Patent Publication Number: US-7210406-B2

Title: Cylinder pair having a plurality of printing formes and blankets and offset groove openings

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This U.S. patent application is the U.S. National Phase, under 35 USC 371, of PCT/DE2003/01845, filed Jun. 5, 2003; published as WO 2004/002739 A1 on Jan. 8, 2004, and claiming priority to DE 102 28 968.9, filed Jun. 26, 2002, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to a cylinder pair and to a cylinder of a printing group of a rotary offset printing press. The cylinder pair consists of a forme cylinder and a transfer cylinder. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   A printing group of a rotary printing press having at least one transfer cylinder and at least one forme cylinder is known from WO 01/39977 A1. The transfer cylinder has a groove for receiving either one or several printing blankets, and the forme cylinder has at least two grooves, which are arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction, for receiving one or several printing formes. At least one of the grooves of the forme cylinder is at least partially covered by a printing forme. That at least partially covered groove of the forme cylinder rolls off on the area of the groove of the cooperating transfer cylinder intended for receiving one or several printing blankets. The ends of the printing formes can be arranged, offset with respect to each other, in different grooves, or the forme cylinder can have at least two printing formes arranged side-by-side in the axial direction, or can have several printing formes arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction. In the case of several printing formes arranged over the entire circumference, these can also be arranged with their ends alternatingly arranged offset with respect to each other. 
   DE 22 20 652 A1 describes a device for fastening flexible printing plates on the plate cylinder of a rotary printing press. The device has a pair of bracing-clamping cheeks, which are arranged on the same shaft and which are arranged in a cylinder groove in the cylinder body, and are pivotable around a shaft that is extending parallel with the cylinder axis over the entire length of the cylinder. A bracing-clamping cheek pair consists of a bracing cheek and a clamping cheek, wherein the bracing cheek, as well as the clamping cheek working together with it, are seated, pivotable around a shaft which is parallel with the axis and which can be actuated from the front end of the cylinder. In the preferred embodiment described, four bracing-clamping cheek pairs are alternatingly arranged, once on one half of the cylinder length and again on the other half of the cylinder length. To adapt this prior device to printing plates of different format widths, a short bracing-clamping cheek pair is arranged as an extension element between two adjoining bracing-clamping cheek pairs in such a way that it can be connected in the cylinder body with the adjacent bracing-clamping cheek pairs and thus can be pivoted in the same way as the bracing-clamping cheek pairs. Two coaxially arranged connecting shafts are provided in each cylinder groove, which shafts can be rigidly connected with a bracing-clamping cheek pair, that is arranged in one half of the cylinder length, and which shafts permit a torque to be transmitted from the front end, which is a part of the other half of the cylinder, to the bracing-clamping cheek pair which is connected with the connecting shafts. Accordingly, the connecting shafts are pivotably seated in the cylinder groove in the same way as are the bracing-clamping cheek pair connected with them. 
   A cylinder pair of a rotary printing press, with a 6/2 plate cylinder and with a printing blanket cylinder, is known from DE 25 28 008 A1. A center set of printing plates is arranged on the plate cylinder and is deliberately offset, at an angle other than 90°, from the two outer sets of printing plates positioned at the ends of the plate cylinder. The center printing blanket on the printing blanket cylinder is arranged deliberately offset at an angle other than 90° from the outer sets of printing blankets at the ends of the blanket cylinder. The ends of the dressings which are not angled off and which rest on the respective cylinder, are held by holding devices which are movable in wide cylinder grooves. Ends of dressings, which ends face each other, form a gap between themselves, which gap extends over the width of these dressings. 
   A device for bracing and/or for clamping flexible plates with angled-off suspension legs, which legs project into a fastening slit of a cylinder used for supporting the plates, is known from DE 199 24 786 A1. The fastening slit is connected with an axis-parallel cylinder groove in the cylinder radial direction. A base body, which is open in the direction toward the fastening slit, is arranged in the cylinder groove. Movable bracing and/or clamping elements are provided in the interior of the base body. The base body can consist of several shorter base bodies, which can be coupled together. The base body or bodies, arranged in a row in the cylinder groove, are connected with each other, fixed against relative rotation, by, for example, a tooth arrangement. A first and a last base body are each connected, fixed against relative rotation, with an end coupling element, whose parts which cover the cylinder groove are fastened on the flanks of the cylinder, for example by the use of screws. 
   A cylinder of a web-fed rotary printing press is known from DE 199 01 574 A1. A shell of the cylinder is divided, over its length, into adjoining sections, and an opening is provided in each section. This type of construction of a cylinder is not suitable for use in arranging several dressings on the shell of the cylinder along its circumference. 
   Such a cylinder of single circumference is also known from JP 10-071 694 A. The forme cylinder and the transfer cylinder are arranged in the printing group in such a way that an opened section of the forme cylinder rolls off on a closed section of the transfer cylinder, and vice versa. 
   A printing group cylinder, with a groove with alternatingly opened and closed areas arranged on the shell, is known from DE 198 54 495 A1. Tongues of a printing forme to be mounted on the printing group cylinder extend into the opened areas. 
   A cylinder for printing presses is known from DE 696 04 065 T2. A groove, which is open toward the shell, is closed by an insertion piece, which terminates flush with the shell. 
   A cylinder of single circumference for printing presses is known from CH 345 906 A. Four dressings are arranged, side-by-side, on the cylinder in its axial direction. Each of the dressings is fastened in a bracing groove which is open toward the shell of the cylinder. The bracing grooves of adjacent dressings are arranged offset in respect to each other along the circumference of the cylinder. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The object of the present invention is directed to providing a cylinder pair, or to providing a cylinder of a printing group of a rotary offset printing press. 
   The object is attained in accordance with the invention by the provision of a cylinder pair of a printing group of a rotary offset printing press including a forme cylinder and a transfer cylinder. Both of these cylinders are divided, in their axial length, into sections and both cylinders are provided with axially extending, dressing end receiving grooves. 
   The advantages which are attainable in accordance with the present invention consist, in particular, in that openings in the shell of the cylinder are provided only where they are required for holding the dressings. This reduces the danger of a break of one of the dressings, in the course of these dressings rolling off against a cylinder against which they are placed. At the same time, the effects of the groove beat, generated by the cylinder grooves, are reduced by the offset arrangement of the grooves. These steps contribute to the provision of quiet running and of reduced vibrations, in particular in connection with cylinders of great length. These steps therefore also result in an improvement to the print quality. In sections of the grooves, which sections are closed against the shell of the cylinders, it is possible to arrange low-cost filler elements, without holding assemblies for the dressings, in a mounting-friendly manner. In this case, the filler elements can be produced in almost every desired length. Since through-bores, with the required accuracy, can be provided in cylinders of great length only at great expense, in one preferred embodiment variation of the present invention, the cylinders have at least one blind bore extending underneath an outer closed section in the axial direction of the cylinder. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Preferred embodiments of the present invention are represented in the drawings and will be described in greater detail in what follows. 
     Shown are in: 
       FIG. 1 , a perspective plan view of a cylinder with two grooves and with four, side-by-side arranged, dressings in accordance with the present invention, in 
       FIG. 2 , a simplified schematic representation of a printing group with a 6/2 forme cylinder and a transfer cylinder, both of single circumference, in 
       FIG. 3 , a perspective plan view of a dressing, in 
       FIG. 4 , a partial sectional representation of a cylinder with a groove and with a device for fastening a dressing on a cylinder arranged in the groove, in 
       FIG. 5 , a planar projection of four dressings arranged side-by-side offset from each other on a cylinder, and in 
       FIG. 6 , a simplified perspective plan view of a base body or a filler element in accordance with the present invention; and in 
       FIG. 7  is a simplified side elevation view of a satellite printing group. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   A cylinder  01  of a rotary printing press, and in particular a cylinder  01  of a rotary offset printing press, is represented by way of example in  FIG. 1 . This cylinder  01  can be configured and used as a forme cylinder  01   a  or as a transfer cylinder  01   b , as seen in  FIG. 2 , and can be covered, in a circumferential direction of the cylinder  01 , with one dressing, for example, and axially, i.e. with respect to a cylinder length L, with four dressings  02   a ,  02   b ,  02   c ,  02   d , for example, so that four upright or horizontal dressings are located on the cylinder  01 , as is seen in  FIG. 5 . 
   In connection with the use of cylinder  01  as a forme cylinder, the dressings are preferably configured as plate-shaped printing formes. In connection with the use of cylinder  01  as a transfer cylinder, the dressings are preferably configured as rubber printing blankets that are each applied to a support plate, i.e. the dressings for the transfer cylinder are preferably embodied as a metal backed, rubber surfaced printing blanket. 
   The printing group depicted in  FIG. 2  can be configured, for example, as part of a nine-cylinder satellite printing group, wherein four cylinder pairs, each cylinder pair consisting of a forme cylinder  01   a  and of a transfer cylinder  01   b , are arranged in a frame, preferably in separate cylinder pairs, and positioned diametrically around a common counter-pressure cylinder  30 , as shown in  FIG. 7 , in a preferably identical distribution, so that forces acting when the cylinder pairs are placed against the counter-pressure cylinder are mutually supported. The forme cylinders  01   a  and the transfer cylinders  01   b  each have the characteristics directed to the attainment of the object proposed for the present invention. The counter-pressure cylinder, which is not specifically depicted, preferably has a smooth, i.e. closed, outer shell without openings. 
   Arrangements of cylinder pairs are advantageous, particular for newspaper printing, as shown in  FIG. 2 , wherein a forme cylinder  01   a  is covered, in its axial direction, in a first semi-circumferential row with, for example, six plate-shaped printing formes  02   a ,  02   b ,  02   c ,  02   d ,  02   e ,  02   f  and, as only schematically depicted in  FIG. 2 , with a second semi-circumferential row, on the side of the forme cylinder  01   a  which cannot be seen in the representation of  FIG. 2 , with a further six plate-shaped printing forms  02   g ,  02   h ,  02   i ,  02   j ,  02   k ,  021 , so that the forme cylinder  02   a  has along its length groups of two plate-shaped printing formes one behind the other around its circumference. Six such groups or pairs are shown in  FIG. 2 . Such a forme cylinder  02   a  rolls off on or against a transfer cylinder  01   b  which, for example, is covered axially with three side-by-side arranged rubber printing blankets  02   m ,  02   n ,  02   o . Each one of these rubber printing blanket  02   m ,  02   n ,  02   o  essentially extends around the entire circumference of the transfer cylinder  01   b . In this example depicted in  FIG. 2 , the rubber printing blankets  02   m ,  02   n ,  02   o  each have twice the width and twice the length of the respective ones of the plate-shaped printing formes  02   a  to  02   i . The forme cylinder  01   a , which is, for example, covered with a total of twelve plate-shaped printing formes  02   a  to  02   i , and the transfer cylinder  01   b  which is, for example, covered by a total of three rubber printing blankets  02   m ,  02   n ,  02   o , here preferably both have the same geometric dimensions with respect to the lengths L of their barrels and their circumferences. The plate-shaped printing formes  02   a  to  02   i  each have leading and trailing ends  03 ,  04  which ends are fastened on the forme cylinder  01   a  in two plate end receiving grooves  11 ,  12 , which grooves  11 ,  12  are offset by 180° about the circumference of cylinder  01   a , for example. The respective ends  03 ,  04  of the rubber printing blankets  02   m ,  02   n ,  02   o  are held in at least one groove  11 ′ of the transfer cylinder  01   b , as seen in  FIG. 2 . The forme cylinder  01   a  and the transfer cylinder  01   b  are arranged in the printing group in such a way that their respective grooves roll off on each other, as is also shown in  FIG. 2 . To complete the picture, it should be noted here that the forme cylinder  01   a  can also be covered with dressings which are configured as a panorama printing plate, so that each plate-shaped printing forme contains two print image pages. In this case, the reference symbols  02   a  to  02   i  shown in  FIG. 2  for the dressings relate to the print image pages, wherein the print image pages  02   a ,  02   b , or  02   c ,  02   d , or  02   e ,  02   f , or  02   g ,  02   h , or  02   i ,  02   j , or  02   k ,  02   l  are respectively both arranged on one panorama printing plate. Each print image page can more typically correspond to a single newspaper page, for example. An arrangement of six such newspaper pages, placed side-by-side in the axial direction of the forme cylinder  01   a , is advantageous. 
   If now, as will be described subsequently, dressings are arranged offset with respect to each other in the circumferential direction of the cylinder, in the case where panorama plates are being employed, this means that not the individual print pages, but the panorama plates to be fastened on a shell or circumferential surface  13  of the cylinder  01   a , each such panorama plate consisting of two print pages, are arranged offset with respect to each other. To make possible such an offset arrangement of dressings, in a cylinder that is configured with two axially extending, circumferentially spaced grooves, the individual panoramic dressings must either each extend completely around the circumference, wherein both ends of the same dressing are fastened in the same groove, and wherein the ends of an adjoining dressing are fastened in the other groove. Alternatively, more than two grooves will be provided in the cylinder, for example four such grooves may be provided and are each arranged offset circumferentially by 90° with respect to each other, so that respectively two dressings can be arranged one behind the other in respect to the cylinder circumference, for example, and wherein the ends of each dressing are fastened in two different grooves, each offset by 180°, and adjoining dressings are fastened in two other grooves which are offset by 90° in respect to the first two grooves. 
   The cylinder  01 ,  01   a ,  01   b  has a diameter D 1  of, for example 160 mm to 340 mm, and preferably of between 280 mm and 300 mm. The axial length L of the barrel of the cylinder  01 ,  01   a ,  01   b  lies in the range of between 1200 mm and 2400 mm, for example, and preferably of between 1900 mm and 2300 mm, as depicted in  FIG. 1 . A plate-shaped printing forme, or a support plate for a rubber printing blanket, as seen in  FIG. 3 , as a rule, consists of a flexible, but an otherwise dimensionally stable material, such as, for example, an aluminum alloy, and has two oppositely located ends  03 ,  04 , which are to be fastened in or on the cylinders  01 ,  01   a ,  01   b . The plate ends  03 ,  04  have a material thickness M of, for example, between 0.2 mm to 0.4 mm, and preferably of 0.3 mm. To form suitable plate end suspension legs  06 ,  07 , each of these plate ends  03 ,  04  is angled off about a bending line  08 ,  09 , and with respect to a plane of the extended length l of the dressings  02   a  to  02   o , at an angle α, β of between 40° and 140°, and preferably of 45°, 90° or 135°, as seen in  FIG. 3 . If only a single dressing  02   m  to  02   o  has been applied, in the circumferential direction of the cylinder  01   b , the length l of the dressing  02   m  to  02   o  approximately corresponds to the length of the circumference of the cylinder  01   b.    
   In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, which is represented in  FIG. 1 , and on which the following explanation of the invention is based, without being limited to this embodiment, a first groove  11  and a second groove  12  are provided in the cylinder  01 , wherein both grooves  11 ,  12  extend continuously in the direction of the length L of the cylinder  01 . These two grooves  11 ,  12  are arranged offset with respect to each other in the direction of the circumference of the cylinder  01 , for example are offset at a distance defined by an arc of a circle extending over 180°. To avoid an error in balance of the cylinder  01 , which is rotating in the printing group, it is advantageous to arrange the grooves  11 ,  12  in an equidistant manner about the cylinder  01 , i.e. at identical distances from each other. A variation of the arrangement of the present invention, with continuous grooves as represented in  FIG. 1 , consists in that at least one of the grooves  11 ,  12  only extends over a part of the entire length L of the cylinders  01 . This partial section having a partial groove need not necessarily be arranged at the edge of the circumferential shell  13  of the cylinder  01 . Instead, it can also be located between the ends of the cylinder  01  along the interior length of the circumferential shell  13  of the cylinder  01 . For reasons of manufacturing technology and for practical reasons, however, it is advantageous to connect a partial groove  11 ,  12  which is extending only over a part of the length L of the cylinder  01 , also with an end face of the cylinder  01 , so that the non-continuous groove  11 ,  12  extends under a section of the cylinder circumference which is closed toward the circumferential shell of the cylinder. If, in the example of a 6/2 forme cylinder  01   a , such as is represented in  FIG. 2 , the grooves  11 ,  12  have an opening  14 , as seen in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , leading to the grooves  11 ,  12  in the circumferential shell  13 , for example in the interior section B, in which the dressings  02   c ,  02   d ,  02   i ,  02   j  are fastened, the grooves  11 ,  12  can pass either through the section A or C to a front end or end face of the forme cylinder  01   a . In this case, the grooves  11 ,  12  are configured as blind bores, which are open at a front or end face of the cylinder  01   a ,  01   b , and are provided, for example, for mounting a holding device for the dressings, and which extend over one or two adjoining sections A, B, C of the cylinder  01   a ,  01   b . The mentioned sections A, B, C will be discussed in greater detail in what follows. The width of each of the sections A, B, C, extending in the axial direction of the cylinder  01   a ,  01   b  is preferably defined by the width of the corresponding one of the dressings  02   m ,  02   n ,  02   o  on the transfer cylinder  01   b.    
   Both grooves  11 ,  12  are embodied in the interior of the cylinder  01  at a radial depth “a” of, for example from 4 mm to 10 mm, and preferably of 6 mm, under the shell  13  of the latter in the form of a preferably circular bore through the cylinder  01 , and each groove  11 ,  12  has a diameter of, for example from 25 mm to 50 mm, and preferably of 30 mm. The ratio of the diameters D 1 , D 2  of the cylinder  01  and of the groove  11 ,  12  therefor is preferably 10:1. If the cross-sectional shape of the grooves  11 ,  12  is not circular, a ratio of the cross-sectional surfaces of the cylinder  01  and of one of the grooves  11 ,  12  is preferably 100:1, so that the cross-sectional surface of the grooves  11 ,  12  is comparatively small in respect to that of the cylinder  01 . 
   In the configuration represented in  FIG. 1 , both grooves  11 ,  12  have been divided, in their longitudinal direction, in as many sections A, B, C, D as there are dressings  02   a ,  02   b ,  02   c ,  02   d  which can be arranged side-by-side on the shell  13  of the cylinder  01 . The division of the shell  13  into sections corresponds to that of the grooves  11 ,  12 . In some of their sections A, B, C, D, the grooves  11 ,  12  each may have a narrow, slit-shaped opening  14  extending to the circumferential shell  13  of the cylinder  01 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . It is advantageous if, with respect to the same section A, B, C, D, a groove  11 , that is provided with an opening  14 , alternates, in the circumferential direction of the cylinder  01 , with a groove  12  which is closed toward the shell  13  of the cylinder  11 . In this way, an alternating arrangement of openings  14  in the sections A, B, C, D, in relation to the grooves  11 ,  12  results in the circumferential direction, as well as in the axial direction of the cylinder  01 . 
   A slit width S of the opening  14  is less than 5 mm and preferably lies within the range of 1 mm to 3 mm, as is also shown in  FIG. 4 . 
   As can be seen in  FIG. 5 , in this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the number of the sections A, B, C, D, which are arranged side-by-side in the longitudinal direction in each groove  11 ,  12  and which are provided with an opening  14 , corresponds to one half of the dressings  02   a ,  02   b ,  02   c ,  02   d , which are arranged circumferentially offset, in respect to each other, over the length L of the cylinder  01 . If the shell  13  of the cylinder  01  is covered with more than one side-by-side dressing in the circumferential direction, more than two grooves or partial areas of grooves, each distanced on a defined arc of a circle, are provided, and complex cover arrangements result on the shell  13  of the cylinder  01  because of the larger number of dressings. 
   In this depicted embodiment, for the sake of simplicity, the number of the dressings  02   a ,  02   b ,  02   c ,  02   d  and of the sections A, B, C, D was selected as being four each, and wherein each cylinder section A, B, C, D has ¼ the length L of the cylinder  01 . As indicated in  FIG. 5 , in a developed representation of the shell  13  of the cylinder  01 , all of the four dressings  02   a ,  02   b ,  02   c ,  02   d  positioned on the shell  13  of the cylinder  01 , are arranged side-by-side in the axial direction, and the two axially spaced dressings  2   b  and  02   d  are arranged offset, with respect to the two axially spaced dressings  2   a  and  2   c  in such a way that these dressings  02   b  and  02   d  cover the sections B and D of the groove  12 , while the dressings  2   a  and  2   c  cover the sections A and C of the groove  11 . The groove  11  has an opening  14  to the circumferential shell  13  of the cylinder  01  only in sections B and D, while the groove  12  has an appropriate openings  14  to the circumferential shell in each of the sections A and C. In this example, the dressings  02   a ,  02   b ,  02   c ,  02   d  each enclose the entire circumference of the cylinder  01 . Therefore both of the ends  03 ,  04  of the dressings  02   a ,  02   c  are fastened in the same groove  12 , while both of the ends  03 ,  04  of the dressings  02   b ,  02   d  are fastened in the other groove  11 . Thus, each dressing  02   a ,  02   b ,  02   c ,  02   d  covers one of the two grooves  11 ,  12  in each section A, B, C, D, while it is fastened with its two ends  03 ,  04  in the other one of the two grooves  11 ,  12 . In this embodiment, each section with an opening  14  adjoins a section that is closed toward the shell  13  of the cylinder  01  with respect to a line that is extending obliquely through all cylinder sections A, B, C, D and on the shell  13  of the cylinder  01 , parallel with a groove  11 ,  12 , and whose position is predetermined by the position of a groove  11 ,  12 . The openings  14  cut into the shell  13  of the cylinder  01  are aligned with each other along this line. 
   The suspension legs  06 ,  07  formed at the ends  03 ,  04  of each dressings  02   a  to  02   o  are inserted into the respective opening  14 . It is advantageous to suspend one suspension leg  06  of each dressings  02   a  to  02   o  positively connected with a first wall  17  of the opening  14 , as seen in  FIG. 4 , wherein this first wall  17  extends from an outer or circumferential edge  16  of the opening  14 , and which first wall  17  leads, in the production direction P of the cylinder  01 ,  01   a ,  01   b , toward the interior of the groove  11 ′,  11 ,  12 . An angle α formed at an end  03  of the dressings  02   a  to  02   o  preferably corresponds to an angle α resulting between this first wall  17  extending toward the interior of the groove  11 ′,  11 ,  12  and an imagined tangent line T resting on the opening  14 , again as depicted in  FIG. 5 . The other suspension leg  07  of each dressing  02   a  to  02   o  can also be placed against a second wall  19  of the opening  14 . This second wall  19  extends from an outer or circumferential edge  18  of the opening  14 , which trails the edge  16  in the production direction P of the cylinder  01 ,  01   a ,  01   b  toward the interior of the groove  11 ′,  11 ,  12 . Again, an angle β formed on an end  04  of the dressing  02   a  to  02   o  advantageously corresponds to an angle β which results between this second wall  19  extending toward the interior of the groove  11 ′,  11 ,  12  and an imagined tangent line T resting on the opening  14 , as depicted in  FIG. 3 . and in  FIG. 4 . 
   As represented in  FIG. 4 , a holding device is provided for fastening the dressings  02   a  to  02   o  on the circumferential shell  13  of the cylinder  01 ,  01   a ,  01   b  in those sections A, B, C, D of the groove  11 ′,  11 ,  12 , which have an opening  14  toward the circumferential shell  13 . The holding device consists, for example, of at least a holding means  21 , in the form of, for example, a clamping element  21  and of a spring element  22 . The suspension leg  07 , shown in  FIG. 03  at the trailing end  04  of the dressings  02   a  to  02   o , and which is suspended in the opening  14 , is preferably placed against the second wall  19  of the opening  14  and is pressed against this second wall  19  by the clamping element  21  with a force F which is exerted by the spring element  22  on the clamping element  21 . An actuating device  23  is provided in the groove  11 ′,  11 ,  12  for use in releasing the clamping element  21  which actuating device  23 , when actuated, counteracts the force F exerted by the spring element  22  on the clamping element  21  and pivots the clamping element  21  away from the second wall  19  of the opening  14 . 
   To facilitate easier mounting of the above-described holding device in the groove  11 ′,  11 ,  12 , the holding device, which preferably consists of a clamping element  21  and a spring element  22 , is arranged in a base body  24 . This base body  24  is preferably embodied substantially in the form of a cylindrical hollow body, whose exterior diameter D 3  is slightly less than a diameter D 2  of a groove  11 ′,  11 ,  12 , and which base body  24  is supported in the groove  11 ′;  11 ,  12  by its shape, and wherein the clamping element  21  is pivotably seated in the interior of, or on the bottom  27  of this base body  24 . It is advantageous to combine the support of the base body  24  in the groove  11 ′,  11 ,  12  with a securing device to counteract any torsion of the base body  24 . For example, a stop may be formed on the base body  24 , which stop is supported, for example, in the groove  11 ′,  11 ,  12 , or against one of the walls  17 ,  19  extending to the edges  16 ,  18  of the opening  14 . Due to the considerable length of the sections A, B, C, D, each of which varies, in its size, as a function of the length L of the barrel of the respective cylinder  01 ,  01   a ,  01   b , and to easier matching to each position required for them, the base body  24  required for each section A, B, C, D is configured not in one piece, but instead the base body  24  is produced in the form of a partial element, which is short in comparison with the lengths of the sections A, B, C, D, of a length l 1 . Several identical base bodies  24  are then lined up in the groove  11 ′,  11 ,  12  for the required length of the sections A, B, C, D. Each base body  24  can be provided, at its front end, with a groove-and-tongue connection  28 ,  29 , or with a plug connection to facilitate positive connection. The length l 1  of the base body  24 , produced as a partial element, can be between 30 mm and 100 mm, for example, and preferably is 60 mm, as seen in  FIG. 6 . 
   In the sections A, B, C, D of the cylinder  01 , in which no holding device for fastening a suspension leg  06 ,  07  of one of the dressings  02   a  to  02   o  is needed, typically in the sections A, B, C, D without an opening  14 , the introduction of a base body  24  provided with a holding device into the groove  11 ′,  11 ,  12  is neither required nor efficient. Filler elements  26 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , are provided for these sections A, B, C, D, and whose outer contours can be similar to the outer contours of the base bodies  24 . However, the filler elements  26  do not have a holding device in their interior and are therefore more cost-effective. The filler elements  26  are also preferably embodied as comparatively short partial elements, with respect to the length of the sections A, B, C, D, and of a length l 2 . The length l 2 , which is typically the same as a length l 1  of the base bodies  24 , lies between 30 mm and 100 mm, and can preferably be 60 mm. In this way, groups of approximately five to six base bodies  24  or five to six filler elements  26  are preferably arranged in each section A, B, C, D of a groove  11 ′,  11 ,  12 , and wherein these groups are also arranged in an alternating manner. 
   It is advantageous to configure the filler elements  26  in such a way that they can be shortened in a simple processing step, such as, for example, by cutting or sawing, to any desired length. The base bodies  24 , as well as the filler elements  26 , are preferably made of a plastic material in the form of an injection-molded element, or of another suitable material, which is easy to work. It is intended to position lined-up filler elements  26  in the grooves  11 ,  12  of all those sections A, B, C, D of cylinder  01  which are closed, i.e. in grooves  11 ,  12  which have no opening  14  toward the shell  13  of the cylinder  01 ,  01   a ,  01   b . To accomplish the connection of individual filler elements  26  with each other, or to connect respectively first or last filler elements  26 , in a row of several filler elements  26 , with a base body  24  arranged in the same groove  11 ,  12 , the filler elements  26  can have the same groove-and-tongue connection  28 ,  29 , or plug connection, at their end faces  32  as are provided on the base bodies  24 . To keep the filler element  26  functional with respect to its connectability with other filler elements  26  or with other base bodies  24 , following a shortening of its length l 2 , the groove  28 , which is cut into each filler element  26  and of a length l 3 , extends over a large portion of the overall length l 2  of the filler element  26 . The groove length l 3  can be up to 70% of the overall length l 2 . 
   A hose, which can be preferably charged with a pressure medium, such as, for example, compressed air, and which can advantageously be placed into the groove  11 ′,  11 ,  12  continuously from one end face of the cylinder  01 ,  01   a ,  01   b  to the other cylinder end face, is provided as the actuating device  23  for the holding device in the base bodies  24 . The hose, which forms the actuating device  23 , is preferably placed in a location where a clamping element  21  must be actuated. Thus, the actuating device  23  for the holding device can preferably be actuated by remote control, in particular pneumatically, so that the holding device changes from a closed operating position, in which it holds at least one end  03 ,  04  of one of the dressings  02   a  to  02   f ,  02   g  to  02   m ,  02   n ,  02   o , as shown in  FIG. 4  into an open operating position. 
   It is advantageous to also configure the filler elements  26  as substantially cylindrical hollow bodies. With this configuration, the base bodies  24 , as well as the filler elements  26 , have a through-hole  31 , through which the hose  23  can be conducted in a line-up of the base elements  24  and the filler elements  26  in the same groove  11 ,  12 . If the through-hole  31  is situated off-centered in the base bodies  24  and the filler bodies  26 , or is asymmetrically located in respect to a line Sy extending through their respective centers O, and wherein the center O and the line Sy extending through it are located in the same cross-sectional plane X—X, because of its arrangement or shape, the groove-and-tongue connection  28 ,  29  or the not depicted plug connection can be used for aligning the through-hole  31  of the base bodies  24  as well as of the filler elements  26  flush with each other, as well as with respect to each other. If the base bodies  24  are arranged, each against relative rotation, in the groove  11 ,  12 , a sufficient protection against twisting of the filler elements  26  is also accomplished because of the positive connection of all of the base bodies  24  arranged in the same groove  11 ,  12 . If necessary, the same protection against twisting, as is provided on the base bodies  24 , can be formed on the filler elements  26  An actuating device  23 , such as the depicted hose, and arranged continuously extending from the one to the other end of the cylinder  01 ,  01   a ,  01   b  permits the simultaneous and mutual actuation of the holding device in several base bodies  24 , which are arranged in the same groove  11 ′,  11 ,  12 . It is advantageous to insure that at least all of the holding devices, which are arranged in the same section of the plural sections A, B, C, D of a groove  11 ′,  11 ,  12 , can be actuated simultaneously together. This embodiment results in holding devices arranged in different sections A, B, C, D to be actuated section-by-section. These holding devices in each section therefore maintain their own open operating position or their own closed operating position independently of each other. It is thus possible to maintain or to release dressings  02   a  to  02   o  in different sections A, B, C, D individually and independently of each other. 
   In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least the actuating device  23  is configured as a spindle, for example as an eccentric spindle, that is arranged in the groove  11 ′,  11 ,  12 . If necessary, a clamping element  21  can be formed directly on the spindle, or can be connected with it. By application of a torque acting on the spindle from the direction of an end of the cylinder  01   a ,  01   b , one or several of the holding devices can be actuated in the grooves  11 ′,  11 ,  12 . For example, a spindle can extend from an end face of the cylinder  01   a ,  01   b  in the groove  11 ′,  11 ,  12  through a section A or C, which, as shown in  FIG. 2 , is arranged at the edge or end of the cylinder  01 ,  01   a ,  01   b , which does not have an opening  14  extending toward the circumferential shell  13  of the respective cylinder  11 ′,  11 ,  12  and which has a holding device in the section B which, in the respective groove  11 ′,  11 ,  12  has an opening  14  toward the shell  13  of the cylinder  01   a ,  01   b . In this section B, the groove  11 ′,  11 ,  12 , that is configured as a blind bore, as well as the actuating device  23 , or the spindle, terminate in this groove  11 ′,  11 ,  12 . It can also be provided that in the same groove  11 ′,  11 ,  12 , for example in the sections A and C, individual spindles can be inserted, which individual spindles can each be actuated from the end face of the cylinder  01   a ,  01   b . These sections A, C each have an opening  14  toward the shell  13  of the cylinder  01   a ,  01   b . Neither an opening  14  nor a groove  11 ′,  11 ,  12 , or an actuating device  23 , or a spindle, are provided in section B. In case of a cylinder  01 ,  01   a ,  01   b  with more than three sections A, B, C in its axial direction, a groove  11 ′,  11 ,  12 , which is embodied as a blind bore, can also tunnel underneath a section B, C, which does not lie directly at an edge of the cylinder  01 ,  01   a ,  01   b  and which is closed toward the shell  13 . 
   Regardless of how the groove  11 ′, or the grooves  11 ,  12 , in the cylinders  01 ,  01   a ,  01   b  are structured, whether they extend continuously from one to the other end face of the cylinder  01 ,  01   a ,  01   b , or whether they are embodied as partial elements in the respective sections A, B, C, D, in accordance with the attainment of the object of the present invention, it is sufficient for a cylinder  01 ,  01   a ,  01   b , having a circumference U, as well as having a length L, and wherein the shell  13  of the cylinder  01 ,  01   a ,  01   b  is divided into at least three adjoining sections A, B, C over the length L, that the shell  13  in each of at least three sections A, B, C has a slit-shaped opening  14  and wherein, in relation to the circumference U of the cylinder  01 ,  01   a ,  01   b , at least two openings  14  of a section A, B, C, D, are arranged offset with respect to the openings  14  of another section A, B, C, D. In this case, preferably two openings  14 , which are arranged in two different sections A, B, C, D, are aligned with each other. Here, every opening  14  opens into at least a partial element of a groove  11 ′,  11 ,  12  extending underneath the shell  13  of the cylinder  01 ,  01   a ,  01   b.    
   A printing group of a rotary offset printing press, and using a cylinder  01 ,  01   a ,  01   b  in accordance with the present invention, results, for example, in the printing group having at least one forme cylinder  01   a  rolling off on a transfer cylinder  01   b , wherein the forme cylinder  01   a  has at least two dressings  02   a  to  02   l  axially, as well as around its circumference U, for example, and the transfer cylinder  1   b  has at least two dressings  02   m  to  02   o  axially, for example, and wherein at least two of the dressings  02   a  to  02   l  arranged along its circumference U are arranged offset with respect to each other. In this case, the forme cylinder  01   a  preferably has at least four dressings  02   a  to  02   l  arranged side-by-side axially, and wherein the at least four dressings  02   a  to  02   l  are arranged offset, in pairs, in the axial direction of the forme cylinder  01   a . The forme cylinder  01   a  can, in particular, have six dressings  02   a  to  02   l , which are arranged offset with respect to each other, in pairs, in the axial direction of the forme cylinder  01   a . In a printing group of this type, the dressings  02   m  to  02   o  of the transfer cylinder  01   b  are preferably as long, measured along the transfer cylinder  01   b  circumference U, as two dressings  02   a  to  02   l  of the forme cylinder  01   a , measured along that cylinder circumference, so that a forme cylinder  01   a  of double circumference and a single-circumference transfer cylinder  1   b  work together with each other and roll off on each other. 
   As previously described, it is of advantage to configure this printing group as a 9-cylinder satellite printing unit. In a printing group having cylinders of great length, for example of a length of up to 2400 mm, wherein the printing group has a forme cylinder which preferably prints six newspaper pages side-by-side in its axial direction and also has a transfer cylinder of corresponding length working together with the forme cylinder, there is a considerable tendency, in particular at high rotary speeds, toward interfering cylinder bending fluctuations, which negatively affect the print quality and which are even increased by the groove or channel beat between the forme cylinder and the transfer cylinder. It is therefore advantageous to employ such cylinders of great length particularly in a 9-cylinder satellite printing unit. Every transfer cylinder in such a 9-cylinder satellite printing unit can be supported by a central counter-pressure cylinder. The counter-pressure cylinder is, in turn, supported by a second transfer cylinder, which is arranged diametrically opposite with respect to the first transfer cylinder. Customarily, the counter-pressure cylinder has a smooth closed shell, which closed shell completely supports the transfer cylinder on its surface. This arrangement, together with the groove beat-reducing offset of the center rubber printing blanket with respect to the two outer rubber printing blankets, assures a high degree of reduced vibrations, of quiet running, and therefore of high print quality. Thus, the advantage to be gained by the present invention consists, in particular, in that it is possible to configure a vibration-reduced printing group even in connection with cylinders of great length, and in which steps taken in connection with the cylinder can be advantageously realized by manufacturing technology. 
   While preferred embodiments of a cylinder pair and cylinders of a printing unit of a rotary offset printing machine, in accordance with the present invention, have been set forth fully and completely hereinabove, it will be apparent to one of skill in the art that changes in, for example, drives for the cylinders, a source of air under pressure, and the like could be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention which is accordingly to be limited only by the appended claims.