Inking unit for printing presses

Abstract

An inking unit for printing presses, preferably offset printing presses, can have a plurality of plate-inking rollers for inking a plate cylinder along with a multiplicity of inking rollers. The inking rollers can be positioned to supply ink flow, in at least two directions to the plate-inking rollers. The inking rollers and the plate-inking rollers can then form a closed chain of rollers, and can enclose a space therebetween. A measuring device can be provided to monitor the temperature of the air within this space, with measured values being used for control of the temperature of the inking unit.

What is claimed is: . . 
     
       1.  A printing press comprising: a plate cylinder;   damping means for applying a wetting agent to at least the plate cylinder, said damping means comprising a reservoir for storing the wetting agent;   an inking unit for applying ink to the plate cylinder, said inking unit having an ink reservoir for storing the ink, and said inking unit comprising: a plurality of plate-inking rollers disposed in contact with the plate cylinder to apply ink to the plate cylinder;   a plurality of inking rollers disposed between the ink reservoir and the plate inking rollers to transfer ink from the ink reservoir to the plate inking rollers;   said plurality of inking rollers defining at least two ink supply paths for supplying ink to said plate-inking rollers at at least two locations of said plate-inking rollers;   said inking rollers and said plate-inking rollers forming and substantially enclosing a space therebetween;     means for extracting air from said substantially enclosed space;   temperature sensor means for measuring a temperature of the extracted air;   means for regulating a temperature of at least one of: the inking unit, and   the wetting agent; and     control means for receiving said measured temperature from said temperature sensor means and operating said means for regulating based on said measured temperatures of said extracted air..!.. .   
     
     
       2.  The printing press according to claim 1, wherein said means for extracting air comprises a tubular member extending into said substantially enclosed space, said tubular member having at least one opening for extracting air from said substantially enclosed space into said tubular member..!.. . 
     
     
       3.  The printing press according to claim 2, wherein: said printing press comprises first and second side frames disposed spaced apart from one another and supporting said inking rollers, said plate-inking rollers, and said plate cylinder therebetween;   said printing press has a central portion disposed substantially centrally between said first and second side frames;   said tubular member extends between and is supported by said first and second side frames; and   said at least one opening of said tubular member is disposed in substantially said central portion of said printing press..!.. .4. The printing press according to claim 2, wherein said temperature sensor means is disposed within said tubular member in a position within said tubular member such that the extracted air passes said temperature sensor means..!.. .5. The printing press according to claim 3, wherein said temperature sensor means is disposed within said tubular member in a position within said tubular member such that the extracted air passes said temperature sensor means..!.. .6. The printing press according to claim 5, wherein:   said substantially enclosed space is peripherally bordered by adjacent ones of said inking rollers and said plate-inking rollers; and   said control means further comprises means for comparing said measured temperatures with a predetermined temperature value, and operating said means for regulating when said measured temperatures differ from said predetermined temperature..!.. .7. The printing press according to claim 6, wherein:   said at least two ink supply paths comprise two ink supply paths, and said at least two locations comprise two locations spaced apart from one another along a circumference of the plate cylinder;   said plurality of plate-inking rollers comprises four plate-inking rollers, said four plate inking-rollers comprising two pairs of plate-inking rollers, with one of said two pairs of plate-inking rollers being disposed at each of said two locations;   a first pair of said plate-inking rollers is disposed adjacent a first inking roller, and a second pair of said plate-inking rollers is disposed adjacent a second inking roller;   each roller of said first pair of said plate-inking rollers is disposed in rolling contact with said first inking roller, and each roller of said second pair of said plate-inking rollers is disposed in rolling contact with said second inking roller;   said plurality of inking rollers comprises a first set of inking rollers disposed between said first inking roller and said second inking roller, and a second set of inking rollers disposed between the ink reservoir and said first set of inking rollers;   said damping means comprises at least a first damping roller disposed in rolling engagement with said plate cylinder, a second damping roller disposed in said wetting fluid reservoir, and at least one intermediary roller for transferring the wetting fluid from the second damping roller to the first damping roller; and   said means for regulating a temperature comprises means for cooling said inking unit, and means for cooling the wetting agent..!.. .8. A method for monitoring and controlling temperature in an inking unit of a printing press, the printing press including: a plate cylinder; a damping means for applying a wetting agent to at least the plate cylinder, an inking unit for applying ink to the plate cylinder, said inking unit having an ink reservoir for storing the ink, and said inking unit comprising: a plurality of plate-inking rollers disposed in contact with the plate cylinder to apply ink to the plate cylinder; a plurality of inking rollers disposed between the ink reservoir and the plate inking rollers to transfer ink from the ink reservoir to the plate inking rollers; means for extracting air from an area adjacent said plate-inking rollers and said inking rollers; temperature sensor means for measuring a temperature of the extracted air; means for regulating a temperature of at least one of: the inking unit, and the wetting agent; and control means for receiving measured temperatures from said temperature sensor means and operating said means for regulating based on said measured temperatures of said extracted air; said method comprising the steps of:   transferring ink within said inking unit from said ink reservoir to said plate-inking rollers, said inking unit having a temperature;   transferring wetting agent from said wetting agent reservoir to at least the plate cylinder, the wetting agent having a temperature;   extracting air from said area adjacent said inking rollers and said plate-inking rollers;   measuring a temperature of said extracted air with said temperature sensor means; and   adjusting at least one of: the temperature of said inking unit, and   the temperature of said wetting agent to bring said measured temperature into correspondence with a predetermined temperature..!.. .9. The method according to claim 8, wherein said means for extracting air comprises a tubular member extending into said area adjacent said inking rollers and said plate-inking rollers, said tubular member having at least one opening for extracting air from said are adjacent said inking rollers into said tubular member, and said method further comprising:     extracting air through said at least one opening of said tubular member into and through said tubular member..!.. .10. The method according to claim 9, wherein said temperature sensor means is disposed within said tubular member in a position within said tubular member such that the extracted air passes over the temperature sensor means, and said method further comprises:   passing said extracted air through said tubular member over said   
     
     
        temperature sensor means within said tubular member..!.. .11.  The method according to claim 10, wherein said printing press comprises first and second side frames disposed spaced apart from one another and supporting said inking rollers, said plate-inking rollers, and said plate cylinder therebetween; said printing press has a central portion disposed substantially centrally between said first and second side frames; said tubular member extends between and is supported by said first and second side frames; said at least one opening of said tubular member is disposed in substantially said central portion of said printing press, and said method further comprises: extracting air from said area adjacent said inking rollers and said plate-inking rollers through at least said at least one central opening of said tubular member..!.. .12. The method according to claim 11, wherein said plurality of inking rollers define at least two ink supply paths for supplying ink to said plate-inking rollers at at least two locations of said plate-inking rollers, said inking rollers and said plate-inking rollers substantially enclosing a space therebetween, said substantially enclosed space comprising said area adjacent said inking rollers and said plate-inking rollers, said substantially enclosed space is peripherally bordered by adjacent ones of said inking rollers and said plate-inking rollers; said means for controlling further comprises means for comparing said measured temperatures with a predetermined temperature value, and operating said means for regulating when said measured temperatures differ from said predetermined temperature; and said method further comprises:   conducting the ink along each of said at least two supply paths to each of said at least two locations of said plate-inking rollers;   extracting air from said substantially enclosed space;   comparing said measured temperatures of the extracted air with the predetermined temperature value; and   operating said means for regulating to adjust said at least one of: the temperature of the inking unit, and   the temperature of the wetting agent when said measured temperature differs from said predetermined temperature..!.. .13. The method according to claim 12, wherein:     said at least two ink supply paths comprise two ink supply paths, and said at least two locations comprise two locations spaced apart from one another along a circumference of the plate cylinder;   said plurality of plate-inking rollers comprises four plate-inking rollers, said four plate inking-rollers comprising two pairs of plate-inking rollers, with one of said two pairs of plate-inking rollers being disposed at each of said two locations;   a first pair of said plate-inking rollers is disposed adjacent a first inking roller, and a second pair of said plate-inking rollers is disposed adjacent a second inking roller;   each roller of said first pair of said plate-inking rollers is disposed in rolling contact with said first inking roller, and each roller of said second pair of said plate-inking rollers is disposed in rolling contact with said second inking roller;   said plurality of inking rollers comprise a first set of inking rollers disposed between said first inking roller and said second inking roller, and a second set of inking rollers disposed between the ink reservoir and said first set of inking rollers;   said damping means comprises at least a first damping roller disposed in rolling engagement with said plate cylinder, a second damping roller disposed in said wetting fluid reservoir, and at least one intermediary roller for transferring the wetting fluid from the second damping roller to the first damping roller;   said means for regulating a temperature comprises means for cooling said inking unit, and means for cooling the wetting agent; and   said method further comprises: transferring ink from said ink reservoir, along said first set of inking rollers and to said second set of inking rollers;   transferring ink along said second set of inking rollers to each of said first and second inking rollers;   transferring ink from said first and second inking rollers to said first and second pairs of plate-inking rollers;   cooling the ink in said inking unit at at least one of: in said ink reservoir; and   during said ink transferring;       
     
     
       cooling the wetting agent in said wetting agent reservoir..!.14. An inking unit for a printing press, . .the printing press having a plate cylinder and damping means for applying a wetting agent to at least the plate cylinder, said damping means comprising a reservoir for storing the wetting agent, said inking unit for applying ink to the plate cylinder,.!. said inking unit comprising: .Iadd.a damping unit to apply a wetting agent;   said damping unit comprising a reservoir for storing the wetting agent; .Iaddend.   an ink reservoir for storing . .the.!. ink;   a plurality of plate-inking rollers . .for being disposed in contact with the plate cylinder.!. to apply ink . .to the plate cylinder.!.;   a plurality of inking rollers disposed between the ink reservoir and the plate-inking rollers to transfer ink from the ink reservoir to said plate-inking rollers;   said plurality of inking rollers defining at least two ink supply paths for supplying ink to said plate-inking rollers at at least two locations of said plate-inking rollers;   said inking rollers and said . .plate inking.!. .Iadd.plate-inking .Iaddend.rollers forming and substantially enclosing a space therebetween;   . .means for measuring.!. .Iadd.an arrangement to measure a temperature of air, said temperature measuring arrangement being disposed to measure .Iaddend.a temperature of air of said substantially enclosed space;   . .means for regulating.!. .Iadd.an apparatus to regulate .Iaddend.a temperature of at least one of: the inking unit, and   the wetting agent; and     .Iadd.a .Iaddend.control . .means for receiving.!. .Iadd.device connected to receive .Iaddend.measured temperatures from said . .means for measuring.!. temperature .Iadd.measuring arrangement .Iaddend.and . .operating said means for regulating.!. .Iadd.connected to operate said temperature regulating apparatus .Iaddend.based on said measured   
     
     
        temperatures of the air of said substantially enclosed space. 15. The inking unit according to claim 14, wherein: said substantially enclosed space is peripherally bordered by adjacent ones of said inking rollers and said plate-inking rollers; and   said . .means for controlling.!. .Iadd.control device .Iaddend.further comprises . .means for comparing.!. .Iadd.an arrangement to compare .Iaddend.said measured temperatures with a predetermined temperature value, and . .operating.!. .Iadd.to operate .Iaddend.said . .means for regulating.!. .Iadd.temperature regulating apparatus .Iaddend.when said   
     
     
        measured temperatures differ from said predetermined temperature. 16. The inking unit according to claim 14, wherein: said . .means for measuring a.!. temperature . .of air of said substantially enclosed space.!. .Iadd.measuring arrangement .Iaddend.further comprises . .means for extracting.!. .Iadd.a device to extract .Iaddend.air from said substantially enclosed space, said . .means for.!. .Iadd.air .Iaddend.extracting .Iadd.device .Iaddend.further comprising: a tubular member extending into said substantially enclosed space, said tubular member having at least one opening . .for extracting.!. .Iadd.disposed to extract .Iaddend.air from said substantially enclosed     
     
     
        space into said tubular member. 17. The inking unit according to claim 16, wherein said . .means for measuring a.!. temperature . .of air of said substantially enclosed space.!. .Iadd.measuring arrangement .Iaddend.further comprises a temperature sensing device disposed within said tubular member in a position within said tubular member such that the 
     
     
        extracted air passes over the temperature sensing device. 18. The inking unit according to claim 16, wherein: . .the printing press further comprises first and second side frames disposed spaced apart from one another and supporting.!. .Iadd.each of .Iaddend.said inking rollers . .,.!. .Iadd.and .Iaddend.said plate-inking rollers . ., and said plate cylinder therebetween, said printing press has.!. .Iadd.comprises a first end, a second end, and .Iaddend.a central portion disposed substantially centrally between said first and second . .side frames.!. .Iadd.ends, each of said first ends is disposed axially from each of said respective second ends.Iaddend.;   said tubular member . .extends.!. .Iadd.is disposed to extend from adjacent .Iaddend.. .between and is supported by.!. said first . .and.!. .Iadd.ends to adjacent said .Iaddend.second . .side frames.!. .Iadd.ends of said inking rollers and plate-inking rollers.Iaddend.; and   said at least one opening of said tubular member is disposed . .in.!. substantially .Iadd.adjacent .Iaddend.said central . .portion of said printing press.!. .Iadd.portions of said inking rollers and said   
     
     
        plate-inking rollers.Iaddend.. 19. The inking unit according to claim 18, wherein said . .means for measuring.!. temperature . .is.!. .Iadd.measuring arrangement comprises a temperature sensing device .Iaddend.disposed within said tubular member in a position within said tubular member such that said . .means for measuring.!. temperature .Iadd.sensing device .Iaddend.is passed over by the extracted air as the 
     
     
        extracted air flows along the tubular member. 20. The inking unit according to claim 19, wherein: said at least two ink supply paths comprise two ink supply paths, and said at least two locations comprise two locations spaced apart from one another . .along a circumference of the plate cylinder.!.;   said plurality of plate-inking rollers comprises four plate-inking rollers, said four plate inking-rollers comprising two pairs of plate-inking rollers, with one of said two pairs of plate-inking rollers being disposed at each of said two locations;   a first pair of said plate-inking rollers is disposed adjacent a first inking roller, and a second pair of said plate-inking rollers is disposed adjacent a second inking roller;   each roller of said first pair of said plate-inking rollers is disposed in rolling contact with said first inking roller, and each roller of said second pair of said plate-inking rollers is disposed in rolling contact with said second inking roller;   said plurality of inking rollers comprises a first set of inking rollers disposed between said first inking roller and said second inking roller, and a second set of inking rollers disposed between the ink reservoir and said first . .portion.!. .Iadd.set .Iaddend.of inking rollers;   said damping . .means.!. .Iadd.unit .Iaddend.comprises at least a first damping roller . .disposed in rolling engagement with said plate cylinder.!., a second damping roller disposed in said wetting . .fluid.!. .Iadd.agent .Iaddend.reservoir, and at least one intermediary roller for transferring the wetting . .fluid.!. .Iadd.agent .Iaddend.from the second damping roller to the first damping roller; and   said . .means for regulating a.!. temperature .Iadd.regulating apparatus .Iaddend.comprises . .means for cooling.!. .Iadd.an arrangement to cool .Iaddend.said inking unit, and . .means for cooling.!. .Iadd.an arrangement to cool .Iaddend.the wetting agent. .Iadd.21. An inking unit for a printing press, in combination with a printing press, the printing press comprising:   a plate cylinder; and   a damping unit to apply a wetting agent to at least said plate cylinder, said damping unit comprising a reservoir for storing the wetting agent;   said inking unit to apply ink to said plate cylinder, said inking unit comprising: an ink reservoir for storing the ink;   a plurality of plate-inking rollers to be disposed in contact with said plate cylinder to apply ink to said plate cylinder;   a plurality of inking rollers disposed between said ink reservoir and said plate-inking rollers to transfer ink from said ink reservoir to said plate-inking rollers;   said plurality of inking rollers defining at least two ink supply paths to supply ink to said plate-inking rollers at at least two locations of said plate-inking rollers;   said inking rollers and said plate-inking rollers forming and substantially enclosing a space therebetween;   an arrangement to measure a temperature of air, said air temperature measuring arrangement being disposed to measure a temperature of air of said substantially enclosed space;   an apparatus to regulate a temperature of at least one of: said inking unit, and   a wetting agent; and     a control device connected to receive the measured temperature from said temperature measuring arrangement and connected to operate said temperature regulating apparatus based on the measured temperature of the     
     
     
        air of said substantially enclosed space. .Iaddend..Iadd.22.  The inking unit according to claim 21, wherein: said substantially enclosed space is peripherally bordered by adjacent ones of said inking rollers and said plate-inking rollers; and   said control device further comprises an arrangement to compare said measured temperature with a predetermined temperature value and to operate said temperature regulating apparatus when said measured temperature differs from said predetermined temperature. .Iaddend..Iadd.23. The inking unit according to claim 21, wherein:   said temperature measuring arrangement comprises a device to extract air from said substantially enclosed space, said air extracting device comprises: a tubular member extending into said substantially enclosed space, said tubular member having at least one opening disposed to extract air from said substantially enclosed space into said tubular member. .Iaddend..Iadd.24. The inking unit according to claim 23, wherein said temperature measuring arrangement further comprises a temperature sensing device disposed within said tubular member in a position within said tubular member such that the extracted air passes over said temperature sensing device. .Iaddend..Iadd.25. The inking unit according to claim 23, wherein:     the printing press further comprises first and second side frames disposed spaced apart from one another and supporting said inking rollers, said plate-inking rollers, and said plate cylinder therebetween, said printing press has a central portion disposed substantially centrally between said first and second side frames;   said tubular member extends between and is supported by said first and second side frames; and   said at least one opening of said tubular member is disposed in substantially said central portion of said printing press. .Iaddend..Iadd.26. The inking unit according to claim 25, wherein said temperature measuring arrangement further comprises a temperature sensing device disposed within said tubular member in a position within said tubular member such that the extracted air passes over said temperature sensing device. .Iaddend..Iadd.27. The inking unit according to claim 26, wherein:   said at least two ink supply paths comprise two ink supply paths, and said at least two locations comprise two locations spaced apart from one another along a circumference of said plate cylinder;   said plurality of plate-inking rollers comprises four plate-inking rollers, said four plate-inking rollers comprising two pairs of plate-inking rollers, with one of said two pairs of plate-inking rollers being disposed at each of said two locations;   a first pair of said plate-inking rollers is disposed adjacent a first inking roller, and a second pair of said plate-inking rollers is disposed adjacent a second inking roller;   each roller of said first pair of said plate-inking rollers is disposed in rolling contact with said first inking roller, and each roller of said second pair of said plate-inking rollers is disposed in rolling contact with said second inking roller;   said plurality of inking rollers comprises a first set of inking rollers disposed between said first inking roller and said second inking roller, and a second set of inking rollers disposed between said ink reservoir and said first set of inking rollers; and   said damping unit comprises at least a first damping roller disposed in rolling engagement with said plate cylinder, a second damping roller disposed in said wetting agent reservoir, and at least one intermediary roller disposed to transfer the wetting agent from said second damping roller to said at least a first damping roller; and   said temperature regulating apparatus comprises an arrangement to cool said inking unit and an arrangement to cool the wetting agent. .Iaddend..Iadd.28. A printing press comprising:   a plate cylinder;   a damping unit to apply a wetting agent to at least said plate cylinder, said damping unit comprising a reservoir for storing the wetting agent;   an inking unit for applying ink to said plate cylinder, said inking unit having an ink reservoir for storing the ink, and said inking unit comprising: a plurality of plate-inking rollers disposed in contact with said plate cylinder to apply ink to said plate cylinder;   a plurality of inking rollers disposed between said ink reservoir and said plate-inking rollers to transfer ink from said ink reservoir to said plate-inking rollers;   said plurality of inking rollers defining at least two ink supply paths for supplying ink to said plate-inking rollers at at least two locations of said plate-inking rollers;   said inking rollers and said plate-inking rollers forming and substantially enclosing a space therebetween;     a device to extract air being disposed to extract air from said substantially enclosed space;   a temperature sensor being disposed to measure a temperature of the extracted air;   an apparatus to regulate a temperature of at least one of: the inking unit, and   the wetting agent; and     a control device connected to receive said measured temperature from said temperature sensor and connected to operate said temperature regulating apparatus based on said measured temperature of said extracted air. .Iaddend..Iadd.29. The printing press according to claim 28, wherein said device to extract air comprises a tubular member extending into said substantially enclosed space, said tubular member having at least one opening disposed to extract air from said substantially enclosed space into said tubular member. .Iaddend..Iadd.30. The printing press according to claim 29, wherein:   said printing press comprises first and second side frames disposed spaced apart from one another and supporting said inking rollers, said plate-inking rollers, and said plate cylinder therebetween;   said printing press has a central portion disposed substantially centrally between said first and second side frames;   said tubular member extends between and is supported by said first and second side frames; and   said at least one opening of said tubular member is disposed in substantially said central portion of said printing press. .Iaddend..Iadd.31. The printing press according to claim 29, wherein said temperature sensor is disposed within said tubular member in a position within said tubular member such that the extracted air passes over said temperature sensor. .Iaddend..Iadd.32. The printing press according to claim 30, wherein said temperature sensor is disposed within said tubular member in a position within said tubular member such that the extracted air passes over said temperature sensor. .Iaddend..Iadd.33. The printing press according to claim 32, wherein:   said substantially enclosed space is peripherally bordered by adjacent ones of said inking rollers and said plate-inking rollers; and   said control device further comprises an arrangement to compare said measured temperature with a predetermined temperature value and to operate said temperature regulating apparatus when said measured temperature differs from said predetermined temperature. .Iaddend..Iadd.34. The printing press according to claim 33, wherein:   said at least two ink supply paths comprise two ink supply paths, and said at least two locations comprise two locations spaced apart from one another along a circumference of said plate cylinder;   said plurality of plate-inking rollers comprise four plate-inking rollers, said four plate-inking rollers comprising two pairs of plate-inking rollers, with one of said two pairs of plate-inking rollers being disposed at each of said two locations;   a first pair of said plate-inking rollers is disposed adjacent a first inking roller, and a second pair of said plate-inking rollers is disposed adjacent a second inking roller;   each roller of said first pair of said plate-inking rollers is disposed in rolling contact with said first inking roller, and each roller of said second pair of said plate-inking rollers is disposed in rolling contact with said second inking roller;   said plurality of inking rollers comprises a first set of inking rollers disposed between said first inking roller and said second inking roller, and a second set of inking rollers disposed between said ink reservoir and said first set of inking rollers;   said damping unit comprises at least a first damping roller disposed in rolling engagement with said plate cylinder, a second damping roller disposed in said wetting agent reservoir, and at least one intermediary roller disposed to transfer the wetting agent from said second damping roller to said at least a first damping roller; and   said temperature regulating apparatus comprises an arrangement to cool said inking unit and an arrangement to cool the wetting agent.   
     
     
        .Iaddend..Iadd.  .  A method for monitoring and controlling temperature in an inking unit of a printing press, the printing press including: a plate cylinder; a damping unit to apply a wetting agent to at least the plate cylinder, the damping unit comprising a reservoir for storing the wetting agent; an inking unit to apply ink to the plate cylinder, said inking unit having an ink reservoir for storing the ink, and said inking unit comprising: a plurality of plate-inking rollers disposed in contact with the plate cylinder to apply ink to the plate cylinder; a plurality of inking rollers disposed between the ink reservoir and the plate-inking rollers to transfer ink from the ink reservoir to the plate-inking rollers; said plurality of inking rollers defining at least two ink supply paths for supplying ink to said plate-inking rollers at at least two locations of said plate inking rollers; said inking rollers and said plate-inking rollers forming and substantially enclosing a space therebetween; a device to extract air being disposed to extract air from said substantially enclosed space; a temperature sensor being disposed to measure a temperature of the extracted air; an apparatus to regulate a temperature of at least one of: the inking unit, and the wetting agent; and a control device connected to receive said measured temperature from said temperature sensor and connected to operate said temperature regulating apparatus based on said measured temperature of said extracted air; said method comprising the steps of: transferring ink within said inking unit from said ink reservoir to said plate-inking rollers, said inking unit having a temperature;   transferring wetting agent from said wetting agent reservoir to at least the plate cylinder, the wetting agent having a temperature;   extracting air from said substantially enclosed space;   measuring a temperature of said extracted air with said temperature sensor; and   regulating at least one of: the temperature of said inking unit, and   the temperature of said wetting agent to bring said measured temperature     
     
     
        into correspondence with a predetermined temperature. .Iaddend..Iadd.36. The method according to claim 35, wherein said device to extract air comprises a tubular member extending into said substantially enclosed space, said tubular member having at least one opening disposed to extract air from said substantially enclosed space, and said method further comprises: extracting air through said at least one opening of said tubular member into and through said tubular member. .Iaddend..Iadd.37. The method according to claim 36, wherein said temperature sensor is disposed within said tubular member in a position within said tubular member such that the extracted air passes over the temperature sensor, and said method further comprises:   passing said extracted air through said tubular member over said temperature sensor within said tubular member. .Iaddend..Iadd.38. The method according to claim 37, wherein said printing press comprises first and second side frames disposed spaced apart from one another and supporting said inking rollers, said plate-inking rollers, and said plate cylinder therebetween; said printing press has a central portion disposed substantially centrally between said first and second side frames; said tubular member extends between and is supported by said first and second side frames; said at least one opening of said tubular member is disposed in substantially said central portion of said printing press, and said method further comprises:   extracting air from said substantially enclosed space through at least said at least one central opening of said tubular member. .Iaddend..Iadd.39. The method according to claim 38, wherein said substantially enclosed space is peripherally bordered by adjacent ones of said inking rollers and said plate-inking rollers; said control device further comprises an arrangement to compare said measured temperature with a predetermined temperature value and to operate said temperature regulating apparatus when said measured temperature differs from said predetermined temperature; and said method further comprises:   comparing said measured temperature of the extracted air with the predetermined temperature value; and   operating said temperature regulating apparatus to regulate said at least one of: the temperature of the inking unit, and   the temperature of the wetting agent when said measured temperature differs     
     
     
        from said predetermined temperature. .Iaddend..Iadd.40.  The method according to claim 39, wherein: said at least two ink supply paths comprise two ink supply paths, and said at least two locations comprise two locations spaced apart from one another along a circumference of the plate cylinder;   said plurality of plate-inking rollers comprise four plate-inking rollers, said four plate-inking rollers comprising two pairs of plate-inking rollers, with one of said two pairs of plate-inking rollers being disposed at each of said two locations;   a first pair of said plate-inking rollers is disposed adjacent a first inking roller, and a second pair of said plate-inking rollers is disposed adjacent a second inking roller;   each roller of said first pair of said plate-inking rollers is disposed in rolling contact with said first inking roller, and each roller of said second pair of said plate-inking rollers is disposed in rolling contact with said second inking roller;   said plurality of inking rollers comprise a first set of inking rollers disposed between said first inking roller and said second inking roller, and a second set of inking rollers disposed between the ink reservoir and said first set of inking rollers;   said damping unit comprises at least a first damping roller disposed in rolling engagement with said plate cylinder, a second damping roller disposed in said wetting agent reservoir, and at least one intermediary roller disposed to transfer the wetting agent from the second damping roller to the first damping roller;   said temperature regulating apparatus comprises an arrangement to cool said inking unit, and an arrangement to cool the wetting agent; and   said method further comprises: transferring ink from said ink reservoir, along said first set of inking rollers and to said second set of inking rollers;   transferring ink along said second set of inking rollers to each of said first and second inking rollers;   transferring ink from said first and second inking rollers to said first and second pairs of plate-inking rollers;   cooling the ink in said inking unit at at least one of: in said ink reservoir; and   during said ink transferring; and     cooling the wetting agent in said wetting agent reservoir. .Iaddend.