Patent ID: 7516698

Claim:
An offset web printing press comprising: a first print unit; and a second print unit; the first print unit including: a plate cylinder; a first blanket cylinder; a second blanket cylinder; a motor driving the plate cylinder and first blanket cylinder in a printing position; an autoplating mechanism; and a throw-off mechanism including a single actuator moving the first blanket cylinder from the second blanket cylinder and moving the first blanket cylinder to selectively contact or be apart from the plate cylinder, the throw-off mechanism defining a first throw-off position where the first blanket cylinder and the plate cylinder are in contact but the first blanket cylinder is apart from the second blanket cylinder so that the motor can drive the plate cylinder and the first blanket cylinder to permit autoplating and a second throw-off position where the first blanket cylinder is apart from the second blanket cylinder and from the plate cylinder, the second print unit including: a further plate cylinder located downstream of the plate cylinder; a further blanket cylinder located downstream of the first blanket cylinder, the further plate cylinder and further blanket cylinder printing on a same side of a web as the plate cylinder and first blanket cylinder; and a further motor driving the further plate cylinder and further blanket cylinder in a printing position.