Abstract:
A changing station for sleeves of a printing machine has a conveyable magazine with at least one take-up device for the sleeves. The magazine is both vertically and horizontally conveyable alongside the printing machine. The horizontal movement can be provided by a rail, and the vertical movement can be provided by a crane or hoist.

Description:
This is a nationalization of PCT/EP03/04950 filed May 9, 2003 and published in German. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The invention concerns a changing station for sleeves of printing machines. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   It is often necessary to change the print impression subjects on the printing rollers in order to implement print job orders. In order to be able to carry out a job order change as quickly and simply as possible, only the so-called printing sleeves that carry the subjects of the print impression are changed. 
   The as yet unpublished patent application DE 101 12 522 shows a take-up device with a plurality of carrier bars for receiving printing sleeves. This take-up device is set up in the proximity of a printing group. For this purpose, it possesses wheels, by which it is movable over the floors of the machine hall. Also, in order to set up the take-up device at an appropriate distance away from the more highly situated printing groups, the take-up device can be positioned on a lifting platform positioned alongside the printing machine. Removed sleeves are manually pulled off from the printing roller and/or from the anilox roller by the operating personnel, are lifted over to the take-up device and are slid onto a carrier bar of the take-up device. As a rule, the take-up device also carries the sleeves for the new print job order, which are also manually moved and pulled on to the printing roller and/or the anilox roller. In the case of the described operations, the operating personnel stands on the aforementioned lifting platform and lifts the sleeves to be changed from the printing machine to the take-up device and vice versa. 
   This work obviously made hard by the weight of the sleeves and the necessity of pulling up the bar to be changed up to the printing cylinder or up to the carrier bar is often rendered even more difficult when the position of the sleeve to be changed in the take-up device is greatly offset in terms of the axis of the printing roller or of the anilox roller. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The task of the current invention consists in facilitating this operation. 
   The task is achieved by the characteristic features of the invention described herein, in which an additional conveyance option is provided for a magazine in the horizontal direction, which ensures that the magazine is conveyable on both a horizontal and a vertical plane alongside the printing machine. In this case, a magazine in accordance with the invention can also simply comprise a take-up device. A take-up device can comprise a carrier bar but also of a shelf-like or drawer-shaped repository or of other types of structural elements suitable for the storage of sleeves. 
   The horizontal displacement capability of the magazine can be advantageously achieved by one or several crane-like devices, whereby steering of the magazine from several crane cables introduces the possibility of tipping over the magazine. Advantage can be taken from this possibility when several take-up devices of the magazine are to be simultaneously aligned with several rollers. If the axes of these rollers do not lie on one horizontal plane, the possibility of tipping over the magazine can be very useful. Of course, to realize this possibility, devices other than the setup of several cranes also come under consideration. 
   The horizontal displacement capability can advantageously be secured by the aid of linear guidance. When combining the devices mentioned above to realize the capability of displacement, it is recommended to use the crane and track system presented in the description of the invention. 
   In the case of magazines with several take-up devices, supplementary means are useful to change the position of at least one take-up device inside of the magazine. With the aid thereof, a “fine adjustment” of the position of the take-up device can be made relative to the axis of a roller without requiring that the entire magazine be moved. In the claims and in the description of the invention subject matter, various possibilities for realizing this fine adjustment are disclosed. First, a revolving magazine based on a disc is claimed, said revolving magazine rotating the take-up devices around a rotational center. A similar underlying principle consists in an endless belt or in a chain belt that runs circularly in the magazine and hereby leads the take-up devices on with itself. Also, devices that are based on a shaft-like or shelf-like organization system and that remind us in their function of the conventional cigarette machines can be advantageously applied in the framework depicted. 
   Of all the means for changing the position of at least one of the take-up devices in the magazine, it is a great advantage if at least two take-up devices can be set up in the same position, one behind the other. If this possibility exists, an empty take-up device can first be brought into a favorable position relative to a roller axis for the purpose of exchanging the sleeves. This take-up device can then be loaded with the sleeve used in the preceding printing process and then be brought into another position. The very take-up device carrying the “new” sleeve to be applied in the printing machine will then assume the favorable position relative to the roller axis. 
   Another advantageous characteristic lies in the spacing distance that separates the take-up devices from one another. If, for example, the anilox roller sleeve as well as the printing roller sleeve of an inking unit must be changed simultaneously to save time, then the spacing of the take-up device assigned to the two rollers should correspond to the mutual spacing between the rollers so that the position favorable for changing the two rollers can be “simultaneously” attained. No subsequent additional adjustment of the magazine or of the take-up devices in the magazine is then required. 
   As initially stated, the changing operation to be performed by the operating personnel will be facilitated by any improvement in the alignment of the take-up devices relative to the anilox or printing rollers. When the alignment of the take-up devices is especially good, the sleeve can be directly moved over from the roller onto the take-up device, whereby the sleeve is always carried together either by the take-up device, the roller or by both of the two structural elements. To this end, it is necessary that the spacing between the free end of the take-up device and the free end of the roller or of its shaft be smaller than the axial length of the sleeve. 
   To facilitate the realization of this form of embodiment, drawer-like slide-in units (i.e., inserts) can also be provided to extend the loading surface of the take-up devices. When changing the sleeves, these slide-in units can extend the take-up device in the direction of the free end of the rollers and, in this manner, they can carry the sleeve during sleeve change so that the operating personnel has less burdensome work to do. When applying carrier bars as take-up devices, these slide-in units, as a rule, comprise tubes that can be pulled out of the carrier bars when needed. This special form of embodiment is also more specifically detailed in the description of the subject matter. 
   In particular, with the use of carrier bars as take-up devices, it is advantageous if the axis of the printing roller is indeed actually in alignment with the axis of the associated carrier bar. Then the spacing distance between the end of the carrier bar and the free end of the associated roller can be extremely reduced during the changing operation. The sleeve then only needs to be pulled over from the roller onto the bar or from the bar on to the roller. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The individual figures show: 
       FIG. 1  A side view of a printing machine 
       FIG. 2  A view of the open side of a magazine for sleeves 
       FIG. 3  A top view of the printing machine from  FIG. 1   
       FIG. 4  A view of the open side of a magazine for sleeves 
       FIG. 5  A section through the magazine represented in  FIG. 4   
       FIG. 6  A view of the open side of another magazine for sleeves 
       FIG. 7  A section through the magazine represented in  FIG. 6   
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 
     FIG. 1  shows a printing machine  1  in which two inking units  25 ,  26  are represented that are made visible by the cutouts  9  in the side stand  2 . Essential component parts of an inking unit are the anilox roller  13  and the printing roller  16 , which are respectively supported on the bearing block  11  for anilox rollers or on the bearing block  14  for printing rollers over an underprop bearing  23 ,  24 . Through the lower cutout  9 , a section of the counter-pressure cylinder  10  can also be seen. 
   When changing an anilox roller sleeve  12  or a printing roller sleeve  15  in the upper area of the printing machine  1 , the checker plate for footboard  6  is first pulled out by hand in the direction of arrow A so as to be subsequently positioned beneath the printing group to be accessed. For this purpose, the footboard  6  is slidably supported in the platform  3 . For reasons of stability, the platform  3  is additionally supported by a support  4  on the side stand  2 . On the side opposite where the footboard  6  is positioned, steps  5  fold out. The operating personnel can now access one of the upper inking units  25  via the steps  5  and the footboard  6 . In order to facilitate the climb, step railings  8  are secured on the side stand  2 . Falling from the footboard  6  is prevented by a side railing  7 . 
   If the inking unit to be accessed is located in the lower area of the printing machine, then the footboard  6  and the steps  5  will create an obstruction. The footboard  6  can be moved to the side respectively opposite the counter-pressure cylinder and the steps  5  can be folded in their vertical resting position. The printing group is now openly accessible. 
   The steps necessary to carry out the sleeve change procedure are easy to recognize in  FIG. 3 . After opening the front face underprop bearings  23 ,  24 , the bearing blocks  11 ,  14  can be slid to the side so that the printing roller sleeve  15  and/or the anilox roller sleeve  12 , which are slipped on to the printing roller  16  or on to the anilox roller  13  can be accessed. The sleeves  15 ,  12  can now be removed by hand from the rollers  13 ,  16 . 
   For transporting away the sleeves  12 ,  15 , a magazine  17  with carrier bars  18  for sleeves  12 ,  15 , which magazine  17  can be equipped with casters for conveyance, which are not represented here, is lifted by the aid of a crane  19 . This crane  19  essentially comprises of a winding drum and of a motor. On a sliding carriage, the crane  19  is movable along the runway rail  21  running parallel to the side stand, whereby the displacement of the take-up devices  18  is ensured in the horizontal direction (x). In the shown exemplary embodiment, the magazine  17 , which is closed on three sides and open on one side, is secured to the crane in such a manner that the carrier bars  18  run parallel to the rollers  13 ,  16  and the open side of the magazine  17  faces the printing machine  1 , as is represented in  FIG. 3 . As mentioned, the hoist  19  gliding along the runway rail  21  and, together with it, the magazine  17  are movable in the direction of the double arrow B, in horizontal direction (x) parallel to the side stand  2 . With a favorable positioning of the magazine  17 , the operating personnel  33  only need move the sleeves  12 ,  15  over extremely short distances. 
   In order to do away with repositioning the entire magazine  17  when new sleeves  12 ,  15  are to be slipped on to the printing rollers  16  or on to the anilox rollers  13  during one same work operation, the magazine  17  can be equipped with carrier bars  18  exhibiting the same spacing distance as the axes of the two cylinders  13 ,  16  when in the mutually removed state. 
     FIGS. 6 and 7  show the exemplary embodiment of the magazine  17  in a detailed version. This exemplary embodiment is also shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . 
   This magazine  17  comprises a case  32  that is only open on the one side, in which the carrier bars  18  are aligned in rows, in a matrix formation, to receive the sleeves  12 ,  15 . The spacing distance between the two carrier bars  18  on a (horizontal) line corresponds to the spacing distance between the axes of the inking rollers  16  and printing rollers  13  of an inking unit  25 ,  26 . 
   When changing the sleeves, the entire magazine  17  is positioned by the aid of a crane  19  and of the rails  21  in such a manner that the axes of the above-mentioned rollers  13 ,  16  of an inking unit  25 ,  26  are aligned on one plane with the associated empty carrier bars  18 . The sleeves are slipped over onto the carrier bars. After this, the vertical position of the entire magazine  17  is changed with the crane so that the two carrier bars with the new sleeves  12 ,  15  to be installed into the inking unit are aligned with the axes of the two aforementioned rollers. After this, the rollers are fitted with these sleeves.  FIG. 6  shows a section that clarifies the function of the inserts  29 . These have been specifically conceived for carrying the sleeves during the sleeve changing operation. During sleeve change when the insert  29  is extended out, the free end  31  of the sleeve take-up device  18  is moved in the direction of the rollers  16 ,  13  or of their shafts. 
     FIGS. 2 ,  4  and  5  show another magazine  17  that can be applied in a sleeve changing device in accordance with the invention. 
   This magazine contains means by which the position of the take-up devices in the magazine  17  can be changed—said take-up devices here also being carrier bars  18 . These means essentially comprise a rotating disc  20 , onto which carrier bars are affixed, as is represented in  figure 2 . The rotational axis C of the disc runs parallel to the direction of the carriers bars  18 . In this manner, by rotating the disc  20 , it is possible to preposition the selected sleeves  12 ,  15  into the favorable position for sliding onto the rollers. Also arranged on this disc is respectively one bar  18  carrying an anilox roller sleeve and respectively one bar carrying a printing roller sleeve, spaced apart in such a manner, that both of the aforementioned carrier bars can be simultaneously brought into a position of alignment together with the two rollers  13 ,  16  of an inking unit. The advantage of such a type of magazine construction as compared to the type of construction shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  consists therein that during the changing of sleeves, no alteration of the position of the entire magazine  17  is required relative to the printing machine  1 , which would bring the carrier bars charged with the sleeves of the executed job order out of aligned position with the rollers. This process is effected by a simple rotation of the disc, which is carried out by the motor  27  and by the torque transfer cylinder  28 . At the end of the rotation of the cylinder, the carrier bars with the “new” sleeves  15 ,  12  align with the axes of the rollers  17 ,  16 . 
   The invention being thus described, it will be apparent that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be recognized by one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims. 
   
     
       
             
           
             
             
           
         
             
                 
             
             
               Reference number list 
             
             
                 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
           
        
         
             
                1 
               Printing machine 
             
             
                2 
               Side stand [frame] 
             
             
                3 
               Platform 
             
             
                4 
               Support 
             
             
                5 
               Steps 
             
             
                6 
               Footboard 
             
             
                7 
               Safety railing 
             
             
                8 
               Step railing 
             
             
                9 
               Cutout in side stand 
             
             
               10 
               Counter-pressure cylinder 
             
             
               11 
               Bearing block for anilox roller 
             
             
               12 
               Anilox roller sleeve 
             
             
               13 
               Anilox roller 
             
             
               14 
               Bearing block for printing roller 
             
             
               15 
               Printing roller sleeve 
             
             
               16 
               Printing roller 
             
             
               17 
               Magazine for sleeves 
             
             
               18 
               Carrier bar 
             
             
               19 
               Hoist 
             
             
               20 
               Rotatable disc 
             
             
               21 
               Runway rail 
             
             
               22 
               Elbow 
             
             
               23 
               Underprop bearing for anilox roller 
             
             
               24 
               Underprop bearing for printing roller 
             
             
               25 
               Inking unit 
             
             
               26 
               Inking unit 
             
             
               27 
               Motor for rotating the disc 20 
             
             
               28 
               Cylinder for transfer of torque 
             
             
               29 
               Insert for extending loading surface of the take-up device 
             
             
               30 
               Free end of the rollers or of their shafts 
             
             
               31 
               Free end of the inserts 29 
             
             
               32 
               Case 
             
             
               33 
               Operating personnel 
             
             
               C 
               Rotational axis of the disc