Ohio Electronic Engravers, Inc.

Mdc Max Daetwyler Ag

Ohio Electric Engravers, Inc.

Robert D Likins

Kenneth F Bornhorst, Jr

Thomas J Eichhorn

David R Seitz

Curtis Woods

John W Fraser

Larry D Lucous

Danny D Myers

Richard Arnold MacKinnon

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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Wilmington, OH, United States of America

Robert D Likins