Adjustable Bearing Dynamics for Rotary Printing Press Vibration Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rotary printing machines face inefficiencies due to vibrations at natural frequencies, leading to printing misfires and reduced productivity, as existing technologies fail to optimize printing parameters effectively, resulting in suboptimal print quality and increased CO2 emissions.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an adjustable bearing device and method to alter the natural frequency spectrum of printing units by varying bearing distances and stiffness, allowing operation outside resonance ranges, and using data processing to determine optimized printing parameters that minimize vibrations and enhance print quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the printing unit operates at high speed, then productivity increases, but vibrations at natural frequencies cause printing misfires and reduced print quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinting speedVSAvoidprint quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the bearing device adjustable during operation. The bearing distance between the first and second bearing devices can be dynamically changed to alter the natural frequency spectrum of the printing unit component. This allows the system to adapt its mechanical properties in real-time to avoid resonance conditions that would otherwise cause vibrations and printing defects at high speeds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes physical parameters of the printing unit by adjusting the bearing distance between bearing devices. This parameter change modifies the stiffness and natural frequency spectrum of the printing unit component. By varying this parameter, the system can shift its natural frequencies away from excitation frequencies caused by high-speed operation, thereby eliminating vibrations while maintaining high printing speeds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the bearing distance is increased to lower natural frequencies, then vibrations are reduced, but the structural stability of the printing unit may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovevibrationsVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing device is designed to be dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. This allows the bearing distance to be changed during operation to optimize the natural frequency spectrum. The system can switch between different bearing distances depending on operating conditions, maintaining structural stability at low speeds while reducing vibrations at high speeds through appropriate frequency tuning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite bearing support structure combining rigid and flexible elements. The bearing devices are mounted on a bearing support that provides structural stability while allowing controlled adjustment of bearing distances. This composite approach ensures that the overall structure remains stable while enabling local adjustments to modify natural frequencies and reduce vibrations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Manufacturing precision

If the bearing distance is adjusted to optimize natural frequency, then printing quality improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinting qualityVSAvoidadjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing device incorporates an adjustment mechanism that allows dynamic modification of the bearing distance. This dynamic capability enables optimization of the natural frequency spectrum to eliminate vibrations and improve printing quality. The adjustment can be performed manually or automatically, allowing the system to adapt to different operating conditions and maintain high print quality across various printing speeds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables rotary printing machines to operate at higher speeds with reduced waste and improved print quality, increasing productivity while minimizing CO2 emissions by avoiding vibrations at natural frequencies and optimizing printing parameters.

Implementation Method 1

a printing unit component (100) that is capable of oscillation during operation of the printing unit and thus contributes to a natural frequency spectrum of the printing unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

a bearing device that rotatably receives the printing unit component (100) for operation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4450283A1Arrangement for a rotary printing press, rotary printing press and method for controlling a printing unit in the printing mode of a rotary printing press
Publication Date: 2024.10.23 AVANCO GMBH
  • EP4450283A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4450283A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4450283A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an arrangement for a rotary printing press (1) with a printing unit comprising a printing unit component which is designed to vibrate during operation of the printing unit and thus contributes to a natural frequency spectrum of the printing unit; a bearing device which rotatably receives the printing unit component for operation and in which a first component section is rotatably arranged on one side of the printing unit component in a first bearing device and a second component section is rotatably arranged on an opposite side of the printing unit component in a second bearing device;and an adjustment device assigned to and configured for the printing component, to set a first adjustment state for the printing component in which the printing unit exhibits a first natural frequency spectrum during operation, and a second adjustment state in which the printing unit exhibits a second natural frequency spectrum during operation, which differs from the first natural frequency spectrum. Furthermore, a rotary printing press and a method for controlling a printing unit during the printing operation of a rotary printing press (1) are disclosed.