摘要 |
A can printing machine of the type having a rotating assembly of mandrels contacting a rotating printing blanket for transferring decoration from the blanket to cans on the mandrels is provided with mandrel assemblies which are axially alignable with the printing blanket to permit axially uniform decoration of the cans. Each mandrel assembly comprises a rigid central member; a cylindrical sleeve mounted on the central member for receiving thereon a can to be printed; first mounting means pivotably mounting the sleeve to the central member at an axial midline of the can; and second mounting means accommodating pivoting and positioning the sleeve in a rest position to permit loading and unloading of the cans. Since the sleeve rotates relative to the central member to transfer circumferential decoration from the printing blanket to the can, the first and second mounting means permit rotation of the sleeve and rotatable pivoting. The mounting means comprise frictionless bearings, the first mounting means preferably comprising a ball bearing assembly to permit pivoting and the second mounting means comprising a needle bearing assembly resting on resilient rubber O-rings at the base of the central member for accommodating pivoting and for positioning of the sleeve.
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