Patent Publication Number: US-7908966-B2

Title: Cylinder of an inking or dampening system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application is the U.S. national phase, under 35 U.S.C. 371, of PCT/EP2004/051378, filed Jul. 7, 2004; published as WO 2005/007410 A2 and A3 on Jan. 27, 2005, and claiming priority to DE 103 31 595.0, filed Jul. 11, 2003, and to DE 103 52 614.5, filed Nov. 11, 2003, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference herein. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a roller of an inking or a dampening system. The roller is axially movable by use of a traversing gear and has an individual drive motor for rotational motion of the roller. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     DE 197 20 954 A1 discloses a printing group with a vibrator inking system having three distribution cylinders, and a dampening system having one distribution cylinder. The ink flow takes place starting at a distribution cylinder of the inking system which is remote from the cylinder, via an inking roller which is parallel to two distribution cylinders located closer to the transfer cylinder, and from there, via assigned application rollers, to the transfer cylinder. The three-roller dampening system is always in active contact with one of the inking system distributors, so that a dampening agent/ink emulsion is applied to the forme cylinder of the printing group. 
     A film inking system having three distribution cylinders is known from DE 197 50 960 A1. The ink flow takes place from a distribution cylinder that is remote from the cylinder to a second distribution cylinder, and from there, via parallel application rollers, to the forme cylinder and to the third distribution cylinder, from which smoothing of the ink application takes place via further application rollers. 
     A film inking system is represented in DE 101 03 842 A1. An angle between a metering gap and a film gap, as well as an angle between the film gap and a press gap lies between 70° and 110°, and in particular lies at approximately 90°. 
     DE 29 32 105 A1 shows a printing group with a vibrator inking system and a dampening system. The dampening system is movably arranged in such a way that in one operating mode it acts as a three-roller dampening system, wherein no connection with the inking system exists. In the other operating mode, the dampening distribution cylinder has contact with an application roller of the inking system. 
     A film inking system is known from DE 38 04 204 A1. In addition to a zoned metering of the ink flow arranged in one area of the ink fountain, it is possible to take ink from the inking system, via an intermediate roller and a doctor blade arrangement, for variable regulation or for cleaning purposes. 
     A distribution cylinder of a printing press is disclosed in DE 101 57 243 A1. A rotatory drive mechanism is arranged on one end. A traversing drive mechanism is located on the other end, such as, for example, on the driven side. Rotatory driving is provided by the motor, either axially directly, or via a pinion gear to a spur wheel of the cylinder. 
     Transfer rollers of an inking system are seated on spring-loaded support levers in DE 38 04 204 A1. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The object of the present invention is directed to providing rollers of an inking or dampening system, as well as an inking or dampening system with two rollers, which act together in the print-on position. 
     In accordance with the present invention, this object is attained by the provision of a roller of an inking or dampening system, which roller is axially movable by a traversing gear. An individual drive motor is used for accomplishing rotational driving of the roller. The roller is movable in a direction perpendicular to its axis of rotation. The roller&#39;s drive motor is movable together with the roller. Alternatively, a coupling can be provided between the drive motor, which is fixed, and the roller body which is axially shiftable. Two rollers can work together in a print-on position. 
     In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the ink from the first distribution cylinder reaches the forme cylinder selectively or simultaneously over different possible paths, either in series or in parallel, via two further distribution cylinders. Because of this, the inking system can be very flexibly changed to accommodate printing conditions with different requirements. The same applies to the printing group, in view of the selective assignment of a distribution cylinder to the dampening system, or to the inking system, as well as the possibility of a selection between “purely” direct dampening, and indirect dampening, wherein ink and dampening agent have already been mixed on a distribution cylinder. 
     An embodiment of the present invention is also advantageous in which rotatory driving of the dampening distributor by its own motor, and in particular by the use of a corner gear, takes place. For simplifying the drive train, in regard to bringing it in and out of contact, the motor is also advantageously co-located on a lever. 
     By an advantageous arrangement of levers of two cooperating rollers, an embodiment of the present invention is provided which is simple to adjust, but nevertheless in which the two rollers maintain their relative position to each other when being displaced. 
     In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, for an ideal ink flow through the printing group, ink is taken from the inking system in a specific way, and for example as a function of a printing image and/or a web width. In this way, no oversaturation of non-removed ink occurs, in particular in the edge areas. 
    
    
     
       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 schematic side elevation view of a printing press, in 
         FIG. 2 , a schematic top plan representation of webs of different width, in 
         FIG. 3 , a schematic side elevation view of a printing unit, in 
         FIG. 4 , a depiction of a mode of operation of an inking system, in 
         FIG. 5 , a depiction of a mode of operation of a dampening system, in 
         FIG. 6 , a depiction of a surface structure of a film roller, in 
         FIG. 7 , a perspective view of a take-off device, in 
         FIG. 8 , a view of a device for feeding ink into the inking system, in 
         FIG. 9 , a perspective view of a frame of the printing unit with a main drive mechanism and dampening system rollers, in 
         FIG. 10 , a top plan view on the frame with covers and a lug, in 
         FIG. 11 , a side elevation view of a suspension and drive mechanism of dampening system rollers, in 
         FIG. 12 , an oblique perspective view of dampening system rollers, in 
         FIG. 13 , a side elevation view of a rotatory drive mechanism of an axially movable roller, in 
         FIG. 14 , a side elevation view of an axial drive mechanism of a rotatable roller, in 
         FIG. 15 , a perspective view of a drive mechanism of the printing group cylinders, and in 
         FIG. 16 , a schematic depiction of a drive mechanism of the inking system rollers. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A printing press, and in particular a web-fed rotary printing press for use in imprinting one or several webs B, has, as seen in  FIG. 1 , several units  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500 ,  600 ,  700 ,  800 ,  900  for provisioning, imprinting and further processing the web or webs. For example, the web B to be imprinted, which, in particular, is a paper web B, is wound off a roll unwinding device  100  before it is supplied via a draw-in unit  200  to one or to several printing units  300 . In addition to the printing units  300 , which are standardized for multi-color printing, for example by using four of them for four-color printing, it is possible to provide further printing units  300 , which, in this case, can be utilized in alternation with one or with several of the remaining printing units being out of service for flying printing forme changes. 
     In an advantageous embodiment, a varnishing unit  450  can be provided in the web path. 
     Following imprinting and, if required, varnishing, the web B passes through a dryer  500  and is possibly cooled again in a cooling unit  600 , if drying is performed thermally. A further conditioning unit such as, for example, a coating device and/or a re-moistening device, which is not specifically represented in  FIG. 1 , can be provided downstream of the dryer  500  in, or downstream of the cooling unit  600 . Following cooling and/or conditioning, the web B can be supplied via a superstructure  700  to a folding apparatus  800 . The superstructure  700  has at least one silicon unit, one longitudinal cutter and turning device, as well as a hopper unit, which is also not specifically represented in  FIG. 1 . The silicon unit can also be arranged upstream of the superstructure  700 , for example in the area of the cooling unit  600 . Furthermore, the superstructure can have, a perforating unit, a gluing unit, a numbering unit and/or a plow folder, all of which are not represented in  FIG. 1 . After passage through the superstructure  700 , the web B, or partial webs, are conducted into a folding apparatus  800 . 
     In an advantageous embodiment, the printing press also has a separate transverse cutter  900 , such as, for example, a so-called piano delivery device  900 , in which a web B which, for example, had not been conducted through the folding apparatus  800 , is cut into standard sheets and, if desired, is stacked or delivered. 
     The units  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  450 ,  500 ,  600 ,  700 ,  800 ,  900  of the printing press have an effective width transversely, in respect to a transport direction T of the web B, which effective width permits processing of webs B of a maximum width “b”, as seen in  FIG. 2 , of, for example, up to 1,000 mm. The effective width is understood to be the respective width, or the clear width, of the structural components, such as, for example, the width of the rollers, cylinders, passages, sensor devices, actuating paths, etc. of the units  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  450 ,  500 ,  600 ,  700 ,  800 ,  900 , which work together with the web B, either directly or indirectly, so that the web B can be processed, conditioned and conveyed in its full width “b”. The functionality, such as material supply, web transportation, sensor devices, further processing devices of the units  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  450 ,  500 ,  600 ,  700 ,  800 ,  900  is configured in such a way that webs B′ of only partial width down to a width “b′” of only 400 mm can be processed in the printing press. 
     The units  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  450 ,  500 ,  600 ,  700 ,  800 ,  900  which define, or process, a section length “a” of web B are configured in such a way that they define, for example, a section “a” of a length of between 540 and 700 mm on the web B. The section length “a” advantageously lies between 540 and 630 mm. In a special embodiment of the invention, the section length “a” lies at 620±10 mm. In a further development of the printing press, the units  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  450 ,  500 ,  600 ,  700 ,  800 ,  900  are configured in such a way that, with a few changes, the printing press can be selectively configured with section lengths of 546 mm, 578 mm or 620 mm. Thus, for example, substantially only an exchange capability of bearing elements for printing group cylinders, a matching of the drive mechanism, as well as matching in the folding apparatus  800  or the transverse cutter  900 , all as discussed subsequently, are required for accomplishing the change in order to equip the same printing press for formats which differ from each other. For example, in a standard way, the section length “a” is covered by four vertical printed pages, for example DIN A4, positioned side-by-side in the transverse direction of the web B, and two printed pages, for example of a length s, one behind the other in the longitudinal direction. However, depending on the print image and on the subsequent further processing in the superstructure  700  and in the folding apparatus  800 , other numbers of pages per section length “a” are also possible. 
     For multi-color imprinting of the web B, B′, the printing press has several, such as, for example, at least four, and here in particular five identically equipped printing units  300 . The printing units  300  are preferably arranged one next to the other, and a web B, B′ passes horizontally through them, as seen in  FIG. 1 . Each printing unit  300  is preferably configured as a printing unit  300  for offset printing, and in particular is configured as a double printing group  300 , or as an I-printing group  300 , with two printing groups  301 , such as, for example, two offset printing groups  301 , as seen in  FIG. 3 , for accomplishing two-sided printing by the so-called rubber-against-rubber process. Rollers  302  are arranged upstream and downstream at least in the lower area, and optionally in the upper area, of at least one of the printing units  300 , by the use of which roller  302  an incoming web B, B′ can be conducted around, above or below the printing unit  300 , or a web B, B′, which has been conducted around an upstream located printing unit  300 , can be passed through the printing unit  300 , or a web B, B′ which has been passed through the printing unit  300  can be conducted around the downstream located printing unit  300 . 
       FIG. 3  schematically shows an arrangement of two printing groups  301  which are working together via the web B, B′, each with a pair of printing cylinders  303 ,  304  embodied as a transfer cylinder  303  and a forme cylinder  304 , hereinafter cylinders  303 ,  304  for short, an inking system  305  and a dampening system  306 . In an advantageous embodiment, at the forme cylinder  304 , the printing unit  300  has devices  307  for semi- or for fully-automatic plate feeding, or for changing of a printing forme  310 . 
     In a further embodiment, in particular if the printing press is intended to be suitable for imprinting operations, at least one or several of the printing units  300  have additional guide elements situated closely ahead of, and closely behind the nip point of the printing unit  300 . If a web B, B′ is to pass without being imprinted and without contact between the transfer cylinders  303 , the web guidance, accomplished with the use of the guide elements  308 , shown in dashed lines in  FIG. 3 , is advantageous. The web B, B′ passes through the nip point in such a way that it substantially forms an angle of between 80° and 100°, and preferably of approximately 90°, with a connecting line joining the axes of rotation of the two transfer cylinders  303 . Preferably, the guide elements  308  are provided as rods or as rollers, around which air flows. This reduces the danger of previously freshly applied ink rubbing off. 
     In a further development of the represented printing group  301 , a washing device  309  is assigned to each transfer cylinder  303 . The elastic surface of the transfer cylinder  303  can be cleaned by use of the washing device  309 . 
     Each of the cylinders  303 ,  304  has a circumference between 540 and 700 mm. The forme and the transfer cylinder  303 ,  304  preferably have the same circumference. In an advantageous manner, the circumferences lie between 540 and 630 mm. In a special embodiment, the section length “a” lies at 620±10 mm. In a further development, the printing unit  300  is structured in such a way that, with a few changes, the cylinders  303 ,  304  can be selectively provided with circumferences of 546 mm, 578 mm or 620 mm. Thus, for example, substantially only an exchange of bearing elements or a changed position of the bores in the lateral frame, and the lug for the cylinders  303 ,  304 , and a matching of the drive mechanism or lever takes place, as discussed subsequently. 
     The transfer cylinder  303  has a least one dressing on its circumference, which is not specifically represented, and which is held in at least one groove extending axially on the transfer cylinder shell face. Preferably, the transfer cylinder  303  only has one dressing extending over its effective length, or substantially over the entire width of the web B, B′ to be imprinted, and substantially extending, except for a joint of a groove opening, around the entire circumference of the transfer cylinder  303 . Preferably, the dressing is configured as a so-called metal printing blanket, which has an elastic layer, such as, for example, of rubber, on a substantially dimensionally stable support layer, for example a thin metal plate. The ends of this dressing are inserted through an opening in the shell face of the transfer cylinder into the groove and are held there by frictional or by positive contact. In the case of a metal printing blanket, the ends are bent/beveled off, for example, in the area of its leading end by approximately 45°, and in the area of its trailing end by approximately 135°. These ends extend through an opening of a groove extending over the entire usable length of the transfer cylinder  303 , which groove also has, for example, an arresting, clamping or tensioning device. The opening to the groove, in the area of the shell face, preferably has a width between 1 and 5 mm, and in particular, has a width of less than or equal to 3 mm, in the circumferential direction of the cylinder  304 . The clamping device is advantageously embodied to be pneumatically operable, and may be, for example, in the form of one or of several pneumatically operable levers, which levers, in the closed state, are pre-tensed by a spring force against the trailing end extending into the groove. A hose, which can be charged with a pressure medium, can preferably be employed as an operating device. 
     In addition to an ink feeding device, such as, for example, an ink fountain  311  with an actuating device  312 , for use regulating the ink flow, the inking system  305  has a plurality of rollers  313  to  325 . The ink feeding device can also be configured as a doctor blade crosspiece. With the rollers  313  to  325  placed against each other, the ink moves from the ink fountain  311  via the duct roller  313 , the film roller  314 , and a first inking roller  315 , to a first distribution roller  316 . Depending on the mode of operation of the inking system  305 , as will be discussed below, from there, the ink moves via at least one additional inking roller  317  to  320  to at least one further distribution roller  321 ,  324 , and from there, via at least one application roller  322 ,  323 ,  325 , to the surface of the forme cylinder  304 . In an advantageous embodiment, the ink moves from the first distribution cylinder  316  over several possible paths selectively or simultaneously, either in series or in parallel, via two further distribution cylinders  321 ,  324  to the application rollers  322 ,  323 ,  325 . 
     As shown in dashed lines in  FIG. 3  for the second inking roller  317 , that second inking roller  317  can be brought into a first position, shown in solid lines, in which it takes the ink from the first distribution roller  316  and conducts it via the second distribution roller  324 , and at least the second application roller  325 , to the forme cylinder  304 . In principle, this path is independent of the to be described paths of the ink from the first distribution roller  316 , or from the second distribution roller  324 , via the third inking roller  318  and a third distribution roller  321 , to the forme cylinder  304 . In a second position of the second inking roller  317 , which is shown in dashed lines, the second inking roller  317  has been moved away from the downstream located second distribution cylinder  324 , and the path of the ink over the second distribution roller  324  is interrupted. In an advantageous embodiment of the inking and dampening systems  305 ,  306 , the second distribution roller  324  can simultaneously work together with a roller  328 , such as, for example, a fourth application roller  328 , of the dampening system  306 . Fluid, such as ink and/or dampening agent on the second distribution roller  324 , then can, with the rollers  324 ,  325 ,  326 , as well as the cylinder  304  appropriately being brought into contact with each other, be simultaneously delivered via the application rollers  325  and  328  to the forme cylinder  304 . 
     The third inking roller  318  can also advantageously be brought into two positions. In a first position, shown in solid line, the third inking roller  318  takes the ink off the second distribution roller  324 , which receives the ink from the first distribution roller  316  via the second inking roller  317 , which is in its first position. The ink is conducted from the third inking roller  318 , possibly via further inking rollers  319 ,  320 , to a third distribution roller  321 , and from there via at least one distribution roller  322 ,  323  to the forme cylinder  304 . In a second position, which is shown in dashed lines, of the third inking roller  318 , the ink is taken directly from the first distribution roller  316 . This second position of the third inking roller  318  is of importance in particular when the second inking roller  317  is in its second, dashed lines, position. 
     If needed, it is possible, by use of the movable second inking roller  317 , to interrupt a first ink path via two distribution rollers  316 ,  324  between the first and the second distribution rollers  316 ,  324 . 
     It is therefore possible, by the use of the movable third inking roller  318 , to realize a direct ink path via two distribution rollers  316 ,  321  which are arranged in series, or via three distribution rollers  316 ,  321 ,  324  which are arranged in series, the first regardless of whether or not the above mentioned first ink path via the second distribution roller  324  has been realized in addition to, and parallel with this path. 
     The forme cylinder  304  is supplied with ink via a first, front application path from the second distribution roller  324  via one, or possibly via two application rollers  325 ,  328 , and via a second application path, located in the rear, from the second distribution roller  324  via one or several assigned application rollers  322 ,  323 . The expression “front” and “located in the rear” application path refers to the sequence of the contact when the forme cylinder  304  rotates after conveying ink to the transfer cylinder  303 . 
     As represented by dashed lines in  FIG. 3 , the movable third inking roller  318  can be brought into a first position or placement, shown in dashed lines, in which it takes ink from the first distribution roller  316  and conveys it via the fourth ink roller  319 , and the fifth ink roller  320  to the third distribution roller  321 . In a second position or placement, the third ink roller  318  takes the ink from the second distribution roller  324 , which receives the ink from the first distribution roller  316 , via the second inking roller  317 . By use of the movable third inking roller  318 , it is therefore possible to realize a direct path of ink via two or three distribution cylinders  316 ,  321 ,  324  arranged in series, regardless of whether or not, in addition and in parallel to this path, a second path of the ink via only two distribution rollers  316 ,  324  has been realized. 
     The inking behavior of the forme cylinder  304  can be changed and set by the inking system  305  via the movable third inking roller  318 . In the first mode of operation, in which the roller  318  is in the first position, as shown in dashed lines in  FIG. 3 , more ink is transferred into the application path “located in the rear” via the second group of rollers  319 ,  320 ,  321 ,  322 , consisting of the third distribution roller  321  and assigned ink and application rollers  319 ,  320 ,  322 ,  323 , and from there to the forme cylinder  304 , than in the second operating mode in which the roller  318  is in its second position. In the second operating mode, ink for the rear application path is first taken from the second distribution roller cylinder  324 . Correspondingly, in the reverse way, the ink application is reduced or is increased via the first group of rollers  324 ,  325 , and possibly  328 , from the direction of the second distribution roller  324  to the forme cylinder  304 . 
     The rollers or the distribution cylinders which are assigned to the inking system  305  or to the dampening system  306  are understood to be those rollers or distribution cylinders, which, with the inking and dampening systems operated separately, are assigned with their basic function, i.e. in this example a distribution roller  329  in the dampening system  306 , and three distribution rollers  316 ,  321 ,  324 , in the inking system  305  when dampening agent application and ink application are separated. 
     As also indicated by dashed lines in  FIG. 3 , the fourth ink application roller  328  preferably can also be shifted between two operating positions. In a first position, which is shown in a solid line, roller  328  is placed against the second distribution roller  324 , and in a second position, which is shown in dashed lines, it is moved away from second distribution roller  324 . In this case, the contact can be provided from the fourth ink application roller  328  of the dampening system  306  to the second distribution roller  324  of the inking system  305 , where an ink/dampening agent emulsion is formed. However, in both positions the fourth ink application roller  328  works together with forme cylinder  304 , and with a further distribution roller  329  of the dampening system  306 , for example a distribution roller  329 , in particular a traversing chromium roller  329 . The traversing chromium roller  329  receives the dampening agent from a moistening arrangement, such as, for example, a roller  330 , and in particular a dipping roller  330 , which dips into a dampening agent supply  332 , such as, for example, a water fountain. A drip pan  335  is preferably arranged underneath the water fountain for catching condensation water forming on the water fountain which, in an advantageous embodiment, is configured to be heatable, for example by the use of a heating spiral. 
     The mobility of the rollers  317 ,  318 ,  328  is to be understood as not to be the customary setting capability for adjustment purposes, but instead is meant to be the operational mobility for resetting from one operating position into the other. This means that actuating members and/or stops, such as, for example, adjustable ones, which can be operated manually or by drive mechanisms, are provided for the one, as well as for the other operating position. Furthermore, there is a longer permissible actuating path, or the roller arrangement has been correspondingly selected in such a way that the two positions can be reached over the customary actuating path. 
     In an advantageous embodiment, the chromium roller  329  and the dipping roller  330  are each seated, for example on levers, so that they can be moved in a direction perpendicular to their respective axes, so that the position of the fourth application roller  328  can be changed in the above mentioned way. 
     The distribution rollers  316 ,  321 ,  324  of the inking system  305 , as well as the distribution roller  329  of the dampening system  306  are seated, axially movable, in lateral frames, which are not represented in  FIG. 3 , in such a way that they can perform a traversing movement. The traversing movement of the distribution rollers  316 ,  321 ,  324  and of the distribution roller  329  takes place in a forced manner, coupled via appropriate gears with the respective rotatory drive mechanism. A seating which permits traversing is also provided for the fourth application roller  328  and for the third application roller  323 . However, in contrast to the first mentioned distribution rollers  316 ,  321 ,  324  and the dampening system distribution roller  329 , the axial movement of the application rollers  328  and  323  is merely caused by mechanical friction of the shell faces working together, and not by the use of an appropriate traversing gear. Such seating, which makes possible degrees of freedom in the axial direction, can also be provided optionally for the two application rollers  322  and  325 . 
     The arrangement in the inking and dampening systems  305 ,  306 , shown in solid lines in  FIG. 3 , represents the working together of the rollers  313  to  325  and  328  to  330  provided for during “normal” printing operations. Ink and dampening paths are also connected by the second distribution roller  324 , besides via the forme cylinder  304 . Indirect dampening also takes place, in addition to direct dampening. 
     A mode of operations is schematically represented in  FIG. 4 , for only the upper printing group  301 , wherein the second inking roller  317 , moved away from the second distribution roller  324 , as shown in dashed lines, remains placed against the first distribution roller  316 , which is shown in solid lines, and, in a further development, is simultaneously placed against the film roller  314 . At the same time, the movable third inking roller  318  is moved away from the second distribution roller  324  and is placed against the first distribution roller  316 . Thus, the ink path runs via the first and third distribution rollers  316 ,  321 . The fourth application roller  328  of the dampening system  306  is in contact with the third distribution roller  324 , so that the application of dampening agent takes place directly and via five rollers  324 ,  325  and  328  to  330 , thereby forming a five roller dampening system. Because of the displacement capability of the second inking roller  317 , and possibly also of the third inking roller  318 , one of three distribution rollers  316 ,  321 ,  324  of the inking system  305 , and an application roller  325  can therefore be assigned to the dampening system  306 . This mode of operation of the inking and dampening systems  305 ,  306  is particularly suited when operating with special inks, and in particular with inks with a large metallic proportion, and/or if no indirect dampening is to take place for other reasons, such as, for example, emulsification behavior and/or unnecessary roller soiling. 
       FIG. 5  schematically shows, again only for the upper printing group  301 , a mode of operation in which the fourth application roller  328  has been moved away from the second distribution roller  324 , as shown in solid lines, but remains placed against the dampening system distribution roller  329 , as well as the forme cylinder  304 . Dampening takes place only via the three rollers  328  to  330 . In a variation, which is not specifically represented, inking can take place simultaneously via all rollers  322 ,  323 ,  325  of the inking system  305 , with the application rollers  322 ,  323 ,  325  in contact. In the variation shown in  FIG. 5 , however, the application rollers  322 ,  323 ,  325  are simultaneously moved away from the forme cylinder  304 , as indicated by arrows, and the drive mechanism of the inking system  305  is, for example, decoupled or is stopped. This last mentioned variation of the present invention is particularly suited for the mode of operation of the inking and dampening system  305 ,  306  in connection with a so-called blind plate operation, which is when the assigned forme cylinder  304 , or its printing forme, does not contain an image to be imprinted. Thus, because of the capability of the fourth application roller  328  to be displaced, a selection between direct dampening in the “three roller dampening system” and, as a function of the position of the second inking roller  317 , indirect dampening, or direct dampening in the “five roller dampening system” is possible. 
     In an advantageous embodiment of the inking system  305 , the rollers  313 ,  314 ,  315 , which have been placed against each other, are arranged in such a way that, in the contacted position, connections V 1 , V 2  of the axes of rotation of the rollers  313  and  315 , as seen in  FIG. 2 , substantially form a right angle α of approximately 90° with the respective axis of rotation of the roller  314 , i.e. 80°&lt;α&lt;100°, in particular 85°&lt;α&lt;95°. In an advantageous further development, a connection V 3  between the contact point, for example the contact point of the actuating device  312  at the roller  313 , also substantially forms a right angle β with the axis of rotation of the roller  313 , i.e. 80°&lt;β&lt;100°, in particular 85°&lt;β 95°, for connecting the axes of rotation of the rollers  313  and  314 . The angles α and β are oriented in such a way that the three mentioned imagined connections V 1 , V 2  and V 3  together result in a “zigzag pattern”. This arrangement is of particular advantage in view of the decoupling of undesired movements when producing radial forces, and in view of the reduction of soiling resulting from ink mist. 
     In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the arrangement of the rollers  313  and  314  has been selected to be such that the axis of rotation of the roller  314 , which is configured as a film roller  314 , lies above the axis of rotation of the duct roller  313 . Generally expressed, the arrangement has been selected in such a way that, when taking the direction of rotation of the rollers  313 ,  314  into consideration, the inlet side of the nip point is located lower than the outlet side. A hydrostatic wedge between the two rollers  313 ,  314  on the inlet side of the nip point is prevented, which hydrostatic wedge could push the rollers  313 ,  314  apart and could result in an uneven ink distribution. 
     The shell face of the film roller  314  is provided, in a particularly advantageous way, with a surface structure  344 , which, as seen in  FIG. 6 , only has an averaged supporting surface  346 , for example elevations  346 , between 5 and 15%, and in particular between 5 to 11%, in the effective area, and recesses  347 ,  348  lying between them. The portion of the supporting surface  346  of the entire effective shell face can, in principle, be embodied in the most diverse manner by evenly distributed recesses, milled-out places, and the like of different patterns.  FIG. 6  schematically shows a particularly advantageous configuration of the surface structure  344 , which can be produced in a simple manner and moreover which has an advantageous effect with regard to the taking up and releasing of ink. 
     The surface structure  344  of the film roller  314  consists of two groups of grooves  347 ,  348  extending in straight lines on the surface of the roller  314 . The grooves  347 ,  348  of each sub-group of grooves extend parallel, with respect to each other, and are evenly distributed over the circumferential surface of the film roller  314 . The grooves  347  of the first sub-group of grooves extend at a twist angle γ, which, for example, lies in the range of between 20° and 40°, and in particular between 25° and 35°, distributed relative to the longitudinal axis of the film roller  314  over the circumferential surface of the film roller  314 . The grooves  348  of the second sub-group of grooves extend at a twist angle δ, which, for example lies in the range of between 25° and 35°, and in particular lie between 28° and 38°, in relation to the longitudinal axis of the film roller  314 . The grooves  347 ,  348  of the two sub-groups of grooves are arranged in such a way that they cross on the circumferential surface. The lozenge-shaped elevations  346  are formed between the grooves  347 ,  348  by the grooves  347 ,  348  crossing each other. 
     A depth t 347 , t 348  of the grooves  347 ,  348  is advantageously from 0.2 to 0.6 mm, at least at their lowest point, wherein the depths t 347 , t 348  of the two grooves  347 ,  348  are preferably substantially identical. A width b 347  of the grooves  347  advantageously is from 1.0 to 1.8 mm, a width b 348  of the grooves  348  is advantageously from 0.7 to 1.6 mm. The grooves  347 ,  348  extending parallel with each other should be spaced apart from each other in such a way that the lateral length of the lozenge-shaped elevations  346  on the one, longer side, such as, for example, adjoining the groove  348  are from 0.5 to 1.0 mm, and on the other, shorter side, such as, for example, adjoining the groove  347  are from 0.4 to 0.7 mm. 
     In an advantageous embodiment, the production of the grooves  347 ,  348  takes place by the removal of surface material  349 , such as, for example by milling. Advantageously, the grooves have a cross section substantially in the shape of an arc of a circle. This section of an arc of a circle of the wider grooves  347  has a radius, for example, in the range between approximately 0.6 to 1.0 mm, and a radius of the narrower grooves  348  of between 0.4 and 0.8 mm. Milling-out the grooves  347 , which are extending spirally on the shell face, takes place, for example, at a distance a 347  between the groove center lines of 1.85 to 2.45 mm, while milling-out the grooves  348  takes place, for example, at a distance a 348  between the center lines of 1.35 to 1.95 mm. For example, the surface material  349  may be embodied as a plastic material, such as, for example, polyamide, and in particular as a sinter-coated plastic material on a metallic roller base body  351 , such as, for example, a metal tube, which is not specifically represented, of a preferred wall thickness of 7.0 to 12 mm. Advantageously, a non-milled thickness d 349 , i.e. in the area of the elevation  346 , of the surface material  349  lies between 0.8 and 1.2 mm. 
     Besides the above-mentioned rollers  313  to  325 , the inking system  305  has at least one further roller  326 , by the use of which ink can be taken from the inking system  305  in the ink path, in particular at a location upstream of the first distribution cylinder  316 . This takes place wherein an appropriate removal device  333 , which is shown in  FIG. 3 , can be placed against this roller  326  itself or, as is shown in  FIG. 3 , against a roller  327  working together with it. 
       FIG. 7  shows the removal device  333  working together with the roller  327 , and possibly also the roller  326 , but matched to the specific roller direction of rotation. A plurality of sections  334 , for example embodied as stripping elements  334 , including for example, individual stripping elements  334 . 1  to  334 . 10 , can be placed against the shell face. In particular, the removal device  333  has respectively at least one such stripping element  334 , at least in an edge area of the roller  327 . For example, no stripping elements  334  are provided in the area of a central zone  340 , also referred to as a non-effective zone  340 , of the roller  327 . In a non-represented variation, stripping elements  334  can also be provided in the zone  340  which stripping elements  334 , however, are adjusted or set, as required, in such a way that they do not come into contact with the shell face when the removal device is brought into contact. Depending on whether one or several stripping elements  334  are brought in or out of contact, especially in the roller edge area, ink can be taken out of the corresponding section of the roller  327  and can be caught, for example, in a reservoir  336  and can be returned again in a further development of the ink guidance device. This section represents a zone  331 , which is effective in respect to ink removal, and in particular represents a contact zone  331 . Thus, ink is removed via the roller  327  in this section of the inking roller  315 , and therefore is also possibly removed in the subsequent ink path to the forme cylinder  304 . Such removal may only be partial because of re-inking. It is therefore possible to set an ink flow in the inking system  305  to a web width “b”, “b′” of the web B, B′ to be imprinted by setting defined stripping elements  334  from the respective edge section of the roller  327 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , one group of several stripping elements  334 , in this case five such stripping elements  334 . 1  to  334 . 5 , and  334 . 6  to  334 . 10 , have been arranged side-by-side, substantially ending flush with each other, from the direction of each edge area of the roller  327 . It is possible to arrange a section without stripping elements  334 , corresponding to a minimum width “b” of a web B′ to be imprinted between the two groups. 
     In the embodiment in accordance with  FIG. 7 , the stripping elements  334  are arranged on a common spindle  337  and can be brought into and out of contact with roller  327  by pivoting the spindle  337  by the operation of a spindle drive mechanism  338 , which, in this case, is a cylinder  338 , which can be actuated by pressure media, and which is located on both sides of the stripping element. The definition of the effective stripping elements  334  here is provided by the manual setting of blades  339  via respective actuating mechanisms  341 , such as, for example, lever mechanisms  341 . However, in an advantageous further development, the setting of the blades  339  can also take place via individual drive mechanisms, such as, for example, by the use of small pressure-medium cylinders, magnetically, piezo-electrically or by motors. In this case, drive mechanisms which are remote-controlled, such as, for example, from a control console and/or a press control device, are advantageous. 
     In an embodiment which is not specifically represented, the stripping elements  334  are not brought into or out of contact as a whole. Instead, setting takes place individually for each stripping element  334 , for example by the use of individual drive mechanisms, such as, for example, by the use of small pressure medium cylinders, magnetically, piezo-electrically or by motors. Here, too, remote-controlled drive mechanisms are advantageous, which may be operated, for example, from a control console and/or from a press control device. 
     In connection with the variation, or embodiment, with remote-controlled drive mechanisms, a way of proceeding, which is described in what follows, is of advantage. When setting the ink flow for the product and/or the width “b”, “b” of the web B, B′ to be imprinted, the ink inflow from the ink fountain  311  into the inking system  305  is performed in zones by setting flow-through gaps between the ink fountain  311  and the first roller  313 , as shown schematically in  FIG. 8 . This takes place, for example, in a remote-controlled manner by adjusting ink blades  343  by the use of drive mechanisms, which are not specifically represented in  FIG. 8 . If a center-running web B′, which is of only partial width “b” is imprinted, in principle at least one of the ink blades  343  on each side of the roller  313  is closed, for example. The number of ink blades  343  which basically must be closed as a result of the web width is determined by the width b, b′ of the web B, B′. Moreover, ink blades can, of course, also be closed as a function of the print image, or as a function of the ink requirement in the respective zones of the area to be imprinted. 
     In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the basic setting, as a function of the width of the web B, B′, is performed automatically by the press control device, as a function of the web width to be imprinted. For example, this web width information is available in the product information and/or in the roll changer  100 . The information regarding the web width, or the information regarding closed ink blades  343 , is now used for controlling the above-mentioned drive mechanisms for the individually actuatable stripping elements  334  or blades  339 . The selection of the stripping elements  334  or blades  339  to be used are determined based on this information, and the respective drive mechanisms are triggered. The control of ink blades  343  on the one side and the blades  339  or stripping elements  334  on the other side can also take place in parallel on the basis of mutually available information, such as, for example, information regarding the web width. 
     The cylinders  303 ,  304  and the rollers  313  to  330  of the inking and dampening systems  305 ,  306  are each seated with their respective ends in, or on lateral frames  352 ,  353 , or frame walls  352 ,  353 , as can be seen in  FIG. 9 . However, only the rollers  329  and  330  with their fastening and drive simulation, which will be described in greater detail below, as well as the main drive  354  of the printing unit  300 , also explained below, are represented by way of example in  FIG. 9 . 
     One of the frame walls  352 ,  353 , and in particular the frame wall  353  on the side of the main drive  354 , is structured to be in one or in several parts in such a way that a lockable hollow space  356 , such as, for example, a lubricant chamber  356 , can be formed, which space  356  extends at least over an area which covers the fronts of all of the cylinders  303 ,  304  and the rotatorily driven rollers. As represented schematically in  FIG. 10 , a releasable cover  357  for the hollow space  356  is provided at the frame end face. The other frame wall  352 , together with a similar releasable cover  358 , which is arranged at the cover end face, also forms a hollow space  359 , in which the switching and control devices  361 , which is shown in dashed lines, for example in the form of a switchgear cabinet  361 , among others, of the printing unit  300  are housed. In contrast to an arrangement between the printing units  300 , the advantage is provided by the arrangement of the switching and control devices  361  at the frame end face because the space between two printing units  300  is accessible from both sides. Therefore, an operating side of the printing press can be freely selected. This is further aided in that a longitudinal tie-bar  362  connecting the printing units  300  can be selectively arranged on the frame wall  352  or  353 . 
     A longitudinal tie-bar  362  connecting the printing units  300  is arranged on one of the frame walls  352 ,  353 , for example selectively. 
     On the sides of the frames facing the cylinders  303 ,  304 , the frame walls  352 ,  353  each have a shoulder  363  extending out of the plane of the respective frame wall  352 ,  353 . Advantageously, the shoulder  363  is embodied to be of one piece with the lateral frame  352 ,  353  and is advantageously produced, in the course of the production in a casting mold, in the form of a so-called lug  363 . The lug  363  has bores extending through it and through the plane of the frame wall  352 ,  353  for receiving bearings, which are not represented. The lug  363  extends, in particular continuously, over the end area of the forme and transfer cylinders  303 ,  304 , but not over the end areas of the traversing inking or dampening systems and/or of those rollers and cylinders capable of traversing. 
     The rollers  329  and  330  depicted schematically in  FIG. 9 , are seated, on the inside of the frame walls  352 ,  353 , in levers  364 ,  366 , which are each pivotable around a pivot shaft S 329 , S 330 , which extends parallel with the respective roller axis of rotation, as seen in  FIG. 11 . However, they can also be seated in eccentric bushings. Also, one of the rollers  329 ,  330 , and in particular the roller  330 , can, for example, be seated in eccentric bushings, and the other roller, and in particular the roller  329 , then can be supported in levers  364 ,  366 . 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pivot shaft S 329  coincides with the axis of rotation of the roller  330  and is moved, along with the roller  329 , in the course of pivoting of the lever  364 . The pivot shaft S 330  of the roller  330  is fixed in place on the frame. One individual rotatory drive mechanism  367 ,  368  for each roller  329 ,  330 , and in particular a drive motor  367 ,  368 , is provided for each roller  329 ,  330 , as seen in  FIG. 12  and is also connected with the respective lever  364 ,  366  and is thus moved, along with the respective roller  329 ,  330 , and which thus individually rotatorily drives the respective roller  329 ,  330 , mechanically independently of each other, for example via a corner, bevel or angle gear  369 ,  371 . Drive motor  367 ,  368  is preferably embodied as an electric motor  367 ,  368  whose number of revolutions can be regulated, which can, in particular, be regulated continuously, and in particular as a rotary current motor  367 ,  368 . Setting of the number of revolutions, or of the dampening, can take place in an advantageous manner from the control console, such as, for example from the ink setting console, where it is also displaced. In a preferred embodiment, a correlation between the speed of rotation of the press and the dampening, or the number of revolutions, is stored in the press control device, by the use of which, the number of revolutions, to which the two rollers  329 ,  330  are to be adjusted, and in particular to which the roller  330  is to be adjusted, can be preset. 
     The lever  366  of the roller  330  can have an adjustable stop  365 , by the use of which, the roller  330  is supported in the contact position of the dampening system  306  on a stop  370  of the fourth application roller  328 , which works together with the roller  329 . 
     The respective lever  364 ,  366  can be pivoted by a lever drive mechanism  372 ,  373 , and in particular by cylinders  372 ,  373  which can each be charged with a pressure medium. The rollers  329 ,  330  are seated, preferably on both sides, on the two frame walls  352 ,  353  in respective levers  364 ,  366 , each with drive mechanisms  372 ,  373  for accomplishing the pivoting movement, as seen in  FIG. 11 . 
     On the front or end of roller  329  that is opposite the rotatory drive mechanism  367 , the roller  329  has a traversing drive  374 , which, in particular, is a traversing mechanism  374  for generating an axial traversing movement from the roller rotary movement. This traversing mechanism  374  is preferably arranged outside of the roller body in order to avoid generation of heated spots of frictional heat in the roller  329 . In an advantageous embodiment, the traversing mechanism  374  is located on the drive side of the printing group  300 , i.e. in the area of the same frame wall as the main drive  354 , and/or as a drive train of the printing group cylinders. However, the rotatory drive mechanism  367  of the rollers  329  and  330  may be situated on the opposite side, i.e. in the area of the frame wall  352 . If the hollow space  356  is embodied as a lubricant chamber  356 , the traversing mechanism  374  can be arranged in it as an open gear, which is not separately lubricated. On the side or end of the roller  329  remote from the traversing mechanism  374 , the roller  329  is seated in a drive connection with the motor shaft via the corner gear  369  and via an angle-compensating coupling  375 , which may be, for example, a hypoid-tooth coupling device, and a shaft  376 , via a coupling assembly  377 , which may be for example, embodied as a bearing  377 , and in particular may be an axial bearing, in such a way that a rotatory movement is transmitted, but an axial movement of the roller  329  in regard to the shaft  376  is also possible, all as seen in  FIG. 13 . Advantageously, the bearing  377  is embodied as a ball-bearing sleeve, which transmits torque, wherein balls which run, for example, in longitudinal grooves of the shaft  376 , as well as of the bearing body, transmit a torque, but keep the bearing body axially movable in relation to the shaft  376 . For example, the bearing body may be connected, fixed against relative rotation, with the roller body of the roller  329 . 
       FIG. 14  shows an advantageous embodiment of the gear  374  in the area of the other end face of the roller  329 , which gear  374 , in principle, is embodied based on the function of a cam gear with a groove  400  extending in a curved shape and an engaging stop  401 . An outer sleeve  378 , with inner teeth, is fixedly connected with the lever  364  and supports the stop  401 , or alternatively the groove  400 , with the stop then being on the roller. An inner bushing  381 , which supports the groove  400 , or alternatively the stop  401 , is connected, via a flexible, but torsion-proof connector  379 , which may be hinged or having flexural strength, with an annular gear  380  with teeth on its exterior. The annular gear  380  is rotatably seated on an eccentric device  382 , which is connected, torsion-proof, but eccentrically with respect to the axis of rotation of the roller  329 , via a shaft  385 , with the latter. When the roller  329  rotates, the eccentric device  382  rotates and lets the annular gear  380  roll off on the inner teeth, in the course of which the inner bushing  381  is caused to rotate in relation to the outer bushing  378  that is fixed on the lever. A gear reduction ratio between the rotation of the roller  329  and the rotation of the inner bushing  381  is determined by the tooth ratio between the inner teeth and the annular gear  380 . The axial movement of the inner bushing, which is caused by the curve of the groove  400 , is transmitted, as a traversing movement, to the roller  329  via the connector  379 , which can be charged with pressure and tension, a seating between the eccentric device  382  and the annular gear  380 , which can be charged with pressure and tension, and the roller  385 . 
     The arrangement of the traversing roller  329  or of the roller  330  in levers  364 ,  366 , the individual rotatory drive via the drive motors  367 ,  368  assigned to the respective levers  364 ,  366 , possibly via corner gears  369 ,  371 , as well as, in case of the traversing motion, the arrangement of the drive motor  367 ,  368  and of the traversing gear  374  on the above-described sides of the press, can be transferred in the same way to one or to several others of the rollers of the inking system  305 , and should therefore be understood as such. 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 9 , driving of the cylinders  303 ,  304  of the printing unit  300  is performed via a main drive  354 , such as, for example, an electric motor  354  which is fixed in place on the frame, and in particular by an electric motor  354  whose angular position can be regulated and which electric motor  354  is advantageously embodied to be water-cooled. The arrangement of the drive mechanism is represented in more detail in  FIG. 15 , starting at the frame wall  353  and viewed toward the outside. With its pinion gear  383  which is indicated by the arrow in dashed lines, but which is not visible in  FIG. 15 , the electric motor  354  does not drive directly on a drive wheel  386 ,  387  of one of the cylinders  303 ,  304 , but via an intermediate wheel  384 . The intermediate wheel  384  is seated in a lever  388 , which lever  388  is seated to be pivotable in principle around an axis of rotation R 383  of the pinion gear  383 . With the position of the electric motor  354  fixed in place, with respect to the frame wall  353  of the frame, an adaptation of printing units  300  of different formats to different cylinder circumferences, and therefore to different circumferences of the drive wheels  386 ,  387 , can take place in a simple manner. Depending on the format of the printing unit  300 , the lever  388  is pivoted during mounting in such a way that the intermediate wheel  384  is in optimal engagement with the respective drive wheel  386  or  387 . Fixation elements  389 , such as, for example, bolts  389  and corresponding bores, which are not specifically represented, are advantageously provided on the drive unit and/or in the frame wall  353 , by the use of which, the aligned lever  388 , after having been mounted in the respective position with regard to the frame wall  353  and/or to the electric motor  354 , can be fixed in place. The bores that are relevant for the respective format are preferably already prepared during the manufacturing of the structural parts in the factory. In a printing unit  300 , or in a printing press, for a first format with a section length “a”, the lever  388  is fixed, in respect to a vertical line, in a different position than in a printing unit  300 , or in a printing press, for a second format, also with a section length “a”, wherein the electric motor  354  maintains its position in respect to the frame wall  353 . 
     In principle, driving can take place from the intermediate wheel  384  on any arbitrary one of the drive wheels  386 ,  387 . However, driving preferably first takes place on the drive wheel  387  of one of the two forme cylinders  304 . From there, driving takes place on the drive wheel  386  of the associated transfer cylinder  303 . From there, driving occurs on the other transfer cylinder  303 , and finally on the second forme cylinder  304 . The drive wheels  386 ,  387  are connected, fixed against relative rotation, for example via journals, with their respective cylinder  303 ,  304 . Rotatory driving of one or several rollers  313  to  327  of the associated inking systems  305  takes place through further drive wheels  391 , which are connected, fixed against relative rotation, with the two forme cylinders  304 . Advantageously, the distribution cylinders  316 ,  321 ,  324  are rotatorily driven, from the direction of the forme cylinder  304 , via a positively connected drive mechanism. The duct roller  313  typically has its own rotatory drive mechanism, such as, for example, its own, mechanically independent drive motor, which is not specifically represented. The remaining rollers  313 ,  315 ,  317  to  320 ,  322 ,  323  and  325  to  327  of the inking system  305  are only rotatorily, and possibly also axially driver, as discussed above, by friction. 
     In an advantageous manner, driving of the two distribution cylinders  321 ,  324  takes place, via an intermediate wheel  392 , on drive wheels  393 ,  394  mounted of the two distribution cylinders  321 ,  324 , as seen in  FIG. 16 . The intermediate wheel  392  is preferably configured to be either coupled or decoupled, so that the respective drive train and the forme cylinder  304  can be mechanically separated from each other. The similar but non-represented drive train in the lower printing group  301  follows correspondingly. From the drive wheel  393  of the distribution cylinder  324 , driving is performed, through a further intermediate wheel  395 , on a drive wheel  398  of the distribution cylinder  316 . The drive or intermediate wheels  392  to  396  are preferably configured as gear wheels  392  to  396 . The drive connections have been structured in such a way that an axial movement of the distribution cylinders  316 ,  321 ,  324  is made possible. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 3  and as already mentioned above, in an advantageous embodiment, the printing group  301  utilizes the device  307  for accomplishing the at least semi-automatic changing of a printing forme  310  on the assigned forme cylinder  304 . The forme changing device  30  is configured in two parts and has a contact pressure device  397 , also called a “semi-automatic changer”  397 , which is arranged in the area of a nip point between the forme and transfer cylinders  303 ,  304 , and a magazine  398 , structurally separated from it, which magazine  398  is provided with feeding and receiving devices for the printing formes  310 . 
     In an advantageous further development, the printing unit  300  has a device  399  for counter-acting the fan-out effect, i.e. for affecting a change in the transverse extension/width of the web B from one print location to the other, which fan-out effect is caused by the printing process, and in particular is caused by moisture. To this end, at least one nozzle is arranged on a cross-beam in such a way that gas, and in particular air, flowing out of the at least one nozzle is directed onto the web B. B′. Depending on the force of the flow of that gas, the web B, B′ undulates more or less when passing through this area, which undulation results in a correction of the width b, b′ and of the lateral alignment of each partial area of the printed image. 
     While preferred embodiments of rollers of an inking or dampening system, as well as an inking or dampening system with two rollers acting together in the print-on position, 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 various changes in, for example, the type of web being printed, the specific inks and dampening fluids being used, and the like can 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.