Printing press, folder, and methods of operation

摘要

Systems and methods for allowing existing rotary printing press units to produce smaller pages at a faster rate of speed without having to replace the press unit. Specifically, the systems and methods relate to retrofitting an existing press unit to produce three pages of material in each full rotation instead of the traditional two pages.

主权项

1. A method of reducing the cut-off length of a newspaper, the method comprising:
providing a press unit having:
a frame; said frame supporting:
a first existing plate cylinder, said first existing plate cylinder having two existing plates attached thereto, each of said existing plates on said first existing plate cylinder comprising generally half a circumference of said first existing plate cylinder, said first existing plate cylinder being thus configured to print two pages of a newspaper with each rotation;a second existing plate cylinder, said second existing plate cylinder having two existing plates attached thereto, each of said existing plates on said second existing plate cylinder comprising generally half a circumference of said second existing plate cylinder, said second existing plate cylinder being thus configured to print two pages of a newspaper with each rotation;a first blanket cylinder transferring ink from said plates on the first existing plate cylinder to paper, said first blanket cylinder including a first existing slot; anda second blanket cylinder transferring ink from said plates of the second existing plate cylinder to paper, said second blanket cylinder including a second existing slot; replacing said first existing plate cylinder with a first new plate cylinder having generally the same length, diameter, and circumferences as said first existing plate cylinder without modification to said frame of said press unit, said first new plate cylinder being configured print three pages of a newspaper, said three pages arranged about the circumference of said first new plate cylinder such that each of said three pages comprises generally one-third of the circumference of said first new plate cylinder; replacing said second existing plate cylinder with a second new plate cylinder having generally the same length, diameter, and circumferences as said second existing plate cylinder without modification to said frame of said press unit, said second new plate cylinder being configured print three pages of a newspaper, said three pages arranged about the circumference of said first new plate cylinder such that each of said three pages comprises generally one-third of the circumference of said first new plate cylinder; removing said second blanket cylinder from said frame; cutting a new second slot being positioned about 180° around said second blanket cylinder from said second existing slot; filing said second existing slot; returning said second blanket cylinder to said frame.