Cylinder having a partially gas-permeable surface

Abstract

A cylinder (10) comprising a cylindrical body (11) is provided. A first proportion of the circumferential face (48) of the cylindrical body (11) is of porous and gas-permeable configuration and a second proportion of the circumferential face (48) of the cylindrical body (11) is of gas-impermeable configuration, wherein the porous, gas-permeable first proportion of the circumferential face (48) is in communication with at least one gas supply line and wherein the first proportion of the circumferential face (48) amounts to at least 0.1% and at most 50%. Further, a corresponding adapter sleeve and a corresponding printing forme cylinder are provided.

Claims

1. A cylinder comprising a cylindrical body, characterized in that a first proportion of a circumferential face of the cylindrical body is of porous and gas-permeable configuration and a second proportion of the circumferential face of the cylindrical body is of gas-impermeable configuration, where the porous, gas-permeable first proportion of the circumferential face is in communication with at least one gas supply line and where the first proportion of the circumferential face amounts to at least 0.1% and at most 50%, characterized in that the porous, gas-permeable first proportion of the circumferential face is divided into at least one porous region, wherein the at least one porous region is configured as a ring circulating in the peripheral direction or as a plurality of subregions which are configured and disposed in the form of an interrupted ring circulating in the peripheral direction.

2. The cylinder as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that at least one porous region adjoins at least one end of the cylindrical body.

3. The cylinder as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the porous, gas-permeable proportion of the circumferential face of the cylindrical body is formed of a porous material which is selected from the group consisting of a porous plastic, a porous, fiber-reinforced plastic, a porous metal, a porous alloy, a porous glass-ceramic, and a porous ceramic, and of combinations of at least two of the stated porous materials.

4. The cylinder as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the porous material is porous aluminum or porous stainless steel.

5. The cylinder as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the pores of the porous material have a proportion in the range from 1 vol % to 50 vol %.

6. The cylinder as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the pore size of the porous material is in the range from 1 m to 500 m.

7. The cylinder as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the cylinder is configured as an adapter sleeve comprising a sleeve body, where the sleeve body, viewed from inside to outside, comprises an expandable base sleeve, a foam layer, and an outer layer, characterized in that a first proportion of the circumferential face of the sleeve body is of porous and gas-permeable configuration and a second proportion of the circumferential face of the sleeve body is of gas-impermeable configuration.

8. The cylinder as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the porous material is inserted in the foam layer.

9. The cylinder as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that one end face of the adapter sleeve has a gas connection which is in communication with the gas supply line.

10. The cylinder as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the inside of the sleeve body has at least one gas inlet which is in communication with the gas supply line.

11. The cylinder as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the cylinder is configured as a printing forme cylinder comprising a roll body, characterized in that a first proportion of the circumferential face of the roll body is of porous and gas-permeable configuration and a second proportion of the circumferential face of the roll body is of gas-impermeable configuration.

12. An arrangement comprising a cylinder as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the cylinder bears at least one hollow cylindrical forme.

13. An arrangement comprising a first cylinder as claimed in claim 1 which is configured as a printing forme cylinder characterized in that the first cylinder bears at least one further cylinder as claimed in claim 1 which is configured as an adapter cylinder.

14. The arrangement as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that the porous, gas-permeable first proportions of the circumferential faces of the first cylinder and of the at least one further cylinder at least partially overlap one another.

15. The arrangement as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that the at least one further cylinder bears at least one hollow cylindrical forme.

16. A method for producing an arrangement comprising a cylinder as claimed in claim 1 and at least one hollow cylindrical forme, the method comprising the steps of: a. providing the cylinder as claimed in claim 1, b. connecting the cylinder to a gas supply, c. charging the cylinder with gas, d. applying the hollow cylindrical forme to the cylinder e. positioning the hollow forme on the cylinder, f. disconnecting the gas supply.

17. A method for producing an arrangement comprising a first cylinder as claimed in claim 1, which is configured as a printing forme cylinder, and a second cylinder as claimed in claim 1, which is configured as an adapter sleeve, the method comprising the steps of: a. providing the first cylinder as claimed in claim 1 which is configured as printing forme cylinder, b. connecting the first cylinder to a gas supply, c. charging the first cylinder with gas, d. engaging the second cylinder as claimed in claim 1 which is configured as adapter sleeve onto the first cylinder, e. positioning the second cylinder on the first cylinder, f. disconnecting the gas supply, and g. optionally applying at least one further cylinder or a hollow forme.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) In the figures,

(2) FIG. 1 shows the pulling of an adapter sleeve onto a printing forme cylinder in accordance with the prior art,

(3) FIG. 2 shows a cross section of an adapter sleeve with bridge system in accordance with the prior art,

(4) FIG. 3 shows a cross section of an adapter sleeve with Airo system in accordance with the prior art,

(5) FIG. 4 shows a first exemplary embodiment of an adapter sleeve of the invention,

(6) FIG. 5 shows a second exemplary embodiment of an adapter sleeve of the invention,

(7) FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of an adapter sleeve of the invention with Airo system,

(8) FIG. 7 shows a sectional view of an adapter sleeve of the invention with bridge system,

(9) FIG. 8 shows an exemplary embodiment of a printing forme cylinder of the invention,

(10) FIG. 9 shows an arrangement with a printing forme cylinder of the invention and an adapter sleeve of the invention,

(11) FIG. 10 shows a sectional view of a further exemplary embodiment of an adapter sleeve of the invention, and

(12) FIG. 11 shows an illustration of the surface of an adapter sleeve.

(13) FIG. 1 shows the pulling of an adapter sleeve 10 onto a printing forme cylinder 100 in accordance with the prior art. The printing forme cylinder 100 comprises a roll body 101 and has a compressed air connection 36, via which the printing forme cylinder is charged with compressed air. Via air channels in the interior of the printing forme cylinder 100 (not visible in FIG. 1), the compressed air passes to air bores 102 which open into the circumferential face 48 of the roll body 101. The compressed air emerges from the air bores 102 and generates an air cushion.

(14) The adapter sleeve 10 is pulled in pull-on direction 104 onto the printing forme cylinder 100; as a result of the action of the air cushion, the internal diameter of the adapter sleeve 10 is expanded and so the adapter sleeve 10 can be pulled on. When charging with compressed air is ended, the adapter sleeve 10 sits tightly on the printing forme cylinder 100.

(15) FIG. 2 shows a cross section of an adapter sleeve 10 with bridge system according to the prior art. The adapter sleeve 10 has a sleeve body 11, with a tubular configuration or configured in the form of a hollow circle cylinder. In the illustration in FIG. 2, only a detail of one wall of the adapter sleeve 10 is visible. From inside to outside, in this order, the sleeve body 11 has a base sleeve 12, a foam layer 20, and an outer layer 22.

(16) Evident on the surface of the outer layer 22 are two air holes 46, which are in communication with an air supply line 50, in each case via an air channel 38 implemented as a radial groove 42. The air supply line 50 is configured as an opening on the inside of the adapter sleeve 10. The configuration and arrangement of the air supply line 50 in this case is such that it is in communication with an air bore 102 of a printing forme cylinder 100 when the adapter sleeve 10 has been pulled onto a printing forme cylinder 100,

(17) FIG. 3 shows a cross section of an adapter sleeve 10 with Airo system according to the prior art. In the illustration in FIG. 3, only a detail of one wall of the adapter sleeve 10 is visible. The adapter sleeve 10 has a sleeve body 11, with a tubular configuration or configured in the form of a hollow circle cylinder. From inside to outside, in this order, the sleeve body 11 has a base sleeve 12, a foam layer 20, and an outer layer 22.

(18) Evident on the surface of the outer layer 22 are two air holes 46, which are in communication with a further air channel 38, configured as an axial groove 42, in each case via an air channel 38 implemented as a radial groove 42. The axial groove 42 is in turn in communication with a compressed air connection 36, via which the adapter sleeve 10 can be charged with compressed air.

(19) In the description below of the exemplary embodiments of the invention, elements that are identical or similar are denoted by the same reference symbols; in certain cases, a description of these elements is not repeated. The figures provide only a diagrammatic representation of the subject matter of the invention.

(20) FIG. 4 shows a first exemplary embodiment of an adapter sleeve 10 of the invention. The adapter sleeve 10 has a sleeve body 11. The circumferential surface 48 of the sleeve body 11 is divided into a first proportion and a second proportion, with the first proportion of the circumferential face 48 being of porous and gas-permeable or air-permeable configuration, and being divided, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, into two porous regions 28. The second proportion of the circumferential face 48 is of gas-impermeable or air-impermeable design and is characterized in FIG. 4 as a gas-impermeable region 30.

(21) The porous regions 28 of the circumferential face 48 are formed by a porous material 32, which is introduced into the sleeve body 11 using an adhesive 34. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the porous regions 28 are configured as rings which circulate in the peripheral direction of the sleeve body 11. One of the porous regions 28 adjoins one of the end faces of the sleeve body 11, with that side of the porous material 32 that faces the end face being covered with the adhesive 34.

(22) FIG. 5 shows a second exemplary embodiment of an adapter sleeve 10 of the invention. As already described with reference to FIG. 4, the adapter sleeve 10 has a sleeve body 11, in which a first proportion is of porous and gas-permeable configuration. The first proportion is again divided into two porous regions 28, and the porous regions 28 are configured in the form of interrupted rings, so that each of the two porous regions 28 comprises a plurality of subregions 29. The second-proportion of the circumferential surface 48 is gas-impermeable in design, and is characterized in FIG. 5 as a gas-impermeable region 30.

(23) The porous regions 28, or their subregions 29, of the circumferential surface 48 are formed by a porous material 32 which is introduced into the sleeve body 11 using an adhesive 34. One of the porous regions 28, by its subregions 29, again adjoins one of the end faces of the sleeve body 11, with the sides of the porous material 32 of the subregions 29 that face the end face being covered in each case with the adhesive 34.

(24) FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of an adapter sleeve 10 of the invention with Airo system. In the representation in FIG. 6, only a detail of one wall of the adapter sleeve 10 is visible.

(25) The adapter sleeve 10 again has a sleeve body 11. In terms of its construction, the sleeve body 11 corresponds substantially to the adapter sleeves 10 according to the prior art. In the production of the adapter sleeves 10 of the invention, therefore, the initial steps traversed are the same as those traversed when producing adapter sleeves according to the prior art. First of all, the expandable base sleeve 12 is produced. The base sleeve 12 is implemented preferably as a base sleeve composed of glass fiber-reinforced plastic (GRP), and preferably comprises, in this order from inside to outside, a GRP layer 14, an expandable foam layer 16, and a further GRP layer 18. To build up the layer thickness, the foam layer 20 is applied to the GRP layer 18. The foam layer 20 consists preferably of a polyurethane (PU) foam. Subsequently a gas supply line in the form of channels 38 or grooves 40, 42 for the supply of gas into the foam layer 20 is milled or drilled. In this case at least one axial groove 40 is generated, which communicates with a compressed air connection 36. Additionally, radial grooves 42 are produced, which connect the axial grooves 40 to the porous regions 28. The channels 38 or grooves 40, 42 have a width of a few millimeters; a range from 2 mm to 6 mm is preferred.

(26) When the axial grooves 40 and radial grooves 42 have been milled out in the foam layer 20, the outer layer 22 is applied. The outer layer 22 preferably comprises a barrier layer 24 and an outer foam layer 26. The outer foam layer 26 consists preferably of a polyurethane foam. Milled out subsequently at one end face of the sleeve body 11 is a recess into which, subsequently, the porous material 32 is adhesively bonded, in the form of a ring or in the form of a plurality of partial rings, for example. The depth of the recess is preferably 0.1 mm to 0.2 mm less than the wall thickness of the porous material 32, so that the latter stands slightly higher than the rest of the surface of the adapter sleeve 10. Where the porous material 32 used is a ring of porous aluminum, for example, it may be given an airtight adhesive bond to both sides with a two-part epoxy resin. The ring of porous material 32 here is preferably placed centrally over the width of the radial groove 42.

(27) Optionally, the adapter sleeve 10 of the invention may also comprise additional axial bores 44. The diameter of these axial bores 44 is smaller than that of the radial grooves 42 and the axial grooves 42. Diameters of 1 mm up to 2 mm are preferred. The radial bores 44 end at a radial groove 42, and so the gas, the compressed air, for example, is able to escape via the axial bores 44 to the end face of the adapter sleeve 10 if too high a pressure is applied. In the normal case, however, the gas permeability of the porous material 32 is sufficiently high, and so the gas is conducted via the porous material 32 and any possible damage to the adapter sleeves 10 of the invention is ruled out.

(28) Following the introduction of the porous material 32, the adapter sleeves 10 are ground or turned off on a lathe to the final dimensions on a CNC machine. Where insertion takes place using an adhesive, as for example a two-part epoxy resin, the mechanical reworking takes place after the adhesive has cured. Where the porous material used comprises porous aluminum, it can be ground or machined without problems, i.e., without impacting the porosity.

(29) Lastly, the ends of the adapter sleeves 10 are customarily provided with metal rings. These rings serve as assembly aids and locking aids in the printing machine, and also serve to protect the end faces of the adapter sleeves 10. These end rings, however, are of no importance for the functioning of the adapter sleeves 10, and are not shown in the figures,

(30) Surprisingly it has been found that the pulling-on of printing sleeves onto the adapter sleeves of the invention operates more simply and more securely than in the case of prior-art adapter sleeves. A markedly lower quantity of air is needed during pulling-on. The uniformly porous surface results in a uniform air cushion, which is present immediately after the compressed air supply is switched on, and which improves the mounting and demounting of the printing sleeves. The noise produced in the surrounding area is considerably reduced. Whereas noise levels of >80 dB are measured when pulling a printing sleeve onto an adapter according to the prior art, the noise levels measured when pulling takes place onto the adapters of the invention are from only 50 dB to 65 dB, which corresponds to the customary soundscape in a press room.

(31) FIG. 7 shows how the adapter sleeves 10 of the invention may also be constructed according to the bridge system. Here, the compressed air is supplied through a gas inlet 50 in the form of a bore through the base sleeve and the foam layer 20, which ends in the radial groove 42. In order to provide a sufficient volume of compressed air, a multiplicity of gas inlets 50, depending on the diameter of the sleeve, preferably four gas inlets 50, are arranged, and are each placed at an angle of 90 on the inside of the adapter sleeve 10. The bores of the gas inlets 50 have a diameter of a few millimeters. The diameter corresponds preferably to the diameter of the radial groove 42. In order to enable very simple construction, the bores are mounted centrally below the radial groove 42. Over the length of the adapter sleeve 10 it is of course also possible to place a plurality of gas inlets 50 which end in an axial groove 40, as shown in FIG. 6, and so to guide the compressed air to the porous material 32.

(32) FIG. 8 shows a printing forme cylinder 100 which has a roll body 101 and one journal 106 on either side. The roll body 101 is manufactured preferably of steel and has a circle cylinder form. As in the case of the prior-art printing forme cylinder 100 described with reference to FIG. 1, the printing forme cylinder 100 has a gas connection 36 via which it may be charged with a gascompressed air, for example.

(33) The circumferential face 48 of the printing forme cylinder 100 has a porous region 28 which adjoins one of the end faces and which is subdivided into a plurality of subregions 29. In each of the subregions 29, the surface of the roll body 101 is formed by a porous material 32, which is inserted in the roll body 101 and is joined thereto by an adhesive 34. The remaining portion of the circumferential face 48 is of gas-impermeable design and is characterized by the reference number 30.

(34) FIG. 9 shows a printing forme cylinder 100, with an adapter sleeve 10 pulled onto it, in a sectional representation. The printing forme cylinder 100 comprises a tube 108 and has a journal 106 on each side, via which the printing forme cylinder 100 is mounted. The tube 108 is configured as a carbon tube with a thickness of 2 mm to several centimeters. Alternatively, the tube 108 is manufactured of stainless steel or of coated stainless steel. In this exemplary embodiment, the journals 106 are manufactured of aluminum. The tube 108 and the journals 106 together form the roll body 101 of the printing forme cylinder 100.

(35) One of the journals 106 has a gas connection 36 via which the printing forme cylinder 100 can be charged with gas. On the circumferential face 48 of the printing forme cylinder 100 there are porous regions, formed by the insertion of porous material 32. An axial groove 48 and one radial groove 42 each connect the porous material 32 to the gas connection 36.

(36) As already described with reference to FIG. 7, the adapter sleeve 10 is constructed according to the bridge system. The gas inlets 50 of the adapter sleeve 10 are in this case disposed in such a way that they each adjoin porous material 32 in the circumferential face 48 of the printing forme cylinder 100. In this way, the compressed air can be guided on via the porous regions of the printing forme cylinder 100 to the adapter sleeve 10.

(37) FIG. 10 shows a sectional view of a further exemplary embodiment of an adapter sleeve 10 of the invention. As in the case of the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 6, the adapter sleeve 10 is implemented with an Airo system. In the representation in FIG. 10, only a detail of one wall of the adapter sleeve 10 is visible.

(38) The adapter sleeve 10 has a sleeve body 11 as described with reference to the embodiment of FIG. 6. Formed at one end of the adapter sleeve 10 is a porous region 28 in the form of a circulating ring. The remaining circumferential face of the adapter sleeve 10 is configured as a gas-impermeable region 30. The porous region 28 is formed by a material of high hole density 33, which is inserted in an indentation in the adapter sleeve 10. The material of high hole density 33 has at least one opening 60 per 500 mm.sup.2 area. In the example illustrated in FIG. 10, the openings 60 are made as cylindrical openings in an otherwise gas-impermeable material.

(39) In the sleeve body 11, a gas supply line is formed in the form of channels 38 and/or grooves 40, 42. The axial grooves 40 communicate with the compressed air connection 36. Radial grooves 42 are in communication with the axial grooves 40 and supply compressed air to a groove 62 which is formed beneath the porous region 28. The openings 60 in the porous region 28 configured as a material of high hole density 33 open into the groove 62, and so compressed air passes, starting from the compressed air connection 36, via the channels and/or grooves 40, 42, 62, to the openings 60.

(40) The embodiment sketched in FIG. 10, in which the porous region 28 is formed by a material of high hole density 33, may also be combined with an adapter sleeve according to the bridge system or with a printing forme cylinder.

(41) FIG. 11 shows a plan view of the surface or of the circumferential face of the adapter sleeve described with reference to FIG. 10. A first region of the surface is configured as a porous region 28. A second region of the surface is configured as a gas-impermeable region 30. The porous region 28 was generated by introducing a material of high hole density 33 into the adapter sleeve 10; the material of high hole density 33 has at least one opening per 500 mm.sup.2 area. In the detail of the surface of the adapter sleeve 10, depicted in FIG. 11, there are six openings 60 visible in the porous region 28.

(42) In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the porous region 28 is configured as a circulating ring; viewed in the peripheral direction of the adapter sleeve 10, the openings 60 are arranged in the form of two rows which are in an offset arrangement relative to one another.

EXAMPLES

Comparative Example 1

(43) A Rotec Airo Adapter sleeve (available from Flint Group) with a length of 1.2 m is engaged by means of compressed air onto a steel cylinder with a length of 1.3 m which has an outer diameter of 130.623 mm. The inner diameter of the adapter sleeve is 130.623 mm, and thus corresponds exactly to the outer diameter of the steel cylinder. The outer diameter of the adapter sleeve is 191.102 mm Accordingly, the wall thickness of the adapter sleeve is 30.239 mm. The adapter sleeve has a compressed air connection on one end face and also, placed on one end and also centrally, has four radial air bores in each case, via which the compressed air emerges. The sleeve is then charged with compressed air (6 bar). A Rotec Bluelight printing sleeve having a wall thickness of 30 mm and an inner diameter which corresponds exactly to the outer diameter of the adapter sleeve is engaged over the adapter sleeve, from the side on which the air bores are located. The noise produced by the emerging compressed air is measured at a distance of 2 m from the experimental setup. The compressed air is then shut off and a determination is made of how firmly the printing sleeve is fixed on the adapter sleeve. The compressed air is then switched on again, and the printing sleeve is demounted. The operation is repeated 5 times and the mounted/demounting behavior is evaluated qualitatively:

(44) Rating 1: very good, denoting easy engagement in a fluid operation, firmly seated adapted sleeve without compressed air, easy demounting when compressed air connected

(45) Rating 2: good, greater force required but otherwise reliable mounting/demounting and secure fixing

(46) Rating 3: satisfactory, greater force required, occasional sticking during mounting/demounting, secure fixing

(47) Rating 4: poor, high force required, mounting/demounting not possible in a fluid operation, and/or fixing inadequate

(48) Result of test:

(49) Fitting characteristics: rating 2

(50) Noise level: 80.1 dB

Comparative Example 2

(51) The test is repeated except that instead of a Rotec Airo adapter sleeve, a Rotec Bridge adapter sleeve with identical dimensions is employed. The compressed air (6 bar) is applied to the steel cylinder, the adapter sleeve is fitted, and then the mounting/demounting behavior of a printing sleeve on the adapter sleeve is evaluated, and the noise level is measured as in comparative example 1.

(52) Result of test:

(53) Fitting characteristics: rating 2 to 3

(54) Noise level: 82.3 dB

(55) Compressed air throughput: 500 l/min

Inventive Example 1

(56) An adapter sleeve 10 of the invention as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 is produced with the same inner and outer diameters as in the case of comparative example 1. The foam layer 20 in a thickness of 20 mm is applied to the expandable base sleeve 12, which is 3 mm thick. Subsequently, at a distance of 20 mm from one end face, a radial groove 42 (6 mm wide, 12 mm deep) and additionally an axial groove 40 (6 mm wide, 12 mm deep) are milled as channels 38 into the foam layer 20. At the other end face, additionally, four axial bores (diameter 2 mm, each placed at a distance of 90 degrees) are made, which in turn extend to the radial groove 42 and serve for equalization of compressed air.

(57) A GRP barrier layer 24 2 mm thick and an outer foam layer 26 6 mm thick are then applied to the foam layer 20. Thereafter the adapter sleeve is turned off on a lathe at one end face over a width of 12 cm to a depth of 9.8 mm. A ring of porous aluminum is bonded into the resultant recess, as porous material 32, with a porosity of 32% and a pore size of 22 m. The ring has a width of 10 cm and a wall thickness of 10 mm. This ring is placed centrally onto the radial groove 42 (width 6 mm). An epoxy resin adhesive (Scotch-Weld 7271 from 3M) is used to bond the ring to the adapter sleeve 10 in an airtight bond. Subsequently, the end face of the adapter sleeve 10 as well is bonded and filled with the epoxy resin. After the curing of the adhesive 34, the ring is firmly joined to the adapter sleeve 10. It stands about 0.2 mm above the surface of the adapter sleeve 10.

(58) For final machining, the adapter sleeve 10 is ground to the exact outer diameter of 191.102 mm and a gas connection 36 is mounted onto the axial groove 40. Surprisingly, the porous aluminum material can be machined or ground like metallic aluminum without impact on the porosity or on the gas permeability.

(59) The adapter sleeve 10 of the invention is fitted onto a steel cylinder. The mounting behavior and the noise level when a printing sleeve is fitted are ascertained.

(60) Result of test:

(61) Fitting characteristics: rating 1

(62) Noise level: 57.1 dB

(63) Compressed air throughput: 80 l/min

Inventive Example 2

(64) An adapter sleeve 10 of the invention is produced as in test 1, except that, rather than a complete ring of porous aluminum, 4 partial rings with identical width and wall thickness are bonded into the recess via the radial groove 42. An advantage of this variant in accordance with the invention is that the recess is bounded on both sides by foam material 20 and the partial rings can be bonded in more easily.

(65) Result of test:

(66) Fitting characteristics: rating 1 to 2

(67) Noise level: 62.3 dB

(68) Compressed air throughput: 100 l/min

(69) The tests demonstrate impressively that printing sleeves can be fitted more simply and more securely and with substantially reduced noise pollution onto the adapter sleeves 10 of the invention than is the case for fitment onto adapter sleeves of the prior art.

Inventive Example 3

(70) A printing forme cylinder 100 as described in relation to FIG. 9 was equipped with porous material. The cylinder consists of a carbon tube 108 with a thickness of 8 mm and an outer diameter of 187.187 mm, provided on each of the end faces with aluminum journals 106. The inch gas connection extends over the axial and radial grooves in the interior of the cylinder and ends in a porous material implementation which is bonded into the aluminum journals 106 with a 2-part epoxy adhesive. The porous material used for the printing forme cylinder 100 of inventive example 3 is porous steel having a porosity of 20% and a pore size of 26 m.

(71) Result of test:

(72) Fitting characteristics: rating 1 to 2

Inventive Example 4

(73) An adapter sleeve 10 of the invention as described in inventive example 1 was applied as shown in FIG. 9 to the printing forme cylinder 100 described with reference likewise to FIG. 9.

(74) Result of test:

(75) Fitting characteristics: rating 1 to 2

Inventive Example 5

(76) An adapter sleeve as described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11 was produced. The outer diameter of the adapter sleeve is 175.187 mm. The porous region is configured as a circulating ring having a width of 23 mm. The porous region is implemented in the form of a material with a high density of openings, and the circulating ring has a total of 72 openings each with a diameter of 1 mm. The 72 openings are arranged in the form of two rows offset relative to one another, giving 36 openings per row. The distance of the first row from the edge of the adapter sleeve is 12.5 mm, and the distance of the second row to the edge of the adapter sleeve is 17.5 mm, and so the distance between the rows is 5 mm.

(77) At 36 openings per row, the distance of each two openings in a row to one another is 10. Based on the circumference of 175.187 mm, therefore, the distance between two openings in a row is approximately 4.87 mm. Relative to the circumference of the adapter sleeve, the holes of the two rows are each offset by 5 to one another.

(78) The adapter sleeve of the invention is fitted onto a steel cylinder. A determination is made of the mounting behavior and of the noise level when a printing sleeve is fitted on.

(79) Result of test:

(80) Fitting-characteristics: rating 2

(81) Noise level: 65 dB

(82) Compressed air throughput: 100 l/min

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

(83) 10 adapter sleeve

(84) 10 prior-art adapter sleeve

(85) 11 sleeve body

(86) 12 base sleeve

(87) 14 GRP layer

(88) 16 expandable foam layer

(89) 18 further GRP layer

(90) 20 foam layer

(91) 22 outer layer

(92) 24 barrier layer

(93) 26 outer foam layer

(94) 28 porous region

(95) 29 subregion

(96) 30 gas-impermeable region

(97) 32 porous material

(98) 33 material with high density of openings

(99) 34 adhesive

(100) 36 gas connection

(101) 38 channel

(102) 38 air channel

(103) 40 axial groove

(104) 42 radial groove

(105) 44 axial bore

(106) 46 prior-art air holes

(107) 48 circumferential surface

(108) 50 gas inlet

(109) 50 air supply line

(110) 60 opening

(111) 62 groove

(112) 100 printing forme cylinder

(113) 100 prior-art printing forme cylinder

(114) 101 roll body

(115) 102 air bores

(116) 104 engagement direction

(117) 106 journal

(118) 108 tube