 12; 58; 77; 78; 87; 91; 94; 97 are each controlled or at least controllable in accordance with mutually matched sets of characteristic curves. As a result, the respective individually and independently controlled or at least controllable motors 11; 12; 58; 77; 78; 87; 91; 94; 97 are synchronized with one another as a function of the respective production previously set or selected in particular on the central control unit 82, ie in particular on the control station. On the other hand, it is also possible with a drive concept using individual drives, e.g. B. for the purposes of maintenance or repair or installation or conversion, a first subset of each of one of the motors 11; 12; 58; 77; 78; 87; 91; 94; 97 drivable assemblies 02; 03; 04; 08; 76; 86; 89; 92; 93; 96, in particular a single one of one of the motors 11; 12; 58; 77; 78; 87; 91; 94; 97 driven assembly 02; 03; 04; 08; 76; 86; 89; 92; 93; 96 individually, ie selectively, so that they each execute or execute a rotational movement, while at least one other assembly 02; 03; 04; 08; 76; 86; 89; 92; 93; 96, ie a second subset of each from one of the motors 11; 12; 58; 77; 78; 87; 91; 94; 97 drivable assemblies 02; 03; 04; 08; 76; 86; 89; 92; 93; 96 each remained at a standstill.

20 shows a section relating to the feeding of the hollow bodies 01 from FIG 19 , wherein a plurality of hollow bodies 01 are fed sequentially by means of conveyor device 74 in the transport direction indicated by the arrow and along the transport path indicated by the arrow to feed wheel 76 and from there to mandrel wheel 02, with the respective direction of rotation of feed wheel 76 and mandrel wheel 02 also being indicated by a direction of rotation arrow are indicated. In its preferred embodiment, the feed wheel 76 has an angular range ω in which angular range ω a suction device 99 integrated in the feed wheel 76 or at least cooperating with the feed wheel 76 is or at least can be effective. The suction device 99 is therefore arranged in or on the feed wheel 76 in such a way that it supports the feeding of a hollow body 01 to be printed on to one of the holding devices arranged on the segmented wheel 03.

21 shows the drive concept of feed wheel 76 and mandrel wheel 02 in a simplified and schematic manner, wherein feed wheel 76 is or at least can be driven independently by drive 78 and mandrel wheel 02 by drive 77 separately from drive 58 of segmented wheel 03. The two drives 77; 78 are connected to the data bus 79 via their respective drive controllers 83 . Through these two drives 77; 78 exerted rotational movements are synchronized with one another by control data communicated on the data bus 79 . In a preferred embodiment, a suction pump 101 z. B. via a preferably remote-controlled clutch 102, the feed wheel 76 is switched on or at least can be switched on, both when the machine is running and when the machine is stopped, i.e. both when the feed wheel 76 is rotating and when it is stationary. The suction pump 101 and/or the clutch 102 are each from the central control unit 82, ie in particular from the control station can be switched or actuated. In their switched-on operating state generates the Suction pump 101 creates a negative pressure in the angular range ω swept by the rotating feed wheel 76, as a result of which a hollow body 01 to be conveyed from the feed wheel 76 to the mandrel wheel 02 is correctly picked up and held in this position by one of the drivers on the circumference of the mandrel wheel 02 arranged holding devices is supplied. Since the rotational movement of the mandrel wheel 02 is synchronized with the feed wheel 76 by the drive control, a hollow body 01 held by one of the carriers of the feed wheel 76 is very precisely, ie accurately positioned, fed to one of the holders on the circumference of the mandrel wheel 02.

Details of a suction device 99 cooperating with the feed wheel 76 are simplified in FIG 22 shown. The conveyor wheel 76 has at least one suction opening 103 on its circumference, preferably in the area of at least one of its drivers. One of the activated suction pump 101 z. B. Air flow 104 generated in a duct 106 generates a negative pressure at the relevant suction opening 103, through which a hollow body 01 to be conveyed from the feed wheel 76 to the mandrel wheel 02 is received and held on one of the drivers arranged on the circumference of the feed wheel 76. The suction pump 101 is or becomes, in particular, depending on a respective angular position A; B of the feed wheel 76 driven by the drive 78 is switched on or off, so that the angular range covered by the rotating feed wheel 76 while the suction pump 101 is switched on is the angular range ω in which a hollow body 01 to be conveyed from the feed wheel 76 to the mandrel wheel 02 on one of the Scope of the feed wheel 76 arranged driver is held. In an embodiment of at least the drive 78 of the feed wheel 76 z. B. as a speed-controlled and/or position-regulated direct motor drive, it is possible to increase the angular range ω in which a hollow body 01 to be conveyed from the feed wheel 76 to the mandrel wheel 02 is held on one of the drivers arranged on the circumference of the feed wheel 76, and thus also the angular position at which a conveyor wheel 76 to the mandrel wheel 02 to be promoted Hollow body 01 is held on the circumference of the feed wheel 76 and then transferred to the mandrel wheel 02 in increments of z. B. 0.01 mm and thus set very precisely, so that a very high positioning accuracy is achieved for the transfer of a hollow body 01 to one of the brackets on the circumference of the mandrel wheel 02. This is because the direct drive of the feed wheel 76 enables a circumferential register of this feed wheel 76 to be set very precisely in relation to the respective holders on the circumference of the mandrel wheel 02. This high level of positioning accuracy, in turn, means that hollow bodies 01 to be printed in a decorator, even at a high production speed in the area from Z. B. 1,500 to 3,000, in particular in the range of z. B. 1,800 to 2,500 hollow bodies 01 per minute very precisely transferred from the feed wheel 76 to the mandrel wheel 02 and disruptions in the production process can be avoided. The described control of the suction device 99 can also reduce set-up times on the decorator, e.g. B. be reduced after a format change of the hollow body 01 to be printed.

Reference List

01

hollow body; two-piece can

02

mandrel wheel

03

segment wheel

04

printing form cylinder; plate cylinder

05

-

06

inking

07

inking roller

08

anilox roller

09

chamber doctor blade system

10

-

11

engine (04)

12

engine (08)

13

rider roller

14

record changer

15

-

16

bearing surface

17

traverse

18

Lever assembly, first

19

axis of rotation, first

20

-

21

drive, first

22

attack, first

23

Lever assembly, second

24

Lever assembly, third

25

-

26

axis of rotation, second

27

drive, second

28

drive, third

29

stop system, first

30

-

31

stop system, second

32

section (03)

33

blanket

34

axis of rotation (03)

35

-

36

recess

37

edge (33)

38

suspension leg (33)

39

Edge (36)

40

-

41

axis of rotation (02)

42

storage device

43

furnishings

44

furnishings

45

-

46

Sleds

47

spatula

48

switching element, first

49

switching element, second

50

-

51

switching element, third

52

attack

53

Wave

54

hollow shaft

55

-

56

Connection for the coolant flow

57

Connection for the coolant drain

58

Drive; engine (03)

59

Housing

60

-

61

stator

62

rotor

63

roller bearing

64

encoder

65

-

66

frame

67

clamping element

68

Body (03)

69

joint

70

-

71

fastener

72

rider apprenticeship

73

holding magnet

74

conveyor

75

-

76

conveyor wheel

77

drive (02)

78

Drive (76; 92)

79

data bus

80

-

81

transfer position

82

control unit

83

drive controller

84

power section

85

-

86

acceleration band

87

drive (86)

88

painting facility

89

lacquer applicator roller

90

-

91

drive (89)

92

transfer disc

93

conveyor; transport chain

94

drive (93)

95

-

96

slowdown band

97

drive

98

air blast device

99

suction device

100

-

101

suction pump

102

coupling

103

suction port

104

airflow

105

-

106

channel

A

angular position

B

angular position

d04

outer diameter

d07

outer diameter

d08

outer diameter

G

Just

ϕ1

angular position, first

ϕ2

angular position, second

ω

angle range

Claims (15)

1. A device for printing on hollow bodies (01), having a mandrel wheel (02) and a segmented wheel (03), wherein the mandrel wheel (02) has its own dedicated motor (77) separate from the motor (58) of the segmented wheel (03), wherein a plurality of printing form cylinders (04) that are thrown or at least can be thrown radially on the segmented wheel (03) are provided in association to the segmented wheel (03) along its circumferential line, wherein in each case a inking unit (06) is assigned to each printing form cylinder (04), wherein the respective printing form cylinder (04) and a roller arranged in the associated inking unit (06) are each independently driven in rotation in each case by a motor (11; 12), wherein the motor (77) of the mandrel wheel (02) and the motor (58) of the segmented wheel (03) and the motor (11) of the relevant printing form cylinder (04) and the motor (12) of the roller arranged in the associated inking unit (06) are connected to one another for data exchange by means of a common data bus (79), wherein the relevant motors (11; 12; 58; 77) each have a dedicated drive regulator (83) and a dedicated power unit (84) connected to the data bus (79), wherein control data for the relevant motors (11; 12; 58; 77) transported via the data bus (79) form a virtual master axis, wherein the data bus (79) is connected to a central control unit (82) for this device, wherein the control unit (82) connected to the data bus (79) controls the motor (77) of the mandrel wheel (02) and the motor (58) of the segmented wheel (03) and the motor (11) of the relevant printing form cylinder (04) and the motor (12) of the roller arranged in the associated inking unit (06) by means of the respective control data transported via the common data bus (79).
2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control data transferred via the data bus (79) to the relevant motors (11; 12; 58; 77) comprise at least one angular position to be occupied by the shaft of the relevant motor (11; 12; 58; 77).
3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the relevant motors (11; 12; 58; 77) are each regulated in their respective rotational behavior by their respective drive regulator (83).
4. The device according to claim 1 or 2 or 3, characterized in that at least the motor (77) of the mandrel wheel (02) and the motor (58) of the segmented wheel (03) are each configured as an electric positionally controlled direct drive.
5. The device according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4, characterized in that control data required for the relevant motors (11; 12; 58; 77) are or at least can be set at the central control unit (82).
6. The device according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5, characterized in that the motors (11; 12; 58; 77) connected to the common data bus (79) are synchronized with one another depending on a production previously set or selected at the central control unit (82).
7. The device according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6, characterized in that the central control unit (82) is configured as a control station belonging to this device.
8. The device according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7, characterized in that the respective motors (11; 12; 58; 77) are each controlled in accordance with characteristics that are synchronized with respect to a production set or selected at the central control unit (82).
9. The device according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8, characterized in that at least one further individual drive is connected to the data bus (79) for the rotary drive of a further assembly, wherein this drive is a motor (78) for a conveyor wheel (76) or a motor (87) for an acceleration belt (86) or a motor (91) for a lacquer coating applicator roller (89) of a lacquer application device (88) or a motor (97) for a deceleration belt (96) or a motor for a transfer disk (92) or a motor (94) for a transport chain (93).
10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that a lead or a lag of a rotation of the relevant hollow body (01) is or at least can be set with the motor (87) for an acceleration belt (86) in each case with respect to a printing blanket (33) arranged on the circumference of the segmented wheel (03).
11. The device according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 or 10, characterized in that a first subset of the respective assemblies (02; 03; 04; 08; 76; 86; 89; 92; 93; 96) that can be driven by one of the motors (11; 12; 58; 77; 78; 87; 91; 94; 97) respectively executes a rotation, while a second subset of the respective assemblies (02; 03; 04; 08; 76; 86; 89; 92; 93; 96) that can be driven by one of the motors (11; 12; 58; 77; 78; 87; 91; 94; 97) respectively remains idle.
12. The device according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 or 10 or 11, characterized in that the roller arranged in the associated inking unit (06) is configured as an anilox roller (08).
13. The device according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 or 10 or 11 or 12, characterized in that a printing cliché is arranged as a printing form on the lateral surface of the relevant printing form cylinder (04).
14. The device according to claim 13, characterized in that the printing cliché arranged on the lateral surface of the relevant printing form cylinder (04) is arranged on a sleeve that is pulled onto this printing form cylinder (04).
15. The device according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 or 10 or 11 or 12 or 13 or 14, characterized in that, of the plurality of individual drives (11; 12; 58; 77; 78; 87; 91; 94; 97) connected to one another via the common data bus (79), the drive (77) of the mandrel wheel (02) or the drive (58) of the segmented wheel (03) is respectively defined as the master, so that the remaining drives (11; 12; 78; 87; 91; 94; 97) are each aligned as slaves in terms of their respective rotational behavior following the previously defined master.

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