A rotogravure printing machine has a shaft that rotates and a rotogravure cylinder sleeve for rotation with the shaft. An annular end plate connects to the shaft, and the end plate has a contact surface for contact with a mating contact surface at an inner side of the cylinder sleeve.

Examples include a die-cutting unit that includes a device for changing a die-cutting cylinder. The die-cutting unit includes at least one die-cutting cylinder and at least one anvil cylinder. The die-cutting cylinder is arranged in a die-cutting position for die-cutting, and is exchangeable for at least one further die-cutting cylinder by means of the device for changing the die-cutting cylinder. One of the die-cutting cylinders is arrangeable in a waiting position for guiding the two die-cutting cylinders past one another. The waiting position is a position that is outside a direct guide path between the die-cutting position and a maintenance position for the set-up and/or maintenance of one of the die-cutting cylinders. Further, the waiting position is arranged lower, in the vertical direction, by no more than 100 percent of a diameter of the die-cutting cylinder in the die-cutting position or, alternatively, is located above the die-cutting position.

Some examples include a die-cutting unit that includes a device for changing a die-cutting cylinder. The die-cutting unit includes at least one die-cutting cylinder and at least one anvil cylinder. The die-cutting cylinder is arrangeable and/or arranged in a die-cutting position for die-cutting. The die-cutting cylinder is exchangeable for at least one further die-cutting cylinder by means of a device for changing the die-cutting cylinder. The device for changing the die-cutting cylinder includes a locking mechanism for fixing the die-cutting cylinder in the die-cutting position and/or for releasing the die-cutting cylinder from the die-cutting position. The locking mechanism acts so as to point away from a shaping point.

Examples include a die-cutting unit that includes a device for changing a die-cutting cylinder. The die-cutting unit includes at least one die-cutting cylinder and at least one anvil cylinder. The die-cutting cylinder is arranged in a die-cutting position for die-cutting, and the at least one die-cutting cylinder is exchangeable for at least one other die-cutting cylinder by means of the device for changing the die-cutting cylinder. A shortest straight connecting line between the axis of rotation of the die-cutting cylinder in the die-cutting position and the axis of rotation of the die-cutting cylinder in the move-out position is inclined less than 30 degrees with respect to a horizontal plane. Further, a shortest straight connecting line between the axis of rotation of the die-cutting cylinder in the move-out position and a maintenance position is inclined less than 30 degrees with respect to a vertical direction.

The rotogravure printing system comprising a machine provided with at least one shaft (6) and means for movement and for rotation of said shaft (6) and a rotogravure cylinder sleeve (10) to be rotated by means of the at least one shaft (6), further comprising a first substantially annular end plate (7) which is in use connected to the shaft (6) of the system, which end plate (7) is provided with at least one contact surface (23) that is designed for contact with a mating contact surface (13) defined at an inner side (12) of the cylinder sleeve (10).

Examples include a die-cutting unit that includes a device for changing a die-cutting cylinder. The die-cutting unit includes at least one die-cutting cylinder and at least one anvil cylinder. The die-cutting cylinder is arranged in a die-cutting position for die-cutting, and the at least one die-cutting cylinder is exchangeable for at least one other die-cutting cylinder by means of the device for changing the die-cutting cylinder. A shortest straight connecting line between the axis of rotation of the die-cutting cylinder in the die-cutting position and the axis of rotation of the die-cutting cylinder in the move-out position is inclined less than 30 degrees with respect to a horizontal plane. Further, a shortest straight connecting line between the axis of rotation of the die-cutting cylinder in the move-out position and a maintenance position is inclined less than 30 degrees with respect to a vertical direction.

A method for operating a printing machine for flexographic printing, wherein a web of printing stock is unwound, transported and thereby guided through at least two double printing units of the printing machine. Each of the double printing units has at least one impression cylinder and in each case two printing cylinders for flexographic printing. The impression cylinders are each driven in rotation by a separate motor and the printing cylinders are each driven in rotation by a separate motor. A computer of the printing machine calculates at least two virtual drive axes and the computer controls the motors in each case using one of the virtual drive axes. The method is particularly suitable for high-production and flexible processing in industrially operated, web-processing flexographic printing machines for packaging printing.