US3783780A

US3783780A - Intaglio print machine with novel roll mounting mandrel and bushing assembly

Info

Publication number: US3783780A
Application number: US00339075A
Authority: US
Inventors: J Saueressig
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-03-29
Filing date: 1973-03-08
Publication date: 1974-01-08
Anticipated expiration: 1991-01-08
Also published as: US3738265A; DE1916359A1; JPS5545385B1; FR2040038A5; GB1245204A; DE1916359B2

Abstract

An intaglio print machine for multicolor operation has a multiplicity of pairs of cooperating intaglio rolls and back up rolls rotatably supported on the machine frame and a vertical gate member pivotally mounted on the frame with a multplicity of inking units suppored thereon in vertical spaced alignment and cooperating with the intaglio rolls. The intaglio rolls are of cylindrical configuration and supported upon the frameby novel cone assemblies and novel expandable bushings which press fit in the ends of the cylindrical rolls and are engaged to prevent relative rotation.

Description

United States Patent 1 [111 3,783,780

Saueressig Jan. 8, 11974 [54] INTAGLIO PRINT MACHINE WITH NOVEL 3,331,318 7/1967 Augustyn et a1 101/216 L TIN M ANDREL AND 3,625,145 12/1971 Heatley et al 101/212 BUSHING ASSEMBLY FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [76] Inventor: Johann Heinrich Saueressig, l9,

Bar'lerstrasse, w n Ah 1,048,872 12/1953 France 101/216 Germany Filedi 1973 Primary Examiner-J. Reed Fisher 211 App]. NOJ 339 075 Attorney-Peter L. Costas Related US. Application Data [60] Division of Ser. No. 210,064, Dec. 20, 1971, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 23,564, March 30, [57] ABSTRACT 1970, abandoned.

An intaglio print machine for multicolor operation has [30] Forelgn Apphcauon Prlonty Dam a multiplicity of pairs of cooperating intaglio rolls and Mar. 29, 1969 Germany P 19 16 359.8 back up rolls rotatably supported on the machine frame and a vertical gate member pivotally mounted [52] U.S.'Cl 101/153, 101/216, 308/174 on the frame with a multplicity of inking units sup- [51] Int. Cl B41f 13/20 pored thereon in vertical spaced alignment and coop- [58] Field of Search 101/ 153, 212, 216, crating with the intaglio rolls. The intaglio rolls are of 101/219; 51/53, 259, 289 R, 290, 237 R; cylindrical configuration and supported upon the 142/56; 29/27-29; 308/20, 174 frameby novel cone assemblies and novel expandable bushings which press fit in the ends of the cylindrical [56] References Cited rolls and are engaged to prevent relative rotation.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,737,378 11/1929 Littell 101/219 X 3 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures 62a ;7 42 I23 82 5g 0 730 86 66 4 74 1Q [00 m L!- l0 6 I14 I26 111 l 2' r HZ PATENTEUJAM 8l974 3.783.780

SHEET NF 6 FATENTEDJAN 81974 SHEET t [If 6 FIG? FIGS

llNTAGlLIO PRINT MACHINE WlITI-I NOVEL ROLL MOUNTING MANDREL AND BUSHING ASSEMBLY CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION The present application is a division of copending US. application Ser. No. 210,064, filed Dec. 20, 1971 entitled MULTICOLOR INTEGLIO PRINTING MA- CHINE WITH PIVOTABLE GATE SUPPORT FOR INKING UNITS which in turn was a continuation-inpart of U. S. application Ser. No. 23,564 filed Mar. 30, 1970 entitled COLOR INTAGLIO PRINTING MA- CI-IINE, MORE PARTICULARLY FOR PRINTING TEXTILES, now abandoned, based upon an application filed in the Federal Republic of Germany on Mar. 29, 1969, Ser. No. P 19 16 359.8.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various types of intaglio print machines have been designed and sold for many applications. The most commonly employed form of such machines utilizes a large backing cylinder about the circumference of which are disposed the engraved or intaglio rolls. However, it has also been proposed to utilize print machines employing pairs of intaglio and back up rolls disposed in horizontal or in vertical alignment, depending upon the desired path of the material being printed therethrough.

Most usually, the intaglio rolls are relatively massive structures in order to survive the stresses and pressures placed thereon. Consequently, they are generally expensive, difficult to handle, and require relatively massive drive units with attendant problems in torque, inertia and the like.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel intaglio printmachine for multicolor printing of fabrics and the like in which the intaglio rolls may be readily assembled and disassembled.

A further object is to provide such a print machine in which relatively light weight intaglio rolls of substantially cylindrical confi'g-uration are supported firmly and driven synchronously.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It has now been found that the foregoing and related objects can be readily attained in an intaglio print machine for multicolor printing which comprises a machine frame and a multiplicity of pairs of cooperating intaglio and back up rolls. The pairs of rolls are rotatably supported on the frame in vertically spaced alignment with the intaglio roll of each pair being disposed outwardly of the frame.

The intaglio rolls themselves are fabricated as relatively thin cylindrical shells. These cylindrical shells are supported by cone elements inserted into the opposite ends thereof and pneumatic means are included for effecting axial adjustment of the intaglio rolls relative to BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an intaglio print machine embodying the present invention with portions of the components of the individual inking units omitted for purposes of clarity of illustration;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic, fragmentary vertical sectional view through the machine showing the intaglio rolls and back up rolls spaced apart in the inoperative position thereof and to an enlarged scale from that of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the print machine showing various internal components in phantom line and the back up rolls in operative engagement with the intaglio rolls;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary top view of the print machine with portions of the components in section and broken away for clarity of illustration and with the gate partially illustrated in phantom line in a partially pivoted position;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view to an enlarged scale of the machine at the gate assembly showing completely only one of the inking units;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view to an enlarged scale of the ink trough and its support and adjusting assembly;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view to an enlarged scale of the machine showing the support and operating mechanism for the main doctor member and with the doctor member shown in its pivoted position in phantom line; 1

FIG. 8 is a similar view showing the support and adjusting mechanism for the top or second doctor member with the inkling roll shown in phantom line;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view of the machine to an enlarged scale showing the mounting and drive means for the intaglio roll and with the roll in section for clarity of illustration;

FIG. 10 is a greatly enlarged sectional view of the intaglio roll and mandrel member mounting means therefor;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary front elevational view to an enlarged scale of the gate member with portions of the components broken away for clarity of illustration; and

FIG. 12 is an end view of a bushing assembly for mounting the intaglio rolls.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION or THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT Turning now in detail to FIGS. 1 and 3 of the attached drawings, the intaglio print machine embodying the present invention and illustrated therein has a machine frame generally designated by the numeral 10 and a gate member pivotally mounted on one face thereof and generally designated by the numeral 12. A control panel console 14 is disposed to one side of the machine frame 10 and is separate therefrom. Fabric being printed by the machine is designated by the numeral 16 with the direction of movement being upwardly through the print rolls of the machine.

The machine frame 10 has

side portions

18,20 which 7 are provided with generally vertically extending apertures 22 therein, a top extension 24 extending from the face opposite that having the gate 12 mounted thereon and a bottom extension 26 extending from the same face. The gate 12 is generally comprised of the

vertical side posts

28,30 top cross member 32 and the bottom crossmember 34. As best seen in FIG. I, the post 23 is pivotally mounted on the frame side position 18 by heavy duty hinges 36, and the post 30 is held in position against the frame side portion 20 by the latches 38 which are mechanically operated by the latch control mechanism 40.

As best seen in FIGS. 2-4, the print machine includes a multiplicity of pairs of engraved or intaglio rolls generally designated by the numeral 42 and backup rolls generally designated by the numeral 44, the rolls of each pair being disposed with their axes in a generally horizontal plane and the several pairs of rolls being disposed in a generally vertical stack. The backup rolls 44 are mounted for horizontal movement on the frame relative to the intagliorolls 42 by mounting the shaft supports 46 in slide blocks 48 which are seated slidably in slide supports 50 on the

side portions

18,20 of the frame 10. Connected to the slide blocks 48 are piston rods 52 which are reciprocable within the pneumatic cylinders 54 mounted on the

side portions

18,20 to effect movement of the backup rolls 44 either toward or away from the intaglio rolls 42, and these cylinders 54 may also be used to control the pressure at the nip between the rolls.

In FIG. 3, the backup rolls 44 are shown in the operative position and, in FIG. 2, they are shown in the retracted or inoperative position. When moved into the operative position shown in FIG. 3, the fabric 16 is moved against the surface of the intaglio rolls 42 in the nip between the cooperating rolls so as to effect printing thereof. Conversely, when the backup rolls are moved into the inoperative position shown in FIG. 2, the position of the vertically aligned

idler rolls

56, 58 below and above the vertical stack of the pairs of cooperating rolls permits the fabric 12 to fall away from the surface of the intaglio rolls 42 into a position between the now spaced

rolls

42,44 so as to effect substantially immediate discontinuance of printing with resultant avoidance of spoilage of material. The cylinders 54 are individually operable to permit testing of registry and color at each of the several pairs of cooperating rolls.

The mounting and drive arrangement for the intaglio rolls 42 is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 with the shaft mounting mandrels only diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 9. The intaglio roll 42 is generally comprised ofa relatively thin walled cylindrical shell 60 having press fit within its

ends bushings

62, 64 having

circumferential collars

66,68 which abut the end surfaces of the shell 60. The

bushings

62,64 have axially extending generally frustoconical recesses or

bores

70,72 which are of greatest diameter at the outer ends thereof.

Seated in the bushing 62 is a rolling mandrel generally designated by the numeral 74 and carried by the shaft 76 which in turn is supported by the pneumatic cylinder 78 on the frame side portion 18 so that it may be moved inwardly and outwardly relative to the opposite side portion 20. As seen in FIG. 10, the mandrel 74 has a generally frustoconical inner end portion 80 and a circumferential collar 82 about its outer end; the angle of taper of the end portion 80 is substantially the same as that of the recess 70 in the bushing 62 so as to provide full circumferential press fit contact therebetween when the mandrel 74 is moved against the roll 44 by the pneumatic cylinder 78. v

The mandrel 74 has a stepped bore 84 providing a series of

steps

86,88,90, and 92 of decreasing diameter inwardly thereof; seated in and closing the inner end of the bore 84 is a lubrication nipple 94. The end portion of the shaft 76 is provided with a circumferential collar 96 outwardly from the mandrel 74 and is configured to provide a series of

steps

98, 100, 102, 104, 106 and 108 of decreasing diameter toward the end thereof seated in the mandrel 74. A needle roller bearing 110 provides bearing surfaces between the shaft step 106 and mandrel step 90 and is held in position by the locking ring 112 seated in a circumferential groove 114 in the shaft step 108. An annular contact roller bearing 116 provides bearing surfaces between the shaft step 104 and mandrel step 88 and is dimensioned so as to be wedged against the outer shoulder of the step 104 by the roller bearing 110. A ball bearing assembly 118 provides bearing surfaces between the shaft step 102 and mandrel step 86 and is held against the outer shoulder of the step 102 by the locking ring 120 seated in the circumferential groove 122 at the inner end of the step 102. A sealing cover generally designated by the numeral 124 is mounted on the outer end of the mandrel 74 and has an axially extending lip 126 extending inwardly of the bore 84 and bearing against the outer end of the ball bearing assembly 118. The sealing cover is secured to the mandrel 74 by the fasteners 128 and an annular packing ring 130 is disposed between it and the step 100 of the mandrel.

Seated in the bushing 64 is a fixed mandrel 132 which is integrally formed on the end of the shaft 134 and which has a generally frustoconical configuration with an angle of taper substantially equal to that of the recess 72 in the bushing 64 so as to provide a firm press fit when it is forced thereinto by movement of the mandrel 74 into the opposite bushing 62 by the pneumatic cylinder 78. To prevent any relative rotation therebetween, keyways are milled into the cooperating surfaces of the mandrel 132 and bushing 64 and a key 136 is firmly seated therein. The shaft 134 is seated in bearings 138 in the side portion 20 of the frame 10 and is driven synchronously with the shafts 134 of the other intaglio rolls 42 by conventional drive mechanism generally indicated by the numeral 140; hand wheels 142,144 permit manual adjustment of the shaft 134 and thereby the intaglio roll 42 to effect axial and circumferential registry.

Cooperating with each intaglio roll 42 is an inking unit carried upon the side posts 28,30 of the gate 12 and comprised of a trough assembly generally designated by the numeral 148, a main doctor member assembly generally disignated by the numeral 150, an inking roll assembly generally designated by the numeral 152 and an upper doctor member assembly generally designated by the numeral 154.

As best seen in FIGS. 4-6 and 11, the trough assembly includes a pan-shaped member or trough 156 of generally rectangular configuration having angle brackets 157 at the sides thereof each of which has thereon a pair of horizontally outwardly projecting pins 158 seated in the horizontally extending generally S- shaped slots 160 in the inner legs 161 of the channelshaped supports 162 mounted on the gate posts 28,30. The sides of the trough 156 adjacent the inner end have generally circumferential recesses formed in the top surface thereof for a purpose to be explained hereinafter. As will be appreciated, the generally S-shaped con-. figuration of the slots 160 and the cooperating dimensioning between the pins 158 and the base portion of the slots 160 ensure stable seating of the trough 156 within the supports 162. However, the trough 156 may be emptied while the gate 12 is in its closed position by lifting the outer end thereof so as to elevate the outer pins 158 to the level of the upper portion of the S- shaped slots 160, sliding the trough 156 outwardly until the inner pins 158 abut the generally vertical shoulders of the slots 160, and then pivoting the outer end of the trough downwardly to empty the contents thereof and effect cleaning. In this pivoted position, the inner pins 158 will retain the trough 156 within the supports 162.

Mounted on the horizontal portion of the angle brackets 157 of the trough 156 are fixedblocks 204 and slide blocks 206. Lead screws 208 have their shanks trapped in the fixed blocks 204 and threadably engaged in the slide blocks 206 so as to effect sliding movement of the slide blocks 206 along the upper surface of the brackets 157 inwardly and outwardly relative to the intaglio roll 42.

The slide blocks 206 have recesses in the upper surface thereof in which are mounted arcuate bearings 210. Rotatably seated within the bearings 210 is the shaft 212 of the inking roll 214 of the inking roll assembly 152. Thus it can be seen that movement of the lead screw 208 will move the axis of the inking roll 214 relative to the axis of the intaglio roll 42 to control the pressure at the nip therebetween. Moreover, the trough assembly 148 and inking roll assembly 152 thus comprise a unit for simple disassembly from the gate 12 for cleaning when required.

Turning now to FIG. 7, the mounting and operating elements for the main doctor member assembly 150 are therein illustrated. Bell crank or L-shaped members 164 are disposed at each side of the gate 12 and pivoted adjacent their apices upon the outer legs of the channel support 162 on the side posts 28,30 of the gate 12 by pivot pins 166, and the longer legs 168 extend inwardly of the machine below the intaglio roll 42. The shorter legs 170 extend upwardly and have a .generally vertically extending slot 172 opening at the upper end thereof in which are captured the horizontally projecting studs 174 on slide blocks 176. Threadably engaged with the slide blocks are lead screws 178 which are rotatably seated in the mounting block 180 and rotatable by the hand wheel 182 so that the slide blocks 176 may be moved inwardly and outwardly relative to the intaglioroll 42, thereby pivoting the inner end of the longer I legs 168 upwardly and downwardly relative to the intaglio roll 42 to effect manual adjustment thereof.

Mounted in arcuate slots in the upper surface of the inner or free ends of the longer legs 168 of the bell cranks 164 are stub shafts 186 on the doctor blade support bar 184. Removably engaged in the support bar 184 is a relatively thin doctor blade 188 with a substantially knife-like configuration at its free edge bearing against the inner circumferential surface of the intaglio roll 42.

ported upon the pneumatic cylinders 196 mounted on the web portions of the channel supports 162. Reciprocably driven by the cylinders 196 are the piston rods 198 having collars 200 adjacent the free end thereof. As seen in FIG. 7, the endless wire cables 192 are secured to the collars 288 so that movement of the cables may be effected by reciprocation of the piston rods 198 within the cylinders 196. The endless wire cables 192 include tension spring portions 202 so that the piston rods 198 may effect pivoting of the doctor blade 188 from the position shown in full line in FIG. 7 to that shown in phantom line and then'retract still further through expansion of the spring. Thus, when the piston rods 198 are moved to the left as shown in FIG. 7, they will act upon the endless cables 192 to pivot the doctor blade 188 into surface contact with the intaglio roll 42. Retraction of the piston rods 198 will act upon the endless cables 192 to pivot the doctor blade 188 downwardly from the intaglio roll 42 to the position shown in dotted line in FIG. 7 so that the blade 188 may be moved thereby upon pivoting of the gate 12 into its open position. It will be appreciated that the pressure exerted by the doctor blade 188 against the surface of the intaglio roll 42 may be adjusted through adjustment of the length of the stroke of the piston rod 198 and the pressure in the cylinder 196. This permits precision adjustment of the position of, and force exerted by, the doctor blade 188 against the intaglio roll 42 by a trained operator and subsequent repositioning of the elements will be effected automatically into the predetermined conditions, thus eliminating the need for highly trained operators after initial setup.

Turning now to FIG. 8, the upper doctor member assembly 154 is therein illustrated. Mounted on the outer legs of the channel supports 162 are horizontal blocks 220 upon which are fixedly mounted bearing blocks 222 and slide blocks 224. Lead screws 226 are trapped in the bearing blocks 222 and threadably engaged within the slide blocks 224 so as to effect sliding movement thereof along the surface of the horizontal blocks 220 upon rotation. Pivotably seated in upwardly and inwardly extending arcuate recesses 227 in the slide blocks 224 are stub shafts 228 at the ends of the doctor blade support bar 230 in which is removeably retained a thin doctor blade member 232 extending upwardly and inwardly into contact with the upper and outer circumferential surface of the intaglio roll 42. At both ends, the doctor blade support bar 230 has depending ears 234 in which are threadably engaged adjusting screws 236which bear at their inner ends against the fixed plates 238 on the channel support members 162.

' I Accordingly, rotation of the adjusting screws 236 will As seen in FIG. 3, the stub shaft 186 has an extension 212 on the left side as viewed therein'which has a collared coupling 216 thereon slidably engaged in a yoke on the pivot arm 217 mounted on and oscillated by the vertical shaft 219. The motor 221 on the top of the gate 12 oscillates the shaft 219 through a cam and crank-v shaft to oscillate the doctor blades 188 across the rolls 42 and minimize wear.

Mounted on the stub shafts 186 outwardly of the bell cranks 164 are pulleys 190 in which are seated one end of the endless wire cables 192. The other end of the endless cables extends about pulley elements 194 suppivot the doctor blade support bar 230 and thereby the doctor blade member 232 in the slide blocks 224. Rotation of the lead screws 226 will move the slide blocks 224 and thereby the doctor blade member 232 relative to the intaglio roll 42 so as to effect variation in the contact pressure therebetween.

The doctor blade support bar 230 also carries a trough member 240 having a drain aperture 242 at one end thereof. In this manner, ink scraped from the intaglio roll 42 by the upper doctor blade member 232 will travel downwardly therealong and. into the trough to a fitting in the gate 12 and thence to the several cylinders through flexible conduits 262. The air pressure in the cylinders and other pressure information may be readily ascertained for purpose of adjustment by suitable gauges and control instrumentation 264 (only partially shown) on the side portions of the frame 10 and on the control console 14.

Turning now to FIG. 3, the fabric 16 being printed is shown entering the machine at Point A and leaving at Point B. Backing grey 270 from a suitable source enters at Point C and leaves at Point D. The endless rubber blanket 272 passes through a cleaning station generally designated by the numeral 274 after it passes through the printing stations. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the backing grey 270 is coated with an adhesion promotor by the roller coating station generally designated by the numeral 276 and disposed at a location remote from the first printing station. The applicator roll 278 is coated by the feed roll 280 which rotates through a reservoir 282. Various other idler rolls 284 are shown in phantom but the only driven rolls in the machine are the intaglio rolls 42 so that synchronizaton thereof will not be adversely affected and there will be no relative slippage.

Since the intaglio rolls 42 are relatively thin shelled cylindrical members with

bushings

62,64 at the ends thereof, they are relatively lighweight and may be handled readily. As best seen in FIGS. 10 and 12, the

bushings

62 and 64 are fabricated from three or more arcuate segments defining a circular circumferential configuration and frustoconical interior cavity. The several segments 62 a,b,c and 64 a,b,c are held together by annular garter springs 65,67 which will normally hold their axial edges together and prevent inadvertent disassembly. When inserted into the ends of a roll 42 of slightly larger internal or nonuniform diameter, the circumferential surface will be expanded by the conical mandrels 74,132 to fit snugly against that surface. This affords significant advantages in accommodating minor deviations and ensures a firm fit.

As seen in FIG. 12, the several segments 64 a,b,c mating with the fixed mandrel 132 each have keyways milled in their frustoconical surfaces which seat keys 136 seated in cooperating keyways in the mandrel portion 132 and held therein by the fasteners 69. in this manner, the expanded segments will not slip relative to the mandrel or to each other. Similar key and keyway construction is employed with respect to the bushing 62.

lt is especially significant to note how readily colors may be changed at any of the several inking units without complete disassembly of the machine. if so desired, the gate 12 may be pivoted into its open position to permit cleaning of the intaglio rolls 42 where the color is being changed. Alternatively, where a similar color is being employed, the trough assembly 148 may be slid outwardly and pivoted downwardly to empty it and clean it and also to remove and clean the inking roll 214.

When it is desired to clean the machine or to change the intaglio rolls 42, the operator presses the control for the pneumatic cylinders 54 to withdraw the backup rolls 44 from contact with the rubber blanket 272, backing grey 270 and fabric 16, at the nip with the intaglio rolls 42. He then presses the control for the pneumatic cylinders 196, pivoting the doctor blade 188 downwardly to the dotted line position shown in FIG.

7. He may then open the gate 12 by operating the latch control mechanism 40 to open the latches 38. This permits the pivoting of the gate 12 on its hinges 36, the free end thereof being supported upon a wheel 41 which preferably moves within a track (not shown) in the floor. As previously indicated, the trough assembly 148 and inking roll assembly 152 may be readily removed for cleaning and the

doctor blade members

188 and 232 are also readily accessible for cleaning. With the gate 12 in the open position, the intaglio rolls are readily accessible for cleaning by the operators assistant. When the necessary changes have been made, particularly if only cleaning and changing color are required, the trough assembly 148 and inking roll assembly 152 may be reintroduced into position and the gate 12 closed. Since the registry of the various members has not been affected, the printing operation may be begun almost immediately.

Color may be supplied to the various trough assemblies 148 by an air pumping system (not shown) which automatically controls the level within the troughs 156. Whenever desired, one of the inking units may be taken out of operation while leaving the remaining units in operation simply by retracting the backup roll 44 for that particular inking unit.

Of particular significance is the doctor blade arrangement of the present invention. As a result of the disposition of the blades, and of their mounting, the doctor blades can be prepared on doctor grinding machines to a very high degree of accuracy since the pressure of the blade against the intaglio rolls 42 is controlled accurately by a piston operated by air pressure indicated upon a gauge. The friction of the doctor blades against the intaglio rolls may thereby be reduced to extend significantly the life of the engraving upon the intaglio rolls.

If so desired, the machine may be double sided to permit printing on either face, pivotable gates being employed in each instance in order to obtain the advantages of the present invention.

Conveniently, accessory mechanism includes a carrier for moving several intaglio rolls into position simultaneously to effect mounting thereof. Since the pressures at roll nip and at doctor blade nip are provided by the pneumatic cylinders, these may be controlled precisely and repeatably. The apparatus permits operation both with and without backing grey and is selfcontained with respect to cleaning mechanism for the rubber blanket.

Thus it can be seen that the present invention provides a novel and highly effective print machine affording significant economies in operation and in downtime. It is highly versatile and permits rapid change of colors and removal from printing of one or more colors with resultant variation of pattern. The pressure at the roll nip and main doctor blade may be varied pneumatically and accurately. The inking unit may be cleaned and then replaced in operation in the previously established conditions. Lightweight rolls may be employed and held firmly. its highly effective construction minimizes wear on operating components and facilitates operation by relatively untrained operators.

1 claim:

1. In a print machine, the combination comprising:

a. a generally cylindrical roll shell,

b. split bushing members engaged in each end thereof, said split bushing members each being comprised of at least three arcuate segments having circumferential surface portions cooperating to define a generally circular circumferential configuration and the inner surfaces of which are configured to define a generally frustoconical cavity, and resilient means holding said segments in generally circular circumferential disposition and permitting expansion thereof to increase the diameter of the circular cross section defined thereby;

mandrel members having generally frustoconical circumferential portions cooperatively configured and engaged within said generally frustoconical cavities of said bushing members, said mandrel members expanding the segments of said bushing members into firm press fitting engagement with the inner surface of said roll shell; and

d. means engaging said bushing and mandrel members to prevent relative rotation.

2. The print machine of claim 1 wherein said engaging means comprises keyways in the inner surface of each segment of said split bushing members and in the cooperating outer surfaces of said mandrel members; and keys seated therein.

3. In a print machine, the combination comprising:

a. a machine frame; I Y

b. a multiplicity of rolls rotatably supported on said frame;

c. drive means for rotating said rolls, said rolls each being comprised of:

l. a generally cylindrical roll shell;

2. bushing members engaged in each end thereof having a cavity therein of generally frustoconical configuration of greatest diameter at the outer ends thereof;

. mandrel members having generally frustoconical portions engaged within said frustoconical cavities of said bushing members, the bushing and mandrel members of said rolls having cooperating keyways in their opposing surfaces and keys seated therein to prevent relative rotations; 4. a pair of shaft elements mounted on said machine frame; one of said shaft elements being fixedly engaged with its associated mandrel member'and the other of said shaft elements being seated within an elongated outwardly opening cavity in its associated mandrel member,

said cavity having series of surface portions cooperating with surface portions on the end portion of said shaft element disposed therein to provide a plurality of seats; and

5. a plurality of bearing elements disposed on said seats between said shaft element and said mandrel member, said bearing elements including a bearing element providing for compensation of relative thrust between said shaft elements and said mandrel member;

d. bearing means on said frame for said one shaft element of each roll, said one shaft element being engaged with said drive means for rotation thereof and thereby said roll shell; and

e. support means on said frame for said other shaft element of each roll.

4. The print machine of claim 3 wherein said surface portions of said shaft element and said mandrel member are provided by a series of steps of decreasing diameter inwardly of said roll shell.

5. The print machine of claim 3 wherein said bearing elements include ball bearing means and angular contact roller bearing means.

6. The print machine of claim 5 wherein said bearing means also include needle roller bearing means.

7. The print machine of claim 3 wherein said bushing members are split bushing members each being comprised of at least three arcuate segments having circumferential surface portions cooperating to define a generally circular circumferential configuration and the inner surfaces of which are configured to define a generally frustoconical cavity, and resilient means holding said segments in generally circular circumferential dis position and permitting expansion to increase the diameter of the circular cross section defined thereby, said mandrel members expanding the segments of said bushing members into firm press fitting engagement with the inner surface of said roll shell, each of said bushing member segments having a keyway therein cooperating with a keyway on said mandrel; and keys seated in said keyways.

8. The print machine of claim 7 wherein said keys are removeably engaged in the keyways of said mandrel members by threaded fasteners.

Claims

1. In a print machine, the combination comprising: a. a generally cylindrical roll shell; b. split bushing members engaged in each end thereof, said split bushing members each being comprised of at least three arcuate segments having circumferential surface portions cooperating to define a generally circular circumferential configuration and the inner surfaces of which are configured to define a generally frustoconical cavity, and resilient means holding said segments in generally circular circumferential disposition and permitting expansion thereof to increase the diameter of the circular cross section defined thereby; c. mandrel members having generally frustoconical circumferential portions cooperatively configured and engaged within said generally frustoconical cavities of said bushing members, said mandrel members expanding the segments of said bushing members into firm press fitting engagement with the inner surface of said roll shell; and d. means engaging said bushing and mandrel members to prevent relative rotation.

3. In a print machine, the combination comprising: a. a machine frame; b. a multiplicity of rolls rotatably supported on said frame; c. drive means for rotating said rolls, said rolls each being comprised of:

3. mandrel members having generally frustoconical portions engaged within said frustoconical cavities of said bushing members, the bushing and mandrel members of said rolls having cooperating keyways in their opposing surfaces and keys seated therein to prevent relative rotations;

4. a pair of shaft elements mounted on said machine frame; one of said shaft elements being fixedly engaged with its associated mandrel member and the other of said shaft elements being seated within an elongated outwardly opening cavity in its associated mandrel member, said cavity having series of surface portions cooperating with surface portions on the end portion of said shaft element disposed therein to provide a plurality of seats; and

5. a plurality of bearing elements disposed on said seats between said shaft element and said mandrel member, said bearing elements including a bearing element providing for compensation of relative thrust between said shaft elements and said mandrel member; d. bearing means on said frame for said one shaft element of each roll, said one shaft element being engaged with said drive means for rotation thereof and thereby said roll shell; and e. support means on said frame for said other shaft element of each roll.

7. The print machine of claim 3 wherein said bushing members are split bushing members each being comprised of at least three arcuate segments having circumferential surface portions cooperating to define a generally circular circumferentIal configuration and the inner surfaces of which are configured to define a generally frustoconical cavity, and resilient means holding said segments in generally circular circumferential disposition and permitting expansion to increase the diameter of the circular cross section defined thereby, said mandrel members expanding the segments of said bushing members into firm press fitting engagement with the inner surface of said roll shell, each of said bushing member segments having a keyway therein cooperating with a keyway on said mandrel; and keys seated in said keyways.