The present subject matter describes a system for ink pumping. In an example implementation, the system comprises a tube having a first end and a second end, a peristaltic pump to pump ink through the tube, a first ink port, and a second ink port. The system includes a first fluid chamber between the first end of the tube and the first ink port. The first fluid chamber is configured to hold the ink entering and exiting the tube through the first end to dampen flow of the pumped ink. The system also includes a second fluid chamber between the second end of the tube and the second ink port. The second fluid chamber is configured to hold the ink entering and exiting the tube through the second end to dampen flow of the pumped ink.

The present subject matter describes a system for pumping ink. In an example implementation, the system includes a piston assembly having a lower chamber and an upper chamber. The lower chamber has an inlet port to receive ink. The upper chamber has a passage to receive ink from the lower chamber and an outlet port to dispense ink. The upper chamber is enclosed by a bellow. An actuating member is engaged with the piston assembly. The actuating member is configured to linearly move the piston assembly. The piston assembly is configured to compress and relax the bellow by the linear movement to pump ink from the lower chamber to the upper chamber and from the upper chamber to the outlet port.

The present subject matter describes a system for pumping ink. In an example implementation, the system includes a piston assembly having a lower chamber and an upper chamber. The lower chamber has an inlet port to receive ink. The upper chamber has a passage to receive ink from the lower chamber and an outlet port to dispense ink. The upper chamber is enclosed by a bellow. An actuating member is engaged with the piston assembly. The actuating member is configured to linearly move the piston assembly. The piston assembly is configured to compress and relax the bellow by the linear movement to pump ink from the lower chamber to the upper chamber and from the upper chamber to the outlet port.

A decorator press for printing on metal cans has a pump unit, a distribution head, a sensing device and a processing circuit. The pump unit comprises a plurality of inlet ports, a first inlet port configured to receive an ink of a first color from a first ink source and a second inlet port configured to receive an ink of a second color darker than the first color. The distribution head is coupled to the pump unit and configured to spread fluid received from the pump unit across zones of a print roller. The sensing device is coupled to the press and configured to sense a characteristic of fluid flowing out of the distribution head. The processing circuit is configured to receive the sensed characteristic, compare the sensed characteristic to a predetermined threshold, and to provide an indication to a display based on the comparison.

A machine for indirect ink-jet printing and more generally to a machine for indirect digital printing. A first transfer roller is at a printing position at which it provides ink to a first printing roller. The first printing roller engages and transfers ink onto a counter roller for the printing. When its printing has been completed, the first printing roller is moved to a storage position. A second printing roller is selectively moved from a waiting position to the working position to provide ink. The rollers are moved along guides between their positions.

A machine for indirect ink-jet printing and more generally to a machine for indirect digital printing. A first transfer roller is at a printing position at which it provides ink to a first printing roller. The first printing roller engages and transfers ink onto a counter roller for the printing. When its printing has been completed, the first printing roller is moved to a storage position. A second printing roller is selectively moved from a waiting position to the working position to provide ink. The rollers are moved along guides between their positions.

The present invention discloses a digital ink duct for a printing press, comprising an ink tank for storing ink, a main ink pipe that communicates with the ink tank, at least one metering-type ink delivery device, ink delivery pipes, a controller and a signal acquisition device. In the present invention, high-accuracy, metering-type ink delivery devices are arranged in a queue to form a digital ink duct which replaces the traditional ink duct and supplies ink for the ink zones. The present invention can perform accurate adjustment in real time, is high in automation and digitalization degree, and can realize one-way ink delivery and avoid ink return.

The present invention discloses a digital ink duct for a printing press, comprising an ink tank for storing ink, a main ink pipe that communicates with the ink tank, at least one metering-type ink delivery device, ink delivery pipes, a controller and a signal acquisition device. In the present invention, high-accuracy, metering-type ink delivery devices are arranged in a queue to form a digital ink duct which replaces the traditional ink duct and supplies ink for the ink zones. The present invention can perform accurate adjustment in real time, is high in automation and digitalization degree, and can realize one-way ink delivery and avoid ink return.

Provided are a printing plate, a method for manufacturing a printing plate, and a printing method that allow for high-resolution printing and efficient use of printing ink. The printing plate has an image area and a non-image area. The image area is formed by a layer containing silicone rubber. The non-image area is formed by a layer containing a fluorine compound on a surface of the layer containing silicone rubber. The height difference between a surface of the image area and a surface of the non-image area is 100 nm or less. The method for manufacturing a printing plate has the steps of subjecting a region of a surface of a layer containing silicone rubber to chemical treatment or physical treatment to form hydroxyl groups, the region being a region that becomes a non-image area; and binding a fluorine compound to the region, having the hydroxyl groups formed thereon, of the surface of the layer containing silicone rubber to form a non-image area. The printing method has an ink-applying step of applying a printing ink to an image area and a transfer step of transferring the printing ink from the image area to a substrate.

Provided are a printing plate, a method for manufacturing a printing plate, and a printing method that allow for high-resolution printing and efficient use of printing ink. The printing plate has an image area and a non-image area. The image area is formed by a layer containing silicone rubber. The non-image area is formed by a layer containing a fluorine compound on a surface of the layer containing silicone rubber. The height difference between a surface of the image area and a surface of the non-image area is 100 nm or less. The method for manufacturing a printing plate has the steps of subjecting a region of a surface of a layer containing silicone rubber to chemical treatment or physical treatment to form hydroxyl groups, the region being a region that becomes a non-image area; and binding a fluorine compound to the region, having the hydroxyl groups formed thereon, of the surface of the layer containing silicone rubber to form a non-image area. The printing method has an ink-applying step of applying a printing ink to an image area and a transfer step of transferring the printing ink from the image area to a substrate.