Ohio Electronic Engravers, Inc.

Mdc Max Daetwyler Ag

Ohio Electric Engravers, Inc.

Kenneth F Bornhorst, Jr

Robert D Likins

David R Seitz

Curtis Woods

Larry D Lucous

Kim E Izor

Thomas J Eichhorn

John W Fraser

Larry L Uptegraph

Pierre L Crease

Danny D Myers

Richard Arnold MacKinnon

Eric R Auberry

Richard H Dunnington

James E Klinger

Eric Helser

Jim Klinger

A platform for supporting an engraving head in a manner accommodating translational movement without any associated rotation. The platform has a deck which is supported by a pair of flexible support columns. In operation the platform is situated alongside a rotating printing cylinder. The engraving head is mounted on the deck of the platform and is provided with a guide shoe which rides against the surface of the printing cylinder. As the cylinder rotates to angular positions having different radii, the engraving head responds with a purely linear reaction. Consequently the engraving head is able to engrave uniform-depth cavities in the surface of the printing cylinder. In two alternative embodiments the deck is driven by a resilient link arrangement which is coupled to a leadscrew and carriage assembly.

Engraving head support method with linear head driver

An engraving system and method is disclosed having multiple engraving heads wherein the operation of each head is controllable so that a vertical screen and/or horizontal screen may be independently controlled, thereby facilitating enabling each engraving head to engrave in accordance with different screen rulings as may be selected by a user. The engraving system includes a signal generator for controlling the vertical screen by utilizing a plurality of vertical scalers which use a cylinder factor signal corresponding to the rotational position of a cylinder rotatably mounted on the engraver, as well as screen variables, such as a screen angle and a screen ruling, to generate independent vertical scaled or screen signals. These vertical scaled signals are used to independently energize the engraving heads to engrave patterns defining different vertical resolutions or vertical screens. This system and method also discloses a drive system for independently driving the engraving heads using the cylinder factor signal mentioned above and the screen variables which were input by the user to enable the engraving heads to engrave patterns having differing horizontal resolution or horizontal screens. Thus, the method and apparatus enable a user to simultaneously or independently change the vertical screen and horizontal screen and, consequently, the screen ruling for each pattern of engraved areas being engraved.

System and method for engraving a plurality of engraved areas defining

A method and apparatus for automatically measuring a cylinder characteristic, such as a cylinder diameter or a cylinder run-out and then automatically adjusting the engraver in response to the measurement and subsequently engraving the cylinder to account for such characteristic. The engraver includes a run-out detector for detecting a cylinder characteristic of the cylinder on the engraver and the run-out detector includes an LVDT sensor and a run-out circuit for generating a signal generally corresponding to a shape of the cylinder surface. The run-out circuit is capable of generating a measured run-out using the signal generated by the LVDT sensor. The method and apparatus also provides a method and apparatus for automatically adjusting for the cylinder characteristic using manual, mechanical and/or electronic features of the method and apparatus.

Engraver and engraving method for detecting and measuring run-out

An engraver including an automatic tool changer and verification system for changing engraving tools on engraving heads. The engraver includes a turret having a plurality of workholders for holding a plurality of replacement tools. Some of the workholders are empty for replacing a worn tool from an engraving head on the engraver. When it is desired to change a tool on the engraving head, an empty tool holder is indexed to a tool changing position opposite the engraving head whereupon the worn tool is transferred from the engraving head to the tool changer. Thereafter, the tool changer is indexed to a position where a replacement tool is situated in opposed relationship with the engraving head. The tool changer includes a pneumatic system for causing the worn tools and replacement tools to be transferred between the engraving head and the tool changer. The engraver also utilizes a tool verification routine for verifying that a tool on the engraving head is the correct tool and/or is not defective. Moreover, the engraver may be equipped with an engraving head turret having multiple engraving heads for indexing into engraving relationship with a cylinder to be engraved. The multiple-engraving head turret facilitates, for example, reducing the number of required tool changes.

Engraver with automatic tool changer

A method for aligning a cylinder support in an engraver includes a step of actuating a plurality of jaws to grip the cylinder support such that the cylinder support becomes automatically aligned in the engraver. The actuating step may further include the step of inserting the cylinder support a predetermined distance into a receiving cavity, where the predetermined distance may range from about 0-300 mm. The method is further characterized in that it may include steps of biasing the plurality of jaws to a predetermined position, energizing a cylinder to cause the plurality of jaws to move substantially simultaneously towards a rotating axis of the engraver; pivoting the pivot lever to cause the jaws to actuate toward and away from a rotational axis of the engraver; and/or lubricating the plurality of jaws with a lubricant and purging the lubricant associated with the plurality of jaws; and/or indexing each of the plurality of jaws to provide a desired travel range. In one embodiment, the cylinder support includes a support shaft located on an end of the cylinder, with the support shaft having a bearing journal thereon such that the actuating step may include the step of actuating the plurality of jaw members to clamp the bearing journal, thereby causing the cylinder to be aligned in the engraver.

Method and apparatus for aligning a cylinder in an engraver

A universal cylinder mount for mounting at least one a plurality of cylinders between a headstock and a tailstock of an engraver. Each of the cylinders has a mounting aperture at each end adapted to receive a universal cylinder mount associated with each of the headstock and tailstock. The universal cylinder mount is adapted to accommodate a plurality of mounting apertures formed with different sized and having various sloped walls for facilitating alignment and frictional gripping engagement of the cylinders. The universal cylinder mount comprises at least one helically-shaped spiral or engaging edge to facilitate reducing or completely eliminating the seizing action between the cylinder aperture and the universal cylinder mount of the cylinder when the mounts are rotated in a non-engraving direction or are moved away from the mounting surfaces.

Engraver having universal cylinder mount

Engraving head support system with linear head driver

A method and apparatus for automated loading and unloading of a cylinder in an engraver. The method and apparatus permit the engraver to accommodate cylinders of differing geometries, including a range of lengths, diameters and mounting configurations. The engraver includes a headstock and a tailstock which cooperate to rotatably support a cylinder at an engraving station in the engraver. The engraver includes a cylinder handling system having at least one cylinder supporting the cylinder between the headstock and the tailstock during the loading and unloading of the cylinder. The cylinder handling system includes a driver for driving the cylinder support towards and away from the engraving station until the headstock and the tailstock engage and rotatably support the cylinder. Once the cylinder is rotatably supported between the headstock and the tailstock, then the cylinder support is retracted. The cylinder support includes a telescoping support member having a support nest for engaging and supporting the cylinder at the engraving station.

A method and apparatus for automated loading, unloading and registration of a cylinder in an engraver. The method and apparatus permit the engraver to accommodate cylinders of differing geometries, including a range of lengths, diameters and mounting configurations. The engraver includes a headstock and a tailstock which cooperate to rotatably support a cylinder at an engraving station in the engraver. The engraver also includes a cylinder handling system having at least one cylinder support for supporting the cylinder between the headstock and tailstock during loading and unloading of the cylinder. The cylinder handling system is responsive to at least one parameter, such as a cylinder diameter, to automatically register the cylinder at the engraving station. In one form, the cylinder supports each include telescoping support member having a support nest for engaging and supporting the cylinder at the engraving station. In another form, the cylinder supports each include a support housing and a support structure mounted to the support housing. In this form, the support structure includes at least one cylinder receiving area. Selection may be made between plural cylinder receiving areas for receiving cylinders of different dimensions.

System and method for automated loading, unloading and registration of a

An automatic self-centering chuck system for use on an engraver. The chuck system includes a plurality of jaws which are slidably mounted for movement in a radial direction toward a central aperture of the chuck to clamp a shaft for an engraving cylinder. Each of the jaws is actuated for movement by a lever pivotally mounted within the chuck. The levers are actuated for pivotal movement by an axially reciprocating drawbar which is energized for movement by a series of pneumatic cylinders. The components of the chuck are accurately machined to provide close tolerance, precise movements of the jaws whereby a cylinder will be accurately positioned at the central rotational axis of the chuck. In order to ensure that the precise level of jaw movement is maintained throughout the life the chuck, a lubricant flushing or purging system is provided for flushing normal wear particles from the precision components internal to the chuck.

Housing for an engraver

A method and apparatus for automatically measuring a cylinder characteristic, such as a cylinder diameter or a cylinder run-out and then automatically adjusting the engraver in response to the measurement and subsequently engraving the cylinder to account for such characteristic. The engraver includes a run-out detector for detecting a cylinder characteristic of the cylinder on the engraver, and the run-out detector includes an LVDT sensor and a run-out circuit for generating a signal generally corresponding to a shape of the cylinder surface. The run-out circuit is capable of generating a measured run-out using the signal generated by the LVDT sensor. The invention also provides a method and apparatus for automatically adjusting for the cylinder characteristic using manual, mechanical and/or electronic features of the invention.

System and method for measuring run-out and other characteristics of a

A method and apparatus for automated loading and unloading of a cylinder in an engraver. The method and apparatus permit the engraver to accommodate cylinders of differing geometries, including a range of lengths, diameters and mounting configurations. The engraver includes a headstock and a tailstock which cooperate to rotatably support a cylinder at an engraving station in the engraver. The engraver also comprises a cylinder handling system having at least one cylinder support for supporting the cylinder between the headstock and tailstock during loading and unloading of the cylinder. In one form, the cylinder supports each comprise a telescoping support member having a support nest for engaging and supporting the cylinder at the engraving station. In another form, the cylinder supports each include a support housing and a support structure mounted to the support housing. In this form, the support structure includes at least one cylinder receiving area. Selection may be made between plural cylinder receiving areas for receiving cylinders of different dimensions.

Growing community of inventors

Centerville, OH, United States of America

Kenneth F Bornhorst, Jr