A gravure printing unit, which is usable for printing on a substrate, according to a gravure printing method, includes a forme cylinder which comprises, on its circumference, an image-forming pattern of recesses, and an inking unit, by the use of which the pattern of recesses provided on the forme cylinder is inked. The forme cylinder can be partially inked from an inking device via a first inking unit cylinder which has recesses in the region of its outer cylindrical surface that correspond to recesses on the forme cylinder, and via a second inking unit cylinder, which cooperates with the first inking unit cylinder and which comprises ink-transferring elements or raised areas on its circumference. For controlling the transfer of ink, the first inking unit cylinder having the recesses, is configured as being temperature controllable or has a temperature control device in the ink unit supply. Alternatively, a printing pressure between inking units cylinders can be varied during operation. The invention also relates to a method for adjusting or modifying a transfer of ink and for operating the gravure printing unit.

According to some examples a substance displacement apparatus may comprise a gas ejection aperture and a deflector arm. The gas ejection aperture may be to direct gas towards a roller having a surface on which a substance is disposed. The deflector arm may be moveable between a first position in which gas is directed away from a target area on the surface of the roller, and a second position in which gas is directed towards the target area on the surface of the roller, thereby to displace at least some of the substance from the surface of the roller within the target area. A method and a print apparatus are also disclosed.

A roller for a printing unit of a printing press, has a roller outer body, which is mounted on a roller inner body, so as to be movable axially in a reciprocating manner. For the axial movement of the roller outer body, in at least a first direction, a pneumatic drive is provided. The pneumatic drive has at least one first chamber, which is mounted in the interior of the roller in the manner of a cylinder/piston system between one or more structural elements, that are fixed to the roller outer body, and one or more structural elements that are fixed to the roller inner body. The chamber can be pressurized with compressed air. The parts of the structural elements adjoining the chamber, and that are movable axially relative to one another, form a non-contact seal between themselves on their mutually facing sides.

A gravure printing unit, which is usable for printing on a substrate, according to a gravure printing method, includes a forme cylinder which comprises, on its circumference, an image-forming pattern of recesses, and an inking unit, by the use of which the pattern of recesses provided on the forme cylinder is inked. The forme cylinder can be partially inked from an inking device via a first inking unit cylinder which has recesses in the region of its outer cylindrical surface that correspond to recesses on the forme cylinder, and via a second inking unit cylinder, which cooperates with the first inking unit cylinder and which comprises ink-transferring elements or raised areas on its circumference. For controlling the transfer of ink, the first inking unit cylinder having the recesses, is configured as being temperature controllable or has a temperature control device in the ink unit supply. Alternatively, a printing pressure between inking units cylinders can be varied during operation. The invention also relates to a method for adjusting or modifying a transfer of ink and for operating the gravure printing unit.

An over-varnish unit and mandrel pre-spin system for a can decorator, especially for beverage can bodies, can have a mandrel pre-spin belt that is outside of the over-varnish unit housing. The position of the can infeed on the mandrel wheel and the print point is controlled.

An apparatus and methods of decorating exterior surfaces of metallic containers are provided. More specifically, the present disclosure provides a novel metering roller for an inking assembly of a decorator. An adjustment mechanism is operable to move the metering roller to a first ink transfer position during a decoration run. In the first ink transfer position, the metering roller receives ink from an ink roller without contacting the ink roller. In one embodiment, during the production run, the metering roller is in contact with and transfers ink to a transfer roller. When the decoration run stops, the adjustment mechanism can move the metering roller to a second dwell position such that the metering roller does not receive ink from the ink roller.

An over-varnish unit and mandrel pre-spin system for a can decorator, especially for beverage can bodies, can have a mandrel pre-spin belt that is outside of the over-varnish unit housing. The position of the can infeed on the mandrel wheel and the print point is controlled.

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.

According to some examples a substance displacement apparatus may comprise a gas ejection aperture and a deflector arm. The gas ejection aperture may be to direct gas towards a roller having a surface on which a substance is disposed. The deflector arm may be moveable between a first position in which gas is directed away from a target area on the surface of the roller, and a second position in which gas is directed towards the target area on the surface of the roller, thereby to displace at least some of the substance from the surface of the roller within the target area. A method and a print apparatus are also disclosed.

A roller for a printing unit of a printing press, has a roller outer body, which is mounted on a roller inner body, so as to be movable axially in a reciprocating manner. For the axial movement of the roller outer body, in at least a first direction, a pneumatic drive is provided. The pneumatic drive has at least one first chamber, which is mounted in the interior of the roller in the manner of a cylinder/piston system between one or more structural elements, that are fixed to the roller outer body, and one or more structural elements that are fixed to the roller inner body. The chamber can be pressurized with compressed air. The parts of the structural elements adjoining the chamber, and that are movable axially relative to one another, form a non-contact seal between themselves on their mutually facing sides.