ES2264323B1 - PROCEDURE FOR AUTOMATIC CHANGE OF PRINTING ELEMENTS IN FLEXOGRAPHIC PRINTER. - Google Patents

Abstract

Procedure for automatic change of printing elements in flexographic printer. It comprises holding with a manipulator (16) and removing all the printing elements (1, 2, 3) existing in a printing group (5) of the printer; transfer to a warehouse for replaced items (12) only that one or those items (1, 2, 3) that you want to replace, holding that or those items (1, 2, 3) that you don't want to replace and move them to a warehouse of replacement elements (14); holding, by means of those manipulator securing means that one or more corresponding replacement elements (1, 2, 3) have been left free, previously arranged in said storage of replacement elements (14); and transfer and insert the replacement printing elements together with those printing elements that it is not desired to replace the printing group (5) and transfer them to corresponding securing means (4) thereof.

Description

Procedure for automatic change of printing elements in flexographic printer.

Field of the invention

The present invention generally concerns a procedure for automatic change of printing elements in flexographic printer, and in particular to a procedure for automatic change of print items in a printer Flexographic type comprising one or more printing groups, each one of which has a roller holder, a roller Inker and a scraper unit. The procedure of this invention allows such automatic change of elements of printing with the machine running.

Prior art

A flexographic printer comprises essentially a support on which a continuous band of material to be printed, and a roller holder on whose periphery a cliché is available with the reason to print to make rolling contact with the material to be printed. Ink is supplied to a scraper unit adapted to smear a inking roller which in turn is in rolling contact with the cliché roller to transfer the ink to the cliché. Roller clic holder, inking roller and scraper unit they constitute a printing group dedicated to printing, for example, a colour. Generally, the mentioned support for the band Continuous material to print is a large central drum proportions around which a plurality of such printing groups, each printing group being dedicated, for example, to print a different color.

When you want to change the reason to be printed, it is it is necessary to disassemble the corresponding roller holder, remove the cliché used until then, clean the roller, mount a new cliché and reinstall the roller holder in your print group. To change the print color is it is necessary to remove, in addition to the roller holder, the roller ink and scraper unit to clean, condition and reinstall them. Other reasons may make it necessary remove and replace one, two or all three printing elements of one or more printing groups, and progress is currently being made in the design of devices and methods that allow to carry out automatic such changes of printing elements, even with the machine running.

By patent application ES No. 200400066, of current applicant, an automatic device of handling and transport of printing shirts, applicable to operations of changing print shirts on a printer flexographic while the flexographic printer is in functioning. The device includes means for gripping and remove a shirt on which the cliché or the anilox coating by sliding it axially along its corresponding axis while it is held and held in cantilever from an opposite end.

This device works effectively, but occupies a considerable space on one side of the machine perpendicular to the axis of the central drum, and sometimes such Space is not available.

The patent US-A-6038972 describes a system for quick change of print items in a printer. The system includes a robotic device to perform the extraction operations and introduction of the elements of print in a radial direction from the sides of the printer parallel to the axis of the central drum. The robotic device has about means for selectively coupling only with ends of those printing elements that you want to replace from a group printing machine, means to transfer and transfer items attached to a warehouse for replaced items, means for coupling then with ends of elements Replacement print prepared in a warehouse of items replacement and means to transfer and transfer the elements replacement to sites that have become vacant in the group of machine printing. The cited patent also describes a method to carry out such changes with the machine stopped.

According to the method of said patent US-A-6038972, to withdraw, by For example, only the print holder roller of the printing group, the robotic device raises the roller holder to pass it through on top of the other elements that remain in the print group. However, when a flexographic printer includes a large number of printing groups on each side of the central drum, the print groups are so close to each other that there is no space between them to raise a print element what enough to pass it over the remaining ones in a group of Print.

An objective of the present invention is that of contribute to solve the previous one and other problems contributing a procedure to selectively change one, two or three printing elements of a printing group even when there is only a small space above them in the flexographic printer

Exhibition of the invention

The above and other objectives are achieved, of according to the present invention, providing a procedure for automatic change of printer print items flexographic, said printer being the type comprising the less a printing group that includes printing elements comprising a roller holder, an inking roller and a scraper unit, said printing group having means of fastener to releasably hold ends of said roller holder, inking roller and scraper unit. He The process of the present invention is characterized in that comprises the steps of (a) holding together, by means of fastening means associated with a manipulator device, the ends of all existing print elements in said printing group, releasing these means of coordination holding the printing group, and removing all the elements of Flexographic printer printing. Below (b) transfer to a support group of a warehouse for items replaced only that or those printing elements that you want to replace, keeping that or those elements of impression that you do not want to replace held by said means of clamping associated with said manipulator device (16). So, (c) transfer the fastening means associated with the device manipulator with those printing elements that are not desired replace up to a replacement item store, and (d) clamping, by means of those clamping means associated with the manipulative device that have been left free, the ends of one or more corresponding replacement print items previously arranged in a support group of said warehouse of replacement items. Finally, (e) move and enter all printing elements, including the elements of replacement printing and those printing elements that are not you want to replace, fastened by the fastening means associated with the manipulator device, to the printing group and transfer them to said fastening means of the printing group.

In accordance with the procedure herein invention, in said warehouse support group for replaced elements are a means of support to support printing elements in the same number and in the same position in which they are in the print group. By way of similar, in said support group of the element store of replacement support means are arranged for support printing elements in the same number and in the same position in which they are in the print group. By of course, the fastening means associated with the device manipulator are also adapted to hold elements of printing in the same number and in the same position as found in the printing group.

Through this procedure, the actions of remove the print items from the print group corresponding, or introducing them to it, can be made by the manipulator device by one or more movements in at minus a transverse direction relative to the direction of the axis of the roller holder or inking roller with very little space Available on print items. Even through a proper design of the manipulator device and its means of clamping, as well as the clamping means of the group of printing, the actions of removing the printing elements from the corresponding printing group, or introducing them to it, can be performed by the manipulator device by means of movements in a horizontal transverse direction with respect to the axis direction of the roller holder or inking roller. This means that the print elements are not elevated in absolute while being withdrawn or introduced to the group of Printer printing

The procedure also provides for the application of previous principle to a flexographic printer provided with drum central and several printing groups arranged on each side of the same.

Brief description of the drawings

The above advantages and features are will understand more fully from the following description detailed examples of embodiment with reference to attached drawings, in which:

Figs. 1A to 1D are explanatory schemes of the steps followed in an automatic switching operation of printing elements in flexographic printer according to an example of carrying out the process of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a partial side view schematic showing a flexographic printing machine, a replaced item store, an item store of replacement, and a manipulator device, suitable for applying another example of carrying out the process herein invention, before the start thereof;

Figs. 3A and 3B are explanatory schemes of the steps followed in an automatic switching operation of print items in a first print group in the flexographic printer of Fig. 2;

Figs. 4A to 4C are explanatory schemes of the steps followed in an automatic switching operation of print items in a second print group in the flexographic printer of Fig. 2; Y

Fig. 5 is a partial side view schematic showing the flexographic printing machine, the replaced item store, the item store of replacement, and the manipulator device of Fig. 2 at the end of the  application of the method of the invention.

Detailed explanation of some examples of realization of the invention

Referring firstly to Figs. 1A to 1D an exemplary embodiment of a procedure for automatic change of printing elements in flexographic printer according to the present invention.

The flexographic printer, which is shown partially and is indicated in general by reference numerical 20, is of the type comprising at least one group of print 5 that includes print elements 1, 2, 3 that they comprise, as is conventional, a roller holder 1, a ink roller 2 and a scraper unit 3. In said group of print 5 are arranged some fastening means 4 to hold releasably or ends of said roller holder 1, ink roller 2 and scraper unit. The aforementioned means of clamp 4 are mounted so that they can be moved between a working position (not shown) in which the roller holder 1 makes contact with a support of a material a print, such as, for example, a central drum 21 (indicated by dashed line), the inking roller 2 makes contact with the roller holder 1, and the one scraper unit 3 makes contact with the inking roller 2, and an inactive position in the than the roller holder 1, the ink roller 2 and the unit of scraper 3 are separated from each other, as the figures.

Associated with the flexographic printer 20 se finds a manipulator device 16 provided with means of fastener 11, for example, in the form of tweezers arranged in the bottom of a chassis 10 (best shown in Fig. 1A). He chassis 10 is capable of being displaced by the device manipulator 16 in at least two directions of space and media clamping 11 are adapted to hold printing elements 1, 2, 3 in the same number and in the same position they are in in print group 5. In a place within reach of the device manipulator 16 is a warehouse for replaced items 12 and a store of replacement items 14.

The aforementioned warehouse for items replaced 12 includes a lift group 17 that has about support means 13 for supporting printing elements in same number and in the same position they are in the print group 5 of the printer 20 in said inactive position. This lift group 17 is initially empty before beginning of the application of the change procedure. Cited replacement element store 14 also comprises a group of lift 18 provided with lift means 15 for support printing elements in the same number and in the same position in which they are in the printing group 5 of the printer 20 in the inactive position. However, in this group of lift 18 of the replacement item store 14 are arranged those printing elements that you want to replace on the printer In the illustrated example, you only want to use as a replacement element a printing element 2, which is in this case an inking roller 2, to replace the roller inker initially existing in print group 5 of the printer 20. In other words, inking roller 2 has been prepared and initially arranged in the warehouse of elements of replacement 14 to replace the inking roller 2 installed in the print group 5 of printer 20, while the other two lift media 15 of the replacement item store 14 they are vacant because in the impending exchange operation you want to replace the roller holder 1 or the scraper group 3 installed in print group 5 of the printer 20.

As shown in Fig. 1B, the procedure It comprises, first of all, fastening by means of said means clamping 11 of the manipulator device 16 the ends of all the printing elements 1, 2, 3 existing in said group of print 5, regardless of whether you want them to be replaced or not, in coordination with a corresponding release of said securing means 4 from the printing group 5. All the printing elements 1, 2, 3 thus held are removed from flexographic printer 20 and transferred to the warehouse of replaced items 12. Once there, only that or those printing elements 1, 2, 3 that you want to replace are transferred to support group 17 of the warehouse for items replaced 12, maintaining that or those elements of print 1, 2, 3 that you don't want to replace held by those holding means 11 of the manipulator device 16. In the example illustrated, the clamping means 11 transfer the roller inked 2 to the support means 13 of the group of warehouse support 17 for replaced items 12 while that the roller holder 1 and the scraper group 3 remain held by the clamping means 11.

Then, as shown in Fig. 1C, the clamping means 11 of the manipulator device 16 transfer those printing elements 1, 2, 3 that are not desired replace, that is, the roller holder 1 and the group of scraper 3 that remain held by the clamping means 11, to the replacement item store 14. In this place, those fastening means 11 associated with the manipulator device 16 that have been free hold the corresponding ends replacement print element previously arranged in the lift group 18 of the replacement item store 14, that is, the replacement inking roller 2.

Then, as shown in Fig. 1D, the fastening means 11 of the manipulator device 16 transfer e enter all print items 1, 2, 3 that you have held until the printing group 5. Note that These print items 1, 2, 3 fastened include both the replacement inking roller 2 as those elements of impression that you don't want to replace, that is, the roller clutch holder 1 and scraper group 3 initially removed from print group 5 and that have not been released at any time by the clamping means 11 associated with the manipulator device 16. Finally these printing elements 1, 2, 3 are transfer them by the clamping means 11 of the device manipulator 16 to the clamping means 4 of the printing group 5 of the printer 20, thereby completing the operation of ink roller replacement 2.

Note that, with the procedure of the invention described above, it is possible to change either only one any, or any two or all three printing elements of the printing group 5 of the printer 20 previously having in the places that correspond to them in the support group 18 from the replacement item store 14 those items from print that you want to use replacement, and controlling suitably of the clamping means 11 associated with the device manipulator 16.

According to another embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 2 to 5, the procedure applies to a flexographic printer 20 of the type comprising a drum central 21 and several printing groups 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e as the described above operatively arranged on each side of the drum central. For further simplification of the drawings, only shows one half of the printer machine 20 and five groups of impression 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e corresponding to said half.

The procedure comprises, in accordance with this embodiment example, provide for this half of the printer 20 a warehouse for replaced items 12 provided with a number of lift groups 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, 17e equal to the number of Print groups 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e that are in the printer. Each of said support groups 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, 17e of the warehouse for replaced items 12 has a means of lift 13 to support print elements in the same number and in the same position where the elements of print 1, 2, 3 in each print group 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e. Initially said lift groups 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, 17e they are empty and ready to receive those elements of Impression that will be replaced.

Similarly, the procedure comprises provide a store of replacement elements 14 provided with several lift groups 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e, each of the which has a means of support 15 to support print elements 1, 2, 3 in the same number and in the same position in which they are in each printing group 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e in the printer 20, being initially arranged in each lift group 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e only that or those print items that you want to replace in each group of Print 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e corresponding. In the example illustrated in Fig. 2, of a first printing group 5a is desired replace all printing elements, that is, the roller clic holder 1, the inking roller 2 and the scraper group 3; from a second printing group 5b you want to replace only the ink roller 2 and scraper group 3; from a third group 5c printing you want to replace only the roller holder 1 and the scraper group 3; of a fourth group of 5d print it you want to replace only the roller holder 1; and of a fifth printing group 5e you want to replace the roller clip holder 1 and scraper group 3. The corresponding replacement elements 1, 2, 3 have been previously prepared and arranged in the support means 15 of the corresponding lift groups 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e of said warehouse of replacement elements 14, leaving the means of lift 15 corresponding to those printing elements that you don't want to replace.

Next, the procedure comprises cyclically perform the steps described above in relation with Figs. 1A to 1D for each printing group 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, in cooperation with its corresponding support group 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, 17e of said store for elements replaced 12 and corresponding support group 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e of said replacement item store 14.

Indeed, as shown in Figs. 3A and 3B, to replace the roller holder 1, the ink roller 2 and the scraper group 3 of said first printing group 5a, the manipulator device 16 transfers all said elements print 1, 2, 3 of the first print group 5a to corresponding first support group 17a of the warehouse for elements replaced 12 (Fig. 3A). Then the device manipulator 16 moves the vacuum chassis 10 to the first group of support 18a of the store of replacement elements 14, and holds the three replacement print elements 1, 2, 3 that They meet there. Finally, the manipulator device 16 transfers all the aforementioned replacement print elements 1, 2, 3 of the first support group 18a of the element store replacement 14 to the first printing group 5a.

Then, as shown in Figs. 4A to 4C, the procedure proceeds to replace the roller inker 2 and the scraper group 3 of said second group of print 5b. For this, the manipulator device 16 holds and move all print items 1, 2, 3 of the second group Print 5b to the corresponding second lift group 17b of the warehouse for replaced elements 12 (Fig. 4A). Without However, here the fastening means 11 of the chassis 10 of the manipulator device 19 only transfer the inking roller 2 and the scraper group 3, which are those printing elements that you want to replace while holding the roller clip holder 1, which is that element of printing that is not desired replace. Next, the manipulator device 16 moves the chassis 10 with the roller holder 1 held until second support group 18b of the element store of replacement 14, and proceeds to hold the inking roller 2 and the scraper group 3 replacement there (Fig. 4B). Finally, the manipulator device 16 transfers to the second print group 5b all print items 1, 2, 3 fastened, that is, the two cited printing elements of replacement 2 and 3, coming from the warehouse of replacement items 14, together with the roller holder 1, originally removed from the second printing group 5b (Fig. 4C).

The procedure then performs some Cycles similar steps to change print items desired for the third, fourth and fifth printing groups 5c, 5d, 5e, in cooperation with their corresponding groups of lift 17c, 17d, 17e of the warehouse for replaced items 12 and corresponding support groups 18c, 18d, 18e of replacement item store 14, until the replacement is completed of all desired print items for all groups Print 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e of the printer 20.

In Fig. 5 the situation of the printer 20, the warehouse for replaced items 12 and the replacement item store 14 once the process. In each of the printing groups 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e of the printer 20 a roller holder 1 is installed, an inking roller 2 and a scraper group 3, whether newly replaced or remnants of the pre-procedure situation of exchange, according to the planned operations. The store of replacement items 14 is now completely empty while in the support groups 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, 17e from the warehouse for replaced items 12 are the newly replaced elements of the corresponding groups of Print 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e of the printer 20.

It may be convenient, for constructive reasons or for space savings, that access to groups of lift 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, 17e of the warehouse for elements replaced 12 and the support groups 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e of the replacement item store 14 be sequential, such as in the example illustrated in Figs. 2 to 5, where access is by a top In this case, the procedure includes arrange support groups 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, 17e of warehouse for replaced items 12 ordered from bottom to top, and the support groups 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e of the warehouse of replacement elements 14 in reverse order, that is, from above below, and then sequentially access the groups of lift 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, 17e of the warehouse for elements replaced 12 and the support groups 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e of the store of replacement elements 14 by means of clamping 11 of the manipulator device 16 in the operations of the steps described above. Obviously, the ordination above described would not be necessary with access stores random.

To facilitate device movements manipulator 16, the procedure may comprise providing the warehouse for replaced items 12 and the item store for replacement 14 mounted on a rotating structure (not shown) and cyclically rotate said rotating structure to put in turn the respective lift groups 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, 17e and 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e within reach of the device manipulator 16 during those procedural operations that require it. This store for replaced items 12 and this replacement element store 14 mounted on a structure swivel can be indistinctly access sequence) or random.

The fact that the present procedure invention proceed to remove and introduce all printing elements 1, 2, 3 to the corresponding group of Printing 5, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e allows such operations to be made by the manipulator device 16 by one or more movements in at least one transverse direction with respect to the direction of the axis of the roller holder 1 or roller roller 2. With a suitable design of the manipulator device 16 of the chassis 10 and its fastening means, as well as the means of clamping 4 of the printing groups 5, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, the actions to remove print items from the group of Corresponding printing can be performed by the device manipulator 16 by movements in only one direction horizontal transversal with respect to the direction of the roller axis clip holder 1 or inking roller 2, that is, without effecting an elevation of the printing elements.

For example, chassis 10 could comprise a pair of arms adapted to be introduced in one direction horizontal between the ends of the printing groups and ones printer walls, and forceps 11 could have a position open that does not interfere with the ends to grab the printing elements during the displacements of the chassis. The clamping means 4 of the printer's printing groups they could be of the type of conical coupling in the axial direction, well known in the state of the art, for example, for the US-A-4414898, domain public, whereby the securing means 4 can hold or release the print items while they are held by the clamping means 11 of the device manipulator 16, without the need for any displacement substantial of them.

Although in Figs. 2 to 5 only one is shown half of the flexographic printer 20, in the other half you can also apply the procedure to change the elements of print existing in the print groups corresponding to the same. For this other half a warehouse may be arranged for replaced items 12 and the item store of 14 specific replacement, although there might be a warehouse for replaced items 12 and a replacement item store 14 common for both halves. Similarly, there could be a manipulator device 16 specific to each half or a single manipulator device 16 adapted to act on both sides of the printer 20, for example, on the basis of a sliding gantry along and above the printer 20.

The embodiments described above and shown have a purely illustrative character and are not limiting the scope of the present invention, which is defined in the appended claims.

Claims (8)

1. Procedure for automatic change of printing elements in flexographic printer, said printer of the type comprising at least one printing group (5) that includes printing elements (1, 2, 3) comprising a roller holder (1) ), an inking roller (2) and a scraper unit (3), said printing group (5) having clamping means (4) for releasably securing ends of said clichés roller (1), inking roller ( 2) and scraper unit, characterized in that it comprises the steps
from: (a) hold together, by means of clamping (11) associated with a manipulator device (16), the ends of all existing print items (1, 2, 3) in said printing group (5), releasing said coordination securing means (4) of the printing group (5), and removing all the print items (1, 2, 3) of the printer flexographic; (b) transfer to a support group (17) of a warehouse for replaced elements (12) only that or those printing elements (1, 2, 3) that it is desired to replace, maintaining that or those printing elements (1, 2, 3) that it is not desired to replace fastened by said fastening means (11) associated with said manipulator device
(16); (c) transfer the fastening means (11) associated to the manipulator device (16) with those printing elements (1, 2, 3) that it is not desired to replace until a store of replacement elements
(14); (d) hold, by means of those clamping (11) associated with the manipulator device (16) that have left free, the ends of one or more corresponding replacement print elements (1, 2, 3) arranged previously in a support group (18) of said storage warehouse replacement elements (14); Y (e) move and enter all the elements printing (1, 2, 3), including the printing elements of replacement and those unwanted print items replace, fastened by the clamping means (11) associated with the manipulator device (16), to the printing group (5) and transfer them to said fastening means (4) of the printing group (5). 2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises providing support means (13) in said support group (17) of the store for replaced elements (12) for supporting printing elements (1, 2, 3) in the same number and in the same position in which they are in the printing group (5), and a support means (15) in said support group (18) of the store of replacement elements (14) to support elements of printing (1, 2, 3) in the same number and in the same position they are in the printing group (5). 3. Method according to claim 1, said flexographic printer being of the type comprising a central drum (6) and several of said printing groups (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) operatively arranged on each side thereof , characterized in that it comprises the steps of: provide a warehouse for replaced elements (12) provided with several support groups (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, 17e), each of which has support means (13) to support printing elements (1, 2, 3) in the same number and in the same position in which they are in each printing group (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e), said support groups (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, 17e)
empty provide a warehouse of replacement items (14) provided with several support groups (18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e), each of which has a means of support (15) to support printing elements (1, 2, 3) in the same number and in the same position they are in each group of impression (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e), being arranged in each group of lift (18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e) only that or those printing elements (1, 2, 3) that you want to replace in each corresponding printing group (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e); cyclically perform steps (a) through (d) to Each printing group (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) in cooperation with your corresponding support group (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, 17e) of said store for replaced items (12) and corresponding lift group (18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e) of said warehouse replacement elements (14). Method according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises providing said store for replaced elements (12) and said store of replacement elements (14) mounted on a rotating structure and cyclically rotating said rotating structure to alternately place the respective groups of support (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, 17e) and (18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e) within reach of the manipulator device (16) in steps (b) and (d) respectively. 5. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises arranging the support groups (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, 17e) of the store for replaced elements (12) and the support groups (18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e) of the replacement item store (14) in reverse order, and sequentially access the support groups (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, 17e) of the store for replaced elements (12) and the support groups ( 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e) of the store of replacement elements (14) by means of fastening means (11) of the manipulator device (16) in steps (b) and (d) respectively. Method according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that the actions of removing and inserting the printing elements (1, 2, 3) from / to the printing group (5, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e ) corresponding are performed by the manipulator device (16) by one or more movements in at least one transverse direction with respect to the axis direction of the roller holder (1) or inking roller (2). Method according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that the actions of removing and inserting the printing elements (1, 2, 3) from / to the printing group (5, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e ) corresponding are performed by the manipulator device (16) by means of movements in a horizontal transverse direction with respect to the axis direction of the roller holder (1) or inking roller (2). Method according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that the clamping means (11) associated with the manipulator device (16) are adapted to hold printing elements (1, 2, 3) in the same number and in the same position in which they are in the printing group (5, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e).