Inking systems for printing presses

Abstract

A printing system is disclosed including an inking system with a single form roller for applying ink to a printing cylinder. Ink is applied to the form roller by an applicator roller having a surface with an array of interconnected wells and a variable speed drive. The form roller and plate cylinder are rotated at the same rpm while the speed of the applicator roller is varied to vary the amount of ink applied to the plate. A variable speed subtractive roller system removes excess ink from the form roller and returns the ink to a common reservoir. For wash-up, the press drive and form roller are disengaged and the inking system is rotated by an inker roller drive while wash-up fluid is applied to the inking system.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.