Patent ID: 6691619
Filing Date: 2004-02-17
Classification: B41F

Abstract:
An apparatus for automating switching operations of a web offset printing press, comprising;web continuous supplement means for connecting a web of a new web roll with a web of an old web roll to supply the web successively; printing plate changing means for changing a printing plate supported on a plate cylinder; folding device status switching means for switching a folding device status of a folding machine in accordance with a folding condition of a next printing; ink supplement means for reducing ink amount to a basic ink layer thickness distribution and overlapping an ink layer distribution corresponding to the next printing on the basic ink layer thickness distribution; a single switch operable by an operator for changing a previous printing to the next printing, said switch actuating each of said means in accordance with predetermined operational steps based on a signal from said switch, wherein at least two of said means including the printing plate changing means and the folding device status switching means are actuated in parallel upon operator actuation of said switch so as to provide mutually overlapping operational steps; an infeed dancer device provided between a sheet supply device and printing units of the printing press for removing slackness in the web caused by the printing units when rotated in the backward direction; a final unit dancer device provided between the printing units and the folding machine for removing slackness in the web caused by rotation of the printing units in the forward direction; and wherein the infeed dancer device and the final unit dancer device are simultaneously operated when the printing plate changing means and the folding device status switching means are operated in parallel upon actuation of said switch.