Printer of an offset printing machine with separable frame modules

#The present invention is directed to a print unit of an offset printing press. Components of the print unit are supported in frame modules which are separable. Size ratios exist between various ones of the components.

#An offset printing press with two print units which are placed opposite each other is known from DE 198 33 468 A1. The print units each have two forme cylinders, two transfer cylinders and a counter-pressure cylinder. The print units which are placed opposite each other are seated in a frame consisting of two frame modules. By separating the frame modules, the print units can be arranged so their distance in relation to each other can be changed.

#A webfed rotary printing press is known from EP 0 958 917 A1, whose printing group consists of two print units which are arranged opposite each other. The paper web to be imprinted can be conducted in a vertical center plane between the print units. Each of the individual print units has a forme cylinder, a transfer cylinder and an ink unit. The paper web is conducted between the transfer cylinders, which are arranged opposite each other, of two print units which are also arranged opposite each other in such a way that the opposing transfer cylinder operates in the manner of a counter-pressure cylinder. The individual printing groups, which are arranged on top of each other and each consisting of two print units, are seated in a frame in such a way that they can be displaced in the vertical direction so that their distance can be changed.

#A preferred embodiment of the present invention is represented in the drawings and will be described in greater detail in what follows.

#Shown are in:

#FIG. 1, a side elevation view of a preferred embodiment of an offset printing press in accordance with the present invention with eight printing groups arranged in a locked frame, and in

#Referring initially to FIG. 1, an offset printing press, or a section of an offset printing press has, for example, a print unit consisting of, for example, eight printing groups 01 to 04, 06 to 09. Each one of the printing groups 01 to 04, 06 to 09 includes a forme cylinder 11, a transfer cylinder 12, an ink system 13, in particular an anilox short ink system 13, and a dampening unit 14. Each two of the printing groups 01, 06; 02, 07; 03, 08; and 04, 09 are arranged opposite each other in the frame of the offset printing press, as seen in FIG. 1. In the course of imprinting a web of material, such as, for example a paper web, one counter-pressure cylinder of a group of counter-pressure cylinders 16 to 19 cooperates with two transfer cylinders 12 of the two printing groups 01, 02; 03, 04; 06, 07; or 08, 09, which are arranged underneath each other. The frame for seating the cylinders of the printing groups 01 to 04, 06, to 09 is composed of three separable frame modules 21 to 23. Each one of the separable frame modules 21 to 23 consists of two lateral, spaced frame elements, in each of which frame elements an end of the cylinders of the printing groups 01 to 04, 06 to 09 is seated. The forme cylinders 11 and transfer cylinders 12 of the left or first printing groups 01 to 04 are seated in the left or first frame module 21, and the forme cylinders 11 and transfer cylinders 12 of the right or second printing groups 06 to 09 in the right or second frame module 23. The counter-pressure cylinders 16 to 19, which act in the manner of satellite cylinders, are seated in the center or intermediate frame module 22.

#In the operating state of the offset printing press of the present invention, which is only schematically indicated in FIG. 1, the sides of the frame modules 21 to 23 are moved to their closed position and come to rest against each other. For the exact alignment of the relative position of the frame modules 21 to 23 in respect to each other in this closed position, it is possible, for example, to provide centering pins and centering bores, which are not specifically represented, in the contact faces which can be brought to rest against each other. After closing the frame by moving the frame modules 21 to 23 against each other, the frame modules 21 to 23 can be connected with each other by locking devices, which are also not specifically represented, and which may be, for example motor-driven locking spindles, so that the now closed frame modules 21 to 23 cannot be displaced in relation to each other during the operation of the offset printing press.

#A press frame which may be constructed from transverse upper support frame 24, and lower transverse support frame 26, for example, can be provided for seating and receiving the frame modules 21 to 23 in the offset printing press, for example, and between which frames 24 and 26 the frame modules 21 to 23 are seated in a load-transferring manner. In the preferred embodiment represented in FIG. 1, the left or first frame module 21, which is connected, fixed to the frame and which is therefore fixed in place, together with the transverse supports 24, 26, is used as the reference point for the frame of the offset printing press. Each of the other two frame modules 22, 23 is supported by rollers 27 on rails, that are not specifically represented in FIG. 1, which are provided at the transverse lower support frame 26, so that they can be arranged in a manner where their distance in relation to the left frame module 21 can be changed. Guide pins 29, which come into engagement with guide grooves arranged on the transverse upper support frame 24, are provided for guiding the frame modules 22, 23 when they are being displaced in a direction radially in respect to the axis of rotation of the cylinder 11, 12, and as indicated by the direction of movement arrow 28.