GB2416330A

GB2416330A - Clamping device for a transfer cylinder blanket

Info

Publication number: GB2416330A
Application number: GB0514908A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Norbert Dylla; Thomas John; Manfred Stegmeir
Original assignee: MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG
Current assignee: Manroland AG
Priority date: 2004-07-21
Filing date: 2005-07-20
Publication date: 2006-01-25
Also published as: GB0514908D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a transfer cylinder (10) for a rotary roller printing press. The clamping system(14)comprises a base body(19)which is mounted in the clamping channel(11)so as to be displaceable at least in the radial direction of the transfer cylinder(10). The base body(19)is movable in the direction of the defining surfaces(23, 24)of a radially outwardly tapering portion (22) of the clamping channel(11)for clamping the or each rubber blanket plate (15) and radially inwardly in the opposite direction for releasing the or each rubber blanket plate (18). The taper maybe defined by a filling element (25). In this way a standard wide blanket channel can be converted to a narrow channel suitable for a rubber blanket plate. The base body may be resiliently biassed by a spring (20). In a further embodiment a pair of channels (38, 39, figure 7) may be used. In another embodiment a pneumatically biased clamping means may be used (Fig 11).

Description

24 1 6330 Transfer Cylinder for a Rotary Printing Press The invention

relates to a transfer cylinder for a rotary printing press according to the preamble of claim 1.

Rotary roller printing presses, in particular newspaper printing presses, use a plurality of printing units, each printing unit comprising amongst others at least one forme cylinder and at least one transfer cylinder.

The forme cylinder and transfer cylinder make use of a clamping channel for receiving packing, in particular for receiving printing plates in the region of the forme cylinder and for receiving rubber blankets in the region of the transfer cylinder, which is why the forme cylinder is also referred to as the printing plate cylinder and the transfer cylinder also as the blanket cylinder. A transfer cylinder co-operates with each forme cylinder in such a way that, when printing, a forme cylinder rolls on the respective transfer cylinder. When printing, therefore, a rolling contact is produced between the forme cylinders and the transfer cylinders. When printing or when rolling the forme cylinder on the respective transfer cylinders, cylinder vibrations may be produced which impair the quality of the print.

To clamp the rubber blankets on the transfer cylinders, relatively wide clamping channels are required, it being disadvantageous that relatively wide clamping channels cause large cylinder vibrations. Furthermore, changing resilient or flexible rubber blankets on the transfer cylinder takes a relatively long time. As a result, it is already known from the prior art, in place of the rubber blankets, to arrange so-called rubber blanket plates on the transfer cylinder or blanket cylinder. In rubber blanket plates the functional layer Of a rubber blanket is applied to a metal carrier with a thickness of approximately 0.2 mm.

The clamping of such rubber blanket plates may be carried out substantially more quickly than clamping flexible rubber blanket. Moreover the clamping channels may be of narrower design, which in turn minimises the cylinder vibrations impairing the printing quality. The use of rubber blanket plates instead of rubber blankets is, accordingly, advantageous as a whole.

The transfer cylinders with clamping systems for clamping rubber blankets are fitted onto existing printing presses. The clamping systems for rubber blankets known from the prior art are, however, not suitable for rubber blanket plates. As a result,

according to the prior art, when changing rubber

blankets for rubber blanket plates on the printing press the entire transfer cylinder has to be exchanged. No

existing solution is known from the prior art for

retrofitting transfer cylinders designed for clamping rubber blankets to make the transfer cylinders also suitable for clamping rubber blanket plates.

The present invention aims to provide such a suitable transfer cylinder for a rotary roller printing press.

The invention is defined in claim 1. The or each clamping system comprises a base body which is displaceably mounted in the clamping channel at least in the radial direction of the transfer cylinder, the base hod7 being cony; Greet to he rack all y; nArrcil-y movable in the direction of the defining surfaces of a radially outwardly tapering portion of the clamping channel for clamping the or each rubber blanket plate and for releasing the or each rubber blanket plate in the opposing direction.

The core of transfer cylinders in accordance with the invention is a clamping system for rubber blanket plates which allows rubber blanket plates to be rapidly changed on transfer cylinders. The clamping system and the transfer cylinder equipped with the clamping system make use of a simple construction. The clamping system of the transfer cylinder according to the invention is also suitable for retrofitting transfer cylinders which are equipped with clamping systems for flexible rubber blankets. In this respect, within the meaning of the present invention, a transfer cylinder designed for clamping rubber blankets may simply be retrofitted to clamp rubber blanket plates. This is advantageous in view of inexpensive replacement on existing printing presses.

At least one clamping body is preferably associated with the base body on one radially outer end thereof, which for clamping the or each rubber blanket plate presses the plate ends projecting into the clamping channel against the defining surfaces of the radially outwardly tapering portion of the clamping channel. On one radially inner end at least one spring element is associated with the base body, the or each spring element radially outwardly pressing the base body for clamping the or each rubber blanket plate; for releasing the or each rubber blanket plate the base body may be moved radially inwardly against the spring force of the or each spring element.

According to an advantageous development of the invention, at least one spring element is arranged between the base body and the or each clamping body radially outwardly adjoining the base body.

For a better understanding of the invention, embodiments of it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a detail of a cross-section through a one piece clamping channel of a transfer cylinder for a rotary roller printing press; Fig. 2 is a detail of a cross-section through a one piece clamping channel together with a clamping system of a transfer cylinder for a rotary roller printing press according to a first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3 is a detail of a cross-section through a one piece clamping channel together with a clamping system of a transfer cylinder for a rotary roller printing press according to a second embodiment of the invention; Fig. 4 is a detail of a cross-section through a one piece clamping channel together with a clamping system of a transfer cylinder for a rotary roller printing press according to a third embodiment of the invention; Fig. 5 is a detail of a cross-section through a clamping system for a transfer cylinder of a rotary roller printing press according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; Fig. 6 is a side view of a clamping system for a transfer cylinder of a rotary roller printing press according to a further embodiment of the invention; Fig. 7 is a detail of a cross-section through a tWO piece clamping channel of a transfer cylinder for a rotary roller printing press; Fig. 8 is a detail of a cross-section through a two piece clamping channel together with a clamping system of a transfer cylinder for a rotary roller printing press according to a further embodiment of the invention; Fig. 9 is the arrangement of Fig. 8 with a rubber blanket plate clamped in a different manner; Fig. 10 is a detail of a clamping system for a transfer cylinder of a rotary roller printing press; and Fig. 11 is a cross-section through a one-piece clamping channel together with a clamping system of a transfer cylinder for a rotary roller printing press according to a further embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a section of a transfer cylinder 10 in the region of a clamping channel 11. The clamping channel 11 of the transfer cylinder 10 according to Fig. 1 is designed in one piece, which means that the clamping channel 11 is formed from a single slot 12 which extends according to Fig. 1 in the radial direction and is open on one circumferential face 13 of the transfer cylinder 11. The slot 12 and thus the clamping channel 11 extend preferably over the entire axial length of the transfer cylinder 10.

According to Fig. 2 a clamping system 14 for rubber blanket plates is arranged in the clamping channel 11 of the transfer cylinder 10. Fig. 2 shows a section of a rubber blanket plate 15 the ends 16 and 17 of which are clamped or held tightly by the clamping system 14 in the clamping channel 11. The direction of rotation of the transfer cylinder 10 is denoted in Fig. 2 by the arrow 18, so that the end 16 of the rubber blanket plate 15 is the so-called trailing end and the end 17 is the socalled leading end of the rubber blanket plate 15.

The clamping system 14 of the embodiment of Fig. 2 comprises a base body 19 which is displaceable mounted in the clamping channel 11 in the radial direction of the transfer cylinder 10. For clamping the rubber blanket plate 15 the base body 19 may be moved radially outwardly, while for release it may be moved radially inwardly in the opposite direction. As may be inferred from Fig. 2, at least one spring element 20 is associated with a radially inner end of the base body 19. To clamp the rubber blanket plate 15 in the clamping channel 11 the spring force of the spring element 20 presses the base body 19 radially outwardly.

However, for releasing, the base body 19 is moved radially inwardly opposing the spring force of the spring element 20.

In the embodiment of Fig. 2, at least one clamping body 21 is associated with the radially outer end of the base body 19. The clamping body 21 produces the actual clamping of the rubber blanket plate 19 on the transfer cylinder 10, with the clamping body 21 for clamping the rubber blanket plate 15 pressing against the ends 16 and 17 thereof. The clamping body 21 also presses the ends 16 and 17 of the rubber blanket plate 15, projecting into the clamping channel 11, against a radially outwardly tapering portion 22 of the clamping channel 11. As may be inferred from Fig. 2, a first defining surface 23 of the tapering portion 22 is formed directly by the clamping channel, an opposing defining surface 24 on the other hand by a filling element 25.

an The f1'llirg element 25 extends Won the entire length of the channel 11 and has a first, inner section that is generally flat and fills the space between the base body 19 and one wall of the channel, and a second, outer section extending to the surface, which widens radially outwardly, so that the radially outer portion 22 of the clamping channel 11 tapers in the radially outward direction.

In Fig. 2 the trailing end 16 of the rubber blanket plate 15 is bent by approximately 90 and is pressed by the clamping body 21 against the defining surface 23 of the outwardly radially tapering portion 22 of the clamping channel 11. The leading end 17 of the rubber blanket plate 15 is, on the other hand, bent by more than 90 and is pressed by the clamping body 21 against the defining surface 24 of the portion 22 provided by the filling element 25.

The clamping body 21 is preferably of cylindrical shape and thus of circular cross-section. The or each clamping body may also be spherical or barrel-shaped.

The clamping body 21 rests on the radially outer end of the base body 19 and is freely movable within preset limits relative to the base body 19 preferably in every direction, i.e. in the axial direction, the radial direction and the circumferential direction. The clamping body 21 may therefore be rotated and translationally displaced relative to the base body 19 in the axial direction, circumferential direction and the radial direction.

As the transfer cylinder 19 is rotated with a rubber blanket plate 15 clamped thereon in the direction of the arrow 18, the clamping force provided by the spring element 20 is additionally increased by the centrifugal force of the base body 19. When the transfer cylinder lo is rotated, the base body 1Y therefore presses radially outwardly as a result of the spring force provided by the spring element 20 and the centrifugal force and thus presses the clamping body 21 against the ends 16 and 17 projecting into the clamping channel 11 of the rubber blanket plate 15. These ends are thus clamped on the defining surfaces 16 and 17 of the radially outwardly tapering portion 22 of the clamping channel 11. Should a force acting from outside on the rubber blanket plate 15 attempt, for example, to pull the trailing end 16 out of the clamping channel 11, the clamping body 21 undergoes a rotational movement about a temporarily valid moment pole 26, due to friction, which leads to an additional wedging of the clamping body 21 in the radially outwardly tapering portion 22 of the clamping channel 11 and thus leads to an increase in the clamping force.

In the embodiment of Fig. 2, as already mentioned above, the radially outwardly tapering portion 22 of the clamping channel 11 is partly formed by the filling element 25. This embodiment is advantageous when existing transfer cylinders designed for the clamping of rubber blankets are to be retrofitted for the clamping of rubber blanket plates. However, if new transfer cylinders are configured within the meaning of the present invention, the filling element may be an integral component of the transfer cylinder.

In the embodiment of Fig. 2 a hold-down insert or blade 27 is used for releasing the clamping force and thus for releasing a rubber blanket plate 15 clamped on the transfer cylinder 10. By means of the hold-down insert 27 which is inserted into the clamping channel 11 from the outside, the clamping body 21 and the base body 19 can be radially inwardly pressed against the spring force provided by the spring element 20, in order thus to release the ends 16 and 17 of the rubber blanket plate 15 projecting into the clamping channel.

The embodiment shown in Fig. 3 of a clamping system 14 positioned in the clamping channel 11 substantially corresponds to the embodiment of Fig. 2, so that here the same reference numerals are used for the same components. To avoid unnecessary repetition, reference may be made to the explanations of the embodiment of Fig. 2, subsequently for the embodiment of Fig. 3 reference only being made to the differences from the embodiment of Fig. 2. In the embodiment of Fig. 3 the trailing end 16 is not bent by approximately 90 but by less than 90 , so that the two ends 16 and 17 of the rubber blanket plate 15 to be clamped on the transfer cylinder 10 are pressed against the defining surface 24 provided by the filling element 25 of the radially outwardly tapering portion 22 of the clamping channel 11. The trailing end 16 and the leading end 17 thus bear against the same side of the portion 22 of the clamping channel 11, the clamping body 21 pressing via the trailing end 16 onto the leading end 17 of the rubber blanket plate 15. The advantage of the embodiment of Fig. 3 relative to the embodiment of Fig. 2 can be seen in that in the embodiment of Fig. 3 the effective width D of the clamping channel 11 is smaller on the circumferential face 13 of the transfer cylinder 10 than in the embodiment of Fig. 2, which is advantageous with regard to minimising cylinder vibrations.

Fig. 4 shows a further embodiment of the present invention. The basic function and mode of operation of the embodiment of Fig. 4 corresponds to the embodiment of Fig. 3, the difference between the embodiment of Fig. 4 and the embodiment of Fig. 3 being seen in that with the clamping system 28 of Fig. 4 a base body 29 is provided the radially outer end of which itself forms a clamping, hoper 30 TO the embodiment Of Pi g. 4 the clamping body 30 is therefore an integral component of the base body 29. As the clamping body 30 is an integral component of the base body 29, the clamping force provided for the ends 16 and 17 of the rubber blanket plate 15 projecting into the clamping channel 11 is slightly reduced. This is because the clamping body 30 in the embodiment of Fig. 4 obviously cannot move freely relative to the base body 29. The embodiment of Fig. 4, however, is of a more simple construction than the embodiment of Figs. 2 and 3 and thus may be produced more cheaply.

Fig. 5 shows a clamping system 31 for integrating in a transfer cylinder which, like the clamping system 14 of the embodiments according to Figs. 2 and 3, makes use of a base body 19 and a clamping body 21 that is freely movable relative to the base body 19. With regard to the basic mode of operation of the clamping system 31 of Fig. 5, reference may therefore be made to the explanations of the clamping system 14 of Figs. 2 and 3.

The clamping system 31 of Fig. 5 differs from the clamping system 14 of Figs. 2 and 3 in that in the clamping system 31 of Fig. 5 between the radially outer end of the base body 19 and the clamping body 21 at least one further spring element 32 is arranged. Such an embodiment of the clamping system 31 is above all advantageous when the entire clamping system 31 has available a relatively large width or a plurality of clamping bodies 21 are arranged adjacent to one another on the base body 19 of the clamping system 31. In these cases the or each spring element 32 serves as a load balance and for the compensation of approximate geometric tolerances of the entire system, in particular the base body 19. As a result, it can be ensured that the ends 16 and 17 of the rubber blanket plate 15 projecting into the clamping channel 11 are clamped 3n eq =" y the -'airing channel 11 over the entire axial width.

Fig. 6 shows a further clamping system 33 for a transfer cylinder 10 according to the invention, the clamping system 33 of Fig. 6 again also comprising a base body 19 and a movable clamping body 21 relative to the base body 19. In Fig. 6 lateral ends 34 of the clamping body 21 are respectively mounted in a fixing device 35.

The clamping body 21 is fastened via the fixing devices 35 onto the base body 19 in such a way that, on the one hand, the clamping body 21 follows a movement of the base body 19 in the radial direction and, on the other hand, the clamping body 21 is freely movable, within limits preset by the fixing devices 35, relative to the base body 19 in every direction, i.e in the axial direction and/or radial direction and/or circumferential direction in the sense of a translational and rotary movement. Thus, as can be inferred from Fig. 6, the end 34 visible in Fig. 6 is guided in the corresponding fixing device 35 with play in the radial direction and in the circumferential direction. The mobility of the clamping body 21 in the axial direction, radial direction and circumferential direction is preferably in a range of up to 2 mm. Additionally, the clamping element 21 can of course be rotated about its longitudial axis. By the guidance of the clamping body 21 in the fixing devices 35 it is ensured that for releasing a rubber blanket plate clamped on the transfer cylinder 10, the clamping body 21 follows the movement of the base body 19 and any friction-induced wedging of the clamping body 21 in the radially outwardly tapering portion 22 of the clamping channel 11 is released.

Fig. 7 shows a transfer cylinder 35 with a two-piece clamping channel 37, the clamping channel 37 of Fig. 7 being formed by two slots 38 and 39 which are parallel along the axis of the cylinder but extend radially 3n -tT^7ar.] 7:T'*7a'- one =.=cthe' and core Goethe' in the region of the outer circumferential face 40 of the transfer cylinder 36. The invention can also be applied to such a transfer channel, as will now be explained.

According to Fig. 8, a clamping system 41 is again integrated in the twopiece clamping channel 37 of the transfer cylinder 36, in order to clamp a rubber blanket plate 42 on the outer circumferential face 40 of the transfer cylinder 36. The ends 43 and 44 of the rubber blanket plate 42 again project into the clamping channel 37. Taking into account the rotational direction of the transfer cylinder 36 illustrated by the arrow 45 in Fig. 8, the end 43 forms the so-called trailing end and the end 44 forms the so-called leading end of the rubber blanket plate 42.

The clamping system 41 of the embodiment of Fig. 8 comprises the same components as the clamping system 14 of the embodiments according to Figs. 2 and 3, namely a base body 46, a clamping body 47 associated with the radially outer end of the base body 46, a spring element 48 associated with the radially inner end of the base body 46 and a filling element 49. In the embodiment of Fig. 8, the base body 46 together with the spring element 48 is positioned in the slot 39, here extending over its full width, whereas the filling element 49 is arranged in the slot 38, filling it completely. A radially outwardly tapering portion 50 of the clamping channel 37 is defined by two defining surfaces, a first defining surface 51 being defined by the filling element 49 and a second defining surface 52 being directly defined by the slot 39 of the clamping channel 37. For clamping the rubber blanket plate 42 in the clamping channel 37 the spring element 48 radially outwardly presses the base body 46 together with the clamping body 47 and thus the two ends 43 and 44 against the defining surface 52 of the radially outwardly an tapering portion 0 of the Cal amping channel ?7 A particular feature of the embodiment of Fig. 8 is that even if the transfer cylinder 36 rotates the other way (see Fig. 9), the rubber blanket plate 42 can still be clamped or fastened in reverse on the transfer cylinder 36. In this case, the leading end and trailing end of the rubber blanket plate 42 are exchanged and the two ends bear against the defining surface 51 provided by the filling element 49 of the radially outwardly tapering portion 37 of the clamping channel 50.

Figs. 1 to 9 show the portions of the transfer cylinders and clamping systems according to the invention, respectively in axial view. Fig. 10 on the other hand shows by way of example the clamping system 14 of the embodiments according to Figs. 2 and 3 in a view in the circumferential direction. Thus in Fig. 10 the base body 19, the clamping bodies 21 and the spring element 20 of the clamping system 14 are again shown.

According to Fig. 10 the base body 19 of the clamping system 14 is penetrated by a radially directed screw- shaped element 53, the radially inner end 54 of the screw-shaped element 53 being guided in a bore 55 in the cylinder. The screw-shaped element 53 serves to release a rubber blanket plate clamped on the transfer cylinder, with a force being exerted on the radially outer portion 56 of the screw- shaped element 53 counter to the spring force provided by the spring element 20, in order to press the clamping system 14 downwards or radially inwards. When pressing the clamping system 14 radially inwards the clamping body 21 releases the ends of a clamped rubber blanket plate projecting into the clamping channel. The screw-shaped element 52 forms, as it were, a hold-down screw for releasing the clamping force provided by the clamping system 14.

At this point it should be pointed out that all spring elements may be designed from coil springs, leaf springs, torsion bar springs or other spring elements, which by their form and/or material properties exert a force as a result of deformation. The spring force provided by the spring elements may either directly or immediately act on the base body of the clamping systems or indirectly via a corresponding deflection.

The release of a clamped rubber blanket plate from the transfer cylinder may be carried out either over the entire width of the clamping system equally or symmetrically or even asymmetrically by a force introduction on one side, counter to the spring force provided by the spring element.

Fig. 11 shows a further embodiment of a transfer cylinder 57 according to the invention with a one-piece clamping channel 58 in which a clamping system 59 is positioned for a rubber blanket plate. The clamping system 59 again makes use of a base body 60 and a clamping body 61 co-operating with the base body 60, which for clamping a rubber blanket plate presses against a radially outwardly tapering portion of the clamping channel 58. To form the radially outwardly tapering portion of the clamping channel a filling element 62 is again provided. In this respect, the embodiment of Fig. 11 coincides with the embodiment of Figs. 2 and 3, so that reference may be made to the above explanations.

In contrast to the embodiment of Figs. 2 and 3, no spring element is associated with the base body 60 of the clamping system 59 of the embodiment of Fig. 11, but rather a piston 63 which projects into a recess 64 radially inwardly adjoining the clamping channel 58.

The recess 64 is sealed relative to the clamping channel via a sealing element 65. A piston rod 66 engages the piston 63 which with the opposing end engages the radially inner end of the base body 60 of the clamping system 59. Depending on the pressure difference prevailing on the piston 53, the base body 60 together with the clamping body 61 is either urged radially outwardly or pulled radially inwardly. Thus it may be inferred from Fig. 11 that on each side of the piston 63 a respective aperture 67 and 68 opens into the recess 64, via which a medium, in particular a pneumatic medium or a hydraulic medium, may be introduced into and removed from the recess 64. The pneumatic medium is preferably air, with the hydraulic medium preferably being oil.

With all embodiments shown, both a clamping system and a plurality of clamping systems adjacent to one another for clamping a rubber blanket plate may be arranged in a clamping channel extending in the axial direction along the transfer cylinder. It is also possible for a clamping system to extend over the entire axial length of a clamping channel on which simultaneously a plurality of rubber blanket plates may be clamped.

The present invention provides a completely novel possibility for clamping rubber blanket plates on transfer cylinders of a rotary roller printing press.

The invention may be used both for retrofitting existing transfer cylinders and also for new transfer cylinders.

r 16 List of Reference Numerals Transfer cylinder 44 End 11 Clamping channel 45 Arrow 12 Slot 40 46 Base body 13 Circumferential face 47 Clamping body 14 Clamping system 48 Spring element Rubber blanket plate 49 Filling element 16 End 50 Portion 17 End 45 51 Defining surface 18 Arrow/direction of 52 Defining surface rotation 53 Element 19 Base body 54 End Spring element 55 Bore 21 Clamping body 50 56 Portion 22 Portion 57 Transfer cylinder 23 Defining surface 58 Clamping channel 24 Defining surface 59 Clamping system Filling element 60 Base body 26 Moment pole 55 61 Clamping body 27 Hold-down clip 62 Filling element 28 Clamping system 63 Piston 29 Base body 64 Recess Clamping body 65 Sealing element 31 Clamping system 60 66 Piston rod 32 Spring element 67 Aperture 33 Clamping system 68 Aperture 34 End Fixing device 36 Transfer cylinder 37 Clamping channel 38 Slot 39 Slot Circumferential face 41 Clamping system 42 Rubber blanket plate 43 End

Claims

Claims 1. A transfer cylinder for a rotary printing press, with at least

one clamping system arranged in a clamping channel for fastening at least one rubber blanket plate on the transfer cylinder, characterized in that the or each clamping system (14; 28i 31i 33; 41; 59) includes a base body (19; 29i 46i 60) which is displaceable mounted in the clamping channel (lli 37i 58) at least in the radial direction of the transfer cylinder, the base body (19i 29i 46i 60) being configured to be movable in the direction of the defining surfaces (23, 24i 51, 52) of a radially outwardly tapering portion of the clamping channel (lit 37i 58) for clamping the or each rubber blanket plate, and radially inwardly in the opposite direction for releasing the or each rubber blanket plate.
2. A transfer cylinder according to claim 1, further including at least one clamping body (21i 30i 47i 61) associated with the base body (19; 29; 46; 60) on one radially outer end thereof, which for clamping the or each rubber blanket plate in the channel presses the plate ends projecting into the clamping channel (11; 37; 58) against the defining surfaces (23, 24; 51, 52) of the radially outwardly tapering portion of the clamping channel (11; 37; 58).
3 A transfer cylinder according to claim 2. in which the or each clamping body (21; 47; 61) may be moved within certain limits relative to the base body (19; 46i 60) in the axial direction and/or radial direction and/or circumferential direction.
4. A transfer cylinder according to claim 3, in which the ends (34) of each clamping body (21) are held via respective fixing elements (35) on the base body (19) in such a way that, on the one hand, the or each clamping body (21) follows the movement of the base body (19) in the radial direction and, on the other hand, the or each clamping body (21) can be moved within limits preset by the fixing elements (35) relative to the base body (19) in the axial direction and/or radial direction and/or circumferential direction.
5. A transfer cylinder according to any of claims 2 to 4, in which the or each clamping body (21; 47; 61) is of circular cross-section.
6. A transfer cylinder according to any of claims 2 to 5, in which the or each clamping body (21; 47; 61) is cylindrical or spherical or barrel-shaped.
7. A transfer cylinder according to claim 2, in which the or each clamping body (30) is an integral component of the base body (29).
8. A transfer cylinder according to any preceding claim, further including at least one spring element (20; 48) associated with the base body (19; 29; 46) at the radially inner end, the or each spring element (20; 48) pressing the base body (19i 29; 46) radially outwardly for clamping the or each rubber blanket plate.
9. A transfer cylinder according to claim 8, in which for releasing the or each rubber blanket plate the base body (19; 29; 46) can be moved radially inwardly against the spring force of the or each spring element (20; 38).
10. A transfer cylinder according to any of claims 1 to 7, in which at least one piston (63) projecting into a recess (64) is associated with the base body (60) at its radially inner end, the recess (64) radially adjoining the interior of the clamping channel (58) and being sealed relative to the clamping channel (58) so that, depending on the pressure ratio prevailing thereon, the or each piston (63) presses the base body (60) radially outwardly for clamping the or each rubber blanket plate or radially inwardly for releasing.
11. A transfer cylinder according to claim 10, in which on either side of the piston (60) apertures (67, 68) open into the recess (64) via which to set the pressure ratio on the piston (60) a medium, in particular a pneumatic medium or a hydraulic medium, can be introduced into or extracted from the recess (64).
12. A transfer cylinder according to any preceding claim, further including a filling element (25; 49; 62) projecting into the clamping channel (11; 37; 58) and forming at least one defining surface of - the radially outwardly tapering portion of the clamping channel (11; 37; 58).
13. A transfer cylinder according to claim 2 or any dependent claim, further including at least one spring element (32) arranged between the base body (19) and the or each clamping body (21) radially outwardly adjoining the base body.
14. A transfer cylinder according to any preceding claim, in ethics the cl.m.ning channel (11; 8! ;c configured in one piece with a slot extending in the radial direction, the or each clamping system (14; 28; 31; 33; 59) being positioned with the or each filling element (25; 62) in one and the same slot.
15. A transfer cylinder according to any of claims 1 to 13, in which the clamping channel (37) is configured in two pieces with two slots extending radially outwardly toward one another, the or each clamping system (59) being positioned in the first slot and the or each filling element (49) in the second slot.
16. A clamping system for converting a blanket channel to a narrowaperture plate channel on a printing cylinder, including a base body (19; 29; 46; 60) to be displaceable mounted in the clamping channel (11; 37; 58) at least in the radial direction of the transfer cylinder, the base body (19; 29; 46; 60) being configured to be movable in the direction of the defining surfaces (23, 24; 51, 52) of a radially outwardly tapering portion of the clamping channel (11; 37; 58) for clamping the or each rubber blanket plate, and radially inwardly in the opposite direction for releasing the or each rubber blanket plate; and a filling element (25; 49; 62) adapted to be fitted into the clamping channel (11; 37; 58) so as to form at least one defining surface of the radially outwardly tapering portion of the clamping channel (11; 37; 58).
17. A method of converting a wide-channel to a narrow- channel cylinder, in which a clamping system according to claim 16 is inserted into the channel.