Claims
- 1. A dampening system for a lithographic printing press, said press comprising a plate cylinder and inking rollers for applying ink to said plate cylinder, comprising:
- a) a pan for containing dampening fluid, said pan being mounted to a frame, which frame is adapted to be mounted onto said press;
- b) first and second dampening rollers rotatably mounted to said frame, said first and second dampening rollers being in contact with each other at a nip, one of said first and second dampening rollers being located in said pan so as to pick up dampening fluid from said pan;
- c) first drive means for rotating said first and second dampening rollers, said first drive means rotating said first and second dampening rollers at variable speeds, said first drive means being adapted to be coupled with said press;
- d) a third dampening roller rotatably mounted to said frame, said third dampening roller being in contact with one of said first and second dampening rollers, said third dampening roller being adapted to apply dampening fluid to said plate cylinder, said third dampening roller encountering rotational resistance when said dampening system is mounted on said press and said press is operating, said rotational resistance being due to the viscosity of a mixture of ink and dampening fluid on said third dampening roller;
- e) second drive means for rotating said third dampening roller independently of said first and second dampening rollers and said press rollers, said second drive means being adapted to be coupled with said press;
- f) sensor means for sensing the rotational resistance of said third dampening roller, said sensor means being coupled to said frame so as to sense said rotational resistance;
- g) controller means for automatically controlling the surface speed of said first and second dampening rollers, said controller means having an input and an output, said input being connected with said sensor means, said output being connected with said first drive means, said controller means causing said first drive means to rotate said first and second dampening rollers at a predetermined surface speed which corresponds to a predetermined rotational resistance of said third dampening roller, and causing said first drive means to correspondingly change the surface speed of said first and second dampening rollers in response to changes in said rotational resistance of said third dampening roller such that when said rotational resistance as sensed by said sensor means decreases below said predetermined rotational resistance said controller means causes said first drive means to decrease the surface speed of said first and second dampening rollers, and when said sensed rotational resistance increases above said predetermined rotational resistance said controller means causes said first drive means to increase the surface speed of said first and second dampening rollers.
- 2. The dampening system of claim 1 wherein said input of said controller means is a first input, said controller means having a second input that is accessible to an operator, said second input providing said predetermined surface speed of said first and second dampening rollers.
- 3. The dampening system of claim 1 wherein said controller means comprises a drive controller for controlling said second drive means, said drive controller being connected to said second drive means, said drive controller controlling said second drive means so that the surface speed of said third dampening roller is regulated.
- 4. The dampening system of claim 1 wherein said sensor means is a first sensor means, said dampening system further comprising:
- a) second sensor means adapted to sense the speed of said press rollers when said dampening system is mounted onto said press;
- b) said controller means comprising a drive controller for controlling said second drive means so as to control the surface speed of said third dampening roller, said drive controller having an input and an output, said input being connected to said second sensor means, said output being connected to said second drive means, said drive controller controlling said second drive means such that the surface speed of said third dampening roller is kept constant for a fixed press speed.
- 5. The dampening system of claim 1 wherein said first drive means rotates said first and second dampening rollers at differential surface speeds.
- 6. The dampening system of claim 1 wherein said third dampening roller is adapted to apply dampening fluid to said plate cylinder by way of said inking rollers, said third dampening roller adapted to be rotatively coupled with one of said inking rollers.
- 7. The dampening system of claim 1 wherein said third dampening roller is adapted to apply dampening fluid to said plate cylinder directly, said third dampening roller being adapted to contact said plate cylinder.
- 8. A dampening system for a lithographic printing press, said press comprising a plate cylinder and inking rollers for applying ink to said plate cylinder, comprising:
- a) a pan for containing dampening fluid, said pan being mounted to a frame, which frame is adapted to be mounted onto said press;
- b) first and second dampening rollers rotatably mounted to said frame, said first and second dampening rollers being in contact with each other at a nip, one of said first and second dampening rollers being located in said pan so as to pick up dampening fluid from said pan;
- c) first drive means for rotating said first and second dampening rollers, said first drive means rotating said first and second dampening rollers at variable speeds, said first drive means being adapted to be coupled with said press;
- d) a third dampening roller rotatably mounted to said frame, said third dampening roller being in contact with one of said first and second dampening rollers, said third dampening roller being adapted to apply dampening fluid to said plate cylinder, said third dampening roller encountering rotational resistance when said dampening system is mounted on said press and said press is operating, said rotational resistance being due to the viscosity of a mixture of ink and dampening fluid on said third dampening roller, said third dampening roller being ink receptive;
- e) second drive means for rotating said third dampening roller independently of said first and second dampening rollers and said press rollers, said second drive means rotating said third dampening roller at variable speeds;
- f) a first sensor for sensing the rotational resistance of said third dampening roller;
- g) a second sensor being adapted to sense the speed of said press rollers when said dampening system is mounted onto said press;
- h) first controller means for controlling the surface speed of said first and second dampening rollers, said first controller means having an input and an output, said first controller means input being connected to said first sensor and said first controller means output being connected to said first drive means, said first controller means causing said first drive means to rotate said first and second dampening rollers at a predetermined surface speed which corresponds to a predetermined rotational resistance of said third dampening roller, and causing said first drive means to correspondingly change the surface speed of said first and second dampening rollers in response to changes in said rotational resistance of said third dampening roller such that when said rotational resistance as sensed by said first sensor decreases below said predetermined rotational resistance said first controller means causes said first drive means to decrease the surface speed of said first and second dampening rollers, and when said sensed rotational resistance increases above said predetermined rotational resistance said first controller means causes said first drive means to increase the surface speed of said first and second dampening rollers;
- i) second controller means for controlling the surface speed of said third dampening roller, said second controller means having an input and an output, said second controller means input being connected to said second sensor, said second controller means output being connected to said second drive means, said second controller means controlling said second drive means such that the surface speed of said third dampening roller is kept constant for a fixed press speed and such that the surface speed of said third dampening roller correspondingly changes in response to changes in the press speed as sensed by said second sensor.
- 9. The dampening system of claim 8 wherein said first and second drive means each comprise a motor.
- 10. The dampening system of claim 9 wherein said first sensor is a current sensor that senses the current energizing said second drive means motor.
- 11. The dampening system of claim 8 wherein said first controller means input is a first input, said first controller means comprising a second input that is accessible to an operator, said second input providing said predetermined surface speed of said first and second dampening rollers.
- 12. The dampening system of claim 8 wherein:
- a) said first and second drive means each comprise a motor;
- b) said first sensor is a current sensor that senses the current energizing said second drive means motor;
- c) said first controller means input is a first input, said first controller means comprising a second input that is accessible to an operator, said second input providing said predetermined surface speed of said first and second dampening rollers.
- 13. The dampening system of claim 8 wherein said first drive means rotates said first and second dampening rollers at differential surface speeds.
- 14. The dampening system of claim 8 wherein said third dampening roller is adapted to apply dampening fluid to said plate cylinder by way of said inking rollers, said third dampening roller adapted to be rotatively coupled with one of said inking rollers.
- 15. The dampening system of claim 8 wherein said third dampening roller is adapted to apply dampening fluid to said plate cylinder directly, said third dampening roller being adapted to contact said plate cylinder.
- 16. A lithographic printing press, comprising:
- a) a plate cylinder;
- b) inking rollers for applying ink to said plate cylinder, said inking rollers comprising ink form rollers that contact said plate cylinder;
- c) a pan for containing dampening fluid, said pan being mounted to a frame, which frame is mounted to said press;
- d) first and second dampening rollers rotatably mounted to said frame, said first and second dampening rollers being in contact with each other at a nip, one of said first and second dampening rollers being located in said pan so as to pick up dampening fluid from said pan;
- e) first drive means for rotating said first and second dampening rollers, said first drive means rotating said first and second dampening rollers at variable speeds, said first drive means being coupled with said press;
- f) a third dampening roller rotatably mounted to said frame, said third dampening roller being in contact with one of said first and second dampening rollers, said third dampening roller applying dampening fluid to said plate cylinder, said third dampening roller encountering rotational resistance when said dampening system is mounted on said press and said press is operating, said rotational resistance being due to the viscosity of a mixture of ink and dampening fluid on said third dampening roller;
- g) second drive means for rotating said third dampening roller independently of said first and second dampening rollers and said press rollers, said second drive means being mounted on said frame;
- h) sensor means for sensing the rotational resistance of said third dampening roller, said sensor means being coupled to said frame so as to sense said rotational resistance;
- i) controller means for automatically controlling the surface speed of said first and second dampening rollers, said controller means having an input and an output, said input being connected with said sensor means, said output being connected with said first drive means, said controller means causing said first drive means to rotate said first and second dampening rollers at a predetermined surface speed which corresponds to a predetermined rotational resistance of said third dampening roller, and causing said first drive means to correspondingly change the surface speed of said first and second dampening rollers in response to changes in said rotational resistance of said third dampening roller such that when said rotational resistance as sensed by said sensor means decreases below said predetermined rotational resistance said controller means causes said first drive means to decrease the surface speed of said first and second dampening rollers, and when said sensed rotational resistance increases above said predetermined rotational resistance said controller means causes said first drive means to increase the surface speed of said first and second dampening rollers.
- 17. A dampening system for a lithographic printing press, said press comprising a plate cylinder and inking rollers for applying ink to said plate cylinder, comprising:
- a) a pan for containing dampening fluid, said pan being mounted to a frame, which frame is adapted to be mounted onto said press;
- b) first and second dampening rollers rotatably mounted to said frame, said first and second dampening rollers being in contact with each other at a nip, one of said first and second dampening rollers being located in said pan so as to pick up dampening fluid from said pan;
- c) first drive means for rotating said first and second dampening rollers, said first drive means rotating said first and second dampening rollers at variable speeds, said first drive means being adapted to be coupled with said press;
- d) a third dampening roller that is in contact with one of said first and second dampening rollers, said third dampening roller encountering rotational resistance when said dampening system is mounted on said press and said press is operating, said rotational resistance being due to the viscosity of a mixture of ink and dampening fluid on said third dampening roller;
- e) mounting means for rotatably mounting said third dampening roller to said frame, said mounting means allowing said third dampening roller to be movable between first and second positions, wherein when said third dampening roller is in said first position, said third dampening roller is adapted to be rotatively coupled to one of said inking rollers such that said dampening system is adapted to apply dampening fluid to said plate cylinder by way of said inking rollers, and when said third dampening roller is in said second position, said third dampening roller is adapted to break said rotative coupling with said one inking roller and said third dampening roller is adapted to contact said plate cylinder;
- f) second drive means for rotating said third dampening roller at variable speeds independently of the other rollers, said variable speeds comprising a speed that is different from the speed of the plate cylinder, wherein when said third dampening roller is in said second position, said third dampening roller is adapted to remove hickeys from said plate cylinder, which hickeys are carried to said pan;
- g) sensor means for sensing the rotational resistance of said third dampening roller, said sensor means being coupled to said frame so as to sense said rotational resistance;
- h) controller means for automatically controlling the surface speed of said first and second dampening rollers, said controller means having an input and an output, said input being connected with said sensor means, said output being connected with said first drive means, said controller means causing said first drive means to rotate said first and second dampening rollers at a predetermined surface speed which corresponds to a predetermined rotational resistance of said third dampening roller, and causing said first drive means to correspondingly change the surface speed of said first and second dampening rollers in response to changes in said rotational resistance of said third dampening roller such that when said rotational resistance as sensed by said sensor means decreases below said predetermined rotational resistance said controller means causes said first drive means to decrease the surface speed of said first and second dampening rollers, and when said sensed rotational resistance increases above said predetermined rotational resistance said controller means causes said first drive means to increase the surface speed of said first and second dampening rollers.
- 18. The dampening system of claim 17 further comprising a bridge roller adapted to be interposed between said third dampening roller and said inking rollers such that said bridge roller contacts said third dampening roller and is adapted to contact said one inking roller that is rotatively coupled with said transition roller when said dampening system is mounted onto said press, said bridge roller being rotatably mounted to said frame.
- 19. A dampening system for a lithographic printing press, said press comprising inking rollers for applying ink to a plate cylinder, comprising:
- a) a pan for containing dampening fluid, said pan being mounted to a frame, said frame being adapted to mount onto said press;
- b) first and second dampening rollers rotatably mounted to said frame, said first and second dampening rollers being in contact with each other at a nip, one of said first and second dampening rollers being located in said pan so as to pick up dampening fluid from said pan, one of said first and second dampening rollers having a hydrophilic surface;
- c) a transition roller rotatably mounted to said frame by brackets, said brackets being pivotally coupled to said frame, said transition roller being in contact with one of said first and second dampening rollers, said transition roller having an ink receptive surface, said transition roller encountering rotational resistance when said dampening system is mounted on said press and said press is operating, said rotational resistance being due to the viscosity of a mixture of ink and dampening fluid on said transition roller;
- d) a bridge roller rotatably mounted to said frame so as to be adapted to contact one of said inking rollers, said bridge roller being ink receptive;
- e) first drive means for rotating said first and second dampening rollers;
- f) actuation means for actuating said transition roller between first and second positions by moving said brackets, said first position being where said transition roller contacts said bridge roller such that dampening fluid is applied to said plate cylinder through said inking rollers when said dampening system is mounted on said press, and said second position being where said transition roller contacts said plate cylinder and does not contact said bridge roller;
- g) second drive means for rotating said transition roller independently of said other rollers, said second drive means rotating said transition roller at variable surface speeds, said variable surface speeds comprising a speed that is different than the surface speed of said plate cylinder such that when said transition roller is in said second position said transition roller is adapted to remove hickeys from said plate cylinder, which removed hickeys are carried to said pan;
- h) a first sensor for sensing the rotational resistance of said transition roller;
- i) a second sensor being adapted to sense the speed of said press rollers when said dampening system is mounted onto said press;
- j) first controller means for controlling the surface speed of said first and second dampening rollers, said first controller means having an input and an output, said first controller means input being connected to said first sensor and said first controller means output being connected to said first drive means, said first controller means causing said first drive means to rotate said first and second dampening rollers at a predetermined surface speed which corresponds to a predetermined rotational resistance of said transition roller, and causing said first drive means to correspondingly change the surface speed of said first and second dampening rollers in response to changes in said rotational resistance of said transition roller such that when said rotational resistance as sensed by said first sensor decreases below said predetermined rotational resistance said first controller means causes said first drive means to decrease the surface speed of said first and second dampening rollers, and when said sensed rotational resistance increases above said predetermined rotational resistance said first controller means causes said first drive means to increase the surface speed of said first and second dampening rollers;
- k) second controller means for controlling the surface speed of said transition roller, said second controller means having an input and an output, said second controller means input being connected to said second sensor, said second controller means output being connected to said second drive means, said second controller means controlling said second drive means such that the surface speed of said transition roller is kept constant for a fixed press speed and such that the surface speed of said transition roller correspondingly changes in response to changes in the press speed as sensed by said second sensor.
- 20. A dampening system for a lithographic printing press, said press comprising a plate cylinder and inking rollers for applying ink to said plate cylinder, comprising:
- a) a pan for containing dampening fluid, said pan being mounted to a frame, which frame is adapted to be mounted onto said press;
- b) first and second dampening rollers rotatably mounted to said frame, said first and second dampening rollers being in contact with each other at a nip, one of said first and second dampening rollers being located in said pan so as to pick up dampening fluid from said pan;
- c) first drive means for rotating said first and second dampening rollers, said first drive means rotating said first and second dampening rollers at variable speeds, said first drive means being adapted to be coupled with said press;
- d) a transition roller rotatably mounted to said frame, said transition roller being in contact with one of said first and second dampening rollers, said transition roller being ink receptive and being adapted to be rotatively coupled with one of said inking rollers, wherein dampening fluid is applied to said plate cylinder through said inking rollers when said dampening system is mounted onto said press, said transition roller encountering rotational resistance when said dampening system is mounted on said press and said press is operating, said rotational resistance being due to the viscosity of a mixture of ink and dampening fluid on said transition roller;
- e) second drive means for rotating said transition roller at a surface speed that is independent of the surface speeds of the other rollers, wherein said press can be operated free of alcohol and other wetting agents;
- f) sensor means for sensing the rotational resistance of said third dampening roller, said sensor means being coupled with said second drive means;
- g) controller means for automatically controlling the surface speed of said first and second dampening rollers, said controller means having an input and an output, said input being connected to said sensor means and said output being connected with said first drive means, said controller means causing said first drive means to rotate said first and second dampening rollers at a predetermined surface speed which corresponds to a predetermined rotational resistance of said third dampening roller, and causing said first drive means to correspondingly change the surface speed of said first and second dampening rollers in response to changes in said rotational resistance of said third dampening roller such that when said rotational resistance as sensed by said sensor means decreases below said predetermined rotational resistance said controller means causes said first drive means to decrease the surface speed of said first and second dampening rollers, and when said sensed rotational resistance increases above said predetermined rotational resistance said controller means causes said first drive means to increase the surface speed of said first and second dampening rollers.
- 21. A dampening system for a lithographic printing press, said press comprising inking rollers for applying ink to a plate cylinder, comprising:
- a) a pan being mounted to a frame, said frame being adapted to mount onto said press;
- b) first and second dampening rollers rotatably mounted to said frame, said first and second dampening rollers being in contact with each other at a nip, one of said first and second dampening rollers being located in said pan so as to pick up dampening fluid from said pan;
- c) first drive means for rotating said first and second dampening rollers;
- d) a third dampening roller for applying dampening fluid to said plate cylinder, said third dampening roller being in contact with one of said first and second dampening rollers and being adapted to contact said plate cylinder, said third dampening roller being rotatably mounted to said frame;
- e) second drive means for rotating said third dampening roller independently of the other rollers;
- f) a fourth roller being adapted to contact one of said inking rollers and being adapted to contact said third dampening roller;
- g) mounting means for rotatably mounting said fourth roller to said frame, said mounting means allowing said fourth roller to move between first and second positions, wherein when said fourth roller is in said first position said fourth roller contacts said third dampening roller and when said fourth roller is in said second position said fourth roller is not in contact With said third dampening roller;
- h) sensing means for sensing which position said fourth roller is in;
- i) control means for controlling said second drive means so as to control the speed of said third dampening roller, said control means being connected with said second drive means and with said sensing means, said control means controlling said second drive means such that said third dampening roller rotates at the same speed as said plate cylinder when said fourth roller is in said first position and said third dampening roller rotates at a different speed than said plate cylinder when said fourth roller is in said second position, wherein when said fourth roller is in said second position, hickeys can be cleaned from said plate cylinder, which hickeys are carried to said pan.
- 22. The dampening system of claim 21 wherein said first drive means rotates said first and second dampening rollers at differential surface speeds.
- 23. A dampening system for a lithographic printing press, said press comprising a plate cylinder and inking rollers for applying ink to said plate cylinder, comprising:
- a) a pan for containing dampening fluid, said pan being mounted to a frame, which frame is adapted to be mounted onto said press;
- b) first and second dampening rollers rotatably mounted to said frame, said first and second dampening rollers being in contact with each other at a nip, one of said first and second dampening rollers being located in said pan so as to pick up dampening fluid from said pan;
- c) first drive means for rotating said first and second dampening rollers, said first drive means rotating said first and second dampening rollers at variable speeds, said first drive means being adapted to be coupled with said press;
- d) a third dampening roller rotatably mounted to said frame, said third dampening roller being in contact with one of said first and second dampening rollers, said third dampening roller being adapted to apply dampening fluid to said plate cylinder, said third dampening roller encountering rotational resistance when said dampening system is mounted on said press and said press is operating, said rotational resistance being due to the viscosity of a mixture of ink and dampening fluid on said third dampening roller;
- e) second drive means for rotating said third dampening roller independently of said first and second dampening rollers and said press rollers, said second drive means being adapted to be coupled with said press;
- f) a fourth roller being adapted to contact one of said inking rollers and being adapted to contact said third dampening roller;
- g) mounting means for rotatably mounting said fourth roller to said frame, said mounting means allowing said fourth roller to move between first and second positions, wherein when said fourth roller is in said first position said fourth roller contacts said third dampening roller and when said fourth roller is in said second position said fourth roller is not in contact with said third dampening roller;
- h) first sensor means for sensing the rotational resistance o said third dampening roller, said first sensor means being coupled to said frame so as to sense said rotational resistance;
- i) second sensor means for sensing which position said fourth roller is in;
- j) first control means for automatically controlling the surface speed of said first and second dampening rollers, said first control means having an input and an output, said input being connected with said first sensor means, said output being connected with said first drive means, said first control means causing said first drive means to rotate said first and second dampening rollers at a predetermined surface speed which corresponds to a predetermined rotational resistance of said third dampening roller, and causing said first drive means to correspondingly change the surface speed of said first and second dampening rollers in response to changes in said rotational resistance of said third dampening roller such that when said rotational resistance as sensed by said first sensor means decreases below said predetermined rotational resistance said first control means causes said first drive means to decrease the surface speed of said first and second dampening rollers, and when said sensed rotational resistance increases above said predetermined rotational resistance said first control means causes said first drive means to increase the surface speed of said first and second dampening rollers;
- k) second control means for controlling said second drive means so as to control the speed of said third dampening roller, said second control means being connected with said second drive means and with said second sensor means, said second control means controlling said second drive means such that said third dampening roller rotates at the same speed as said plate cylinder when said fourth roller is in said first position and said third dampening roller rotates at a different speed than said plate cylinder when said fourth roller is in said second position, wherein when said fourth roller is in said second position, hickeys can be cleaned from said plate cylinder, which hickeys are carried to said pan.
- 24. A dampening system for a lithographic printing press, said press comprising inking rollers for applying ink to a plate cylinder, comprising:
- a) a pan for containing dampening fluid, said pan being mounted to a frame, said frame being adapted to mount onto said press;
- b) first and second dampening rollers rotatably mounted to said frame, said first and second dampening rollers being in contact with each other at a nip, one of said first and second dampening rollers being located in said pan so as to pick up dampening fluid from said pan;
- c) first drive means for rotating said first and second dampening rollers;
- d) a third dampening roller for applying dampening fluid to said plate cylinder, said third dampening roller being in contact with one of said first and second dampening rollers;
- e) a fourth roller adapted to contact one of said inking rollers, and being adapted to contact said third dampening roller;
- f) third dampening roller mounting means for rotatably mounting said third dampening roller to said frame, said third dampening roller mounting means allowing said third dampening roller to be movable between first and second positions, wherein when said third dampening roller is in said first position, said third dampening roller is away from said plate cylinder and in contact with said fourth roller such that said dampening system is adapted to apply dampening fluid to said plate cylinder by way of said inking rollers, and when said third dampening roller is in said second position, said third dampening roller is in contact with said plate cylinder;
- g) second drive means for rotating said third dampening roller at variable speeds independently of the other rollers of said press;
- h) fourth roller mounting means for rotatably mounting said fourth roller to said frame, said fourth roller mounting means allowing said fourth roller to move between third and fourth positions when said third dampening roller is in the second position, wherein when said fourth roller is in said third position said fourth roller is in contact with said third dampening roller and when said fourth roller is in said fourth position, said fourth roller is not in contact with said third dampening roller;
- i) sensing means for sensing which positions said third dampening roller and said fourth roller are in;
- j) control means for controlling said second drive means so as to control the speed of said third dampening roller, said control means being connected with said second drive means and with said sensing means, said control means controlling said second drive means such that said third dampening roller rotates at the same speed as said plate cylinder when said third dampening roller is in said second position and said fourth roller is in said third position, and such that said third dampening roller rotates at a different speed than said plate cylinder when said third dampening roller is in said second position and said fourth roller is in said fourth position, wherein hickeys can be cleaned from said plate cylinder, which hickeys are carried to said pan;
- k) said control means controlling said second drive means such that said third dampening roller rotates at a slower speed than the plate cylinder when said third dampening roller is in said first position.
- 25. The dampening system of claim 24 wherein said first drive means rotates said first and second dampening rollers at differential surface speeds.
- 26. A dampening system for a lithographic printing press, said press comprising a plate cylinder and inking rollers for applying ink to said plate cylinder, comprising:
- a) a pan for containing dampening fluid, said pan being mounted to a frame, which frame is adapted to be mounted onto said press;
- b) first and second dampening rollers rotatably mounted to said frame, said first and second dampening rollers being in contact with each other at a nip, one of said first and second dampening rollers being located in said pan so as to pick up dampening fluid from said pan;
- c) first drive means for rotating said first and second dampening rollers, said first drive means rotating said first and second dampening rollers at variable speeds, said first drive means being adapted to be coupled with said press;
- d) a third dampening roller adapted to apply dampening fluid to said plate cylinder, said third dampening roller being in contact with one of said first and second dampening rollers;
- e) a fourth roller adapted to contact one of said inking rollers when said dampening system is mounted onto said press, and being adapted to contact said third dampening roller;
- f) third dampening roller mounting means for rotatably mounting said third dampening roller to said frame, said third dampening roller mounting means allowing said third dampening roller to be movable between first and second positions, wherein when said third dampening roller is in said first position, said third dampening roller is away from said plate cylinder and in contact with said fourth roller such that said dampening system is adapted to apply dampening fluid to said plate cylinder by way of said inking rollers, and when said third dampening roller is in said second position, said third dampening roller is in contact with said plate cylinder;
- g) second drive means for rotating said third dampening roller at variable speeds independently of the other rollers of said press;
- h) fourth roller mounting means for rotatably mounting said fourth roller to said frame, said fourth roller mounting means allowing said fourth roller to move between third and fourth positions when said third dampening roller is in the second position, wherein when said fourth roller is in said third position said fourth roller is in contact with said third dampening roller and when said fourth roller is in said fourth position, said fourth roller is not in contact with said third dampening roller;
- i) first sensor means for sensing the rotational resistance of said third dampening roller, said first sensor means being coupled with said second drive means;
- j) second sensor means for sensing which position said fourth roller is in;
- k) first control means for automatically controlling the surface speed of said first and second dampening rollers, said first control means having an input and an output, said input being connected with said first sensor means, said output being connected with said first drive means, said first control means causing said first drive means to rotate said first and second dampening rollers at a predetermined surface speed which corresponds to a predetermined rotational resistance of said third dampening roller, and causing said first drive means to correspondingly change the surface speed of said first and second dampening rollers in response to changes in said rotational resistance of said third dampening roller such that when said rotational resistance as sensed by said first sensor means decreases below said predetermined rotational resistance said first control means causes said first drive means to decrease the surface speed of said first and second dampening rollers, and when said sensed rotational resistance increases above said predetermined rotational resistance said first control means causes said first drive means to increase the surface speed of said first and second dampening rollers;
- l) second control means for controlling said second drive means so as to control the speed of said third dampening roller, said second control means being connected with said second drive means and with said second sensor means, said second control means controlling said second drive means such that said third dampening roller rotates at the same speed as said plate cylinder when said fourth roller is in said third position and such that said third dampening roller rotates at a different speed than said plate cylinder when said fourth roller is in said fourth position, wherein when said fourth roller is in said fourth position, hickeys can be cleaned from said plate cylinder, which hickeys are carried to said pan.
Parent Case Info
This is a division of application Ser. No. 07/580,632, filed Sep. 11, 1990, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,158,017.
US Referenced Citations (19)
Foreign Referenced Citations (6)
Number |
Date |
Country |
64-82946 |
Mar 1989 |
JPX |
64-82947 |
Mar 1989 |
JPX |
1-232044 |
Sep 1989 |
JPX |
1-232045 |
Sep 1989 |
JPX |
2-225045 |
Sep 1990 |
JPX |
2-235745 |
Sep 1990 |
JPX |
Divisions (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
580632 |
Sep 1990 |
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