Printing Press Cylinder Braking for Uniform Rotation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional offset rotary printing presses face issues with non-uniform rotation due to load fluctuations between plate and blanket cylinders, leading to printing faults like mackle, and require expensive high-capacity motors that cannot support higher speed operations.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that incorporate a braking mechanism, specifically a load motor, to control the braking force based on the load applied, ensuring greater braking force when notches on rotating bodies face each other, thereby maintaining uniform rotation and reducing the need for high-capacity motors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a large-capacity motor is used to drive both the main body and inking device, then the printing press can support high-speed operation, but the motor cost increases and the system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the drive system into two separate motors: a first motor for driving the main body (plate cylinder and blanket cylinder) and a second motor for driving the inking device. This segmentation allows each motor to be optimized for its specific function, reducing the need for an oversized motor while maintaining high-speed operation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a clutch mechanism that can dynamically engage or disengage the connection between the first motor and the inking device. This dynamic control allows the system to operate in different modes: during printing, the clutch engages to synchronize the inking device with the main body; during maintenance, the clutch disengages to allow independent operation of the inking device, thereby reducing the power requirements of the first motor.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the inking device is driven independently with a separate motor, then operations can be performed in parallel at different timings, but load fluctuation causes non-uniform rotation and printing faults
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a control system that monitors the rotational positions of the plate cylinder and blanket cylinder, and automatically adjusts the braking force applied to the inking device. This feedback mechanism ensures that even when the inking device operates independently, its rotation remains synchronized with the main body, preventing printing faults such as mackle while maintaining parallel operation capability.
3Reliability
If braking force is applied to eliminate non-uniform rotation, then printing faults are prevented, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies braking force periodically and selectively, specifically when the notches of the plate cylinder and blanket cylinder face each other (the high-load position). The control system detects this position and applies braking force only during these critical moments, rather than continuously. This periodic application of braking force is sufficient to prevent non-uniform rotation and printing faults while minimizing energy consumption.
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
The solution effectively prevents printing faults by ensuring uniform rotation, reduces motor size and cost, and enables higher speed operations while being maintenance-free and energy-efficient.
Implementation Method 1
providing braking means to at least one of the second rotating body, the second driven means, and third driven means rotationally driven by the second driven means; and controlling a braking force of the braking means according to load applied to the first driving means
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
In a printing press including; a blanket cylinder gear (6) driven by a drive motor (10) of the printing press; a blanket cylinder (2) including a notch, the blanket cylinder (2) being rotationally driven by the blanket cylinder gear (6); a plate cylinder gear (7) rotationally driven by the drive motor (10) of the printing press through the blanket cylinder gear (5); and a plate cylinder (3) including a notch at a position corresponding to the notch of the blanket cylinder (2), the plate cylinder (3) being rotationally driven by the plate cylinder gear (7), a load motor (17a (to 17d)) is provided to the plate cylinder (3) or the plate cylinder gear (7), and a braking force of the load motor (17a (to 17d)) is controlled according to load applied to the drive motor (10) of the printing press.