US3167007A

US3167007A - Throw-in and throw-off control device for multicolor printing presses

Info

Publication number: US3167007A
Application number: US292367A
Authority: US
Inventors: Klauss Erwin
Original assignee: MAN Maschinenfabrik Augsburg Nuernberg AG
Current assignee: MAN AG
Priority date: 1962-07-06
Filing date: 1963-07-02
Publication date: 1965-01-26
Anticipated expiration: 1982-01-26
Also published as: GB1002772A; DE1210899B; CH411937A

Description

Jan. 26, 1965 E KLAUSS 3,167,007

THROW-IN AND TQROW-OFF CONTROL DEVICE FOR MULTICOLOR PRINTING PRESSES Filed July 2, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 F|G .1. 75 mm 42 43 64 "WWfi Jan. 26, 1965 E. KLAUSS 3,167,007

THROW-IN AND THROW-OFF CONTROL DEVICE FOR MULTICOLOR PRINTING PRESSES Filed July 2, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent 11 Claims. 61. 101-434 This invention relates to devices for the automatic control of throw-in and throw-off mechanism at the various sequential printing stations of multicolor sheet-fed printing presses and, more particularly, to such control devices which are adapted for automatic operation to control the throw-in and/or throw-oft mechanism in adjustable manner and for a plurality of sequential printing stations greater than the number which can be readily controlled by mechanical or electrical arrangements actuated by or related to each single rotation of the impression cylinder at each printing station.

As will be understood, in sheet-ted multicolor rotary printing presses having a plurality of sequentially located printing units each of which prints at different color on the same sheet of paper as it traverses all the printing units, it may be desired or even necessary to have throw-off mechanism at each printing station to disengage or retract the printing plate at each station into a nonprinting position to avoid printing an ink image on the impression cylinder cover or dressing when there is no sheet present at that station. For example, considering a six-color sheet-fed press and the situation where the last sheet of the press run is being printed, it is ap parent that such last sheet must traverse all six of the printing stations. With all stations operating simultaneously, however, the first station will go through five printing cycles with no sheet present while the last sheet of the press run is being printed successively at stations number 2-6, just as the second station will go through four printing cycles after the last sheet has passed, etc.

Accordingly, some mechanism may be desired for automatically throwing off or retracting into non-printing position the printing plate mechanism sequentially at each successive printing station after the last sheet has passed each station and/ or when no sheet is present at such station, notwithstanding the continued printing of the mechanism at succeeding printing stations. Also the converse may be desired (i.e., automatic control for the throwing in of printing mechanism) at each successive station sequentially as the first sheet comes through to avoid printing on the impression cylinder dressing or covering during, for example, the five printing cycles which occur at the last of six printing stations before the first sheet of the run passes the first five stations and reaches the sixth.

As will be apparent, such throw-in and throw-off mechanisms at each printing station must be operated sequentially and in a manner where both the first and the last sheet being fed is completely printed with all the sequential printing impressions. Thus, the operation of such mechanism must proceed sequentially through the press from printing station to printing station with a time delay between each station corresponding to the time of i travel of the sheet being printed from impression cylinder "ice to impression cylinder. conventionally, the actual throW ofi? mechanism at each impression cylinder or printing station may include a pawl mechanism for retracting or throwing off the printing mechanism, but the actuation and timing of such mechanism and the extent or duration of the throw-in or throw-off period must be sequentially controlled as noted along the line of printing stations.

If it is attempted to accomplish such control or timedelayed actuation of each successive throw-cit mechanism mechanically-ms by a pawl or lever mechanism on the transfer drum between two adjacent printing stations for providing the time delay of one rotation of the transfer drum for actuating the throw-oil mechanism at a subsequent printing station by prior actuation of that at a previous printing station-it may be found that such mechanical time delay at best can provide a delay of only about 60 degrees of rotation of the printing press cylinders-i.e., an insufficient time delay to accommodate more than three printing stations, because the mechanical arrangement for imparting the first time delay after throw-oil from the first printing station must be repeated again for each succeeding printing station to maintain each of them thrown oil for at least the number of printing cycles corresponding to the number of printing stations.

On the other hand, if such sequential actuation of throw-off mechanism at each printing station, with an appropriate time delay, is attempted to be controlled electrically as by an electrical contact or switch rotating with the shaft of the various impression cylinders, etc., again a delay from printing unit to printing unit of at most 360 can be obtained--i.e., again, insufficient for printing presses having more than three printing stations. Indeed, similar diificulties may be experienced with any sort of arrangement where the sequential time delay required or desired from one printing station to the next (remembering'that the first or the last station may have to be maintained in thrown-oif position for a number of printing cycles corresponding to the number of stations), whether mechanically or electrically achieved, is directly tied to the rotation of the impression cylinders and limited in sequence or duration to but one or, at most, two revolutions of an impression cylinder.

According to the present invention, however, control devices are produced for controlling from a single point on the printing press the actuation of throw-in and throwoff mechanisms operating at each of virtually any number of sequential printing stations, with the appropriate time delay from station to station and with the printing mechanism at each succesive station being automatically maintained in either thrown-in or thrown-off position for the requisite number of printing cycles and with the sequential throwing in and throwing off at each successive station being automatically actuated and timed to the passage of a sheet through the press without regard to the actual number of revolutions required by the impression cylinders at each station during thrown-in or thrownotf settings; and such advantages as provided herewith are achieved through the use of one or more timing shafts and a plurality of clutched cam mechanisms corresponding to the number of printing stations for the sequential operation of electrical circuits for individually actuating electro-mechanical devices such as solenoids, etc, for actual movement of the conventional throw-in and throw-otf 3 mechanisms at each printing unit, and in a manner which permits the greatest flexibility of adjustment particularly related not only to the total number of stations on the printing press, but even to situations where less than the entire number of printing stations are being used in any one press run.

With the foregoing and additional objects in view, this invention will now be more particularly described, and other objects and advantages thereof will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view, partly in section and with some parts removed for clarity, of the timing and switching mechanism ebodying and for practicing this invention; and

FIG. 2' is a schematic diagram of a combination of electrical and mechanical and switching arrangements embodying and for practicing this invention Referring to the drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views thereof, there is diagrammed in somewhat schematic fashion in FIG. 2 a control circuit or arrangement on which are indicated at 1tl13 a plurality of conventional solenoid devices for actuating electrically or mechanically and individually the various conventional throw-in and throw-off mechanisms at each of a plurality of printing stations, whilethe main control lever 15 is shown as being movable from a throw-in to a throw-off position (and being shown in the first) for initiating the sequence of control operations as, for example, at the first printing station.

Movement of lever 15 to the throw-in position shown actuates (mechanically or electrically), but in known and conventional manner, the actual throw-off pawl mechanism of the first printing station, indicated at 20, while also moving switch 21 into the position shown for energizing the coil of solenoid switch 22 (from main power source indicated at 23) to energize the electromagnet actuating mechanism indicated at 25 and described in more detail below with regard to FIG. 1.

" That is, whenever pawl 20 is at either extreme of its motion from throw-in to throw-off position, one or the other of the switches 26 and 27 will be open, but as pawl 20 passes from one extreme position to the other in either direction (upon actuation of lever 15), both switches 26 and 27 will be closed momentarily effecting a complete circuit to energize solenoid 22 and, thus, momentarily activate electromagnet means 25. In the converse situationi.e., when moving main control lever 15 from its shown position to the opposite extreme, switch 21 will be moved to bring solenoid 28 into the control circuit (instead of solenoid switch 22) and momentarily to activate electromagnetic device 30 (instead of 25) as pawl 20 moves between the extreme positions as shown.

As will be described below, the momentary actuation of either of the electromagnetic devices 25 or 39 (one for throw-in, the other for throw-off) engages for a single rotation a clutch member (indicated as 35 for throw-in and 36 for throw-d) which clutch mechanism includes a plurality of cams, one for each printing station, and some of which are indicated diagrammatically in FIG. 2 as 3840, each of which operates a microswitch (such as 41-43), the result of which is to actuate individually and selectively and sequentially the various throw-oif actuating solenoids 13, etc. Thus, with the speed of rotation of

clutched cams

38 or 39, ail, etc. being predetermined and/ or adjustable wtih respect'to the number of printing stations in the press and with the angular positioning'of the individual cams being similarly predetermined or adjustable, the desired sequential and time-delayed operation of each of the individual throw-in or throw-off mechanisms is achieved in the desired sequence and timing during a single rotation of one or another of the

timing clutches

35 or 36 depending upon whether throwing in or throwing off is to be accomplished. There are also indicated in FIG. 2 individual switches (i.e., 45-48) for each individual printing station so that any particular station can be permanently excluded from the timing program, as well as each individual printing station may be thrown in by a switch 49. A master switch 50 being arranged for interrupting the entire sequence, as will be understood.

Referring now to the actual timing mechanism in more details, and particularly as indicated in FIG. 1, there are shown mounted in the side wall 60 of the printing press, two

timing shafts

61 and 62, both geared to a jack shaft 63 as by

gears

64, 65, and 66. Jack shaft 63 is driven by a speed reducing sprocket 76 and chain 71 from the main a printing press drive (not shown), but the reduced speed of rotation of jack shaft s3 (and, consequently, timing shafts 61 and 62) is predetermined and adjusted with respect to the number of'printing stations as by selecting or substituting difierently sized sprockets 70 to give reduced predetermined but related speed to

timing shafts

61 and 62 whereby but a single full rotation of each shaft occupies the entire period or extent of time during which all the sequential throw-in or throw-off mechanisms for all the printing stations in use will operate for a throw-in or throw-off sequence of operations. Thus, if there are six printing stations in the press, the ratio or speed reduction of chain and sprocket drive 76), 71 for jack shaft 63 is selected and adjusted so that a full six rotations occur for each single rotation of

timing shafts

61 and 62.

In the illustrated embodiment, two timing shafts a1 and 62 are provided, along with pertinent mechanism to be described, as a preferred arrangement with shaft 61 timing the sequence of throw-in operations and shaft 62 timing the sequence of throw-off operations as making for greater flexibility of operation of the press.

Timing shafts

61 and 62 are provided with friction clutch male elements 75 and '76, for engagement, respectively, of

female clutch members

35 and 36 upon axial movement of members '75 or 76 along the

respective tirning shafts

61 and 62, with compression springs 77 being provided in known manner to urge the male and female clutch parts into disengaged position. It should also be noted, with respect to FIG. 1, that all of the mechanism about to be described and shown as appertaining to clutch 36 at the top of the drawing is essentially duplicated with regard to clutch 35 at the bottom, but is omitted for clarity in the drawing and in view of the sectioned showing of the lower clutch mechanism on timing shaft 61. It should also be noted that both electromagnetic devices 25 and 30 (previously described with regard to FIG. 2) appear in connection with the mechanism of FIG. 1, although only the male or core portion of electromagnet 30 is shown on the drawing and only the female or coil portion of electromagnet 25 is illustrated, the respective other parts being omitted for clarity. i

Thus, as will be understood in this art,

electromagnet devices

25 and 30 both comprise a hollow electrical coil (indicated at 3th for device 25) in which reciprocates a core portion (indicated at 81 for device 39), along with two reciprocating guides (indicated at $2 for electromagnet 30) which slide in stationary guides (indicated at 83, for device 25), with movement of the core portion being in response to energization of the coil.

Thus, referring primarily to the upper portion of FIG. 1 and with the fullunderstanding that the mechanism and sequence of operations here described is essentially the same as for the lower portion thereof, energizing the coil of electromagnetic device 36 causes core 81 to be drawn downwardly into the electroma netic coil (such as 8i illustrated for electromagnet 25). As will be recalled from description of the circuit diagram of FIG. 2, such energization (although merely momentary) occurs whenever pawl 20 on the first printing station is moving in either direction between a throw-in and throw-off position as. actuated by main control lever 15.

Such downward urging of core 81 of electromagnet 30 is translated through link 85 to bell crank 86, pivoted at 87 as on a bracket 83 afiixed to side wall 66 of the printing press. Also rotatably connected with bell crank 86 (preferably through a resilient torsion spring indicated at 89) is an additional bell crank 90, the top end of which includes a roller 91 engaging a groove 32 around male clutch member 76 for sliding the clutch member axially on shaft 62 into engaging relation with female clutch member 36. The lower end of bell crank 90 includes a lock 33 for interlocking with a corresponding slot in female clutch member 36 to prevent rotation thereof.

Thus, energizing electromagnet 3i depresses core 81 therein and, through link 85 and bell crank 86, rotates bell crank 90 to the right in FIG. 1, thereby disengaging interlock 93 and sliding male clutch member 76 to the right in the drawing into driving engagement with female clutch member 36 against the action of the compression spring (such as 77) within the clutch mechanism. Since timing shaft 62 is constantly rotating throughout operation of the printing press and since male clutch member 76 is keyed thereto by a sliding key or spline (such as 94), such engagement of male and

female clutch members

76 and 36 instigates the rotation of the latter. At the same time, upon rotation of bell crank 86 downwards in FIG. 1, an engaging catch 95 on the vertical arm of bell crank 86 engages behind a nose on a pivoted lever 96 springurged downwardly by spring 97 to lock it in the righthand or clutch-engaging position. Thus, although the actual energiz-ation of electromagnet 30 occurs only momentarily while pawl 20 passes between the two extreme throw-in and throw-off positions thereof, the driving engagement between male and

female clutch members

76 and 36 is maintained mechanically by catch 35 under the urging of spring 97 on lever 96 even after electromagnet 36 is no longer energized, and female clutch member 36 then rotates with male clutch member 76 and timing shaft 62.

At one angular position on the outside of female clutch member 36 is an extending stop or abutment 160 positioned so as to engage the righthand end of lever 96 and raise it against the action of spring 37 after one rotation of female clutch member 36 so as to release catch 95 from holding bell crank 86 in the righthand position, and permit compression spring 77 Within the clutch to urge male clutch member 76 back toward the left in the drawing and into disengaged position while, at the same time, interlock 93 on bell crank 96 again engages its depression on female clutch member 36 to maintain it in non-rotating position. As further clarifying the foregoing, the mechanism is shown in the drawing for rotation in a direction in which extending abutment 1% moves first away from the viewer. As will be apparent from the foregoing, there is thus provided a situation where even momentary energizing of electromagnet 30 provides for engagement of male clutch member 76 to provide rotation of female clutch member 36, with such engagement being maintained mechanically for a single rotation of female clutch member 36, at which point the mechanical interlock is interrupted, the clutch parts disengaged, and female clutch member 36 is again mechanically held in the position shown in the drawing.

Also as noted above in connection with the FPG. 2 diagram, female clutch member 36 carries for rotation therewith a plurality of cams (indicated as 39 and 40 in FIG. 1) each of which engages a microswitch (indicated as 42 and 43 in FIG. 1) at a different angular position thereof. As will be understood, although only two cams and two microswitches are shown for simplicity, there is actually provided a separate or individual cam and cooperating microswitch for each printing station in the printing press, and with the switch-engaging portions of the cam surfaces being angularly disposed around female clutch member 36 so that each cam will operate its respective microswitch with the predetermined sequential time delay required for the respective microswitches each to activate or instigate operation of the throw-in or throwofi mechanism at each successive printing station.

Since the speed of rotation of timing shaft 62 has been predetermined, as described above, so that but a single rotation of female clutch member 36 covers at least the complete length of time desired to accommodate sequential operation of all throw-in or throw-off mechanisms at each of the printing stations, the desired time delay sequence is readily achieved and quite accurately controlled by the number and angular positioning of the various cams such as 39, 46, etc., around the female clutch member 36 during the single complete rotation achieved by the mechanical interlock of male clutch member 76 into driving engagement until such engagement and interlock is interrupted as by extending abutment 169 contacting and raising lever 96 to permit compression spring 77 to urge the parts back into the disengaged position shown in FIG. 1.

Also, as noted above, the same mechanism and sequence of operations is embodied with regard to the lower one of the timing shafts 61 and the male clutch portion 75 and female clutch portion 35 thereof, Similarly, although only one cam surface 38 is shown cooperating with only one microswitch 41 in the lower section of FIG. 1, it is to be understood that a separate cam and microswitch is also provided there for each printing station, as explained in connection with the diagram of FIG. 2, and that the same mechanical interlocking engagement of male clutch member 75 with female clutch member 35 is achieved and maintained for each energization, although only momentary, of electromagnet 25 in substantially the same manner as explained above with regard to the upper portion of FIG. 1 relating to the timing shaft 62. e

The arrangement shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is necessary for the situation where it is desired to jog but a single sheet all the way through all the printing stations, as in the make-ready of the press or for checking register of the various impressions, etc.

As will be apparent from the foregoing, there is thus provided in accordance with this invention simple and automatic control of all throw-in and throw-off sequentially operating mechanisms for the whole printing press, regardless of how many separate printing stations there may be, and with the control mechanism located essentially in but one position in the press. Similarly, the actual time delay and sequential operation of the conventional throw-in and throw-off mechanism at each printing station is accurately and simply controlled directly from the

timing shafts

61 and 62, and without limitations which may be inherent in attempted electrical or mechanical interlocks from one printing station to the next based or dependent upon but a single revolution of each impression cylinder. Yet the actual angular displacement or speed of rotation of

timing shafts

61 and 62 is nevertheless appropriately related to the number and speed of rotations of the entire printing apparatus to accommodate the particular time delays desired so that throw-in and throw-off movements will be achieved in proper sequence and with the proper time delay to permit complete passage of a sheet through all printing stations, while yet avoiding any undesired printing or contact of the surface of an empty impression cylinder with the printing plate itself. Furthermore, by the provision of the mechanical interlock for maintaining the timing clutches in engagement, only momentary energization of the controlling

electromagnets

25 or 30 is necessary, and electrical interlocks thereof with the various impression cylinders at the various printing stations are neither necessary nor desired. As will be understood, the particular speed of rotation of

timing shafts

61 and 62 is readily altered, with regard to the number of printing stations on the press or actually in use, merely by changing the sprocket wheel 70, and the provision of separate control cams and microswitches on the female clutch ele- 2 ment or 36 also permits highly accurate and easy control of thedesired time delays in the operation of each printing station actually in use and virtually independently of the number of printing stations, with ready change and adjustability as the number varies.

While the forms of apparatus herein described constitute preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise forms of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In automatic control apparatus for instigating and timing the sequential operation of throw-in mechanisms in multicolor rotary sheet-fed printing presses of the character described having a plurality of sequentially disposed printing stations through which are fed sheets being printed, the combination which comprises a timing shaft, means for rotatabl-y driving said timing shaft in timed relation to the speed of operation of said printing stations and at a substantially reduced speed whereby one rotation of said timing shaft requires substantially the full extent of time during which said sequential operation of all said throw-in mechanisms is desired, an idle rotatable control member having a plurality of cam surfaces thereon, clutch means for selectively and intermittently engaging said control member with said timing shaft for a single rotation therewith, a plurality of electric switch means disposed adjacent said control member for actuation by said cam surfaces thereon upon rotation thereof, there being a separate said cam surface and electric switch means for each said printing station and said cam surfaces being angularly disposed around said control member with respect to said electric switch means effecting sequential operation of each said electric switch means in the sequence and time relation desired for said sequential operation of said throw-in mechanisms upon said single rotation of said control member, means for selectively operating said clutch means for engaging said control member for said single revolution thereof, means for disengaging said clutch means after said single rotation of said control member, and electric circuit means incorporating said electric switch means for instigating the operation of said throw-in mechanisms individually at each said printing station in response to operation of each said electric switch means by its respective said cam surface during rotation of said control member.

2. In automatic control apparatus for instigating and timing the sequential operation of throw-in and throw-off mechanisms in multicolor rotary sheet-feed printing presses of the character described having a plurality of sequentially disposed printing stations through which are fed sheets being printed, the combination which comprises separate timing shafts for said throw-in and throwoif operations, means for rotatably driving said timing shafts in timed relation to the speed of operation of said printing stations whereby one rotation of said timing shafts, requires substantially the full extent of time during which said sequential operation of all said throw-in or throw-off mechanisms is desired, separate idle rotatable control members for said throw-in and said throw-off operations each having a plurality of cam surfaces thereon, clutch means for selectively and intermittently engaging said idle control members with said timing shafts for a single rotation therewith, a plurality of electric switch sequential operation of said throw-in and throw-off mechanisms upon said single rotation of said normally idle control member, 11 cans for selectively and individually operating said clutch means for engaging said control members for said single revolution thereof, means on each of said control members for disengaging said clutch means after said single rotation of said control members, and electric circuit means incorporating said electric switch means for instigating the operation of said throw-in and throw-off mechanisms individually at each said printing station in response to operation of each said switch means by its respective said cam surface.

3. In automatic control apparatus for instigating and timing the sequential operation of throw-in or throw-off mechanisms in multicolor rotary sheet-fed printing presses of the character described having a plurality of sequentially disposed printing stations through which are fed sheets being printed, the combination which comprises a timing shaft, means for rotatably driving said timing shaft in timed relation to the speed of operation of said printing stations, a plurality of idle rotatable cam surfaces selectively rotatable by said shaft, a plurality of electric switch means disposed adjacent said idle cam surfaces for individual actuation thereby upon a single revolution of said cam surfaces, there being a separate said cam surface and electric switch means for each said printing station and said cam surfaces being angularly disposed with respect to said electric switch means effecting sequential operation of each said electric switch means in the sequence and time relation desired for said sequential operation of said throw-in or throw-off mechanisms, electric circuit means incorporating said electric switch means for instigating the operation of said throw-in or throw-off mechanisms individually at each said printing station in response to operation of each said switch means by its respective said cam surface during said single rotation of said timing shaft, operating means for instigating rotation of said plurality of idle cam SLlllfiCSS as rotated by said timing shaft, and means on said cam surface for int rrupting rotation thereof after a completion of one full rotation bringing about one full cycle of operation of said throw-in or throw-off mechanisms.

4. Apparatus as recited in claim 3 in which said electric circuit means for instigating operation of said throwin or throw-elf mechanisms include electromagnetically actuated devices.

5. Apparatus as recited in claim 3 in which said operating means for instigating rotation of said plurality of cam surfaces includes an electromagnetically controlled clutch, means for momentarily energizing said clutch into driving engagement between said timing shaft and said cam surface upon actuation of one of said throwin or throw-off mechanism at one of said printing stations, and means for mechanically maintaining said clutch in engagement between said timing shaft and said cam surfaces after said momentry actution thereof and throughout said single revolution bringing about said sequential operation of said throw-in or throw-elf mechanisms.

6. Apparatus asrecited in claim 3 in which said means for rotatably driving said timing shaft includes a speed reduction drive with the reduced speed thereof related to the number of said printing stations in use in said printing press, and being adjustable depending upon how many of said printing stations are in use in said printing press.

7. Apparatus as recited in claim 6 in which said speed reduction drive includes a chain-and-sprochet drive in which the sprockets are replaceable for adjustment of said reduced speed depending upon the number of said printing stations in use in said printing press.

' 8. Apparatus as recited in claim 3 cam surfaces are adjustable for controlling said timed sequential operation of said device depending upon'the number and location of said printing stations in use in said printing press.

in which said idle 9. Apparatus as recited in claim 5 which also includes a mechanical rotation-preventing interlock for holding said cam surfaces against rotaiton except during engagement of said clutch.

10. Apparatus as recited in claim 2 which also includes a mechanical rotation-preventing interlock for holding said control member against rotation except during engagement of said clutch.

11. Apparatus as recited in claim 2 in which said means for selectively operating said clutch means includes an electromagnetic device automaticaly and momentarily actuated upon actuation of said throw-in or throw-oft 10 mechanisms at one of said plurality of printing stations and mechanical means for maintaining said clutch means in engaged position throughout said single rotation bring ing about said full cycle of said sequential operation of said throw-in or throw-off mechanisms and after said momentary actuation of said electromagnetic device.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 10 2,419,403 Horton et a1. Apr. 22, 1947 2,615,393 Albrecht Oct. 28, 1952 2,950,674 Taylor et a1. Aug. 30, 1960

Claims

1. IN AUTOMATIC CONTROL APPARATUS FOR INSTIGATING AND TIMING THE SEQUENTIAL OPERATION OF THROW-IN MECHANISMS IN MULTICOLOR ROTARY SHEET-FED PRINTING PRESSES OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED HAVING A PLURALITY OF SEQUENTIALLY DISPOSED PRINTING STATIONS THROUGH WHICH ARE FED SHEETS BEING PRINTED, THE COMBINATION WHICH COMPRISES A TIMING SHAFT, MEANS FOR ROTATABLY DRIVING SAID TIMING SHAFT IN TIMED RELATION TO THE SPEED OF OPERATION OF SAID PRINTING STATIONS AND AT A SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCED SPEED WHEREBY ONE ROTATION OF SAID TIMING SHAFT REQUIRES SUBSTANTIALLY THE FULL EXTENT OF TIME DURING WHICH SAID SEQUENTIAL OPERATION OF ALL SAID THROW-IN MECHANISMS IS DESIRED, AN IDLE ROTATABLE CONTROL MEMBER HAVING A PLURALITY OF CAM SURFACES THEREON, CLUTCH MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY AND INTERMITTENTLY ENGAGING SAID CONTROL MEMBER WITH SAID TIMING SHAFT FOR A SINGLE ROTATION THEREWITH, A PLURALITY OF ELECTRIC SWITCH MEANS DISPOSED ADJACENT SAID CONTROL MEMBER FOR ACTUATION BY SAID CAM SURFACES THEREON UPON ROTATION THEREOF, THERE BEING A SEPARATE SAID CAM SURFACE AND ELECTRIC SWITCH MEANS FOR EACH SAID PRINTING STATION AND SAID CAM SURFACES BEING ANGULARLY DISPOSED AROUND SAID CONTROL MEMBER WITH RESPECT TO SAID ELECTRIC SWITCH MEANS EFFECTING SEQUENTIAL OPERATION OF EACH SAID ELECTRIC SWITCH MEANS IN THE SEQUENCE AND TIME RELATION DESIRED FOR SAID SEQUENTIAL OPERATION OF SAID THROW-IN MECHANISMS UPON SAID SINGLE ROTATION OF SAID CONTROL MEMBER, MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY OPERATING SAID CLUTCH MEANS FOR ENGAGING SAID CONTROL MEMBER FOR SAID SINGLE REVOLUTION THEREOF, MEANS FOR DISENGAGING SAID CLUTCH MEANS AFTER SAID SINGLE ROTATION OF SAID CONTROL MEMBER, AND ELECTRIC CIRCUIT MEANS INCORPORATING SAID ELECTRIC SWITCH MEANS FOR INSTIGATING THE OPERATION OF SAID THROW-IN MECHANISMS INDIVIDUALLY AT EACH SAID PRINTING STATION IN RESPONSE TO OPERATION OF EACH SAID ELECTRIC SWITCH MEANS BY ITS RESPECTIVE SAID CAM SURFACE DURING ROTATION OF SAID CONTROL MEMBER.