Combined chiller and spreader roll assembly
A roller assembly is provided for spreading and chilling a web in a printing press. The roller assembly includes a roller for chilling and spreading a web and a trolley roller contacting the roller, the trolley roller configured and arranged to impart a deflection in the roller. Also provided is a roller assembly for counteracting web loading on a roller in a printing press. This roller assembly includes a roller for transporting a web, the roller having an axis; a web wrapped partially around the roller and applying a load on the roller transverse to the axis; and a trolley roller contacting the roller, the trolley roller configured and arranged to impart a sufficient force on the roller to keep the axis of the roller linear under said load.
1. A roller assembly for spreading and chilling a web in a printing press comprising:
a roller for chilling and spreading a web;
a trolley roller contacting the roller, the trolley roller configured and arranged to impart a deflection in the roller; and
a light source positioned to transmit light towards the roller, whereby the light source cures ink on a web as the web passes over the roller.
2. The roller assembly as recited in claim 1 , further comprising an actuator connected to the trolley roller, the actuator causing the trolley roller to impart the deflection.
3. The roller assembly of claim 1 , wherein a web wraps around the roller, and the trolley roller contacts the roller in an area where the web is not present.
4. The roller assembly recited in claim 1 wherein the trolley roller contacts the roller substantially at a mid-span of the roller.
5. The roller assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the ends of the roller are not deflected by the contact.
6. The roller assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the axis of the roller is non-linear under said deflection.
7. The roller assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the light source is an ultraviolet light source.
8. The roller assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the roller is a flexible roller having an outside diameter of from about 4 inches to about 10 inches.
9. The roller assembly as recited in claim 8 , wherein the flexible roller has an outer shell defining said outside diameter.
10. The roller assembly as recited in claim 9 , wherein the outer shell has a wall thickness of about 0.3+/−0.2 inches.
11. The roller assembly as recited in claim 10 , wherein the outside diameter is from about 7 inches to about 8 inches.
12. A printing press comprising:
a printing section for printing on a web; and
at least one roller assembly as recited in claim 1 .
13. The printing press as recited in claim 12 , wherein the at least one roller assembly is a plurality of roller assemblies.
14. A method for spreading and chilling a web comprising the steps of:
passing a web over a roller assembly as recited in claim 1 .
15. A roller assembly for spreading and chilling a web in a printing press comprising:
a roller for chilling and spreading a web; and
a trolley roller contacting the roller, the trolley roller configured and arranged to impart a deflection in the roller;
wherein the roller is a flexible roller having an outside diameter of from about 4 inches to about 10 inches;
wherein the flexible roller has an outer shell defining said outside diameter;
wherein the outer shell has a wall thickness of about 0.3+/−0.2 inches;
wherein the outer shell is made of aluminum.
16. A method for minimizing fluting in a web comprising the steps of:
passing a web over a roller, the roller chilling the web;
contacting the roller with a trolley roller causing the roller to deflect;
spreading the web due to the deflection of the roller; and
providing a light source positioned to transmit light towards the roller, whereby the light source cures ink on a web as the web passes over the roller.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the roller is a flexible roller having an outside diameter of from about 4 inches to about 10 inches, the flexible roller has an outer shell defining said outside diameter, wherein the outer shell has a wall thickness of about 0.3+/−0.2 inches, wherein the outside diameter is from about 7 inches to about 8 inches.