EP0997273B1 - Printing unit of a rotary web press - Google Patents

Abstract

An imprinter printing unit for a web fed rotary printing press comprises a first print couple including a first plate cylinder and an associated first blanket cylinder, a second print couple including a second plate cylinder and an associated second blanket cylinder, a first drive motor and a second drive motor. The printing unit further comprises a gear arrangement with axially movable gear wheels for operating the unit in a first mode of operation, in which the first drive motor drives the first print couple and the second drive motor independently drives the second print couple; a second mode of operation, in which the first drive motor commonly drives the first blanket cylinder and the second print couple; and in a third mode of operation, in which the second drive motor commonly drives the second blanket cylinder and the first print couple.

Description

The present invention relates to an impression unit for a web-fed rotary printing press. In particular, the invention relates to a motor and transmission arrangement for driving the Cylinder of an impression unit in different operating modes.

In a web-fed rotary offset printing machine, a paper web is usually replaced by one Variety of rubber-rubber printing units, in which both sides of the web with be printed on a multicolored image.

In commercial, magazine or newspaper printing, it is often advantageous if one or several printing plates arranged on the plate cylinder can be exchanged, without interrupting printing. Changing the printing plates can e.g. B. then necessary if the latest news during a newspaper production run should be inserted and printed on the front page of the current issue or if in different areas different editions of the same newspaper under different names can be distributed so that the newspaper head during the Production run must be changed.

EP-A-0 820 861 describes a printing unit of an offset rotary printing press two pairs of plate and blanket cylinders, of which the first plate cylinder and the two blanket cylinders mechanically coupled via sliding gears and are driven by a common drive. The second plate cylinder is with provided with its own drive.

DE-C 35 10 822 describes a printing unit of a web-fed rotary printing press in which a common impression cylinder serves as a paper guide roller and from the two Blanket cylinders is separated. When using the printing unit as a single Printing unit becomes the upper pair of plate cylinders and blankets or the lower one Plate cylinder rubber blanket cylinder pair with sliding gears with the common Counter pressure cylinder connected and the respective non-employed pair of cylinders Performing a flying plate change stopped.

GB 2 309 668 discloses a rubber-to-rubber printing unit that has a flying one Plate change allows, with the plate cylinder in rolling contact with the moving Web remain, while the blanket cylinders of the printing unit alternately on the assigned blanket cylinder on or off this. The Blanket cylinders are over interlocking gears, z. B. spur gears, permanent coupled with each other and are via a longitudinal shaft of the main drive motor Printing press driven. The rubber blanket cylinders are however over couplings or further gears assigned to them are coupled to the gears of the blanket cylinders. To change the printing plates on one of the plate cylinders during the In printing operation, the drive connection of the plate cylinder is interrupted by the corresponding clutch is activated, and the plate cylinder is powered by an auxiliary motor braked. After changing the plate, the plate cylinder is replaced by the auxiliary motor accelerated to print speed before moving on to its assigned Blanket cylinder is started. In addition to the longitudinal shaft and the main drive motor are accordingly at least two for performing a flying plate change Auxiliary motors necessary. In addition, the printing unit is complicated and fragile for disturbances in the gear train caused by torsional vibrations the cylinders are driven.

US 5,063,844 describes a web-fed rotary offset printing machine with a rubber-rubber printing unit, in which to perform a flying plate change two Plate cylinder alternately to a blanket cylinder during production printing can be turned on or off by this. During the flying plate change Both blanket cylinders of the printing unit are driven and are located in Roll contact with the moving paper web, while that of the blanket cylinder parked plate cylinder uncoupled from the common drive motor and is stopped and accelerated again after changing the plate.

DE 44 05 658 C2 describes a printing unit of a web-fed rotary offset printing press, at which a flying plate change is possible. The printing unit comprises two Blanket cylinders and plate cylinders assigned to them, which alternately an impression cylinder, over which the web is guided, started and by this can be turned off. Each of the blanket cylinders is powered by its own engine driven and drives the assigned plate cylinder via a gear train. The The impression cylinder is driven by another motor. With this impression work it is not possible to alternately print on both sides of the web.

In JP 63 - 236651 a rubber-rubber printing unit for one Web-fed rotary printing press described in which an upper blanket cylinder and a this associated upper plate cylinder drive-coupled via a first gear train are and a lower blanket cylinder and a lower associated with it Plate cylinders are drive-coupled via a second gear train. A first engine drives the upper plate cylinder and a second motor drives the lower one Plate cylinder. Due to the permanent coupling of the drive gear Plate cylinder and the blanket cylinder assigned to them can do the described Printing unit can not be operated as an impression unit.

One of the main problems encountered during printing is that Occurrence of torsional vibrations within the drive gear train of the printing unit, which generally lead to a significantly reduced print quality and sometimes even to Duplicate the print images.

After explaining the current state of the art and related Problems are accordingly an object of the present invention, an impression work to create for a web-fed rotary printing press that has a compact design with a reduced number of drive motors and a flying pressure plate change allowed on both sides of the track, while on the other side of the track the Printing continues.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an impression mechanism create in which the disturbances caused by torsional vibrations are minimized become.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of preferred embodiments in connection with the attached drawings listed below.

Fig. 1a

eine schematische Darstellung einer ersten Ausführungsform eines Eindruckwerks gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung in einer ersten Betriebsart, in der beide Seiten einer Materialbahn mit einem Bild bedruckt werden;

Fig. 1b

eine schematische Darstellung des Druckwerks von Fig. 1a in einer zweiten Betriebsart, in der die Bahn auf der Unterseite bedruckt wird, während die Druckplatten auf dem oberen Plattenzylinder ausgewechselt werden;

Fig. 1c

eine schematische Darstellung des Druckwerks von Fig. 1a in einer dritten Betriebsart, in der die Bahn auf der Oberseite bedruckt wird, während die Druckplatten auf dem unteren Plattenzylinder ausgewechselt werden;

Fig. 2a

eine schematische Darstellung einer zweiten Ausführungsform eines Eindruckwerks in einer ersten Betriebsart, in der beide Seiten einer sich bewegenden Bahn mit einem Bild bedruckt werden;

Fig. 2b

eine schematische Darstellung des Druckwerks von Fig. 2a in einer zweiten Betriebsart, in der die Bahn auf der Unterseite bedruckt wird, während die Druckplatten auf dem oberen Plattenzylinder ausgewechselt werden; und

Fig. 2c

eine schematische Darstellung des Druckwerks von Fig. 2a in einer dritten Betriebsart, in der die Bahn auf der Oberseite bedruckt wird, während die Druckplatten auf dem unteren Plattenzylinder ausgewechselt werden.

Show it:

Fig. 1a

a schematic representation of a first embodiment of an impression unit according to the present invention in a first operating mode, in which both sides of a material web are printed with an image;

Fig. 1b

a schematic representation of the printing unit of Figure 1a in a second mode, in which the web is printed on the underside while the printing plates are replaced on the upper plate cylinder.

Fig. 1c

a schematic representation of the printing unit of Figure 1a in a third mode, in which the web is printed on the top, while the printing plates are replaced on the lower plate cylinder.

Fig. 2a

a schematic representation of a second embodiment of an impression unit in a first operating mode, in which both sides of a moving web are printed with an image;

Fig. 2b

a schematic representation of the printing unit of Figure 2a in a second mode, in which the web is printed on the underside while the printing plates are replaced on the upper plate cylinder. and

Fig. 2c

a schematic representation of the printing unit of Fig. 2a in a third mode, in which the web is printed on the top, while the printing plates are replaced on the lower plate cylinder.

As shown in FIGS. 1a-1c, a first embodiment comprises an impression unit 1 a web-fed rotary printing press, a first plate cylinder 2a and a first Blanket cylinder 4a, which is a first pair of cylinders for printing on a first side 6a form a moving path 6. The printing unit 1 further comprises a second one Plate cylinder 2b and a second blanket cylinder 4b associated therewith, the one form a second pair of cylinders for printing on the second side 6b of the web 6, which are by the one formed between the first and second blanket cylinders 4a and 4b Printing gap moved.

The printing unit 1 further comprises a first and a second drive motor 8a, 8b, which the cylinders 2a, 2b and 4a, 4b of the printing unit 1 in different operating modes drive, which are referred to below as the first, second and third operating mode. In the the first mode of operation, the moving paper web 6 is simultaneously on its first Page 6a and printed on its second side 6b, as indicated by wedges in Fig. 1a is.

In the second mode of operation shown in Fig. 1b, the web 6 is only from the second Cylinder pair printed on the second side 6b, while the first plate cylinder 2a des first pair of cylinders z. B. to change the (not shown) printing plates on the first Plate cylinder 2a during the printing process from the first assigned to it Blanket cylinder 4a is turned off. In this second mode, the first and the remain second blanket cylinders 4a and 4b put together so that the first Blanket cylinder 4a as. Impression cylinder is used without taking pictures at first Page 6a of the web 6 to be transferred.

In the third mode, the web 6 is only from the first pair of cylinders to the first Page 6a printed, while the second plate cylinder 2b for changing the printing plates on the second plate cylinder 2b for the next print job from him assigned second blanket cylinder 4b is turned off, as shown in Fig. 1c. In In this third mode of operation, the first and second blanket cylinders 4a and 4b remain adjusted to each other, so that the second blanket cylinder 4b as an impression cylinder serves without transferring images to the second side 6b of the web 6.

• in der ersten Betriebsart (Fig. 1a) der erste Antriebsmotor 8a das erste Zylinderpaar und der zweite Antriebsmotor 8b das zweite Zylinderpaar antreibt;
• in der zweiten Betriebsart (Fig. 1b) der erste Antriebsmotor 8a den ersten Gummituchzylinder 4a und das zweite Zylinderpaar gemeinsam antreibt; und
• in der dritten Betriebsart (Fig. 1c) der zweite Antriebsmotor 8b den zweiten Gummituchzylinder 4b und das erste Zylinderpaar gemeinsam antreibt.

The printing unit 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention further comprises a gear arrangement 10 which couples the first and second plate and blanket cylinders 2a, 2b and 4a, 4b to the first and second drive motors 8a, 8b to drive the cylinders in a manner that

• in the first operating mode (FIG. 1a), the first drive motor 8a drives the first pair of cylinders and the second drive motor 8b drives the second pair of cylinders;
• in the second operating mode (FIG. 1b) the first drive motor 8a drives the first blanket cylinder 4a and the second pair of cylinders together; and
• in the third operating mode (FIG. 1c) the second drive motor 8b drives the second blanket cylinder 4b and the first pair of cylinders together.

As shown in Figures 1a-1c, the transmission assembly 10 includes first and second movable gear 12, 14 which on the drive shaft 16 of the first Blanket cylinders 4a are arranged. The two movable gear wheels 12, 14 are firmly connected in the circumferential direction to the drive shaft 16 in order to Drive shaft to transmit 16 torques, but are in the axial direction on the Drive shaft 16 movable. The transmission assembly 10 further includes a third and a fourth movable gear 18, 20 which is axially movable on the drive shaft 22 of the second blanket cylinder 4b are arranged and fixed in the circumferential direction with the Drive shaft 22 are connected to transmit torque to the drive shaft 22. The gear arrangement 10 further comprises a first plate cylinder drive gear 24, which is coupled to the first plate cylinder 2a, and a second plate cylinder drive gear 26, which is coupled to the second plate cylinder 2b.

In the first operating mode (FIG. 1a), the first drive motor 8a preferably drives via first spur gear 28 on the first movable gear 12, which with the drive shaft of first motor 8a is connected. The second movable gear 14 is in a axial position on the shaft 16, in which it is, as shown in Fig. 2a, in the plate cylinder drive gear 24 engages and thus drives the plate cylinder 2a. The same way the second drive motor 8b preferably drives the third movable via a spur gear 29 Gear 18 on, and the fourth movable gear 20 is in an axial position on the shaft 22, in which it engages in the second plate cylinder drive gear 26 and so drives the second plate cylinder 2b.

In the second operating mode (FIG. 1b), the first drive motor 8a drives the first movable one Gear 12 on, and the second movable gear 14 is in an axial position on the shaft 16, in which it meshes with the fourth movable gear 20, at the same time the fourth movable gear 20 meshes with the second plate cylinder drive gear 26 and so drives the second plate cylinder 2b. Switching the transmission arrangement 10 from the first operating mode to the second operating mode, e.g. B. by moving the second and third movable gear 14, 18 toward each of them assigned blanket cylinders 4a and 4b to be reached.

Accordingly, in the third operating mode, the second drive motor 8b drives the third movable gear 18, and the fourth movable gear 20 is in one axial position in which it engages the second movable gear 14. The second Movable gear 14 is in an axial position on the shaft 22 in the it engages the first plate cylinder drive gear 24 as shown in Fig. 1c. On Switching from the first operating mode to the third operating mode can e.g. B. by moving the first movable gear 12 and the fourth movable gear 20 away from their associated blanket cylinder 4a or 4b can be achieved.

Thus in the second mode of operation the first plate cylinder 2a and in the third mode the second plate cylinder 2b z. B. to change the printing plates after turning off the respective plate cylinder from its associated blanket cylinder a first and a second auxiliary motor 30a, 30b can be rotated become. The first and second auxiliary motors 30a, 30b can be in addition to the first and the second plate cylinder drive gear 24, 26 may be arranged and the Drive gears 24, 26 z. B., as shown in the drawings, via spur gears drive or via a drive belt and associated drive pulleys.

Instead of the auxiliary motors 30a, 30b, the second can alternatively also be used Drive motor 8b are used to turn off the plate cylinder 2a in the second Operating mode, for example, to drive a drive belt, while in the third The first drive motor 8a can be used to operate the second, parked plate cylinder 2b in the same way via another drive belt drive.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first and the third movable gear 12, 18 and / or the second and fourth movable Gear 14, 20 can be arranged on their respective shafts 16 and 22 in such a way that they are movable at the same time, e.g. B. by using a shift fork as z. B. in Manual transmissions according to the prior art is used.

Furthermore, the inking units, the first and second plate cylinders 2a, 2b color feed, also via the first and second plate cylinder drive gear 24, 26th are driven. The inking units act as an additional load, which is added contributes to the remaining, through the elasticity of the gears and shafts of the Gear assembly 10 resulting torsional vibrations and the resulting To minimize interference.

In the first embodiment of the invention, couplings can also be used. which an additional drive connection between the first and second Drive motor 8a, 8b and the drive shafts of the associated plate cylinders 2a, 2b create, as indicated by the dashed lines in Fig. 1a to 1c, whereby the Torsional vibrations and the associated disturbances can be further minimized can.

As shown in FIGS. 2a to 2c, in which comparable components with similar ones by 100 raised reference numerals includes a second embodiment of a Impression unit 101 according to the invention for a web-fed rotary printing press first plate cylinder 102a and a first blanket cylinder 104a, which together first pair of cylinders for printing a first side 106a of a moving one Form paper web 106. The printing unit 101 further comprises a second one Plate cylinder 102b and a second blanket cylinder 104b assigned to it, which together form a second pair of cylinders for printing on the second side 106b of FIG Form paper web 106.

The printing unit 101 further comprises a first and a second Drive motor 108a, 108b, which the cylinders 102a, 102b and 104a, 104b of the Printing unit 101 in different operating modes, the first, second and third operating mode. In the first operating mode, the moving paper web 106 simultaneously on the first side 106a and on the second Printed page 106b, as indicated by wedges in Fig. 2a.

In the second mode of operation shown in FIG. 2b, the web 106 is replaced only by the second Cylinder pair printed on the second side 106b, while the first plate cylinder 102a the first pair of cylinders z. B. to change the on the first plate cylinder 102a arranged printing plates during the printing operation of the assigned to him first blanket cylinder 104a is turned off. The first one remains in this second mode and the second blanket cylinder 104a and 104b lined up so that the first Blanket cylinder 104a serves as an impression cylinder without taking pictures at first Page 106a to transmit the web 106.

As shown in Fig. 2c, in the third mode of operation, web 106 becomes only from the first Cylinder pair printed on the first side 106a, while the second plate cylinder 102b for changing the printing plates (not shown) on the second plate cylinder 102b for the next print job from the second blanket cylinder 104b assigned to it is turned off. The first and second remain in this third mode Blanket cylinders 104a and 104b are lined up so that the second Blanket cylinder 104b serves as an impression cylinder without taking pictures on the second Page 106b to transmit the web 106.

• in der ersten Betriebsart (Fig. 2a) der erste Antriebsmotor 108a das erste Zylinderpaar antreibt und der zweite Antriebsmotor 108b unabhängig davon das zweite Zylinderpaar antreibt;
• in der zweiten Betriebsart (Fig. 2b) der zweite Antriebsmotor 108b das zweite Zylinderpaar und den ersten Gummituchzylinder 104a gemeinsam antreibt; und
• in der dritten Betriebsart (Fig. 2c) der erste Antriebsmotor 108a das erste Zylinderpaar und den zweiten Gummituchzylinder 104b gemeinsam antreibt.

The printing unit 101 further comprises a gear arrangement 110, via which the first and second plate and blanket cylinders 102a, 102b, 104a, 104b are coupled to the first and second drive motors 108a, 108b, so that the cylinders can be driven in such a way that

• in the first operating mode (FIG. 2a) the first drive motor 108a drives the first pair of cylinders and the second drive motor 108b independently drives the second pair of cylinders;
• in the second operating mode (FIG. 2b) the second drive motor 108b drives the second pair of cylinders and the first blanket cylinder 104a together; and
• in the third operating mode (FIG. 2c), the first drive motor 108a drives the first pair of cylinders and the second blanket cylinder 104b together.

As shown in FIGS. 2a to 2c, the transmission assembly 110 includes first and one second movable gear 112, 114 which on the drive shaft 116 of the first Blanket cylinders 104a are arranged. The two movable gears 112, 114 are fixedly connected to the drive shaft 116 in the circumferential direction in order to to transmit the drive shaft 116 torques, but in the axial direction on the Drive shaft 116 slidably arranged. The transmission assembly 110 further includes a third and fourth movable gears 118 and 120 which are axially movable on the Drive shaft 122 of the second blanket cylinder 104b are arranged, in Circumferential direction are fixedly connected to the shaft 122 to this torque transfer. The gear arrangement 110 further comprises one at the first Plate cylinder 102a coupled first plate cylinder drive gear 124 and one to the second plate cylinder 102b coupled second plate cylinder drive gear 126.

In the first operating mode (FIG. 2a), the first drive motor 108a preferably exaggerates a first spur gear 128 connected to the drive shaft of the first motor 108a the first movable gear 112. The second movable gear 114 is in an axial position arranged on the shaft 116, in which it is in the first plate cylinder drive gear 124 engages and thus drives the first plate cylinder 102a. He drives in the same way second drive motor 108b preferably the third movable via a spur gear 129 Gear 118 on, with the fourth movable gear 120 in an axial position of the shaft 122, in which it is in the second plate cylinder drive gear 126 engages so as to drive the second plate cylinder 102b.

In the second operating mode (FIG. 2b), the second drive motor 108b drives the third movable gear 118 and the fourth movable gear 120 is on the Shaft 122 in an axial position in which it is simultaneously movable in the second Gear 114 and engages in the second plate cylinder drive gear 126, as shown in Fig. 2b is shown. Switching the transmission arrangement 110 from the first operating mode to the second operating mode can e.g. B. by simultaneously moving the first movable Gear 112 and the second movable gear 114 toward them assigned blanket cylinder 104a to be reached.

In the third operating mode (FIG. 2c), the first drive motor 108a drives the first movable one Gear 112 on, and the second movable gear 114 is in an axial Position on the shaft 116, in which it is simultaneously in the fourth movable gear 120 and engages the first plate cylinder drive gear 124 so as to engage the first To drive plate cylinder 102a. Switching the gear arrangement 110 from the first mode in the third mode can, for. B. by moving the third and fourth movable gear 118, 120 away from the blanket cylinder 104b assigned to them can be achieved.

As shown in FIG. 2b, the first drive motor 108a is in the second operating mode only coupled to the first plate cylinder 102a to the parked first Plate cylinder 102a for the flying change of the printing plates arranged thereon to drive individually.

Accordingly, in the third operating mode, the second drive motor 108b is only on the second plate cylinder 102b coupled to the parked second one Plate cylinder 102b for the flying change of the printing plates arranged thereon to drive individually.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the first and second drive motor 108a, 108b via a first and second clutch 132a and 132b the plate cylinders 102a and 102b assigned to them, as shown in FIG. 2a to 2c is shown. In this embodiment, the first clutch 132a is only in FIG second operating mode closed and opened in the first and third operating modes, while the second clutch 132b is closed only in the third mode and in the first and second operating mode is open. The advantage of the above Use of clutches 132a and 132b is that when the printing unit 101st is operated as an impression mechanism, none during a flying plate change additional auxiliary motors for rotating the first and second plate cylinders 102a, 102b are needed.

In the same way it is also possible to use the first and second Plate cylinders 102a, 102b of the second embodiment of the present invention by means of additional auxiliary motors or friction rollers or a drive belt and associated drive pulleys to rotate as previously related with the first embodiment of the present invention.

Furthermore, the inking units, the first and second Feed plate cylinders 102a, 102b via the first and second plate cylinder drive gears 124, 126 are driven, the inking units an additional form pushed load, through which the torsional vibrations and thus connected disturbances in the printing unit 101 can be further minimized.

A further reduction in torsional vibrations and avoidance of through Play between the second and fourth movable gears 114 and 120 Duplication, especially in the first operating mode, can be caused by attachment a brake 117, 123 on the drive shafts 116 and / or 122 are effected.

LIST OF REFERENCES

1

printing unit

2a

first plate cylinder

2 B

second plate cylinder

4a

first blanket cylinder

4b

second blanket cylinder

6

train

6a

first web page

6b

second web page

8a

first drive motor

8b

second drive motor

10

transmission assembly

12

first movable gear

14

second movable gear

16

Drive shaft of the first blanket cylinder

18

third movable gear

20

fourth movable gear

22

Drive shaft of the second blanket cylinder

24

first plate cylinder drive gear

26

second plate cylinder drive gear

28

first spur gear

29

second spur gear

30a

first auxiliary engine

30b

second auxiliary engine

101

printing unit

102

first plate cylinder

102b

second plate cylinder

104a

first blanket cylinder

104b

second blanket cylinder

106

paper web

106a

first page

106b

second page

108a

first drive motor

108b

second drive motor

110

transmission assembly

112

first movable gear

114

second movable gear

116

drive shaft

117

brake

118

third movable gear

120

fourth movable gear

122

drive shaft

123

brake

124

first plate cylinder drive gear

126

second plate cylinder drive gear

128

first spur gear

129

second spur gear

132a

first clutch

132b

second clutch

Claims (20)

1. Imprinter printing unit for a web-fed rotary printing press comprising a first print couple including a first plate cylinder (2a) and an associated first blanket cylinder (4a);
   a second print couple including a second plate cylinder (2b) and an associated second blanket cylinder (4b);
   a first drive motor (8a); and
   a second drive motor (8b), wherein, in a first mode of operation, the first drive motor (8a) drives the first print couple and the second drive motor (8b) independently drives the second print couple,
   characterized in that the cylinders (2a, 2b, 4a, 4b) are driven by a gear arrangement (10), the gear arrangement comprising first and second gear wheels (12, 14) arranged on a drive shaft (16) associated with the first blanket cylinder (4a) so as to be movable in the axial direction, third and fourth gear wheels (18, 20) axially arranged on a drive shaft (22a) associated with the second blanket cylinder (4b), a first plate cylinder drive gear wheel (24) coupled to the first plate cylinder (2a), and a second plate cylinder drive gear wheel (26) coupled to the second plate cylinder (2b), and the gear arrangement operating in such a way that, in a second mode of operation, the first drive motor (8a) drives the first blanket cylinder (4a) and the second print couple, and that, in a third mode of operation, the second drive motor (8b) drives the second blanket cylinder (4b) and the first cylinder couple.
2. Imprinter printing unit according to claim 1,
   characterized in that, in the second mode of operation, the first plate cylinder is independently driven by a first auxiliary motor (30a).
3. Imprinter printing unit according to claim 1,
   characterized in that in the third mode of operation, the second plate cylinder (2b) is independently driven by a second auxiliary motor (30b).
4. Imprinter printing unit according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that in the first mode of operation, the first drive motor (8a) drives the first movable gear wheel (12) and the second movable gear wheel (14) is in meshing engagement with the first plate cylinder drive gear wheel (24) for driving the first plate cylinder (2a), and
   that the second drive motor (8b) drives the third movable gear wheel (18) and the fourth movable gear wheel (20) is in meshing engagement with the second plate cylinder drive gear wheel (26) for driving the second plate cylinder (2b).
5. Imprinter printing unit according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that in the second mode of operation, the first drive motor (8a) drives the first movable gear wheel (12) and the second movable gear wheel (14) is in meshing engagement with the fourth movable gear wheel (20) and the fourth movable gear wheel (20) is in meshing engagement with the second plate cylinder drive gear wheel (26).
6. Imprinter printing unit according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that in the third mode of operation, the second drive motor (8b) drives the third movable gear wheel (18) and the fourth movable gear wheel (20) is in meshing engagement with the second movable gear wheel (14) and the second movable gear wheel (14) is in meshing engagement with the first plate cylinder drive gear wheel (24).
7. Imprinter printing unit according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that the first and third movable gear wheels (12, 18) are commonly slidable.
8. Imprinter printing unit according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that the second and fourth movable gear wheels (14, 20) are commonly slidable.
9. Imprinter printing unit for a web fed rotary printing press comprising a first print couple including a first plate cylinder (102a) and an associated first blanket cylinder (104a),
   a second print couple including a second plate cylinder (102b) and an associated second blanket cylinder (104b),
   a first drive motor (108a),
   and a second drive motor (108b) wherein in a first mode of operation, the first drive motor (108a) drives the first print couple and the second drive motor (108b) independently drives the second print couple,
   characterized in that the cylinders (102a, 102b, 104a, 104b) are driven by a gear arrangement (110), the gear arrangement comprising first and second gear wheels (112, 114) arranged on a drive shaft (116) of the first blanket cylinder (104a) so as to be movable in the axial direction, third and fourth gear wheels (118, 120) arranged on a drive shaft (122) of the second blanket cylinder (104b) so as to be movable in the axial direction, a first plate cylinder drive gear wheel (124) coupled to the first plate cylinder (102a), and a second plate cylinder drive gear wheel (126) coupled to the second plate cylinder (102b), and the gear arrangement operating in such a way that, in a second mode of operation, the second drive motor (108b) drives the second print couple and the first blanket cylinder (104a), and that, in a third mode of operation, the first drive motor (L08a) drives the first cylinder couple and second blanket cylinder (104b).
10. Imprinter printing unit according to claim 9,
    characterized in that in the second mode of operation, the first drive motor (108a) is exclusively coupled to the first plate cylinder (102a) to independently drive the first plate cylinder (102a) for exchanging printing plates mounted to the first plate cylinder, when the first plate cylinder (102a) is disengaged.
11. Imprinter printing unit according to claim 10,
    characterized in that the first drive motor (108a) is coupled to the first plate cylinder (102a) via a clutch (132a), the clutch (132a) being engaged in the second mode of operation and being disengaged in the first and third mode of operation.
12. Imprinter printing unit according to one of claims 9 to 11,
    characterized in that in the third mode of operation, the second drive motor (108b) is exclusively coupled to the second plate cylinder (102b) to independently drive the second plate cylinder (102b) for exchanging printing plates mounted to the second plate cylinder when the second plate cylinder (102b) is disengaged.
13. Imprinter printing unit of claim 12,
    characterized in that the second drive motor (108b) is coupled to the second plate cylinder (102b) via a clutch (132b), the clutch being engaged in the third mode of operation and being disengaged in the first and second mode of operation.
14. Imprinter printing unit according to one of claims 9 to 13,
    characterized in that in the first mode of operation, the first drive motor (108a) drives the first movable gear wheel (112) and the second movable gear wheel (114) is in meshing engagement with the first plate cylinder drive gear wheel (124) for driving the first plate cylinder (102a), and
    that the second drive motor (108b) drives the third movable gear wheel (118) and the fourth movable gear wheel (120) is in meshing engagement with the second plate cylinder drive gear wheel (126) for driving the second plate cylinder (102b).
15. Imprinter printing unit according to one of claims 9 to 14,
    characterized in that in the second mode of operation, the second drive motor (108b) drives the third movable gear wheel (118) and the fourth movable gear wheel (120) is in meshing engagement with the second plate cylinder drive gear wheel (126) and the second movable gear wheel (114).
16. Imprinter printing unit according to one of claims 9 to 15,
    characterized in that in the third mode of operation, the first drive motor (108a) drives the first movable gear wheel (112) and the second movable gear wheel (114) is in meshing engagement with the first plate cylinder drive gear wheel (124) and the fourth movable gear wheel (120).
17. Imprinter printing unit according to one of claims 9 to 16,
    characterized in that the first and second movable gear wheels (112, 114) are commonly movable on the drive shaft (116) of the first blanket cylinder (104a).
18. Imprinter printing unit according to one of claims 9 to 17,
    characterized in that the third and fourth movable gear wheels (118, 120) are commonly movable on the drive shaft (122) of the second blanket cylinder (104b).
19. Imprinter printing unit according to one of claims 9 to 18,
    characterized in that a brake (117) is mounted to the drive shaft (116) of the first blanket cylinder (104a) for braking the first blanket cylinder (104a) in the first mode of operation.
20. Imprinter printing unit according to one of claims 9 to 19,
    characterized in that a brake (123) is mounted to the drive shaft (122) of the second blanket cylinder for braking the second blanket cylinder (104b) in the first mode of operation.

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