A system and method for the overprint on flexible supports are described. In particular, the overprint system 1 comprises a printing unit 2 comprising a rotatable printing cylinder 3, having printing zones at the surface thereof, and first actuating means 14, configured to drive in a controllable manner the printing cylinder 3 rotation. The system further comprises a first reel 5 for unwinding a flexible support 4 to be printed, which has preset zones to be overprinted, and a second reel 8 for rewinding the flexible support 4, once it has been printed. A plurality of winding rolls 7 arranges an unwinding path, for the flexible support 4, comprised between the first 5 and the second 8 reels, and passing through the printing unit 2. The system then comprises second actuation means 20, configured to drive in a controllable manner the flexible support 4 advancement along the unwinding path (upstream of the printing unit 2 in the unwinding direction), and control means 10, configured to control in a coordinated manner both the first actuating means 14 and the second actuation means 20, so as to determine at every moment a correspondence of the preset zones to be overprinted of the flexible support 4 with respective printing zones of the printing cylinder 3.

A web-fed printing machine that is highly variable in terms of its configuration, provides a high degree of positioning accuracy of processing modules and has a cost-efficient machine frame, includes a plurality of the processing modules fixed to the machine frame. Each respective processing module is advantageously fixed to the machine frame by a respective carrier module. Every carrier module includes two parallel longitudinal beams extending in the machine direction and two parallel crossbars which are oriented at right angles to the longitudinal beams and which interconnect the two longitudinal beams.

A web-fed printing machine that is highly variable in terms of its configuration, provides a high degree of positioning accuracy of processing modules and has a cost-efficient machine frame, includes a plurality of the processing modules fixed to the machine frame. Each respective processing module is advantageously fixed to the machine frame by a respective carrier module. Every carrier module includes two parallel longitudinal beams extending in the machine direction and two parallel crossbars which are oriented at right angles to the longitudinal beams and which interconnect the two longitudinal beams.

A rotary screen transfer printing machine and a control system thereof. The rotary screen transfer printing machine having a feeding unit, a printing unit, a drying unit, and a receiving unit; the printing unit has at least one rotary screen transfer printing assembly and a guide belt assembly; each rotary screen transfer printing assembly has a rotary screen plate roller and a transfer roller; the rotary screen plate roller is close to the transfer roller; the transfer roller is seamlessly coated with rubber or a resin having good affinity for a water-based ink. A control system includes: a motion controller; a conveying synchronization module, used for controlling the feeding unit, the printing unit, the drying unit, and the receiving unit to synchronize the conveying speeds of the four units; and a rotary screen transfer printing synchronization module.

According to the invention there is an apparatus for printing onto cylindrical structures comprising: a plurality of inker devices each comprising a print cylinder and one or more servomotors for adjustably controlling the position or orientation of a print cylinder; a blanket device comprising a plurality of print blankets, in which the blanket device is configured to bring each print blanket into contact with the print cylinders to transfer ink from the print cylinders to the print blanket, and to bring each print blanket into contact with a cylindrical structure to achieve printing thereon; a transporter for transporting the cylindrical structures into and out of contact with the print blankets; and an automatic print correction system comprising a print inspection device for detecting a misregistration of ink transferred from one or more of the print cylinders onto a print blanket, and a controller for controlling the servomotors of the print cylinders to correct the misregistration in response to data received from the print inspection device.

According to the invention there is an apparatus for printing onto cylindrical structures comprising: a plurality of inker devices each comprising a print cylinder and one or more servomotors for adjustably controlling the position or orientation of a print cylinder; a blanket device comprising a plurality of print blankets, in which the blanket device is configured to bring each print blanket into contact with the print cylinders to transfer ink from the print cylinders to the print blanket, and to bring each print blanket into contact with a cylindrical structure to achieve printing thereon; a transporter for transporting the cylindrical structures into and out of contact with the print blankets; and an automatic print correction system comprising a print inspection device for detecting a misregistration of ink transferred from one or more of the print cylinders onto a print blanket, and a controller for controlling the servomotors of the print cylinders to correct the misregistration in response to data received from the print inspection device.

A print registration system for a beverage can decorator includes an axial registration system and a circumferential registration system. Each registration system is independent and includes a slider that is translated by a motorized lead screw. Axial movement of the axial registration slider is transmitted to axial adjustment of the plate cylinder by a mechanical connection between the axial registration slider and the plate cylinder shaft. Translation of the circumferential registration slider is transmitted to a helical gear mounted to the plate cylinder shaft such that the plate cylinder shaft is rotated by the movement of the circumferential registration slider upon engagement of the helical driven gear with a stationary drive gear.

A print registration system for a beverage can decorator includes an axial registration system and a circumferential registration system. Each registration system is independent and includes a slider that is translated by a motorized lead screw. Axial movement of the axial registration slider is transmitted to axial adjustment of the plate cylinder by a mechanical connection between the axial registration slider and the plate cylinder shaft. Translation of the circumferential registration slider is transmitted to a helical gear mounted to the plate cylinder shaft such that the plate cylinder shaft is rotated by the movement of the circumferential registration slider upon engagement of the helical driven gear with a stationary drive gear.

An oscillating roller system for a beverage can decorator is driven back and forth by a cam follower. A cam body having a cam is mounted to a frame of the inker system. Three oscillating cam roller assemblies are positioned about the cam body. Rotation of the cam oscillates the cam followers for each one of the oscillating rollers. Bearings of the oscillating roller assemblies includes an inlet gallery and outlet gallery for a closed loop lubrication system. The rollers are water cooled.

An oscillating roller system for a beverage can decorator is driven back and forth by a cam follower. A cam body having a cam is mounted to a frame of the inker system. Three oscillating cam roller assemblies are positioned about the cam body. Rotation of the cam oscillates the cam followers for each one of the oscillating rollers. Bearings of the oscillating roller assemblies includes an inlet gallery and outlet gallery for a closed loop lubrication system. The rollers are water cooled.