JP2020175609A - Gravure printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a gravure printing system in which plural plate cylinders and furnisher rolls can be efficiently exchanged.SOLUTION: Each printing unit comprises: a support frame 10 which pivotally supports a plate cylinder 22 and a furnisher roll 23, and supports an ink pan; a roll exchange mechanism which laterally retracts the ink pan, and detaches and lifts the plate cylinder 22 and so on at the time of exchange; and a roll transfer mechanism 4 which loads or unloads the plate cylinder 22 and so on in or from a non-operation side space. The roll transfer mechanism 4 has: a support base 60 which supports two tables 40 on which the plate cylinder 22 and so on can be loaded; and a slide mechanism 50 which slides one table 40. The support base 60 slides in a direction orthogonal to the slide mechanism 50, thereby replacing the table 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11A

Description

The technique to be disclosed relates to a gravure printing system suitable for multicolor printing, and relates to an automatic printing switching technique.

Regarding the technology to be disclosed, the applicant has previously proposed a gravure printing apparatus capable of efficiently exchanging a plate cylinder and a finisher roll (Patent Document 1).

According to the gravure printing apparatus, the operator carries a trolley having a specific structure capable of transporting one plate cylinder and one finisher roll into the printing unit and installs them at predetermined positions. After that, when the operator operates the control panel, the ink pan is automatically moved to the unused position, and the used plate cylinder and finisher roll mounted on the printing unit are automatically placed on the trolley. Is removed.

Then, when the operator replaces the trolley with a trolley on which a new plate cylinder and finisher roll are placed, these plate cylinders and finisher roll are attached to the printing unit, and the ink pan is automatically moved to the used position. , Returns to the original state.

Multicolor printing is generally performed by arranging a plurality of gravure printing devices in series to form a gravure printing system, thereby continuously performing the printing. Therefore, in the gravure printing system, the work performed at the time of printing switching, such as plate cylinder replacement and cleaning, increases with the number of gravure printing devices installed, and is extremely complicated and time-consuming. Therefore, the switching work is simplified. , Shortening the switching time has become an important issue.

A plate cylinder transport system for solving such a problem is disclosed in Patent Document 2. In the plate cylinder transport system, a rail extending in parallel with the gravure printing device is laid between the printing device room in which the gravure printing device is lined up and the adjacent preparation room. A plurality of cassette carts equipped with a plate cylinder and an ink pan run on the rail, and are installed in each gravure printing device. In the plate cylinder transport system, a plate cylinder having shafts protruding from both ends is used, and a crane that holds and transports both shafts of the plate cylinder is installed in the preparation room.

Patent Document 3 also discloses a plate changing device that automates the replacement of plate cylinders using a carriage traveling on rails.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2019-25864 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 10-305557 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 6-23940

With the plate cylinder transport system of Patent Document 2 and the plate changing device of Patent Document 3 (hereinafter, also referred to as a conventional system), the plate cylinder of each gravure printing device can be automatically replaced, so that the switching work can be simplified and switched. The time can be shortened. However, in the gravure printing apparatus to which the finisher roll is attached, the finisher roll also needs to be replaced regularly, in which case, in these conventional systems, the replacement must be performed manually.

In that respect, in the gravure printing apparatus of Patent Document 1, since the finisher roll can be automatically replaced together with the plate cylinder, it is conceivable to apply the technique to the conventional system and replace the furniture roll together with the plate cylinder.

However, at the time of switching, a plurality of bogies constantly move back and forth on the rails laid in the vicinity of each gravure printing device. Therefore, the operator's entry into the area is restricted. For example, even if a trouble occurs in the transport process, it cannot be approached immediately, which has a disadvantage of lacking workability.

In particular, the trolley of the gravure printing device of Patent Document 1 is a specific trolley that can carry only one of each of the plate cylinder and the finisher roll. It is necessary to carry in and out.

The main purpose of the technique disclosed therein is to provide a gravure printing system capable of efficiently exchanging a plurality of plate cylinders and finisher rolls without significantly impairing workability.

The technique disclosed relates to a gravure printing system in which a plurality of printing units for printing continuously on a transported web are arranged in a row.

Each of the printing units is separated from an ink pan that stores ink at the time of printing, a finisher roll that is immersed in the ink of the ink pan, and a plate cylinder that receives ink from the finisher roll and applies it to the web. It has a first side frame and a second side frame which are arranged to face each other, and the plate cylinder and the finisher roll are rotatably and exchangeably supported between them, and the ink pan is movably supported. The ink pan is retracted to the side at the time of replacement, and the plate cylinder and the finisher roll are detached from the support frame and transferred between the usable position and the transferable position below the support frame. A roll transfer mechanism for raising and lowering, a roll transfer mechanism for carrying in or out each of the plate cylinder and the finisher roll located at the transferable position to an exchangeable position located outside the second side frame, and the above. It includes an operation control case that is arranged outside the first side frame and that controls and operates the roll exchange mechanism and the roll transfer mechanism.

Then, the roll transfer mechanism is arranged on the outside of the second side frame and two tables on which the plate cylinder and the finisher roll can be placed in parallel, and the two tables are arranged in parallel. It has a support base that can be supported by the above and a slide mechanism that slides one of the tables between the transferable position and the replaceable position, and the support base is in a direction orthogonal to the slide mechanism. By sliding, the one table located at the replaceable position is replaced with the other table.

That is, according to this gravure printing system, the plate cylinder and the finisher roll can be replaced efficiently without significantly impairing workability.

For example, before replacement, the operator simply places each of the new plate cylinder and finisher roll on an empty table on the support base of each printing unit and operates the operation control case. The plate cylinder and finisher roll can be replaced.

Since the space outside the second side frame opposite to the side of the first side frame where the operation control case is located is utilized, it does not interfere with the normal work of the operator. After replacement, the operator may appropriately carry and carry out each of the used plate cylinders and finisher rolls placed on the table on the support base of each printing unit by a trolley, which is efficient. Is.

Since there are no obstacles on the floor of the space around each support, the operator can move freely in that space. For example, even if a trouble occurs in each printing unit, it can be dealt with immediately without any trouble. Therefore, the workability is excellent.

In the gravure printing system, each of the tables may have a drive device at an end on the side of the second side frame, and the slide mechanism may be moved by the drive of the drive device.

By doing so, since each table self-propells the slide mechanism with one drive device, the number of drive devices installed can be reduced and the equipment cost can be reduced. Since the drive device is located at the end on the side of the second side frame, the drive device does not enter below the ink pan or the like. Therefore, it is possible to prevent ink and solvent from adhering to the drive device, and the durability is also excellent.

The gravure printing system is also provided with a printing room in which a plurality of the printing units are arranged and a preparation room adjacent to the printing units in the arrangement direction of the printing units in the printing room. A guide rail erected between the upper part of the printing chamber and the upper part of the preparation chamber so as to pass above each of the support stands, and the guide rail movably suspended from the guide rail. A roll crane capable of supporting each of the plate cylinder and the finisher roll one by one is further provided, and at the time of replacement, the roll crane automatically controls each of the plate cylinder and the finisher roll in the preparation chamber. By supporting and moving, each of the plate cylinder and the finisher roll may be transported to one of the tables held by each of the printing units.

Then, the replacement of the plate cylinder and the finisher roll can be further automated. Since each of the plate cylinder and the finisher roll can be transported at the same time, efficient replacement can be performed and the replacement time can be shortened.

Since there are no obstructive installations on the floor of the space around each support, the operator can move through that space relatively easily. For example, even if a trouble occurs in the transport process, if the roll crane is stopped, it can be approached immediately. Therefore, the workability is excellent.

In the case of such a gravure printing system, the plate cylinder has shaft support holes pivotally supported by the support frame at both ends, and the finisher roll has shafts shaft supported by the support frame at both ends. The roll crane has a pair of support pins and a pair of support arms, and each of the support pins is inserted into each of the shaft support holes so as to be retractable, and each of the shafts is said. It is preferable that each of the plate cylinder and the finisher roll is supported by the roll crane by being mounted on each of the support arms.

By doing so, the shaftless type plate cylinder and the finisher roll with a shaft can be transported together with a relatively simple structure at the same time. The operation of lifting and lowering each of the plate cylinder and the finisher roll can be easily performed.

According to the gravure printing system to which the disclosed technology is applied, a plurality of plate cylinders and finisher rolls can be efficiently replaced without significantly impairing workability.

It is the schematic which shows the main part of the gravure printing system of embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the main part of each printing unit at the time of use (at the time of printing). It is the schematic which shows the main part of the printing mechanism. It is a schematic view seen from the arrow Y1-Y1 of FIG. 3A. It is a figure corresponding to FIG. 3B explaining the operation at the time of removal by the roll exchange mechanism. It is a figure corresponding to FIG. 3B explaining the operation at the time of removal by the roll exchange mechanism. It is a figure corresponding to FIG. 3B explaining the operation at the time of removal by the roll exchange mechanism. It is a figure corresponding to FIG. 3B explaining the operation at the time of removal by the roll exchange mechanism. It is a figure corresponding to FIG. 3B explaining the operation at the time of removal by the roll exchange mechanism. It is a figure corresponding to FIG. 3B explaining the operation at the time of removal by the roll exchange mechanism. It is a figure corresponding to FIG. 3B explaining the operation at the time of attachment by the roll exchange mechanism. It is the schematic which shows the main part of the roll transfer mechanism. It is a schematic view seen from the arrow Y2-Y2 of FIG. 11A. It is a schematic view seen from the arrow Y3-Y3 of FIG. 11B. Each of (a) to (c) is a diagram for explaining the movement of the support base. It is a schematic plan view which shows the main part of the gravure printing system of an application example. It is a schematic side view which shows the main part of the gravure printing system of an application example. It is the schematic which shows the roll crane. (A) is a side view and (b) is a front view. It is the schematic which shows the state which the roll crane supported the plate cylinder. It is the schematic which shows the state which the roll crane supported the plate cylinder and the finisher roll.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the disclosed technology will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the following description is essentially merely an example and does not limit the present invention, its application or its use.

FIG. 1 shows the gravure printing system 1 of the present embodiment. In this gravure printing system 1, multicolor printing (color printing) is performed by a so-called roll-to-roll format in which a strip-shaped web W wound in a roll shape is continuously conveyed and wound around a winding core, and printing is performed in the transfer process. Will be done.

In the description, the direction in which the web W is conveyed is referred to as the "MD direction", and the width direction of the web W is referred to as the "TD direction". Then, in the MD direction, the side where the web W before printing is located is also referred to as "upstream side", and the side where the web W after printing is located is also referred to as "downstream side" with respect to the plate cylinder.

The gravure printing system 1 includes a plurality of printing units 2 and is installed in a predetermined printing room 1a. These printing units 2 are arranged in a row along the MD direction, and each printing unit 2 prints a single color.

<Printing unit 2>
FIG. 2 shows the main parts of each printing unit 2 during use (during printing). Each printing unit 2 is composed of a support frame 10, an operation control case 11, a gear case 12, a printing mechanism 20, a roll exchange mechanism 3, a roll transfer mechanism 4, and the like.

The printing mechanism 20 is installed on the floor surface of the printing chamber 1a and has a pair of side frames (first side frame 10a and second side frame 10b) arranged so as to be separated from each other. The roll exchange mechanism 3 is provided at an intermediate portion in the vertical direction between the side frames 10a and 10b.

The operation control case 11 is arranged outside the first side frame 10a. In the operation control case 11, a control device 11a for controlling the operation of each device mounted on the printing unit 2 and an operation device 11b such as a switch for operating the control device 11a are installed. The operator operates the printing unit 2 through the operation control case 11. The control and operation of the roll exchange mechanism 3 and the roll transfer mechanism 4 are also performed through the operation control case 11.

A gear case 12 is arranged on the outside of the second side frame 10b. A drive device 12a such as a drive motor and a gear is installed in the gear case 12. The roll transfer mechanism 4 is arranged so as to extend from the lower portion between the side frames 10a and 10b to the outside of the second side frame 10b (for convenience, when indicating the positional relationship in the TD direction in each printing unit 2). The side of the first side frame 10a is also referred to as the "operating side", and the opposite side of the second side frame 10b is also referred to as the "non-operating side").

Therefore, in this gravure printing system 1, the operator's work normally performed is performed on the operation side. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, a space extending in the MD direction (operation side space MS) is provided on the outside of each first side frame 10a so that the operator's work flow line can be sufficiently secured. .. Further, a space extending in the MD direction (non-operating side space RMS) also exists outside the second side frame 10b. In this gravure printing system 1, the non-operation side space RMS is effectively utilized so as not to interfere with the work of the operator.

<Printing mechanism 20>
As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the printing mechanism 20 includes an ink pan 21, a plate cylinder 22, a finisher roll 23, an impression cylinder 24, a doctor blade 25, and the like.

The ink pan 21 is composed of a rectangular container having a long TD direction and a tray-like container having an open top surface. The ink pan 21 is supported in a movable state by the support frame 10, although details will be described later. At the time of printing, ink is supplied to the ink pan 21, and a predetermined amount of ink is always stored.

On the lower surface of the ink pan 21, a pair of leg plates 21a, 21a that project downward in a state of extending parallel to the MD direction are provided. By placing these leg plates 21a and 21a on the first support plate 33a described later, the ink pan 21 at the time of printing is supported at a predetermined position (use position).

The plate cylinder 22 is made of an elongated columnar member, and a large number of printing cells are engraved on the outer peripheral surface thereof. The plate cylinder 22 used in the printing unit 2 is a shaftless type, and a shaft support hole 22a is formed in the center of each end surface of the plate cylinder 22. A key groove 22b is formed in a part of the outer circumference of the shaft support hole 22a in order to specify the position of the plate cylinder 22 in the circumferential direction.

Both side frames 10a and 10b are provided with a pair of support shafts 13 and 13 projecting from their respective facing surfaces so as to face each other. These support shafts 13 and 13 are inserted into the respective shaft support holes 22a to support the plate cylinder 22 so as to be rotationally driveable (state at the time of printing) and are removed from the respective shaft support holes 22a to form a plate. It is configured to be able to move forward and backward in a non-supported state (state at the time of replacement) in which the body 22 is not pivotally supported.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the base end portion of the support shaft 13 on the operation side is inserted inside the gear case 12 and is connected to the drive device 12a. When the drive device 12a is driven, the plate cylinder 22 rotates via the support shaft 13. That is, the plate cylinder 22 at the time of printing is pivotally supported by the support frame 10 in a state of extending in the TD direction via the pair of support shafts 13 and 13. Then, at the time of replacement, the plate cylinder 22 becomes unsupported at this position (plate cylinder attachment / detachment position) and can be replaced.

The finisher roll 23 is composed of an elongated columnar member having a diameter smaller than that of the plate cylinder 22. A pair of shafts 23a, 23a are provided at each end of the finisher roll 23. These shafts 23a and 23a are provided coaxially with the finisher roll 23 and project in opposite directions to each other.

An annular bearing 23b is attached to the tip of each shaft 23a. The finisher roll 23 at the time of printing is rotatably and replaceably supported by the support frame 10 in a state of extending in the TD direction via these bearings 23b and the FR support device 31 described later.

The finisher roll 23 at the time of printing is also arranged on the downstream side in the MD direction with respect to the plate cylinder 22. At the time of printing, the lower portion of the finisher roll 23 is immersed in the ink stored in the ink pan 21, and the upper portion thereof is arranged so as to be in pressure contact with the plate cylinder 22.

The impression cylinder 24 is composed of an elongated columnar member having a diameter smaller than that of the plate cylinder 22. Although not shown, the impression cylinder 24 is rotatably and movably supported by the support frame 10. At the time of printing, the web W to be conveyed is configured to be guided from above the support frame 10 to the lower side of the plate cylinder 22 by a plurality of guide rolls (not shown). The impression cylinder 24 at the time of printing is configured to be pressed against the upper portion of the plate cylinder 22 with the web W sandwiched between them.

A doctor blade 25 is arranged on the upstream side in the MD direction with respect to the plate cylinder 22. The doctor blade 25 at the time of printing is configured such that its cutting edge contacts the outer peripheral surface of the plate cylinder 22 at a predetermined angle and scrapes off excess ink adhering to the surface of the plate cylinder 22.

At the time of printing, the plate cylinder 22 is rotationally driven in accordance with the transportation of the web W. In conjunction with this, the finisher roll 23 and the impression cylinder 24 rotate. As a result, the plate cylinder 22 receives the ink from the finisher roll 23, adjusts the ink to an appropriate amount by the doctor blade 25, and then applies the ink to the continuously conveyed web W for printing.

<Roll exchange mechanism 3>
The printing unit 2 is configured so that the plate cylinder 22 and the finisher roll 23 can be automatically replaced by mechanical control.

The roll exchange mechanism 3 is composed of an FR support device 31, an ink pan slider 32, an elevating table 33, and the like, and executes an operation of exchanging the plate cylinder 22 and the finisher roll 23. Specifically, at the time of replacement, the roll replacement mechanism 3 retracts the ink pan 21 to the side, attaches / detaches the plate cylinder 22 and the finisher roll 23 from the support frame 10, and transfers the usable position and the lower portion thereof. Move up and down to and from the possible position.

(FR support device 31)
The FR support device 31 is a device for pivotally supporting the finisher roll 23 to the support frame 10 in a rotatable and replaceable manner. The FR support device 31 includes an FR support arm 31a, an air cylinder 31b, a bearing arm 31c, and the like (see FIG. 5 and the like for the bearing arm 31c). The FR support arm 31a, the air cylinder 31b, and the bearing arm 31c are each composed of a pair.

A swing shaft 31d extending in the TD direction and swinging is pivotally supported between the side frames 10a and 10b. The FR support arms 31a are attached to both ends of the swing shaft 31d so as to face each other. Each FR support arm 31a has an elongated plate shape, and an upper end portion thereof is attached to a swing shaft 31d.

The swing shaft 31d is located diagonally above the support shaft 13, and each FR support arm 31a at the time of printing is configured to be in a downwardly inclined posture toward the plate cylinder 22. At the lower end of each FR support arm 31a, a fitting recess 31f that opens downward in an inverted U shape is formed (see FIG. 5 and the like).

Each air cylinder 31b is oscillatingly supported on the upper portion of each FR support arm 31a. The air cylinder 31b is arranged on the opposite side of the plate cylinder 22 with respect to the FR support arm 31a with the rod facing downward.

As shown in FIG. 5 and the like, each bearing arm 31c is rotatably supported by a lower portion of each FR support arm 31a. The bearing arm 31c has a first arm portion 31c1 and a second arm portion 31c2 extending in opposite directions from the shaft support portion thereof. The tip portion of the first arm portion 31c1 is pivotally supported by the rod of the air cylinder 31b, and the second arm portion 31c2 extends toward the fitting recess 31f.

As a result, in each bearing arm 31c, the air cylinder 31b extends and the second arm portion 31c2 closes the opening of the fitting recess 31f (FR support state), and the air cylinder 31b contracts and the second arm portion 31c2 Switches to a state in which the opening of the fitting recess 31f is opened (FR unsupported state).

Each fitting recess 31f is formed so that the bearing 23b of each shaft 23a can be fitted. When each bearing arm 31c is in the FR support state, the finisher roll 23 is pivotally supported by the support frame 10. The furnisher roll 23 can be replaced when the FR support arm 31a swings and the opening of each fitting recess 31f faces downward and each bearing arm 31c is in the FR non-support state. The position where the finisher roll 23 can be replaced (FR attachment / detachment position) is located on the downstream side in the MD direction with respect to the plate cylinder 22 and diagonally below the plate cylinder attachment / detachment position.

(Ink pan slider 32)
The ink pan slider 32 is installed to automatically retract the ink pan 21 from the used position to the side at the time of replacement.

The ink pan slider 32 is made of a plate member that is long in the TD direction and has substantially the same external method as the ink pan 21, and is arranged below the use position where the ink pan 21 is located at the time of printing. Although not shown, the ink pan slider 32 is installed on the support frame 10 so as to be slidable substantially horizontally from that position toward the downstream side in the MD direction.

The ink pan slider 32 has a substantially U shape having a wide notch 32a into which the leg plates 21a and 21a of the ink pan 21 enter on one side portion (side portion on the upstream side in the MD direction). The ink pan slider 32 is configured so that the ink pan 21 can be placed on top of the ink pan slider 32.

As shown in FIG. 5 and the like, at the time of replacement, the ink pan slider 32 slides toward the downstream side in the MD direction with the ink pan 21 mounted, and retracts the ink pan 21 to a position that does not affect the lifting operation of the lifting table 33. ..

(Elevator 33)
The lift 33 has a first support plate 33a and a second support plate 33b, each of which is an elongated rectangular plate-shaped member extending in the TD direction. The first support plate 33a is arranged below the plate cylinder attachment / detachment position, and the second support plate 33b is arranged below the FR attachment / detachment position in a state of being lined up along the first support plate 33a. The second support plate 33b is integrally assembled with the first support plate 33a in a state of being one step lower than the first support plate 33a.

The lift 33 is supported by a pair of lift bars 35, 35 extending in the vertical direction. The elevating table 33 is configured to be elevated via these elevating bars 35 and 35 by an elevating mechanism (not shown) provided on the support frame 10.

The lift 33 automatically moves up and down to a predetermined position at a predetermined timing at the time of replacement by mechanical control. As a result, each of the plate cylinder 22 and the finisher roll 23 is moved up and down from the position where it can be used (usable position) to the position below it where it can be transferred by the roll transfer mechanism 4 (transferable position). ..

Specifically, the elevating table 33 rises to a position where the ink pan 21 is supported at the use position (position at the time of printing), a plate cylinder attachment / detachment position, an FR attachment / detachment position, and the like so as not to interfere with the movement of the table 40 described later. , It descends to a position below the table 40 (avoidance position).

Cylindrical plate cylinder rollers 33c are installed at the four corners of the upper surface of the first support plate 33a. Each plate body roller 33c is rotatably installed around an axial center facing the TD direction. The plate cylinder 22 is supported by the plate cylinder rollers 33c on the first support plate 33a in a rotatable state.

Although not shown, a part of the plate cylinder roller 33c is provided with a drive mechanism capable of rotating the plate cylinder 22 and positioning the plate cylinder 22 in the circumferential direction. Similarly, the support frame 10 is provided with a measuring device for measuring the position of the plate cylinder 22 in the circumferential direction based on the key groove 22b. As a result, the plate cylinder 22 is configured to be able to be supported by the first support plate 33a in a state where its position in the circumferential direction is positioned with high accuracy.

A pair of FR holders 33d and 33d are installed on the upper surface of the second support plate 33b at intervals in the TD direction. The finisher roll 23 is supported by the second support plate 33b via the pair of FR holders 33d and 33d.

(Operation when removing by roll exchange mechanism 3)
The operation of removing the used plate cylinder 22 (also referred to as the old plate cylinder 22o) and the used finisher roll 23 (also referred to as the old furniture roll 23o) from the support frame 10 at the time of replacement will be described.

When the printing is completed, the operator operates the operating device 11b and starts the replacement operation. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the lift 33 and the ink pan 21 are slightly lowered, the FR support arm 31a swings toward the downstream side in the MD direction, and the old furniture roll 23o is in the FR attachment / detachment position. Moving. In that state, the old finisher roll 23o is washed by the operator.

When the cleaning is completed, the operator operates the operating device 11b again. As a result, the lift 33 is further lowered. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the ink pan 21 is supported by the ink pan slider 32. The ink pan 21 supported by the ink pan slider 32 slides toward the downstream side in the MD direction as shown by the arrow in FIG. 5, and is positioned at a position that does not affect the ascending / descending operation of the elevating table 33 as shown by the alternate long and short dash line. evacuate.

After that, as shown in FIG. 6, the lifting platform 33 rises to the FR attachment / detachment position so that the second support plate 33b can support the old finisher roll 23o. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, from the state shown by the alternate long and short dash line, each air cylinder 31b contracts, each fitting recess 31f is opened, and the old finisher roll 23o is supported by the FR placement 33d.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 7, the lift 33 further lowers to separate the old finisher roll 23o from the FR support arm 31a. Then, the FR support arm 31a further swings toward the downstream side in the MD direction, and retracts to a position that does not affect the raising and lowering of the lift 33.

After that, as shown in FIG. 8, the elevating table 33 rises to the plate cylinder attachment / detachment position so that the first support plate 33a can support the old plate cylinder 22o. Then, each support shaft 13 retracts, and the old plate cylinder 22o is separated from each support shaft 13 and supported by the plate cylinder roller 33c.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 9, the elevating table 33 further descends, and descends to an avoidance position below the table 40 through the opening 41 of the table 40 described later. As a result, the old version body 22o and the old furniture roll 23o are delivered to the roll transfer mechanism 4 at the transferable position.

(Operation at the time of mounting by the roll exchange mechanism 3)
The operation of attaching the unused plate cylinder 22 (also referred to as the new plate cylinder 22n) and the unused finisher roll 23 (also referred to as the new furniture roll 23n) to the support frame 10 at the time of replacement will be described.

When the new plate body 22n and the new finisher roll 23n are carried in by the roll transfer mechanism 4 and arranged at a transferable position, the elevating table 33 starts to rise. As a result, the elevating table 33 receives the new plate cylinder 22n and the new finisher roll 23n from the table 40, and ascends to a predetermined measurement position as shown in FIG.

At the measurement position, the position of the keyway 22b is measured by a measuring device (not shown). Based on the measurement result, the plate cylinder roller 33c is rotationally driven so that the key groove 22b is located at a predetermined position. As a result, the new plate cylinder 22n is supported by the first support plate 33a in a state where the position in the circumferential direction thereof is positioned with high accuracy.

When the new plate cylinder 22n is positioned, the elevating table 33 rises to the plate cylinder attachment / detachment position as shown in FIG. Then, each support shaft 13 advances, and the new plate cylinder 22n is pivotally supported by each support shaft 13. As a result, the new plate cylinder 22n is attached to the printing unit 2 in an appropriate state.

After that, as shown in FIG. 7, the lifting platform 33 descends to a position where the FR support arm 31a can swing, and the FR support arm 31a swings upstream in the MD direction toward the FR attachment / detachment position. Move. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 6, the lift 33 is raised to the FR attachment / detachment position, so that the bearing 23b of the new finisher roll 23n is fitted into each fitting recess 31f.

Then, each bearing arm 31c that was in the FR non-supported state becomes the FR supported state, and the opening of the fitting recess 31f is closed by the second arm portion 31c2. As a result, the new finisher roll 23n is supported by the support frame 10 via the FR support arm 31a.

After that, the ink pan slider 32 that has been retracted while supporting the ink pan 21 slides toward the upstream side in the MD direction and returns to a predetermined position below the used position. Subsequently, the elevating table 33 rises, the first support plate 33a abuts against both leg plates 21a and 21a of the ink pan 21, pushes up the ink pan 21 and separates the ink pan 21 from the ink pan slider 32 as shown in FIG. To do.

Then, the FR support arm 31a swings toward the upstream side in the MD direction to bring the new finisher roll 23n into contact with the new plate body 22n. After that, the lift 33 is further raised to return the ink pan 21 to the used position as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. As a result, the installation of the new plate body 22n and the new finisher roll 23n is completed.

<Roll transfer mechanism 4>
As described above, the roll transfer mechanism 4 is arranged between the lower part of each printing unit 2 and the outer space (non-operating side space RMS) of the second side frame 10b thereof. Then, at the time of replacement, the roll transfer mechanism 4 carries or carries each of the plate cylinder 22 and the finisher roll 23 located at the transferable position in the lower part of the printing unit 2 to the replaceable position located in the non-operation side space RMS. It is configured to be carried out.

11A, 11B, and 12 show the roll transfer mechanism 4. The roll transfer mechanism 4 is composed of two tables 40 (when distinguished, they are also referred to as a first table 40A and a second table 40B), a slide mechanism 50, a support base 60, and the like.

(Table 40)
Each table 40 has a rectangular plate-shaped main wall portion 40a that is long in the TD direction, and a pair of side wall portions 40b and 40b that project downward from both sides of the main wall portion 40a. An opening 41 penetrating the upper and lower surfaces is formed in the main wall portion 40a, and the elevating table 33 moves up and down through the opening 41.

A pair of plate body receiving portions 42, 42 and a pair of FR receiving portions 43, 43 are installed on the upper surface of the main wall portion 40a. The pair of plate cylinder receiving portions 42, 42 and the pair of FR receiving portions 43, 43 allow each of the plate cylinder 22 and the finisher roll 23 to be placed on the table 40 in a parallel state in the MD direction. There is.

Each of the plate body receiving portion 42 and each FR receiving portion 43 is arranged on both sides of the opening 41 in the TD direction. Each plate body receiving portion 42 is arranged on the upstream side in the MD direction with respect to each FR receiving portion 43. A plate cylinder positioning portion 44 and an FR positioning portion 45 are installed on the upper surface of the main wall portion 40a of the first table 40A.

Specifically, a pair of plate cylinder positioning portions 44, 44 are installed at positions separated from each other in the TD direction on the upper surface of the main wall portion 40a of the first table 40A. The FR positioning portion 45 is installed on the operation side of the upper surface of the main wall portion 40a of the first table 40A.

Each of the new plate cylinder 22n and the new finisher roll 23n mounted on the first table 40A is positioned in the MD direction by each plate cylinder receiving portion 42 and each FR receiving portion 43, and plate cylinder positioning portions 44, 44. And it is positioned in the TD direction by the FR positioning unit 45.

As shown in FIG. 12, a plurality of wheels 46 are rotatably installed inside each side wall portion 40b. Further, a motor 47 (driving device) whose rotation axis is directed in the MD direction is installed below the end portion of the main wall portion 40a on the non-operating side in the TD direction. A pinion 48 is fixed to the rotating shaft of the motor 47.

(Slide mechanism 50)
The slide mechanism 50 is a mechanism for sliding one table 40 between a transferable position and a replaceable position. The slide mechanism 50 includes a pair of traveling rails 51, 51 extending in parallel in the TD direction at intervals in the MD direction, and a rack rail 52 located between the traveling rails 51, 51 and extending in the TD direction. have.

Each wheel 46 travels along a pair of traveling rails 51, 51. The gear teeth of the pinion 48 engage with the gear teeth of the rack rail 52 and convert the rotational movement of the pinion 48 into a traveling motion along the rack rail 52.

The pair of traveling rails 51, 51 and the rack rail 52 includes a pair of immovable rails (immovable rail pair 51a) and immovable rack rails 52a fixed to the support frame 10, and a pair of movable rails fixed to the support base 60. (Movable rail pair 51b) and movable rack rail 52b.

The immovable rail pair 51a extends from the first side frame 10a, and in a state of being supported substantially horizontally, passes through the second side frame 10b and extends to the non-operating side space RMS. The immovable rail pair 51a located between the first side frame 10a and the second side frame 10b allows each of the plate cylinder 22 and the finisher roll 23 located at the transferable position to be placed at appropriate positions on the table 40. It is arranged like this.

The immovable rack rail 52a passes through the second side frame 10b and extends to the non-operating side space RMS with a part of the immovable rack rail 52a protruding inward of the second side frame 10b.

(Support stand 60)
The support base 60 is arranged in the non-operation side space RMS, and is arranged so as to be connected to each tip portion of the immovable rail pair 51a and the immovable rack rail 52a. The support base 60 has a slide portion 61 and a base portion 62. The base portion 62 slides the slide portion 61 in the MD direction orthogonal to the slide mechanism 50 while supporting the slide portion 61 on the floor surface.

The slide portion 61 supports the two tables 40 in a parallel state. Therefore, two sets of movable rail pair 51b and movable rack rail 52b are installed in the slide portion 61 in parallel in the MD direction.

The support base 60 slides between the position shown in FIG. 12 (first replacement position, mounting position) and the position shown in FIG. 13 (a) (second replacement position, removal position). At the first exchange position, one movable rail pair 51b and the movable rack rail 52b (for the first table: T1) are connected to the immovable rail pair 51a and the immovable rack rail 52a. At the second exchange position, the other movable rail pair 51b and the movable rack rail 52b (for the second table: T2) are connected to the immovable rail pair 51a and the immovable rack rail 52a.

By connecting the movable rail pair 51b and the movable rack rail 52b to the immovable rail pair 51a and the immovable rack rail 52a, the wheel 46 smoothly travels on both the movable rail pair 51b and the immovable rail pair 51a. .. Then, the pinion 48 smoothly engages with both the immovable rack rail 52a and the movable rack rail 52b.

As a result, when the slide portion 61 slides, one table 40 located at the replaceable position is replaced with the other table 40.

(Operation at the time of replacement by the roll transfer mechanism 4)
Following the operation at the time of removal by the roll exchange mechanism 3 described above, the operation at the time of exchanging the plate cylinder 22 and the finisher roll 23 by the roll transfer mechanism 4 will be described.

In that case, as shown in FIG. 13A, the support base 60 is located at the second exchange position, and the first table is placed on the movable rail pair 51b and the movable rack rail 52b of the T1 for the first table. 40A is arranged. The second table 40B is located at a transferable position. The operator appropriately transports each of the replacement new plate cylinder 22n and the new finisher roll 23n by a trolley, and puts each of the new plate cylinder 22n and the new furniture roll 23n on the first table 40A of each printing unit 2. Place it in advance.

Then, when the old version body 22o and the old finisher roll 23o are delivered to the second table 40B at the transferable position, the second table 40B is moved by the drive of the motor 47 to move the T2 for the second table on the support base 60. It self-propells along the slide mechanism 50 until it sits on the rail pair 51b and the movable rack rail 52b. As a result, as shown in FIG. 13 (b), each of the old plate cylinder 22o and the old finisher roll 23o is arranged in the replaceable position.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 13 (c), the support base 60 slides to the first exchange position. As a result, the movable rail pair 51b and the movable rack rail 52b of the T1 for the first table are connected to the immovable rail pair 51a and the immovable rack rail 52a, and the first table 40A replaces the second table 40B and is in a replaceable position. Be placed.

The first table 40A arranged at the replaceable position self-propells along the slide mechanism 50 by the drive of the motor 47 with each of the new plate cylinder 22n and the new finisher roll 23n mounted. As a result, each of the new plate cylinder 22n and the new finisher roll 23n is placed in a transferable position.

Therefore, the operator simply places each of the new plate cylinder 22n and the new finisher roll 23n on the first table 40A of each printing unit 2 as appropriate before replacement, and each of the plate cylinder 22 and the finisher roll 23 is placed. Can be exchanged. After the replacement, the operator may appropriately carry and carry out each of the old plate cylinder 22o and the old furniture roll 23o mounted on the second table 40B of each printing unit 2 by a trolley, which is efficient. Is.

Since there are no obstacles in the non-operating space RMS, the operator can freely move the non-operating space RMS. For example, even if a trouble occurs in each printing unit 2, it can be dealt with immediately without any trouble. Therefore, the workability is excellent.

One motor 47 is installed on each table 40, and the slide mechanism 50 is self-propelled. Therefore, the number of motors 47 installed can be reduced, and the equipment cost can be reduced. Moreover, since the motor 47 is arranged at the non-operating end of the table 40, it does not enter below the printing mechanism 20. Therefore, it is possible to prevent ink and solvent from adhering to the motor 47 and its electric wiring, and the durability is also excellent.

-Application example-
14A and 14B show an application example of the above-mentioned gravure printing system 1. In the above-mentioned gravure printing system 1, each of the old and new plate cylinders 22 and the finisher roll 23 was transported to each printing unit 2 by an operator, but in this gravure printing system 1', it is further carried out. It is also configured so that transportation can be automated.

In the gravure printing system 1', a preparation chamber 1b for preparing each of the old and new plate cylinders 22 and the finisher roll 23 is provided adjacent to the printing chamber 1a. The preparation chamber 1b is arranged on the upstream side of the printing chamber 1a in the MD direction, which is the arrangement direction of the printing units 2.

In the preparation room 1b, each of the plate cylinder 22 and the finisher roll 23 is carried in and out from a warehouse or a washing room (not shown) in a state of being mounted on a trolley. In the present embodiment, the plate cylinder 22 and the finisher roll 23 each use a dedicated carriage (plate cylinder carriage 71 and FR carriage 72).

The plate body carriage 71 has a plate body 71a whose upper side is open, and is configured so that a plurality of plate bodies 22 can be placed side by side on the plate body 71a. The FR carriage 72 has a plurality of roll shelves 72a, and is configured so that a plurality of finisher rolls 23 can be hung on each of the roll shelves 72a in a state of being arranged in the vertical direction.

(Roll transport mechanism 8)
A roll transport mechanism 8 for transporting the plate cylinder 22 and the finisher roll 23 is installed between the printing chamber 1a and the preparation chamber 1b. The roll transport mechanism 8 has a guide rail 80 and a roll crane 90, and automatically controls one set of the plate cylinder 22 and the finisher roll 23 between the printing chamber 1a and the preparation chamber 1b. ..

In the preparation room 1b, a transport control device 8a for controlling the roll transport mechanism 8 is installed. When the operator operates the transport control device 8a, the roll transport mechanism 8 automatically executes a predetermined transport operation.

The guide rail 80 is erected between the upper part of the printing chamber 1a and the upper part of the preparation chamber 1b so as to pass above each support base 60 of the printing unit 2. The guide rail 80 of the printing chamber 1a is installed along each printing unit 2 above the non-operating space RMS. Below the guide rail 80 in the preparation chamber 1b, a plurality of carriage storage areas 73 are provided so as to be parallel to each support base 60 in the MD direction.

Specifically, a stopper 73a that regulates the movement of the carriages 71 and 72 is installed on the floor surface of the preparation room 1b. By these stoppers 73a, a plurality of plate body carriages 71 for each of the old and new version cylinders 22 and a plurality of FR carriages 72 for each of the old and new finisher rolls 23 are positioned in a predetermined carriage storage place 73. It is supported by immobility.

As a result, each plate cylinder 22 of the plate body carriage 71 and each finisher roll 23 of the FR carriage 72 are arranged so that their center lines are directed in the TD direction and substantially coincide with the replaceable positions in the TD direction. To.

The roll crane 90 is suspended from the guide rail 80 in a movable state, supports each of the plate cylinder 22 and the finisher roll 23 one by one, and moves back and forth between the preparation chamber 1b and the printing chamber 1a. It is configured so that it can be done.

FIG. 15 shows the roll crane 90 of this embodiment. The roll crane 90 has an erection portion 91 and a pair of support leg portions 92 including a first leg portion 92a and a second leg portion 92b. The erection portion 91 is movably supported by the guide rail 80 in a state of extending in the TD direction. Further, the roll crane 90 has an elevating mechanism 93, and the erection portion 91 is configured to be elevated by the elevating mechanism 93.

The support leg portion 92 is arranged to face the lower side of the erection portion 91. The first leg portion 92a is installed at one end of the erection portion 91 in a slidable state. The second leg portion 92b is installed at the other end of the erection portion 91 in a slidable state. That is, each of the first leg portion 92a and the second leg portion 92b is slidably supported by the erection portion 91 via the leg slider 94, and is installed between the erection portion 91 and the second leg portion 92b. By expanding and contracting the cylinder 95, it is configured to slide in the TD direction with the same width.

A pair of support pins 96, 96 that can be inserted into the shaft support holes 22a of the plate cylinder 22 are installed facing each other in the first leg portion 92a and the second leg portion 92b. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16A, by sliding the first leg portion 92a and the second leg portion 92b, each of the support pins 96 is inserted into each of the shaft support holes 22a so as to be retractable.

A pair of support arms 97, 97 are also provided on the first leg portion 92a and the second leg portion 92b. These support arms 97 and 97 project from each of the first leg portion 92a and the second leg portion 92b toward the downstream side in the MD direction while facing each other. A recess for receiving the shaft 23a is formed on the upper side of the tip portion of each support arm 97.

As shown in FIG. 16B, each of the first leg portion 92a and the second leg portion 92b is supported by the plate cylinder 22, and both shafts 23a of the finisher roll 23 are placed on the support arms 97. , The furniture roll 23 is also configured to support it.

(Operation at the time of replacement by the roll transport mechanism 8)
When replacing the plate body 22 etc., the plate body trolley 71 with the new version body 22n, the empty plate body trolley 71 with the old version body 22o, the FR trolley 72 with the new furniture roll 23n, and the old furniture roll 23o An empty FR trolley 72 to be loaded is installed by an operator in a predetermined trolley storage area 73.

Then, the operator operates the transport control device 8a to operate the roll transport mechanism 8. As a result, the roll crane 90 moves by automatically controlling each of the new plate cylinder 22n and the new finisher roll 23n in the preparation chamber 1b. Then, each of the new plate cylinder 22n and the new finisher roll 23n is conveyed to an empty table 40 (first table 40A) on the support base 60 of each printing unit 2.

Specifically, the roll crane 90 supports both of these by supporting the new plate cylinder 22n and then the new finisher roll 23n. That is, the roll crane 90 first moves above the predetermined new plate cylinder 22n of the plate body carriage 71. Then, the erection portion 91 is lowered, and the first leg portion 92a and the second leg portion 92b are slid, so that the support pin 96 is inserted into the shaft support hole 22a of the new plate body 22n. After that, as the erection portion 91 rises, the new plate body 22n is lifted by the roll crane 90 (state of FIG. 16A).

Next, the roll crane 90 moves above the predetermined new finisher roll 23n of the FR carriage 72. Then, as the erection portion 91 descends and moves, the support arm 97 is inserted below the shaft 23a of the new finisher roll 23n. After that, both shafts 23a are placed on the support arms 97, and the erection portion 91 is raised, so that the new finisher roll 23n is lifted by the roll crane 90 (state in FIG. 16B).

The roll crane 90, which lifts each of the new plate cylinder 22n and the new finisher roll 23n, moves from the preparation chamber 1b to the printing chamber 1a, and moves above the support base 60 of the predetermined printing unit 2 to the upper part of the support base 60 of the predetermined printing unit 2. Each of the rolls 23n is carried. Then, these are placed on an empty table 40 (first table 40A).

The roll crane 90 mounts the new furniture roll 23n and then mounts the new plate cylinder 22n, so that both of them are delivered to the first table 40A. That is, the new finisher roll 23n is placed on the first table 40A by moving the erection portion 91 downward.

After that, the erection portion 91 is further moved up and down and moved as appropriate, and the new plate body 22n is arranged at a predetermined position. Then, the first leg portion 92a and the second leg portion 92b slide, the support pin 96 is pulled out from the shaft support hole 22a of the new plate cylinder 22n, and the new plate cylinder 22n is placed on the first table 40A.

After ascending, the roll crane 90 returns to the preparation chamber 1b, and repeats such an operation until each of the new plate cylinder 22n and the new finisher roll 23n is installed on all of the support bases 60.

When each of the old plate cylinder 22o and the old furniture roll 23o is carried out, the roll crane 90 moves by automatically controlling each of the old plate cylinder 22o and the old furniture roll 23o in the printing chamber 1a by the reverse operation. To do. By doing so, each of the old plate cylinder 22o and the old furniture roll 23o mounted on each support base 60 is transported to each of the empty plate cylinder carriage 71 and the FR carriage 72 in the preparation room 1b.

The roll crane 90 carries in each of the new plate cylinder 22n and the new finisher roll 23n into each printing unit 2, and then subsequently carries out each of the old plate cylinder 22o and the old furniture roll 23o from the printing unit 2. Is preferable. By doing so, the number of movements by the roll crane 90 can be reduced.

According to the gravure printing system 1'provided with such a roll transport mechanism 8, even if there are a large number of printing units 2, each of the plate cylinder 22 and the finisher roll 23 can be automatically replaced, which is efficient. is there.

Moreover, since there are no obstacles on the floor of the non-operating space RMS, the operator can move the non-operating space RMS relatively easily. For example, even if a trouble occurs in the transport process, if the roll crane 90 is stopped, it can be approached immediately. Therefore, the workability is excellent.

The gravure printing system according to the disclosed technique is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and includes various other configurations. For example, each of the plate body carriage 71 and the FR carriage 72 may be configured by an AGV (automated guided vehicle), and their traveling may be automated.

The form of the roll crane 90 is an example. The roll crane 90 only needs to be able to convey one set of the plate cylinder 22 and the finisher roll 23.

1, 1'Gravure printing system 1a Printing room 1b Preparation room 2 Printing unit 3 Roll exchange mechanism 4 Roll transfer mechanism 8 Roll transport mechanism 10 Support frame 10a 1st side frame 10b 2nd side frame 11 Operation control case 12 Gear case 13 Support Axis 20 Printing mechanism 21 Ink pan 22 Plate cylinder 23 Finisher roll 31 FR support device 32 Ink pan slider 33 Lifting table 40 Table 50 Slide mechanism 51 Travel rail 52 Rack rail 60 Support stand 80 Guide rail 90 Roll crane W Web MS Operation side space RMS Non-operation side space

Claims (4)

A gravure printing system in which multiple printing units that print continuously on the transported web are arranged in a row.
Each of the printing units
An ink pan that stores ink during printing,
The finisher roll immersed in the ink of the ink pan and
A plate cylinder that receives ink from the finisher roll and applies it to the web.
It has a first side frame and a second side frame which are arranged so as to be separated from each other, and the plate cylinder and the finisher roll are rotatably and interchangeably pivotally supported between them, and the ink pan can be moved. With a support frame that supports
At the time of replacement, the roll replacement mechanism retracts the ink pan to the side and detaches the plate cylinder and the finisher roll from the support frame and moves them up and down from the usable position to the transferable position below the usable position. When,
A roll transfer mechanism that carries in or out each of the plate cylinder and the finisher roll located at the transferable position to a replaceable position located outside the second side frame.
An operation control case that is arranged outside the first side frame and controls and operates the roll exchange mechanism and the roll transfer mechanism.
With
The roll transfer mechanism
Two tables on which the plate cylinder and the finisher roll can be placed side by side,
A support base that is arranged outside the second side frame and can support the two tables in parallel,
A slide mechanism that slides one of the tables between the transferable position and the replaceable position.
Have,
A gravure printing system in which the support base slides in a direction orthogonal to the slide mechanism to replace one of the tables located at the replaceable position with the other table. In the gravure printing system according to claim 1,
A gravure printing system in which each of the tables has a drive device at an end on the side of the second side frame, and the slide mechanism is moved by the drive of the drive device. In the gravure printing system according to claim 1 or 2.
A printing room in which the plurality of printing units are arranged, and
A preparation room adjacent to the printing unit in the arrangement direction of the printing unit in the printing room,
Is provided,
A guide rail erected between the upper part of the printing chamber and the upper part of the preparation chamber so as to pass above the support base of each of the printing units.
A roll crane that is movably suspended from the guide rail and can support each of the plate cylinder and the finisher roll one by one.
With more
At the time of replacement, the roll crane automatically controls to support and move each of the plate cylinder and the finisher roll in the preparation chamber, so that each of the plate cylinder and the finisher roll is of the printing unit. A gravure printing system that is transported to one of the tables that each has. In the gravure printing system according to claim 3.
The plate cylinder has shaft support holes pivotally supported by the support frame at both ends.
The finisher roll has shafts pivotally supported by the support frame at both ends.
The roll crane has a pair of support pins and a pair of support arms.
Each of the support pins is inserted into each of the shaft support holes so as to be retractable, and each of the shafts is placed on each of the support arms, whereby each of the plate cylinder and the finisher roll. However, a gravure printing system supported by the roll crane.

Images