Variable Printing Machine Cylinder Contact Adjustment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing variable printing machines face challenges in achieving proper contact between the printing and impression cylinders, leading to incorrect image printing, especially when changing the diameter of the printing cylinder, and are not suited for large-lot production due to complex and costly apparatus and software requirements.
Innovation Solution
A variable printing machine design that allows for the exchangeable mounting of printing cylinders of different diameters, with a mechanism for proper contact between the printing and impression cylinders, including a turning frame member and end bearing members to facilitate sleeve exchange and maintain contact, enabling the printing of images with varying top-bottom lengths without extra space on a continuous sheet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the printing cylinder diameter is changed to print images of different top-bottom lengths, then the adaptability is improved, but the contact state between printing cylinder and impression cylinder deteriorates, leading to incorrect image printing
Solution Approach 1:
The impression cylinder is designed with movable mounting on the main frame, allowing it to move towards and away from the printing cylinder. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the impression cylinder to maintain proper contact with the printing cylinder regardless of changes in printing cylinder diameter, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and contact precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows changing the diameter parameter of the printing cylinder by exchanging cylinders with different diameters.配合印象圆柱的可移动设计，这种参数变化能够适应不同高度的打印图像需求，同时通过调整印象圆柱位置保持接触状态
2Adaptability or versatility
If intermittent feed mechanism is used to accommodate variable print lengths, then the adaptability is improved, but the productivity deteriorates due to repeated forward feed, stop and backward feed cycles
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using intermittent feed to adapt to variable print lengths, the invention inverts the approach by using continuous feed combined with variable diameter printing cylinders. The adaptation is achieved through cylinder diameter variation rather than feed interruption, thereby maintaining high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the printing cylinder diameter parameter to accommodate different print image heights, while maintaining continuous paper feed. This eliminates the need for repeated start-stop cycles and backward feeding, significantly improving production speed
3Adaptability or versatility
If intermittent feed mechanism is implemented, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases requiring complex apparatus and control software
Solution Approach 1:
The invention simplifies the system by inverting the conventional approach: instead of complex intermittent feed mechanisms with sophisticated control software, it uses variable diameter printing cylinders with continuous feed. The adaptability is achieved through mechanical cylinder exchange rather than complex control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the complex intermittent feed mechanism and its associated control software from the system. By using continuous feed with variable diameter cylinders, it eliminates the need for complex feeding apparatus and sophisticated control algorithms
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A variable printing machine for printing images different in top-bottom length with a plate and a blanket cylinder changed in diameter, is provided in which the plate and blanket cylinders and an impression cylinder can be brought into a proper state of contact with one another. Each of a plate cylinder shaft 20 and a blanket cylinder shaft 30 has its one axial end portion supported in a cantilever structure from a main frame 1 of the machine. Each of a plate cylinder sleeve 21 and a blanket cylinder sleeve 31 is made exchangeable. The blanket cylinder shaft 30 is made movable towards and away from the plate cylinder shaft 20. An impression cylinder 4 is made movable towards and away from the blanket cylinder shaft 30. When the plate cylinder sleeve 21 and the blanket cylinder sleeve 31 are each exchanged with one of different diameter, the blanket cylinder shaft 30 and the impression cylinder 4 are moved relative to each other so that the plate cylinder 2 and the blanket cylinder 3 may be brought into a proper state of contact with each other and so are the blanket cylinder 3 and the impression cylinder 4.