A printing apparatus for printing onto objects is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a plurality of carrying devices (104) for carrying objects (108) to be printed on, the carrying devices (104) each comprising a rotatable handling device configured to hold and rotate an object. A track (102) defines a path along which each of the plurality of carrying devices can be moved. A plurality of processing stations (106A-106F) are arranged along the track and comprising at least one printing station (106C). A controller (110) is configured to independently control the position and speed of each of the carrying devices (104) with respect to the track. The handling device is arranged to rotate an object at at least one of the plurality of processing stations by coupling to a driving device (610) disposed at the at least one processing station such that torque is transmitted from the driving device to the handling device.

The present disclosure provides an apparatus for handling objects. The apparatus comprises a carrying device (104) that is configured to move along a track (102). A handling device (224) is adapted to hold an object (108) and is mounted to the carrying device (104) such that it is rotatable with respect to the carrying device about a handling axis (226). A drive device (310) is disposed at a position along the track (102) and configured to produce a torque around a drive axis. The carrying device (104) can be moved along the track (102) in a direction perpendicular to the drive axis into and out of a drive position. In the drive position, the handling axis (226) of the handling device (224) is in substantial alignment with the drive axis of the drive device (310) whereupon the drive device induces a torque in the handling device (224) causing the handling device to rotate, thereby causing the object (108) held by the handling device to rotate.

An apparatus for printing a beer barrel includes a workbench, and a hydraulic pushing device, a barrel outer-sided printing device, and a barrel inner-sided printing device installed on the workbench. The barrel inner-sided printing device has a turntable rotating with respect to the Z-axis and mounted on the barrel, an inner mold installed onto a circumferential surface of the turntable for printing the inner side of the barrel. The barrel outer-sided printing device has a connecting frame moving linearly along the Y-axis direction. The connecting frame has an outer mold for printing an outer side of the barrel, and the hydraulic pushing device controls the outer mold to move linearly along the X-axis direction. The outer and inner molds print a sidewall of the barrel. This invention prevents unnecessary waste of manufacturing cost and time caused by the scrap of semi-finished products whose previous printing process becomes useless.

An apparatus for printing a beer barrel includes a workbench, and a hydraulic pushing device, a barrel outer-sided printing device, and a barrel inner-sided printing device installed on the workbench. The barrel inner-sided printing device has a turntable rotating with respect to the Z-axis and mounted on the barrel, an inner mold installed onto a circumferential surface of the turntable for printing the inner side of the barrel. The barrel outer-sided printing device has a connecting frame moving linearly along the Y-axis direction. The connecting frame has an outer mold for printing an outer side of the barrel, and the hydraulic pushing device controls the outer mold to move linearly along the X-axis direction. The outer and inner molds print a sidewall of the barrel. This invention prevents unnecessary waste of manufacturing cost and time caused by the scrap of semi-finished products whose previous printing process becomes useless.

Provided is a can manufacturing method, comprising: creating separation data by separating platemaking editing data for each ink color of a printing machine that performs printing on a surface of a can; and manufacturing a proof can by outputting an image corresponding to the platemaking editing data by an ink-jet printer based on the platemaking editing data or the separation data and a predetermined conversion rule, and arranging the image on a can surface, wherein the conversion rule has a rule to reproduce, by ink of the ink-jet printer, the ink color of the printing machine printed based on the separation data.

Provided is a can manufacturing method, comprising: creating separation data by separating platemaking editing data for each ink color of a printing machine that performs printing on a surface of a can; and manufacturing a proof can by outputting an image corresponding to the platemaking editing data by an ink-jet printer based on the platemaking editing data or the separation data and a predetermined conversion rule, and arranging the image on a can surface, wherein the conversion rule has a rule to reproduce, by ink of the ink-jet printer, the ink color of the printing machine printed based on the separation data.

A system for decorating multiple containers in a single manufacturing run has a decorator, which includes a source of ink and print site where an ink graphic is deposited to each container in a plurality of containers that make up a manufacturing queue. An inspection station is located downstream from the decorator. The inspection station performs an optical evaluation of a quality of a pattern of ink deposited on at least one container in the plurality of containers A closed-loop feedback is responsive to the inspection station wherein the decorator is automatically adjusted in response to the optical evaluation performed at the inspection station.

A manufacturing method of a tool surface mark includes a first cleaning step, a first electroplating step, a second cleaning step, a drying step, a printing step, a cation removal step, and a second electroplating step. In the first electroplating step, the surface of the tool is electroplated, and a first protective layer is formed on the surface of the tool. In the cation removal step, the tool is placed into an electrolyte and then electrically connected to an anode, the anode is electrically energized, and metal cations on the surface of the tool and on the printing pattern are dissolved. In the second electroplating step, the surface of the tool is electroplate at potions without the printing pattern to form a second protective layer. The yield of the printing pattern increases and the printing pattern does not easy peel off.

A pair of metallic beverage container bodies is sequentially decorated in a direct single file queue by a dry offset rotary metallic beverage container decorator. A container body has a common design element, a first unique design element in a first color, and a second unique design element in a second color on its outer surface. The first unique design element is located within a boundary of the second unique design element. A second container body has the common design element, a third unique design element in the first color, and a fourth unique design element in the second color on the outer surface. The third unique design element is unique relative to the first and second design elements. The third unique design element is located within a boundary of the fourth unique design element.

The invention relates to a pin oven for producing containers, comprising a drying chamber for drying the containers using a temperature-controlled process fluid, at least one axle for supporting a bearing element arranged inside the drying chamber, and at least one axle bearing arranged outside the drying chamber, the axle being supported by the axle bearing, and the axle bearing being arranged in a heat-insulating fashion relative to the surroundings of the pin oven.