Ink wiping system for an intaglio printing press

Abstract

There is described an ink wiping system (100) for an intaglio printing press comprising a wiping tank (101) and a rotatable wiping roller assembly (102) positioned on and partly located in the wiping tank (101) to wipe excess ink from the surface of a rotatable intaglio printing cylinder (80) of the intaglio printing press. The ink wiping system (100) comprises a supporting mechanism (200) coupled to the wiping roller assembly (102) and designed to move the wiping roller assembly (102) between a working position where the wiping roller assembly (102) is positioned on and partly located in the wiping tank (101) for cooperation with the intaglio printing cylinder (80) and a maintenance position where the wiping roller assembly (102) is moved out of the wiping tank (101) and away from the intaglio printing cylinder (80). Preferably, the wiping roller assembly (102) comprises a rotatable hollow cylindrical body (110) having an outer surface (110a) positioned to wipe the surface of the intaglio printing cylinder (80).

Claims

1. An ink wiping system for an intaglio printing press, such that the ink wiping system comprises: a wiping tank, a rotatable wiping roller assembly positioned on and partly located in the wiping tank to wipe excess ink from the surface of a rotatable intaglio printing cylinder of the intaglio printing press, and a supporting mechanism coupled to the wiping roller assembly and designed to move the wiping roller assembly with respect to the wiping tank between: a working position where the wiping roller assembly is positioned on and partly located in the wiping tank and contacts the intaglio printing cylinder, and a maintenance position where the wiping roller assembly is supported by the supporting mechanism in a position outside of the wiping tank and away from the intaglio printing cylinder, and wherein the wiping tank remains stationary as the wiping roller assembly is moved between the working position and the maintenance position.

2. The ink wiping system as defined in claim 1, wherein the wiping roller assembly is pivoted by the supporting mechanism between the working position and the maintenance position.

3. The ink wiping system as defined in claim 1, wherein the wiping roller assembly comprises: a rotatable hollow cylindrical body having an outer surface positioned to wipe the surface of the intaglio printing cylinder; and a central beam extending axially through the rotatable cylindrical body, which central beam is secured to the supporting mechanism, wherein the hollow cylindrical body is rotatably supported at first and second ends on the central beam via first and second cylinder bearings.

4. The ink wiping system as defined in claim 3, wherein the second cylinder bearing is removable from the central beam to enable replacement of the hollow cylindrical body.

5. The ink wiping system as defined in claim 3, wherein each cylinder bearing comprises a flange mounted on the central beam and a rotatable supporting ring that is rotatably mounted onto the flange and coupled to the first or second end of the hollow cylindrical body.

6. The ink wiping system as defined in claim 3, wherein the supporting mechanism comprises a first arm secured to one end of the central beam proximate to the first cylinder bearing which supports the first end of the hollow cylindrical body and a second arm which is rotatably coupled to the second end of the hollow cylindrical body.

7. The ink wiping system as defined in claim 6, wherein the second arm can be decoupled from the second end of the hollow cylindrical body.

8. The ink wiping system as defined in claim 3, further comprising a pressing device disposed inside the hollow cylindrical body and designed to exert pressure on an inner surface of the hollow cylindrical body and to allow adjustment of a wiping pressure between the hollow cylindrical body and the intaglio printing cylinder.

9. The ink wiping system as defined in claim 8, wherein the wiping pressure between the hollow cylindrical body and the intaglio printing cylinder is adjustable by the pressing device at a plurality of axial positions along the length of the hollow cylindrical body.

10. The ink wiping system as defined in claim 9, wherein the pressing device comprises a plurality of pressing units that are distributed axially along the inside of the hollow cylindrical body to allow adjustment of the wiping pressure between the hollow cylindrical body and the intaglio printing cylinder at the plurality of axial positions along the length of the hollow cylindrical body.

11. The ink wiping system as defined in claim 3, wherein the hollow cylindrical body comprises a cylindrical base supporting at least one layer of wiping material.

12. The ink wiping system as defined in claim 11, wherein the at least one layer of wiping material is a layer of polymer material.

13. The ink wiping system as defined in claim 12, wherein the polymer material is PVC material.

14. The ink wiping system as defined in claim 11, wherein the cylindrical base is made of a torsion-resistant material.

15. The ink wiping system as defined in claim 14, wherein the cylindrical base is made of fiber-reinforced composite material.

16. An intaglio printing press comprising an ink wiping system as defined in claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Other features and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly from reading the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention which are presented solely by way of non-restrictive examples and illustrated by the attached drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a side-view of a known intaglio printing press;

(3) FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of the intaglio printing unit of the intaglio printing press of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of an ink wiping system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the wiping system being illustrated in a working position contacting an intaglio printing cylinder of an intaglio printing press;

(5) FIGS. 4 to 8 are perspective views of the ink wiping system of FIG. 3;

(6) FIG. 9 is a perspective sectional view of the rotatable hollow cylindrical body (taken along an axis of rotation of the hollow cylindrical body) of the ink wiping system mounted on a supporting mechanism;

(7) FIG. 10 is a schematic sectional view of the rotatable hollow cylindrical body of FIG. 9 (taken perpendicularly to the axis of rotation of the hollow cylindrical body) in the working position contacting the intaglio printing cylinder of the intaglio printing press;

(8) FIG. 11 is a perspective sectional view of an inner portion of the hollow cylindrical body (taken perpendicularly to the axis of rotation of the hollow cylindrical body);

(9) FIG. 12 is a perspective sectional view of an inner portion of the rotatable hollow cylindrical body (taken along an axis of rotation of the hollow cylindrical body) of the ink wiping system illustrating the application of pressure on an inner surface of the hollow cylindrical body via a plurality of pressing units;

(10) FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of a driving end of the rotatable hollow cylindrical body where the rotatable hollow cylindrical body is driven into rotation;

(11) FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the ink wiping system with an arm of the supporting mechanism disassembled from the hollow cylindrical body;

(12) FIG. 15 is an exploded view of the ink wiping system with a coupler part disassembled from the hollow cylindrical body;

(13) FIG. 16 is an exploded view of the ink wiping system with the hollow cylindrical body removed from the pressing device;

(14) FIG. 17 is an enlarged exploded view of the driving end of the hollow cylindrical body with an example of a coupler arrangement disassembled.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

(15) Within the context of the present invention, the expression intaglio printing cylinder designates either a cylinder whose surface is provided with intaglio patterns engraved directly onto the circumference of the cylinder or of a cylinder sleeve, or a plate cylinder carrying on its circumference at least one intaglio printing plate with engraved intaglio patterns (the second solution being now more common in the art) on its circumference. In the following description, the intaglio printing cylinder is a plate cylinder carrying several intaglio printing plates on its circumference.

(16) FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of an ink wiping system 100 for an intaglio printing unit in accordance with the invention. As is known in the art, an impression cylinder 70 and an intaglio printing cylinder 80 cooperate in rotation. In the present embodiment, it is to be understood that the intaglio printing cylinder 80 is designed as a plate cylinder carrying a plurality of intaglio printing plates (as in the example of FIGS. 1 and 2).

(17) According to this embodiment of the invention, a wiping roller assembly 102 is rotatably mounted on and partly located in a wiping tank 101 and comprises a rotatable hollow cylindrical body 110 whose outer surface 110a is positioned to wipe the surface of the intaglio printing cylinder 80. The wiping tank 101 is placed underneath the wiping roller assembly 102 for recuperating the wiping solution that has previously been sprayed by at least one spraying unit (not shown) against the surface of the wiping roller assembly 102. In order to efficiently remove the ink residues and the sprayed wiping solution present on the outer surface 110a of the hollow cylindrical body 110, the ink wiping system 100 further comprises cleaning means 103 for removing ink residues from the surface of the wiping roller assembly 102. Such cleaning means are known in the art, for instance from International Application No. WO 2007/116353 A1. Downstream with respect to the direction of rotation of the wiping roller assembly 102, a scraping blade 104, also known as a drying blade, is arranged to contact the surface of the wiping roller assembly 102 and remove residual wiping solution and any potential ink residues still present on the outer surface 110a. Elements 103 and 104 are also shown in perspective view in FIGS. 4 and 6. FIG. 10 also shows a side view of the ink wiping system with the cleaning means 103 extending circumferentially along a portion of the circumference of the wiping roller assembly 102 and the drying blade 104 located downstream of the cleaning means 103.

(18) FIGS. 4 to 8 are various perspective views of the ink wiping system 100 showing the wiping roller assembly 102 with its hollow cylindrical body 110 mounted a corresponding supporting mechanism 200, also visible on FIG. 3.

(19) The rotatable hollow cylindrical body 110 has a first end 111, a second end 112 and an outer surface 110a. The second end 112 is also referred to as the driving end as explained below. An elongated central beam 131 is provided in the central hollow portion of the cylindrical body 110 and extends on both sides beyond the first and second ends 111 and 112 (see also FIG. 9). The hollow cylindrical body 110 is rotatably mounted on the central beam 131 with a bearing arrangement comprising a first cylinder bearing 121 provided at the first end 111, and a second cylinder bearing 125 (visible in FIG. 9) provided at the second end 112.

(20) FIG. 9 shows further details of the first and second cylinder bearings 121, 125. At the first end 111 of the hollow cylinder 110, the outer portion of the cylinder bearing 121 is provided with a rotatable supporting ring 123 which cooperates with the inner surface 110b of the hollow cylindrical body 110. A flange 122 is coupled to the central beam 131 and a roller bearing 124 is interposed between the flange 122 and the rotatable supporting ring 123 to allow for rotation of the rotatable hollow cylinder 110 about the central beam 131. At the second end 112, acting as a driving end, a similar configuration is provided for the second cylinder bearing 125. Namely, a rotatable supporting ring 127 is coupled to the inner surface 110b of the hollow cylindrical body 110, and a flange 126 cooperates with the central beam 131, a roller bearing 128 being interposed between the flange 126 and the rotatable supporting ring 127 to allow for rotation of the rotatable hollow cylinder 110 about the central beam 131. In this particular example, the rotatable support ring 127 is also designed as an output coupler of a so-called Oldham coupler arrangement 150, as further described in relation to FIG. 17.

(21) The central beam 131 is supported by a supporting mechanism 200 provided with two arms, a first arm 201 cooperating with the extremity of the central beam 131 proximate to the first end 111 of the cylindrical body 110 and a second arm 202 which is coupled rotatably to the second end 112 of the hollow cylindrical body 110. An elongated support beam 203 extending longitudinally, substantially parallel to the cylindrical body 110, supports both arms 201 and 202. In the illustrated example, two supporting feet 204 are provided on each side of the support beam 203 in order to anchor the supporting mechanism 200 to a suitable portion of the intaglio printing press and enable rotational support of the support beam 203 and associated supporting arms 201 and 202.

(22) FIG. 10 shows a sectional view of the supporting mechanism 200 where A schematically illustrates a pivotal movement allowing the wiping roller assembly 102 to be brought from the illustrated working position to a maintenance position.

(23) Turning back to FIGS. 4 and 5, lateral stops 129 (see also FIG. 14) are provided on the central beam 131, on each side of the hollow cylindrical body 110, to secure the corresponding flanges 122, 126 of the first and second cylinder bearings 121, 125 on the central beam 131.

(24) The ink wiping system 100 is further provided with a device 160, mounted on an axial extension of the central beam 131, next to the first end 111 of the hollow cylindrical body 110, to ensure an axial reciprocation of the wiping roller assembly 102 along its axis of rotation. Such device 160 can in particular be designed to act as a cam follower cooperating with a cam mechanism (not shown), as is known in the art. Reciprocation of the wiping roller assembly 102 along its axis of rotation is advantageous in that in ensures better wiping uniformity.

(25) A tripod drive head 170, better shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, 13, 14 and 17, for coupling to a wiping roller drive (not shown), is provided to drive the wiping roller assembly 102 into rotation. Further details concerning the tripod drive head 170 will be given in relation to FIG. 14. A suitable drive for driving the wiping roller assembly 102 into rotation is known from European Patent Application No. EP 0 881 072 A1.

(26) In this particular example, driving of the hollow cylindrical body 110 into rotation is ensured by way of an Oldham coupler arrangement 150 which is coupled to the driving end 112 of the hollow cylindrical body 110. More precisely, as illustrated in FIGS. 8, 9, 13, 14 and 17, the Oldham coupler arrangement 150 comprises an input coupler 151 rotating together with the tripod drive head 170, which coupling arrangement will be discussed in greater detail in relation to FIG. 17.

(27) Turning now to FIGS. 9 to 12, one will describe further details of the components provided inside the hollow portion of the rotatable hollow cylindrical body 110. As illustrated, the rotatable hollow cylindrical body 110 is provided with a pressing device 130 disposed inside the hollow cylindrical body 110 designed to exert pressure on the inner surface 110b of the hollow cylindrical body 110 and to allow adjustment of the wiping pressure between the hollow cylindrical body 110 and the intaglio printing cylinder 80. In this particular example, the pressing device 130 is disposed on the central beam 131.

(28) According to this preferred embodiment, the wiping pressure can be adjusted by the pressing device at a plurality of axial positions along the length of the hollow cylindrical body. In this particular example, the pressing device 130 advantageously comprises six pressing units 132 that are distributed axially along the inside of the hollow cylindrical body 110 and allow adjustment of the wiping pressure between the hollow cylindrical body 110 and the intaglio printing cylinder 80 at six corresponding axial positions along the length of the hollow cylindrical body 110.

(29) Each pressing unit 132 preferably comprises a position-adjustable pressing member 135 designed to exert pressure on the inner surface 110b of the hollow cylindrical body 110 and an actuator 140, such as a pneumatic piston, designed to allow adjustment of a radial position of the pressing member 135 inside the hollow cylindrical body 110. As shown, the actuators 140 are provided in this example on the central beam 131.

(30) More precisely, as schematically illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 12, each pressing unit 132 is designed in such a way that the pressing member 135 can be translated along a line, depicted in FIGS. 1 and 10 to 12 by dashed-line P, under the action of the corresponding actuator 140. In this example, line P coincides, in the working position of the wiping roller assembly 102, with a line intersecting the axis of rotation of the intaglio printing cylinder 80.

(31) Each pressing member 135 preferably comprises a rotatable pressure ring 136 positioned for rolling contact with an inner section of the inner surface 110b of the hollow cylindrical body 110 and a roller bearing 137 having an outer cage secured to the inside of the rotatable pressure ring 136, the actuator being arranged inside an inner cage of the roller bearing 137 to adjust a radial position of the rotatable pressure ring 136 and of the roller bearing 137 inside the hollow cylindrical body 110.

(32) In the illustrated example, each pressing unit 132 further comprises a guide member 138 interposed between the inner cage of the roller bearing 137 and the actuator 140 to allow radial translation of the rotatable pressure ring 136 and the roller bearing 137 under the action of the actuator 140. More precisely, as shown in FIG. 11, the guide member 138 is provided with a guiding aperture 138a through which the central beam 131 runs. In other words, the guide member 138 is guided onto the central beam 131 to ensure that that the position-adjustable pressing member 135 (namely the rotatable pressure ring 136, the roller bearing 137 and the guide member 138) can be translated along line P under the action of the actuator 140.

(33) As further shown in FIG. 11, each actuator 140, which is designed in this example as a pneumatic piston, is connected to a conduit 141 running through the central beam 131 for coupling to an adequate pneumatic supply. The actuator could alternatively be actuated by hydraulic or electro-mechanical means. A pneumatic circuit with a suitable control unit (not shown) enables to individually control the pressure levels acting on each actuator 140 and therefore on each pressing unit 132.

(34) One will thus understand that wiping pressure can be adjusted and controlled by means of each pressing unit 132 which exerts a corresponding pressure level onto a relevant section of the inner surface of the hollow cylindrical body 110 as depicted by the broad arrows in FIGS. 10 to 12. Wiping pressure can therefore be adjusted at a plurality of axial positions along the length of the hollow cylindrical body 110.

(35) According to this preferred embodiment, shock absorbers or dampers 145 are further provided on the central beam 131, in opposite relationship with respect to corresponding actuators 140. Each shock absorber or damper 145 is interposed between the central beam 131 and a corresponding section of the guide member 138, opposite to the location where the actuator 140 acts on the guide member 138. These shock absorbers or dampers 145 are preferably provided in order to dissipate kinetic energy. This is particularly useful in the context of an intaglio printing press comprising a plate cylinder carrying one or more intaglio printing plates as the wiping system has to cope with the presence of corresponding cylinder pits that are provided in such a case on the plate cylinder. In essence, the shock absorbers or dampers are designed to prevent the wiping roller assembly 102 from falling into the cylinder pits of the intaglio printing cylinder 80. The shock absorbers or dampers 145 can advantageously be designed as hydraulic damping pistons. In such a case, as shown in FIG. 11, a further conduit 146 is provided in the central beam 131 in order to couple the shock absorbers or dampers 145 to a common hydraulic supply (not shown).

(36) FIGS. 9 to 13 also illustrate the construction details of the rotatable hollow cylindrical body 110. This cylindrical body 110 is preferably formed of a cylindrical base 115, for instance made of composite material, and at least one, but preferably a plurality of layers 116 of wiping material, for instance polymer material such as PVC, provided on the outer portion of the cylindrical base 115. The rotatable hollow cylindrical body 110 of the invention is self-supporting, i.e. it does not require a full and heavy cylinder base as in the known solutions discussed in the preamble hereof, therefore leading to a lighter component that is easier to handle.

(37) International Applications Nos. WO 2007/031925 A2, WO 2007/031927 A2 and WO 2007/034362 A2, all incorporated herein by reference, describe methods and apparatuses that could be used to apply the layers of wiping material 116 onto the cylindrical base 115.

(38) The inner surface of the cylindrical base 115 forms the inner surface 110b of the hollow cylindrical body 110, while the outer surface of the upper layer of wiping material 116 forms the outer surface 110a of the hollow cylindrical body 110. During operation, this upper layer is in contact with the surface of the intaglio-printing cylinder 80 to wipe excess ink from the surface of the intaglio-printing cylinder 80.

(39) The cylindrical base 115 is preferably formed and/or constructed to exhibit a high resistance to torsion. Fiber-reinforced composite materials, such as carbon fiber, are preferred materials in the context of this invention.

(40) As already mentioned hereinabove, and schematically illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 10, the entire wiping roller assembly 102 can be pivoted along direction A thanks to the supporting mechanism 200. In other words, the supporting mechanism 200 is designed to move the wiping roller assembly 102 between a working position (as depicted in FIGS. 3 and 10), where the outer surface 110a of the hollow cylindrical body 110 contacts the surface of the intaglio printing cylinder 80, and a maintenance position, where the wiping roller assembly 102 is moved away from the intaglio printing cylinder 80.

(41) FIGS. 8, 9 and 13 to 17 further illustrate the mechanical coupling between the tripod drive head 170, the Oldham coupler arrangement 150 and the hollow cylindrical body 110.

(42) The Oldham coupler arrangement 150 comprises the input coupler 151 and an intermediate coupler 152 having substantially the shape of a ring which cooperates with the rotatable supporting ring 127 of the second cylinder bearing 125. The rotatable supporting ring 127 is designed to act as output coupler of the Oldham coupler arrangement 150. The input coupler 151 is shaped as a wheel with groove sections 151a for cooperation with corresponding tongue sections 152a provided on a first side of the intermediate coupler 152. Similarly, the rotatable supporting ring 127, acting as output coupler, is provided with groove sections 127b for cooperation with corresponding tongue sections 152b provided on a second side of the intermediate coupler 152. The tongue sections 152a, 152b are provided at right angles with respect to one another.

(43) Rotational movement is transmitted to the hollow cylindrical body 110 by way of driving cogs 127a provided on the rotatable supporting ring 127, which driving cogs 127a cooperate with corresponding driving slots 113 provided at the second end of the hollow cylindrical body 110, namely at the corresponding end of the cylindrical base 115.

(44) As shown in FIG. 9, a roller bearing 155 is provided on an inner side of the input coupler 151 for rotational support of the input coupler 151 onto the central beam 131. Roller bearings 156 are further provided on an outer side of the output coupler 151 for allowing a rotatable support between the input coupler 151 and the extremity of the second arm 202 of the supporting mechanism 200.

(45) As illustrated by FIGS. 14 to 16, the Oldham coupler arrangement 150 can advantageously be decoupled from the wiping roller assembly 102 during maintenance operations, i.e. by decoupling the intermediate coupler 152 from the rotatable supporting ring 127. Once the lateral stops 129 holding the rotatable supporting ring 127 on the central beam 131 have been removed (see FIG. 15), the rotatable supporting ring 127 can be disassembled, together with the flange 126 and roller bearing 128 to provide access to the hollow cylindrical body 110. This hollow cylindrical body 110 can then be removed from the pressing device 130 and central beam 131 by sliding the hollow cylindrical body 110 along its axis of rotation, as depicted by FIG. 16, and replaced by a new one. All these steps can be carried out by a single operator and by hand, thanks to the light-weight construction, there being no need for a crane anymore as the hollow cylindrical body 110 weighs substantially less than a conventional wiping roller.

(46) Various modifications and/or improvements may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the annexed claims. For instance, the illustrated embodiment is provided with six pressing units 132. Variants involving a greater or lower number of pressing units can be envisaged.

(47) In addition, while an Oldham coupler arrangement was discussed hereinabove, other coupler arrangements could be envisaged, such as a Cardan joint or like universal joint.

(48) Furthermore, while this has not specifically been discussed above, pivoting of the wiping roller assembly 102 between the working position and the maintenance position can be carried by a suitable drive, such as an electric motor.

(49) It is further to be appreciated that, while FIGS. 14 to 16 show that the second arm 202 is completely removed from the supporting mechanism 200, the supporting mechanism 200 could be designed to allow for the second arm 202 to be displaced axially away from the second end 112 of the hollow cylindrical body, while still being attached to the support beam 203, and then be pivoted out of the way of the hollow cylindrical body 110 to allow for a replacement of the hollow cylindrical body 110.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS USED THEREIN

(50) 1 intaglio printing press (sheet-fed) 2 sheet feeder 3 intaglio printing unit 4 sheet delivery (with three delivery pile units) 5 optical inspection system (e.g. NotaSave) 6 drying unit 7 impression cylinder (three-segment cylinder) 8 plate cylinder (three-segment cylinder carrying three intaglio printing plates 8a-c) 8a-c intaglio printing plates 9 inking system (direct+indirect inking) 9.5 ink collecting cylinder/Orlof cylinder (two-segment cylinder) 9.10 ink duct (first inking unit) 9.11 pair of ink application rollers (first inking unit) 9.13 chablon cylinder/selective inking cylinder (first inking unit) 9.20 ink duct (second inking unit) 9.21 pair of ink application rollers (second inking unit) 9.23 chablon cylinder/selective inking cylinder (second inking unit) 9.30 ink duct (third inking unit) 9.31 pair of ink application rollers (third inking unit) 9.33 chablon cylinder/selective inking cylinder (third inking unit) 9.40 ink duct (fourth inking unit) 9.41 pair of ink application rollers (fourth inking unit) 9.43 chablon cylinder/selective inking cylinder (fourth inking unit) 9.44 additional ink roller (fourth inking unit) 10 ink wiping system 10.1 wiping tank 10.2 wiping roller 10.3 cleaning means for removing wiped ink residues from the surface of the wiping roller 10.2 10.4 drying blade for removing wiping solution residues from the surface of the wiping roller 10.2 11 sheet transporting system (endless conveying system with a pair of endless chains driving a plurality of spaced-apart gripper bars for holding a leading edge of the sheets) 12 crane (for removing wiping roller 10.2) 70 impression cylinder 80 intaglio printing cylinder 100 ink wiping system 101 wiping tank 102 wiping roller assembly 103 cleaning means for removing wiped ink residues from the surface of the wiping roller assembly 102 (see e.g. WO 2007/116353 A1) 104 drying blade 110 rotatable hollow cylindrical body 110a outer surface of hollow cylindrical body 110 positioned to wipe the surface of the intaglio printing cylinder 110b inner surface of hollow cylindrical body 101 111 first end of hollow cylindrical body 110 112 second end of hollow cylindrical body 110 (driving end) 113 driving slots for cooperation with driving cogs 127a of rotatable supporting ring 127 acting as output coupler of Oldham coupler arrangement 150 115 cylindrical base made e.g. of fiber-reinforced composite material 116 layer(s) of wiping material (e.g. polymer material such as PVC) 121 (first) cylinder bearing (at first end 111) 122 flange of cylinder bearing 121 123 rotatable supporting ring of cylinder bearing 121 which is coupled to first end 111 of hollow cylindrical body 110 124 roller bearing 125 (second) cylinder bearing (at second end 112) 126 flange of cylinder bearing 125 127 rotatable supporting ring of cylinder bearing 125 which is coupled to second end 112 of hollow cylindrical body 110 (also acts as output coupler of Oldham coupler arrangement 150) 127a driving cogs for cooperation with driving slots 113 127b groove sections for cooperation with tongue sections 152b of intermediate coupler 152 128 roller bearing 129 lateral stops 130 pressing device 131 central beam 132 pressing units (six) 135 position-adjustable pressing member 136 rotatable pressure ring 137 roller bearing 138 guide member 138a guiding aperture 140 actuator (e.g. pneumatic piston) 141 conduit for pneumatic supply to actuator 140 145 shock absorber/damper (e.g. hydraulic damping piston) 146 conduit for hydraulic supply to shock absorber/damper 150 Oldham coupler arrangement (driving end) 151 input coupler (wheel-shaped) of Oldham coupler arrangement 150 which is driven into rotation by the wiping roller drive (not illustrated) via the tripod drive head 170 151a groove sections for cooperation with tongue sections 152a of intermediate coupler 152 152 intermediate coupler (ring-shaped) interposed between the input coupler 151 and the output coupler 127 of the Oldham coupler arrangement 150 152a tongue sections for cooperation with groove sections 151a on input coupler 151 152b tongue sections for cooperation with groove sections 127b on output coupler 127 155 roller bearing for rotational support of input coupler 151 onto central beam 131 156 roller bearings for rotational support of the extremity of second arm 202 onto input coupler 151 160 device acting as cam follower for axial reciprocation of wiping roller assembly 102 170 tripod drive head for coupling to wiping roller drive (not illustrated) tripod drive head is secured to input disc 151 of Oldham coupler arrangement 150 for rotation therewith 200 supporting mechanism coupled to wiping roller assembly 102 for moving the wiping roller assembly 102 between a working position and a maintenance position 201 first arm of supporting mechanism 200 secured to one end of the central beam 131 proximate to the first cylinder bearing 121 which supports the first end 111 of the hollow cylindrical body 110 202 second arm of supporting mechanism 200 coupled rotatably to the second end 112 of the hollow cylindrical body 110 (can be decoupled from the second end 112 of the hollow cylindrical body 110) 203 support beam 204 supporting feet for rotational support of support beam 203 A pivotal movement to bring wiping roller assembly 102 from working position to maintenance position (and vice versa) P direction along which pressure is applied between the wiping roller assembly 102 and the intaglio printing cylinder 80/direction of translation of actuator 140 and position-adjustable pressing member 135