Direct-drive solution offers superior control

SKF has developed a unique oscillating drive unit (ODU) to drive and control the distribution rollers that transfer and spread ink and dampening fluid onto the paper in printing machines

SKF has developed a unique oscillating drive unit (ODU) to drive and control the distribution rollers that transfer and spread ink and dampening fluid onto the paper in printing machines.

The unit is designed to satisfy specific trends in the printing industry, namely: higher machine flexibility to cater for smaller batch printing; increased automation and better control of the rollers; improved printing quality; simplified mounting and exchange; less maintenance; and the reduction of waste.

Many existing drive systems in newspaper printing machines are fully mechanical; having three printing rollers interconnected via gear wheels, cams and linkages.

The drive is provided to just one of the rollers by a gear connection to the main drive motor.

Such systems require open oil lubrication by spraying and parameter adjustment is limited and is done by hand.

The SKF ODU is an advanced mechatronic unit incorporating two drive motors, various bearings, a ball screw, two encoders and all the necessary sealing solutions.

For the rotational speed control of the printing roller, an integrated encoder accurately measures the speed and feeds this information back to the controller.

The oscillation motion is position controlled and the axial position is captured by measuring the absolute angular position and number of revolutions of the nut of the ball screw.

The ODU supplies direct drive to each of the rollers - endowing each one with independent programmable control of the speed of rotation and of the oscillation stroke and frequency.

The ODU incorporates the motors, the rotating function and the oscillating function in a single, easy-to-mount unit.

The electronic control within the unit is designed to interface with printing machine set-up and control systems, standard within the industry.

This means that the drive parameters for each roller can be modified easily before, after and during a print run to optimise the machine settings.

The first units have been developed to operate with MAN Roland machines; one of the largest OEMs in the printing industry.

Cooperation between SKF, MAN Roland and Baumuller, the machine control supplier, was an intense effort that started with a concept and finished with a full working system - one that has fulfilled the specifications set for functionality and printing quality.

Fully enclosed, the units provide OEMs with a reliable, maintenance-free, programmable drive unit.

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