Patent GB-744166-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to rotary intaglio printing presses
Inventor: WALLBANK ARTHUR
IPC: G11C11/06
Filed: 1952-11-14
Abstract: 744,166. Rotary intaglio printing machines. GOSS PRINTING PRESS CO., Ltd. Nov. 4, 1953 [Nov. 14, 1952], No. 28779/52. Class 100(2). Printing cylinder adjustment.-A rotary intaglio printing machine incorporates means for adjusting the position of the printing cylinder axis so that cylinders of two different sizes can be used without any major adjustment of the doctor blade and ink fountain and without extensive modification of the existing drive mechanism. As shown in Fig. 2, the cylinder bearings are provided eccentrically in tapered sleeve members 16 fitting in openings in the frame sides 17 so as to be capable of angular movement to adjust the position of the cylinder axis. An externally-splined collar 15 attached to the cylinder shaft is adapted to receive either of two gear rings 13, 13A, one meshing, as shown, with a part 11 of a double herring-bone gear wheel 10 and the other adapted to mesh with the part 12. By this means the speed of the printing cylinder is adjusted according to its size. When the gear 13 or 13A is removed from the collar 15 it is received in a holder displaceably mounted on an arm 14. The sleeve members 16 are locked in their adjusted positions by sliders 23 arranged in slots in the frame on opposite sides of each sleeve so as to engage and clamp flange members 25 on the sleeves. The sliders are actuated by eccentrics rotatable by nut heads 20 the rotation being limited by arms 22 thereon adapted to engage a fixed stop pin 24. To locate the sleeve 16 angularly there is also provided a plunger actuable by means of manually rotatable gear-engaging rack teeth on the plunger, to engage its end in one of a pair of recesses in the periphery of the sleeve. Inking arrangements.-The printing cylinder is partially immersed in a body of ink in a trough 33, Fig. 5, mounted at one side for pivotal movement about an axis 35 parallel to that of the cylinder and displaceable towards and away from the cylinder axis so that with cylinders of different sizes the sealing strip 34 remains a constant small distance from the cylinder. The axis 35 is carried on levers 36 pivoted at 37 and attached at the lower end to a control and retaining lever 38 having notches 39, 40 either of which may be engaged with a fixed abutment 41. The other side of the trough is supported by a hooked member 42 engageable alternatively with one of a pair of fixed stops 43, 44. As shown the axis of the printing cylinder is adjusted for the different sized cylinders so that adjustment of the doctor blade D is unnecessary. Inking trough covers.-Interchangeable covers are provided for sealing the top part of the trough at each end of the printing cylinder. These are hingedly mounted on brackets 45, Figs. 6, 7, having key slots formed in one face to receive a key 47 attached to the frame side F. The bracket is retained and located by an element 48 secured to the frame and having a part 50 overhanging a part of the bracket. An inclined surface 51 on the bracket is adapted to abut an inclined face 49 on the element 48 to locate the bracket in a direction parallel to the key. Shims 52 may be inserted to adjust this location. The bracket is urged against the element 48 by a cone-ended screw 53 on the other end thereof engaging a recess 54 in the key 47. The bracket is finally locked in place by a bolt 55. Indicating impression cylinder adjustment.- The impression cylinder and its back-up cylinder are mounted together on vertically slidable blocks so that their position may be adjusted to suit the different sizes of printing cylinder. An arm 56, Fig. 8, projecting from one of the sliding blocks carries a sleeve 58 in which is mounted a spring-loaded plunger 63 the lower end of which is adapted to engage an element of a gauge 64. The plunger has two positions relative to the sleeve so that the gauge may be adjusted to zero for cylinder positions suitable for either size of printing cylinder. The sleeve has a slot 60 formed therein adapted to receive a tongue 61 formed on the operating knob 62 of the plunger. When the knob is turned so that the tongue is engaged in slot 60 the plunger projects towards the gauge giving zero reading for the upper position of adjustment of the impression and backing cylinders. In the position shown the plunger is withdrawn, the knob being retained in this angular position by a projection on the underside of the tongue engaging in a cross slot in the upper face of the sleeve. Control of impression cylinder adjustment.- The blocks are raised and lowered for adjustment by a motor controlled by stop switches. Two stop switches are necessary at the lower limit of movement of the blocks corresponding to the two positions of adjustment. One or other of these control switches is rendered inoperative by means of a further switch associated with the eccentric bearing sleeves of the. printing cylinder so that in each position of adjustment of these sleeves the correct limit switch is effective to limit movement of the blocks carrying the impression and back-up cylinders. Specifications 483,735 and 491,395 are referred to.