Cylindrical Printing Form Mounting with Air Cushion Registration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mounting multiple cylindrically shaped printing forms on a single print cylinder while maintaining accurate registration is challenging due to the air cushion required for positioning, which can disrupt the registration of previously mounted forms.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that utilize pressurized air to float and position each printing form, followed by engagement with holding members to maintain registration, allowing the forms to contract and secure in place without disrupting previously mounted forms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If pressurized air is used to position a printing form on a print cylinder, then the printing form can be easily positioned and registered, but previously mounted printing forms may be displaced from their registration positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning of printing formVSAvoidregistration accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by using holding members to secure the first printing form in its registered position before introducing pressurized air to position the second printing form. This ensures that the first form is fixed in advance and will not be displaced when air is introduced for mounting subsequent forms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The holding members act as intermediaries between the pressurized air system and the printing forms. They receive the positioned printing forms and transfer them to a secured state, mediating between the positioning function of the air cushion and the stability requirement of registered forms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If multiple printing forms are mounted on a single print cylinder, then printing capacity is increased, but maintaining registration of all forms becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting capacityVSAvoidregistration accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by sequentially mounting and securing each printing form before introducing air for the next form. The holding members are positioned in advance to engage each form as it is mounted, ensuring registration is established before the next form is introduced.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting process is segmented into discrete steps for each printing form, with holding members independently securing each form. This segmentation allows each form to be registered and secured independently, preventing interference between multiple forms on the cylinder.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If pressurized air is continuously applied to maintain printing forms in position, then forms remain registered, but air consumption increases and forms cannot be easily removed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveregistration stabilityVSAvoidair consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The holding members are positioned in advance to engage the printing forms and provide mechanical support. Once the forms are mounted and registered, the holding members maintain position without requiring continuous pressurized air, allowing air to be discontinued after initial mounting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses pressurized air only for the mounting phase to cushion and position the printing forms. After mounting, the mechanical holding members take over the positioning function, eliminating the need for continuous pneumatic application and reducing air consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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

Enables accurate and efficient registration of multiple printing forms on a single cylinder, maintaining registration precision and increasing printing capacity without requiring special modifications or tooling.

Implementation Method 1

The printing forms each have an interior surface capable of being radially expanded by the pressurized air

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressurized air expansion: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

This creates a cushion of air between the print cylinder and the continuous printing sleeve as the sleeve is mounted on the cylinder

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir cushion: Air Lubrication

Implementation Method 3

the air is turned off so that the sleeve contracts and forms an interference fit with the print cylinder

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadial contraction: Pressure Drop

Data Source

PatentUS7819060B2Method for mounting cylindrically-shaped printing forms

Publication Date: 2010.10.26 DUPONT ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

The invention provides a method and apparatus for mounting two or more cylindrically-shaped printing forms onto a cylindrically-shaped base. The base can be a print cylinder or an adapter mounted onto a print cylinder. The method and apparatus provide for positioning the two or more printing forms in register on the base. The two or more printing forms are axially oriented on the base using pressurized air as an air cushion between the base and the printing forms, positioned in a registration position, and engaged by a holding member to maintain the two or more printing forms in their respective registration position.