JP2003033740A - Cleaning device for ink pump of printing press - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pump cleaning device and a pump cleaning device for preventing the operation of the pump from being deteriorated due to pigments, ink film, foreign matter, etc. accumulated inside an ink pump of a newspaper printing machine. Provide a cleaning method. SOLUTION: The apparatus of the present invention comprises a tank for storing a cleaning solvent, and a pipe connecting the tank and the ink pump. The pipe is driven from the tank to the ink pump by driving the ink pump itself or a separately prepared pump. The solvent is sent to the ink pump via The solvent that has passed through the ink pump returns to the tank via a return pipe from the pump to the tank. The circulation of the solvent cleans the ink pump of the printing press.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for cleaning an ink pump for supplying ink from an ink rail mechanism to a transfer roller in a newspaper printing machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In newspaper printing, a mechanism called an ink rail is one of the means for supplying ink to a printing machine. The ink rail has slit-like groove-shaped holes for ejecting ink, and the ejected ink adheres to the delivery roller adjacent to the ink rail, is sequentially transferred between the rollers, and is supplied to the plate surface. The groove-shaped holes of the ink rail are formed side by side in the length direction of the roller. Figure 2 shows the ink rail mechanism.

In a newspaper printing machine, and generally in a printing machine, in order to improve the quality of the paper surface, it is important to adjust the ink supply amount according to the pattern distribution in the width direction of the paper surface during printing. . By supplying a large amount of ink to areas with a large pattern area and requiring a large amount of ink, and reducing the amount of ink supplied to areas with a small number of patterns and a small amount of ink used, excess ink is scattered and paper surface You can reduce the dirt.

In the ink rail mechanism, a large number of pumps are arranged in the width direction and ink is supplied to each groove-shaped hole by a dedicated pump, and the discharge amount of each pump is controlled to supply ink according to the pattern. A method of adjusting the amount has been put into practical use.

In a newspaper printing machine, it is common to print four pages simultaneously in the width direction. At this time, in order to adjust the ink supply amount, for example, eight ink pumps are arranged for each page, that is, 32 ink pumps are arranged side by side to supply the ink from the ink rail to the delivery roller. The ink is transferred from the roller to the plate surface and finally to the paper to complete printing. Eight pumps are one unit, and sometimes four pumps.

The pattern on the paper surface ranges from a white background portion which does not consume ink at all to a solid portion, and the flow rate of the ink pump is adjusted accordingly. Depending on the printing speed, the flow rate of each ink pump is small and the pump flow rate must be adjusted precisely.

Depending on the pump, the ink flow rate may be low or zero during printing, and the ink is likely to stay inside the pump.

When the ink stays in the pump for a long time, the pigment component, resin component, ink film, etc. in the ink may settle and accumulate inside the pump. Then, when you try to move the pump next time, the pump does not work properly due to sticking of accumulated things etc., the flow rate becomes unstable, the drive mechanism is damaged by overload, the pump stops due to overload of the motor. To do.

Since the fluctuation of the flow rate of the ink supply has an immediate effect as a poor density of the printed matter, it is necessary to interrupt the printing and repair the pump. However, the pump is a precision instrument and it is difficult to disassemble and clean the inside on site.
Moreover, the unit of the ink pump is not usually structured so that individual pumps can be replaced.

In newspaper printing, time constraints are extremely large, so there is not much room to try various repairs of defective pumps on site. Therefore, if a problem occurs in the ink pump, the only option is to replace the entire unit immediately.

The pump unit must be precisely positioned and attached to the printing machine, and replacement is not easy. In addition, in order to replace the ink pump, it is necessary to have a spare unit in case of failure of the pump, but the ink pump is not inexpensive and causes an increase in equipment maintenance cost.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is possible to prevent the operation of the pump from being deteriorated due to pigment components, ink film, foreign matters, etc. accumulated inside the ink pump, and to promptly perform on-site operation when the pump malfunctions. A cleaning device for a pump and a cleaning method using the device for cleaning and restoring the pump.

[0013]

The apparatus of the present invention comprises a tank for containing a cleaning solvent and a pipe connecting the tank and the ink pump, and the tank is driven by the ink pump to drive the ink pump itself or a separately prepared pump. By driving
The solvent is sent to the ink pump via the piping. The solvent that has passed through the ink pump returns to the tank via the return pipe from the pump to the tank. The ink pump of the printing machine is cleaned by circulating this solvent.

If the suction capacity of the ink pump is sufficient, a separate pump is unnecessary. If the pump does not work due to malfunction, or if it does not work well, a separate pump can be used to pump solvent into the pump.

Since this apparatus can be carried around, it can be carried to the machine side of the pump in which the trouble has occurred, and the cleaning work can be performed by connecting only the piping of the cleaning apparatus with the pump still attached to the printing machine.

Further, if the pump is regularly washed using this apparatus during the daily maintenance work of the printing machine, it is possible to prevent troubles from occurring during the actual printing. No driving power is required or only air pressure is used, and the operation is simple and does not take time. Therefore, if a pump malfunctions, you can try cleaning it before replacing the pump.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows a connection state between a cleaning device of the present invention and an ink pump when cleaning the ink pump.

It is preferable that the solvent tank (1) has a lid on the entire upper surface thereof, and the lid is fixed with screws or clamps so that the solvent can be easily replenished and the inside can be checked and cleaned. The return pipe for the solvent that has passed through the ink pump (8) is connected to the return port (10) for the solvent attached to the upper surface of the lid.

The structure of the lid is such that an area of about half the upper surface is fixed to the main body, a coupling for the return pipe of the solvent is attached to this portion, and the other half is opened for replenishing the solvent, checking the inside, and cleaning. It is also possible to have a structure that can do so.

The number of the return pipe ports (10) may be determined according to the maximum number of ink pumps to be washed at one time. FIG. 1 shows a case where eight ports are provided for cleaning an ink pump having eight pumps as one unit.

In the cleaning apparatus of the present invention, the solvent tank (1)
A solvent supply port (13) is attached to the pipe, and the supply port (13) and the ink supply port (7) of the ink pump are connected by a pipe (12).

A valve (2) is attached to the supply port, and the valve is opened after the connection of the pipes is completed, so that the solvent does not leak or spill out, which is preferable in terms of work.

From the solvent tank (1) to the ink pump (8)
The solvent is sent to the ink pump by driving the ink pump to suck the solvent into the pump.

When the condition of the ink pump is not good enough to suck the solvent or the ink pump does not work,
A separate pump (3) is attached between the solvent supply port (13) and the ink pump (8). An air-driven pump is suitable as this separate pump because of its high safety.

When the separate pump (3) is used,
It is convenient to confirm the cleaning effect by attaching a valve (6) that bypasses the pump. For example, at the beginning, the cleaning work was started by circulating the solvent with the separate pump, and if it was judged that the cleaning could be done considerably due to the color and properties of the solvent returned to the tank, suspend the separate pump and open the bypass valve. , Check if the solvent can be circulated by sucking the solvent only with the ink pump. If the circulation flow rate of the solvent is sufficient only by driving the ink pump, it is determined that the operation of the ink pump has become normal.

The outlet side (9) of the ink pump and the solvent return port (10) of the solvent tank are connected by a pipe to complete a path for circulating the solvent.

If the size and weight of the apparatus are such that they can be carried around, it is convenient because they can be taken to the site where the ink pump malfunctions and can be dealt with. In consideration of portability, the capacity of the solvent tank is preferably about 5 to 20 liters. If the amount of solvent is too small, it becomes dirty quickly, and if it is too large, it becomes heavy and difficult to carry. Larger capacity solvent tanks can be used if the equipment is transported by a trolley, etc., but large newspaper presses often work up and down stairs, so it should be of a size that can be carried by hand. Is suitable for the purpose of this device.

The connection of the pipes can be performed quickly by using a one-touch coupler or the like. Oil resistant rubber hoses are suitable for piping. A solvent resistant tube or the like can also be used.

If a drain port (11) for draining the solvent is provided near the bottom of the side surface of the solvent tank (1) or on the bottom surface of the tank, it is easy to discharge the used solvent.

As the cleaning solvent, it is possible to use a solvent which is contained in the ink being used or has a high fluidity and which causes no problem even if it is mixed in a little. For example, newspaper lithographic ink can use light oil. A cleaning solvent for a printing machine can also be used.

[0031]

EXAMPLE A work flow when using the ink pump cleaning apparatus of the present invention will be described below. (A) Stop the ink supply to the ink pump and disconnect the ink supply piping to the ink pump. (B) Carry the cleaning device near the ink pump. (C) The pipe (12) for supplying the solvent from the cleaning device is connected to the ink supply port of the ink pump. The outlet port (9) of the ink pump has, for example, eight ports connected to the ink rail, but disconnecting this connection pipe, the pipe (14) so that the solvent returns from the outlet port to the cleaning device. Connect. (D) When the connection of the piping is completed, set the rotation speed of the ink pump and start the operation of the ink pump. Make sure that the solvent is sucked from the cleaning device into the ink pump and that the cleaned solvent returns to the tank. If the solvent is circulating, continue operation in this state. Observe the degree of dirt of the solvent and perform the washing work until it is judged that the washing is completed. (E) If the solvent is not sucked only by rotating the ink pump, or if the sucked amount is not sufficient, cleaning is performed by using the separate pump (3). In this case, the solvent supply port (13) of the tank is connected to the suction port (15) of the separate pump, and the discharge port (16) of the separate pump is connected to the ink supply port (7) of the ink pump. Keep the bypass valve (6) of the separate pump closed. When the connection is completed, for example, when the separate pump is driven by air, the supply of air is started, the discharge amount of the pump is adjusted by the air regulator (4) or the like to circulate the solvent, and cleaning is performed. (F) When using the separate pump (3), if it is determined that the cleaning is completed, the operation of the separate pump is temporarily stopped, and the valve (6) bypassing the separate pump is opened. Then, the ink pump (8) is set to a specified number of revolutions and operated to confirm whether the cleaning solvent circulates smoothly. If the solvent circulates only by rotating the ink pump without the help of driving the separate pump, it is considered that the cleaning of the pump is completed.

[0032]

By using the cleaning apparatus of the present invention,
The inside of a rotary printing press such as a newspaper printing press can be cleaned without removing the ink pump from the printing press. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the heavy and precise replacement work of the ink pump unit.

It becomes possible to deal with the malfunction of the pump due to internal clogging and dirt inside the company, and the outsourcing cost for disassembling and cleaning the pump can be reduced.

When a trouble occurs in the ink pump, the cleaning work can be performed in a shorter time than when the pump is replaced. Further, if the cleaning by the device of the present invention is incorporated in the daily maintenance work, troubles such as interruption of printing due to malfunction or stop of the ink pump, defective density of paper surface, etc. can be prevented.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a state of connection between a cleaning device of the present invention and an ink pump when cleaning the ink pump.

FIG. 2 shows an ink rail set on a transfer roller.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Tank for cleaning solvent 2 Valve for cleaning solvent supply port 3 Separate pump 4 Air regulator for driving pump 5 Pressurized air supply point 6 Valve bypassing separate pump 7 Ink supply port for ink pump 8 Ink pump 9 Ink pump outlet side 10 Solvent return port 11 Solvent tank drain port 12 Pipe for feeding solvent to the ink pump 13 Solvent supply port 14 Return pipe from the ink pump to the solvent tank 15 Separate pump suction port 16 Separate pump Discharge port 17 Ink rail 18 Ink rail ink discharge hole 19 Delivery roll 20 Piping for supplying ink from the ink pump to the ink rail

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Koji Uehara             3-22-22-304 Kamiochiai, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo F term (reference) 2C250 DA07 DB14 DB19 FA17 FB01                 3B116 AA12 AA47 AB51 BB03 BB71                       BB77 BB87

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A device for cleaning an ink pump of a newspaper printing machine, comprising a tank for containing a cleaning solvent and a pipe connecting the tank and the ink pump, and driving the ink pump itself or a separate pump. A device that circulates the solvent between the tank and the ink pump. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a valve that bypasses the separate pump. 3. A cleaning method for an ink pump using the cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ink pump is cleaned while being attached to a newspaper printing machine.