DE102016214908B4 - Machine arrangement for sequential processing of sheet-shaped substrates - Google Patents

Abstract

Machine arrangement for the sequential processing of sheet-shaped substrates, with a plurality of different processing stations, wherein at least one of the processing stations has a non-impact printing device (06; 37) which prints on the substrates, wherein the processing station having the non-impact printing device (06; 37) in question has a printing cylinder (22; 38), wherein the respective non-impact printing device (06; 37) is arranged on the circumference of the printing cylinder (22; 38), wherein a transfer drum (43) or a feed cylinder (43) is arranged immediately upstream of the respective printing cylinder (22; 38), wherein the respective printing cylinder (22; 38) is designed as a suction cylinder, wherein the respective printing cylinder (22; 38) has a plurality of fields (51; 52; 53; 54), each for holding a substrate, wherein in each of the fields (51; 52; 53; 54) a plurality of channels (56) each extending from the interior of the respective printing cylinder (22; 38) to its outer surface, in which channels a negative pressure is generated or at least can be generated by a suction device in comparison to the ambient air pressure, wherein these channels (56) are arranged on the outer surface of this printing cylinder (22; 38) form a suction hole field in the respective field (51; 52; 53; 54), wherein a size of the respective suction hole field is set or at least adjustable depending on the format of the substrate to be held, characterized in that at least or only at the end of each field (51; 52; 53; 54) leading in the direction of rotation of the respective printing cylinder (22; 38) a toothing (57) is provided, wherein at this end of each field (51; 52; 53; 54) a row of suction cups (58) extending in the axial direction of the respective printing cylinder (22; 38) is provided, wherein the suction cups (58) are each arranged in the region of the teeth of the toothing (57), wherein the suction cups arranged at the end of each field (51; 52; 53; 54) leading in the direction of rotation of the respective printing cylinder (22; 38) (58) are each subjected to suction air immediately in front of a tangent point of this printing cylinder (22; 38) formed by the upstream transfer drum (43) or the upstream feed cylinder (43).

Description

The invention relates to a machine arrangement for the sequential processing of sheet-shaped substrates according to the preamble of claim 1.

Through the WO 2004/013704 A1 A digital printing machine for direct, contactless sheet-fed printing is known, having a digital printing unit that is format-free in the circumferential direction, with a transport device downstream of the digital printing unit, wherein the transport device has grippers that hold sheets on its circumference, wherein the transport device preferably has a plurality of transport cylinders and/or transport belts and/or counter-pressure cylinders.

Through the JP 2015 63 398 A An inkjet recording device with a transport cylinder designed as a suction drum is known, wherein the suction drum has format-dependent adjustable suction fields each for holding a sheet of paper.

Through the US 2009/0284561 A1 a machine arrangement for the sequential processing of sheet-shaped substrates is known, wherein the respective machine arrangement has a plurality of different processing stations, wherein at least one of the processing stations has a non-impact printing device which prints the substrates, wherein the respective processing station having the non-impact printing device has a printing cylinder, wherein the respective non-impact printing device is arranged on the circumference of the printing cylinder, wherein a feed cylinder is arranged directly in front of the respective printing cylinder, wherein the feed cylinder is positioned or at least can be positioned in contact with the outer surface of the respective printing cylinder.

Through the EP 2 540 513 A1 a machine arrangement for the sequential processing of several sheet-shaped substrates, each having a front side and a back side, is known, comprising a first printing cylinder and a second printing cylinder, wherein at least one first non-impact printing device printing the front side of the substrate in question is arranged on the circumference of the first printing cylinder and, in the direction of rotation of the first printing cylinder, after the first non-impact printing device, a dryer drying the front side of the substrate in question printed by the first non-impact printing device is arranged, wherein at least one second non-impact printing device printing the back side of the substrate in question is arranged on the circumference of the second printing cylinder and, in the direction of rotation of the second printing cylinder, after the second non-impact printing device, a dryer drying the back side of the substrate in question printed by the second non-impact printing device is arranged, wherein the first printing cylinder and the second printing cylinder are arranged to form a common roller gap, wherein the first printing cylinder transfers the front-printed and dried substrate in question directly to the second printing cylinder in this common roller gap.

Through the DE 103 12 870 A1 A digital printing machine for sheet-fed printing is known, with a digital printing unit that is format-free in the circumferential direction, an intermediate cylinder downstream of the digital printing unit, which is at least partially covered with an elastic material, and an impression cylinder downstream of the intermediate cylinder, wherein the impression cylinder has grippers that hold sheets and the intermediate cylinder has recesses on its circumference that receive the grippers.

Through the EN 10 2014 010 904 B3 A device for printing on both sides of sheet-shaped printing materials is known, wherein the printing material is guided on an impression cylinder by more than 360°, wherein the printing material with the reverse side again enters the effective area of an ink application unit, by which the printing material has already been printed on the front side on an upstream impression cylinder, wherein the ink application unit can preferably be pivoted between two downstream impression cylinders, wherein the pivotable ink application unit is, for example, an inkjet print head.

Through the EN 10 2009 000 518 A1 A sheet-fed printing machine is known, with a feeder for feeding sheets to be printed into the sheet-fed printing machine, with at least one printing unit and/or varnishing unit for printing the sheets with a static print image that is identical for all sheets, with a delivery unit for discharging printed sheets from the sheet-fed printing machine, and with at least one formless printing device integrated into the sheet-fed printing machine for printing the sheets with a particularly dynamic, variable print image, wherein the or each formless printing device is integrated in the sheet-fed printing machine so that it can be controlled depending on process parameters or operating parameters or order parameters or quality parameters.

The invention is based on the object of providing a machine arrangement for sequential bearing processing of several arc-shaped substrates.

The object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claim 1. The respective dependent claims show advantageous embodiments and/or further developments of the solution found.

The advantages that can be achieved with the invention are apparent from the following explanations.

Furthermore, the solution described can be used in a hybrid machine arrangement that processes sheet-shaped substrates, preferably in a hybrid printing machine that uses the high productivity of a conventional printing device, e.g. printing in an offset printing process or in a flexographic printing process or in a screen printing process, or a coating device, in particular a varnishing unit, in combination with at least one non-impact printing device that flexibly prints variable print images, e.g. designed as an inkjet printer, whereby both the conventional printing device or the coating device and the non-impact printing device are used inline in an ongoing production at the optimal working speed for them. Such a hybrid machine arrangement is particularly advantageous for the production of packaging materials, e.g. sheets for the manufacture of folding boxes, because the strengths of each of the printing devices are used, which leads to flexible and economical production of the packaging materials. Transporting sheet-shaped substrates by means of rotating bodies, in particular cylinders and gripper bars or gripper carriages, each with a transfer of the sheet-shaped substrates in the gripper closure to a subsequent processing station, as is known from sheet-fed offset printing machines, ensures the highest possible register accuracy.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are described in more detail below.

• 1 ein Blockschaltbild zur Darstellung von verschiedenen Produktionslinien;
• 2 eine erste Maschinenanordnung mit mehreren verschiedenen Bearbeitungsstationen;
• 3 bis 8 weitere Maschinenanordnungen jeweils mit mehreren verschiedenen Bearbeitungsstationen;
• 9 noch eine weitere Maschinenanordnung mit einer Wendeeinrichtung zum beidseitigen sequentiellen Bearbeiten mehrerer bogenförmiger Substrate;
• 10 eine Maschinenanordnung mit unterschiedlich langen Substratführungseinheiten;
• 11 bis 13 Maschinenanordnungen mit einem Druckzylinder und einer Transfertrommel verschiedenen Formats;
• 14 eine Detaildarstellung eines Druckzylinders und einer Transfertrommel;
• 15 einen Druckzylinder;
• 16 eine erste perspektivische Darstellung eines Ausschnitts aus dem Druckzylinder;
• 17 eine zweite perspektivische Darstellung eines Ausschnitts aus dem Druckzylinder;
• 18 den Druckzylinder im Zusammenwirken mit einer Transfertrommel.

Show it:

• 1 a block diagram showing different production lines;
• 2 a first machine arrangement with several different processing stations;
• 3 to 8 further machine arrangements each with several different processing stations;
• 9 yet another machine arrangement with a turning device for the double-sided sequential processing of several sheet-shaped substrates;
• 10 a machine arrangement with substrate guide units of different lengths;
• 11 to 13 Machine arrangements with a printing cylinder and a transfer drum of different formats;
• 14 a detailed view of a printing cylinder and a transfer drum;
• 15 a printing cylinder;
• 16 a first perspective view of a section of the printing cylinder;
• 17 a second perspective view of a section of the printing cylinder;
• 18 the printing cylinder in conjunction with a transfer drum.

1 illustrates in a block diagram various production lines, each of which can be implemented with a machine arrangement with several, in particular different, processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 for processing at least one sheet-shaped substrate, in particular a printing material, preferably a particularly rectangular printing sheet, in short a sheet, wherein this at least one substrate is designed to be rigid or flexible depending on the material, material thickness and/or grammage. Each of these processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 is preferably designed as an independently functional module, for example, wherein a module is to be understood as a machine unit or functional assembly that is usually manufactured independently or at least mounted in its own frame. The modules arranged in a row in the machine arrangement divide this machine arrangement into individual units, with neighboring modules essentially having a vertical joining surface at their joining point. Each of the processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 arranged in the respective machine arrangement is therefore preferably manufactured independently and in a preferred embodiment can be individually tested for its respective function. The machine arrangement in question, which is formed depending on a specific production by a selection and combination of at least three different processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12, each processing sheets and working together in the specific production, embodies a specific production line. Each of the production lines shown, each formed by a specific machine arrangement with several processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12, is each designed in particular to produce a packaging material made from the printing material, preferably from the printed sheet. The packaging materials to be produced are, for example, a folding box, each of which is made from printed sheets. The various production lines are therefore designed in particular to produce different packaging materials. The processing of the printing material required during a specific production takes place inline, i.e. the processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 involved in the specific production are controlled as the printing material passes through the respective processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 machine arrangement is used in an orderly sequence one after the other and in a coordinated manner, without intermediate storage being provided for the printing material, ie the processed sheets, during production carried out with the respective machine arrangement.

All in the 1 The production lines shown have in common that they each interact with a processing station 06 which has at least one non-impact printing device 06, preferably several, e.g. four, five, six or seven, in particular individually controlled non-impact printing devices 06, wherein these non-impact printing devices 06 are preferably arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T of the printing material and are designed in such a way that they can each print the printing material at least almost in its entire width, directed transversely to the transport direction T. A non-impact printing device 06 uses a printing process without a fixed printing form and can in principle print the printing material from print to print, e.g. the sheet currently fed to this printing device 06, with a print image that is different from the previous print image. The respective non-impact printing device 06 is each implemented in particular by at least one inkjet printer or by at least one laser printer. Inkjet printers are matrix printers in which a print image is created by the targeted firing or deflection of small ink droplets, whereby the inkjet printer is designed either as a device with a continuous ink jet (Continuous Ink Jet = CIJ) or as a device that fires individual ink drops (Drop On Demand = DOD). Laser printers create the respective print image using an electrophotography process. The non-impact printing device 06 is also referred to as a digital printing machine, for example.

In the following it is assumed by way of example that in the respective machine arrangement with several processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 the printing material used is a sequence of, in particular, rigid sheets, e.g. made of paper, of single-layer or multi-layer cardboard or of cardboard, in particular to form a packaging material. The printing materials paper, cardboard and paperboard differ in their respective basis weight, i.e. the weight in grams for one square meter of this printing material. In general, the aforementioned printing material with a basis weight between 7 g/m ² and 150 g/m ² is considered paper, between 150 g/m ² and 600 g/m ² is considered cardboard, and with more than 600 g/m ² is considered paper. To produce folding boxes, cardboard in particular is used which has good printability and is suitable for subsequent finishing or processing, such as lamination. B. are suitable for varnishing and punching. These cartons are, for example, wood-free, slightly woody, woody or recycled paper-containing in terms of their fiber content. Multi-layered cartons have a top layer, an insert and a backing on the reverse. In terms of their surface quality, cartons are, for example, uncoated, pigmented, coated or cast-coated. A sheet format is, for example, in the range of 340 mm x 480 mm and 740 mm x 1060 mm, with the first number in the format information usually indicating a length in the transport direction T of the sheet and the second number indicating a width of the sheet orthogonal to the transport direction T.

In the block diagram of the 1 each production line that can be represented with several of the processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 runs essentially from right to left, whereby each of the directional arrows connecting two processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 with each other indicates a transport path that the printing material has to traverse and the associated transport direction T in order to get from one processing station 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 to the next processing station 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 selected in the machine arrangement determined for the respective production. Each production begins with sheets provided in the processing station 01, whereby the processing station 01 is designed as a feeder 01, e.g. as a sheet feeder 01 or as a magazine feeder 01. A sheet feeder 01 usually receives a stack of sheets, e.g. stacked on a pallet, whereas a magazine feeder 01 has several compartments, into each of which sheets, in particular stacks of e.g. different types of sheets or sheets of different formats, are inserted or at least can be inserted. The feeder 01 separates the stacked sheets, e.g. by means of a suction head 41, and feeds them in a sequence of n the separated sheets or in an imbricated stream to the next processing station 02; 03; 04; 06 in the specific production. The next processing station 02; 03; 04 is designed, for example, as a primer application device 02 or as a cold foil application device 03 or as an offset printing device 04 or as a flexo printing device 04. The next processing station 06 can also be, for example, the at least one non-impact printing device 06. The offset printing device 04 is preferably designed as a sheet-fed offset printing machine, in particular as a sheet-fed printing machine with several printing units 86 in a row design. The offset printing device 04 provides the sheets with at least one static print image, ie one that does not change during the printing process due to its connection to the printing form used, whereas the non-impact printing device 06 provides the sheets with at least one changing or at least changeable print image.

If the processing station 03 closest to the feeder 01 is the cold foil application device 03, the sheet is then usually transported from there to the processing station 04 designed as an offset printing device 04. In the cold foil application device 03, a metallized lacquer layer detached from a carrier film is transferred to the printing material. By overprinting this lacquer layer, e.g. with an offset printing device 04, a wide variety of metallic effects can be achieved. The cold foil application device 03 is advantageously designed to be integrated, e.g. in the offset printing device 04, by providing two additional printing units 87; 88 in the offset printing device 04. In the first printing unit 87 in the transport direction T of the printing material, a special adhesive is applied to the printing material, i.e. the respective sheet, using a standard printing form. A second printing unit 88 in the transport direction T of the printing material is equipped with a film transfer device containing the lacquer layer to be transferred. The film carrying the varnish layer is guided from an unwinding station into a printing gap between a transfer cylinder and a printing cylinder that interacts with this transfer cylinder and is brought into contact with the printing material. The varnish layer is colored by an aluminum layer and a protective varnish layer, the coloring of which influences the color impression. The transfer layers adhere to the substrate through adhesion of an adhesive layer with the printed adhesive layer. The carrier film is then rewound. After the cold foil transfer, overprinting with conventional printing inks as well as UV and hybrid inks is possible inline, particularly in the offset printing device 04, in order to produce different metallic colors.

A printing material that is, for example, particularly absorbent and/or to be prepared for printing with a non-impact printing device 06 is fed from the feeder 01 to the next processing station 02, which is, for example, designed as a primer application device 02, in order to coat, in particular to seal, at least one surface of this printing material with, for example, a water-based primer before printing or varnishing. Priming represents a base coat or initial coating of the printing material in order to improve or enable adhesion of a printing color or ink that is then applied to the printing material. The primer application device 02 is designed, for example, in conjunction with a printing unit 86 of a rotary printing press and has, for example, B. a printing unit cylinder 82 cooperating with a contact pressure cylinder 119 with an application roller 83 preferably in the form of an anilox roller 83 which is positioned or at least positionable on this printing unit cylinder 82, and at least one doctor blade 84 extending in the axial direction of the application roller 83, in particular a chamber doctor blade system 84 ( 3 to 5, 8, 9 ). The primer is applied to the substrate by means of the primer application device 02 either over the entire surface or only at certain, ie previously determined, locations, ie partially. The substrate processed in the primer application device 02, e.g. sheets, is fed to the next processing station, e.g. an offset printing device 04 and/or e.g. a non-impact printing device 06.

Flexographic printing carried out by a processing station 04, for example in the form of a flexographic printing device 04, is a direct letterpress process in which the raised areas of the printing form bear the image. This process is often used to print on packaging made of paper, cardboard or paperboard, metallized film or plastic such as PE, PET, PVC, PS, PP, PC. Flexographic printing uses low-viscosity printing inks and flexible printing plates made of photopolymer or rubber. A flexographic printing device 04 generally comprises a) an anilox roller, which is used to ink the printing form, b) a printing cylinder, also called a forme cylinder, to which the printing form is attached, and c) an impression cylinder, which guides the printing material.

The processing station 04, which is designed as a flexographic printing device 04 or as an offset printing device 04 and prints the sheets with at least one static print image, preferably has several, e.g. at least four, printing units 86, wherein each printing unit 86 preferably prints a different printing color, so that the printing material when passing through the flexographic printing device 04 or the offset printing device device 04 is printed in multiple colors, e.g. in a four-color print. The colors yellow, magenta, cyan and black are used as printing colors in particular. In an alternative embodiment of the printing device 04 to the flexographic printing process or offset printing process, the processing station 04 which prints the sheets with at least one static print image is designed as a printing device 04 which prints using a screen printing process.

After processing the printing material in the at least one non-impact printing device 06, this printing material is fed, for example, to a processing station 07 designed as an intermediate dryer 07, this intermediate dryer 07 being designed to dry the printing material in question, for example by irradiating it with infrared or ultraviolet radiation, the type of radiation being dependent in particular on whether the printing ink or ink applied to the printing material is water-based or UV-curing. After intermediate drying, the printing material is fed, for example, to a processing station 08 designed as a coating device 08. The coating device 08 applies, for example, a dispersion varnish to the printing material, dispersion varnishes essentially consisting of water and binding agents (resins), with surfactants stabilizing these dispersions. A coating device 08 which applies a dispersion varnish to the printing material consists either of an anilox roller, a chambered doctor blade and an application roller (comparable to a flexographic printing unit) or of a dipping and application roller. For example, surface and/or partial varnishes are applied using a printing form, preferably based on photopolymerization. Special varnish plates made of rubber can also be used for full-surface varnishing. In the transport path of the printing material, after the coating device 08, there is a processing station 09 designed as a dryer 09, for example, with this dryer 09 being designed to dry the printing material in question by irradiating it with infrared radiation or with hot air. If the machine arrangement in question has several dryers 07; 09 along the transport path of the printing material, the dryer with the reference number 09 is preferably the last of these several dryers 07; 09, whereby the intermediate dryer(s) 07 and the (final) dryer 09 are structurally identical or can be designed differently. If a printing material that dries using ultraviolet radiation is fed to the dryer 09, i.e. a printing material onto which a printing ink or ink that hardens using UV radiation or a varnish that hardens using UV radiation, e.g. a gloss varnish, is applied, this dryer 09 is equipped with a radiation source that generates ultraviolet radiation. With dispersion varnishes, more intense gloss and matt effects can be achieved compared to classic oil-based printing varnish. Special optical effects can be achieved using effect pigments in the varnish. The primer application device 02, the cold foil application device 03 and the varnishing device 08 can be summarized under the term coating device 02; 03; 08.

After drying, the printing material is fed to a processing station 11, for example, which carries out mechanical processing on the printing material, for example by punching, grooving and/or separating parts, in particular breaking blanks out of their respective composite in the preferably printed sheet. Each of the aforementioned further processing is carried out in or by a processing unit 46. The mechanical further processing is preferably carried out in conjunction with a cylinder transporting the respective sheet. Afterwards, or directly from the dryer 09, the printing material is fed to a delivery 12, which in each of the 1 The last processing station 12 forms one of the production lines shown, each embodied by a specific arrangement of processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12. In the delivery 12, the previously processed sheets are preferably stacked, e.g. on a pallet.

As in the 2 to 8 As shown, the previously mentioned sequence of the processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 arranged in the respective machine arrangement is only an example and can be modified depending on the printed product to be produced.

1. 1. Bogenanleger 01; Primerauftrageinrichtung 02; Non-Impact-Druckeinrichtung 06; Zwischentrockner 07 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle für Dispersionslack; Lackiereinrichtung 08; Trockner 09 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle oder Heißluft; Auslage 12
2. 2. Bogenanleger 01; Primerauftrageinrichtung 02; Non-Impact-Druckeinrichtung 06; Trockner 09 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle oder Heißluft; Auslage 12
3. 3. Bogenanleger 01; Primerauftrageinrichtung 02; Non-Impact-Druckeinrichtung 06; Zwischentrockner 07 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle; Lackiereinrichtung 08 für Dispersionslack und UV-härtendem Lack; Trockner 09 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle oder Heißluft und mit UV-Strahlungsquelle; Auslage 12
4. 4. Bogenanleger 01; Kaltfolienauftrageinrichtung 03; Offset-Druckeinrichtung 04; Non-Impact-Druckeinrichtung 06; Trockner 09 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle oder Heißluft; Auslage 12
5. 5. Bogenanleger 01; Primerauftrageinrichtung 02; Non-Impact-Druckeinrichtung 06; Zwischentrockner 07 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle für Dispersionslack; Lackiereinrichtung 08; Trockner 09 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle oder Heißluft; mechanische Weiterverarbeitungseinrichtung 11; Auslage 12
6. 6. Bogenanleger 01; Offset-Druckeinrichtung 04; Non-Impact-Druckeinrichtung 06; Zwischentrockner 07 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle; mechanische Weiterverarbeitungseinrichtung 11; Auslage 12
7. 7. Bogenanleger 01; Non-Impact-Druckeinrichtung 06; Trockner 09 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle oder Heißluft; Auslage 12
8. 8. Bogenanleger 01; Non-Impact-Druckeinrichtung 06; Zwischentrockner 07 mit UV-Strahlungsquelle; Trockner 09 mit UV-Strahlungsquelle; Auslage 12
9. 9. Bogenanleger 01; Non-Impact-Druckeinrichtung 06; Zwischentrockner 07 mit UV-Strahlungsquelle; Trockner 09 mit UV-Strahlungsquelle; mechanische Weiterverarbeitungseinrichtung 11; Auslage 12
10. 10. Bogenanleger 01; Non-Impact-Druckeinrichtung 06; Zwischentrockner 07 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle; Offset-Druckeinrichtung 04; Lackiereinrichtung 08; Trockner 09 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle oder Heißluft; Auslage 12
11. 11. Magazinanleger 01; Primerauftrageinrichtung 02; Non-Impact-Druckeinrichtung 06; Zwischentrockner 07 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle; Lackiereinrichtung 08; Trockner 09 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle oder Heißluft; Auslage 12
12. 12. Magazinanleger 01; Primerauftrageinrichtung 02; Non-Impact-Druckeinrichtung 06; Zwischentrockner 07 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle; Trockner 09 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle oder Heißluft; mechanische Weiterverarbeitungseinrichtung 11; Auslage 12
13. 13. Magazinanleger 01; Non-Impact-Druckeinrichtung 06; Zwischentrockner 07 mit UV-Strahlungsquelle; Lackiereinrichtung 08; Trockner 09 mit UV-Strahlungsquelle; Auslage 12

In the 1 Production lines shown as examples, used in particular for the production of packaging materials, each have a machine arrangement with a selection from the set of the previously mentioned processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12. For example, the following production lines are formed or at least can be formed:

1. 1. Sheet feeder 01; primer application device 02; non-impact printing device 06; intermediate dryer 07 with IR radiation source for dispersion varnish; varnishing device 08; dryer 09 with IR radiation source or hot air; delivery 12
2. 2. Sheet feeder 01; primer application device 02; non-impact printing device 06; dryer 09 with IR radiation source or hot air; delivery 12
3. 3. Sheet feeder 01; primer application device 02; non-impact printing device 06; intermediate dryer 07 with IR radiation source; varnishing device 08 for dispersion varnish and UV-curing varnish; dryer 09 with IR radiation source or hot air and with UV radiation source; display 12
4. 4. Sheet feeder 01; cold foil application device 03; offset printing device 04; non-impact printing device 06; dryer 09 with IR radiation source or hot air; delivery 12
5. 5. Sheet feeder 01; primer application device 02; non-impact printing device 06; intermediate dryer 07 with IR radiation source for dispersion varnish; varnishing device 08; dryer 09 with IR radiation source or hot air; mechanical further processing device 11; delivery 12
6. 6. Sheet feeder 01; offset printing device 04; non-impact printing device 06; intermediate dryer 07 with IR radiation source; mechanical processing device 11; delivery 12
7. 7. Sheet feeder 01; non-impact printing device 06; dryer 09 with IR radiation source or hot air; delivery 12
8. 8. Sheet feeder 01; Non-impact printing device 06; Intermediate dryer 07 with UV radiation source; Dryer 09 with UV radiation source; Delivery 12
9. 9. Sheet feeder 01; non-impact printing device 06; intermediate dryer 07 with UV radiation source; dryer 09 with UV radiation source; mechanical finishing device 11; delivery 12
10. 10. Sheet feeder 01; non-impact printing device 06; intermediate dryer 07 with IR radiation source; offset printing device 04; coating device 08; dryer 09 with IR radiation source or hot air; delivery 12
11. 11. Magazine feeder 01; primer application device 02; non-impact printing device 06; intermediate dryer 07 with IR radiation source; coating device 08; dryer 09 with IR radiation source or hot air; delivery 12
12. 12. Magazine feeder 01; primer application device 02; non-impact printing device 06; intermediate dryer 07 with IR radiation source; dryer 09 with IR radiation source or hot air; mechanical processing device 11; delivery 12
13. 13. Magazine feeder 01; non-impact printing device 06; intermediate dryer 07 with UV radiation source; coating device 08; dryer 09 with UV radiation source; delivery 12

In this case, at least one of the processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 that interact with the at least one non-impact printing device 06 is selected to participate in the processing of the sheets depending on whether the printing ink to be applied to the respective sheet, in particular with the non-impact printing device 06, is designed as a water-based printing ink or as a printing ink that hardens with ultraviolet radiation. The respective machine arrangement is thus designed to print the sheets with a water-based printing ink or with a printing ink that hardens with ultraviolet radiation.

An advantageous machine arrangement mentioned here as an example has several processing stations for processing sheets, wherein in the transport direction T of the sheet there are several processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 are arranged one after the other for inline processing of these sheets, wherein at least one of these processing stations 06 is designed as a non-impact printing device 06, wherein a first processing station 01 arranged upstream of the non-impact printing device 06 in the transport direction T of the sheets is designed as a sheet feeder 01 or as a magazine feeder 01, wherein a processing station 08 arranged between the first processing station 01 and the non-impact printing device 06 is designed as a first coating device 08 which applies a varnish to the sheets, wherein a first dryer 07 is arranged between the first coating device 08 and the non-impact printing device 06, wherein a first transport cylinder arrangement 17 is arranged to transport the sheets from the first dryer 07 to the non-impact printing device 06, wherein a second dryer 07 is arranged downstream of the non-impact printing device 06 in the transport direction T of the sheets, wherein a device for transferring the from the non-impact printing device 06 to a second coating device 08 is provided, wherein the second coating device 08 is followed by a third dryer 09, wherein in the transport direction T of the sheets a delivery 12 for the sheets is arranged after the third dryer 09. In this case, a mechanical further processing device 11 can also be arranged between the third dryer 09 and the delivery 12. Furthermore, in the transport direction T of the sheets, a coating device 03 applying a cold foil is arranged before the non-impact printing device 06, for example. The non-impact printing device 06 preferably has several individually controlled inkjet printers along the transport path of the sheets. In the area of action of the non-impact printing device 06, the sheets are preferably guided so that they lie flat on a transport device, wherein the transport device at least at least in the effective area of the non-impact printing device 06 for each sheet, the transport device being designed as a printing cylinder 22 in the effective area of the non-impact printing device 06. In the transport direction T of the sheets, a transfer device is arranged in front of the non-impact printing device 06, for example, the transfer device aligns the sheets, for example at least in their axial register and/or circumferential register, in register relative to the printing position of the non-impact printing device 06, the transfer device having, for example, a suction drum that holds the respective sheet by means of suction air. This machine arrangement is designed to print the sheets in particular with a water-based printing ink or with a printing ink that hardens using ultraviolet radiation. This machine arrangement is designed to produce different packaging materials. The device for transferring the sheets coming from the non-impact printing device 06 to the second coating device 08 is e.g. B. designed as a second transport cylinder arrangement 19.

2 shows, by way of example, a machine arrangement with a plurality of processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 according to the aforementioned production line no. 6. Sheets are picked up individually from a stack in a sheet feeder 01, e.g. with a suction head 41, and transferred one after the other at a rate of e.g. 10,000 pieces per hour to an offset printing device 04 with, for example, four printing units 86 arranged in a row. For transferring the sheets from one of the printing units 86 arranged in a row to the next, a rotating body, in particular a cylinder, preferably a transfer drum 43, is provided, which is arranged between two immediately adjacent printing units 86. The offset printing device 04 takes over the sheets fed to it from the sheet feeder 01, e.g. with an oscillating gripper 13, and guides the sheets to, for example, a B. single-sized, i.e. only transporting a single substrate on its circumference, the sheets are then guided in the offset printing device 04 in a gripper lock from one printing unit 86 to the next. In the offset printing device 04, the sheets are printed on at least one side. If there is a turning device 23 arranged between the printing devices 04, the sheets in the offset printing device 04 can also be printed on both sides, i.e. in front and back printing. After passing through the processing station 04, designed here e.g. as an offset printing device 04, the respective sheet, which is preferably printed in four colors, is transferred to a non-impact printing device 06 by means of the first transport cylinder arrangement 17. The non-impact printing device 06 preferably has several, e.g. five, inkjet printers arranged linearly in a row, each of which is controlled individually. The sheets provided with at least one static print image in the offset printing device 04 and with at least one changing or at least variable print image in the non-impact printing device 06 are then dried in a dryer 07 or intermediate dryer 07, preferably with an IR radiation source. The sheets are then further processed in a mechanical further processing device 11, e.g. by punching and/or creasing and/or breaking blanks out of the respective sheet. Finally, the sheets and/or blanks removed from the sheets are collected, in particular stacked, in a delivery 12. In the area of action of the first gripper system 16 or the first chain conveyor 16, a delivery 12, in particular a multi-stack delivery, can be provided along the transport path provided for the sheets. Likewise, in the transport direction T of the sheets, a multi-stack delivery is arranged, e.g. after the mechanical further processing device 11.

The sheets picked up from a stack in the feeder 01, in particular in the sheet feeder 01, are transported individually at a distance from one another through the offset printing device 04 at a first transport speed. The sheets transferred from the offset printing device 04 to the non-impact printing device 06 are transported in this non-impact printing device 06 at a second transport speed, whereby the second transport speed applicable in the non-impact printing device 06 is generally lower than the first transport speed applicable in the offset printing device 04. In order to adapt the first transport speed applicable in the offset printing device 04 to the generally lower second transport speed applicable in the non-impact printing device 06, the sheet gap between directly consecutive sheets, i.e. the distance which, for example, is between the two sheets, is adjusted. B. due to a gripper channel width for the sheets transported through the offset printing device 04 in gripper closure, is preferably reduced when these sheets are transferred from the offset printing device 04 to the non-impact printing device 06, such a distance reduction in relation to their original distance being, for example, in the range between 1% and 98%. In this way, directly consecutive sheets are also transported at a distance from one another in the non-impact printing device 06, but with a generally smaller sheet gap or with a smaller distance than in the offset printing device 04 and consequently also with a smaller second transport speed. speed. This second transport speed is preferably maintained when sheets printed in the non-impact printing device 06 are first transported to an intermediate dryer 07 or dryer 09 and from there, for example by means of a feed table, to a mechanical further processing device 11 and then on to the delivery 12. However, the sheets can also be brought from their second transport speed to a third transport speed if, for example, the mechanical further processing device 11 requires this, with the third transport speed generally being higher than the second transport speed and, for example, again corresponding to the first transport speed applicable in particular in the offset printing device 04. Upstream of the mechanical further processing device 11, for example, the second transport cylinder arrangement 19 is provided, which picks up the sheets coming from the intermediate dryer 07 or dryer 09 and transports them to the mechanical further processing device 11. In the area of the mechanical, in-line, e.g. In a further processing device 11 having, for example, several processing units 46, a rotating body, in particular a cylinder, preferably a transfer drum 44, is provided for transferring the sheets from one of the processing units 46 arranged in a row to the next, which is arranged between two adjacent processing units 46. One of the processing units 46 is designed, for example, as a punching unit, another processing unit 46, for example, as a creasing unit. The processing unit 46 in question is designed to carry out the mechanical further processing of the sheets, preferably in cooperation with a cylinder that transports the respective sheet. After their mechanical further processing, the sheets and/or blanks separated from them are transported, for example by means of a chain conveyor 21, to the delivery 12 and collected there, preferably stacked.

The sheets are transported from the output of the offset printing device 04 at least to the output of the intermediate dryer 07 or dryer 09, preferably to the beginning of the mechanical further processing device 11, in each case by means of a multi-part transport device, i.e. consisting of several assemblies, in particular transport units, arranged one after the other in the transport direction T of the sheets, wherein the transport device has several transport cylinders. If required, an intermediate dryer 07 or a dryer 09 can also be arranged between the offset printing device 04 and the non-impact printing device 06.

The 2 it can also be seen that the respective axes of rotation of processing cylinders, such as the printing cylinder 22 or the respective cylinders of the primer application device 02, the painting device 08 or a dryer 07, and a transport cylinder arranged immediately downstream or immediately upstream of one of these processing cylinders in the transport direction T of the substrates, are arranged vertically offset. Thus, a straight line running through the axis of rotation of a processing cylinder and the axis of rotation of an immediately downstream transport cylinder or a transfer drum forms an acute angle α1 with a horizontal, and/or a straight line running through the axis of rotation of a processing cylinder and the axis of rotation of an immediately upstream transport cylinder or a transfer drum forms an acute angle α2 with a horizontal in the range between 15° and 30°, preferably between 20° and 25°, in particular 22.5°, wherein the horizontal runs, for example, through the axis of rotation of the transport cylinder in question or through the axis of rotation of the transfer drum in question. The angle α1 directed towards the downstream transport cylinder or the downstream transfer drum is, for example, in the range between one and two times the angle α2 directed towards the upstream transport cylinder, preferably between 1.3 times and 1.7 times, in particular it is 1.5 times the angle α2 directed towards the upstream transport cylinder.

In the 3 to 8 Further machine arrangements, each with a plurality of processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12, are shown schematically and by way of example, wherein the respective reference numerals designate the previously explained processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 and further of their respective units.

In the 3 a machine arrangement with the following processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T of the printing material is shown: sheet feeder 01; primer application device 02 or varnishing device 08; intermediate dryer 07; non-impact printing device 06; intermediate dryer 07; varnishing device 08; dryer 09; delivery 12.

In the 4 a machine arrangement with the following processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T of the printing material is shown: sheet feeder 01; primer application device 02; intermediate dryer 07; non-impact printing device 06; dryer 09; delivery 12.

In the 5 a machine arrangement with the following processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T of the printing material is shown: Sheet feeder 01; primer application device 02; intermediate dryer 07; non-impact printing device 06; intermediate dryer 07; coating device 08; intermediate dryer 07; coating device 08; dryer 09; delivery 12.

In the 6 a machine arrangement with the following processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T of the printing material is shown: sheet feeder 01; a first offset printing device 04; cold foil application device 03; four further offset printing devices 04 in a series design; intermediate dryer 07; non-impact printing device 06; intermediate dryer 07; non-impact printing device 06; dryer 09; delivery 12.

In the 7 is a machine arrangement shown offset due to its length with the following processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T of the printing material: sheet feeder 01; a first offset printing device 04; cold foil application device 03; four further offset printing devices 04 in series; intermediate dryer 07; non-impact printing device 06; intermediate dryer 07; varnishing device 08; dryer 09; two mechanical further processing devices 11 in series; delivery 12.

In the 8th a machine arrangement with the following processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T of the printing material is shown: magazine feeder 01; primer application device 02; intermediate dryer 07; non-impact printing device 06; intermediate dryer 07; varnishing device 08; dryer 09; delivery 12.

• Verfahren zum Betrieb einer mehrere Bogen einer Bearbeitungsstation 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 sequentiell zuführenden Transportvorrichtung, bei dem zum Bearbeiten durch dieselbe Bearbeitungsstation 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 Bogen unterschiedlicher sich jeweils in Transportrichtung T dieser Bogen erstreckender Länge verwendet werden, wobei die der Bearbeitungsstation 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 nacheinander zuzuführenden Bogen von der Transportvorrichtung jeweils in einem Abstand transportiert werden, wobei die Transportvorrichtung den zu transportierenden Bogen jeweils eine Transportgeschwindigkeit aufprägt, wobei der zwischen unmittelbar aufeinander folgenden Bogen bestehende Abstand für Bogen verschiedener sich jeweils in Transportrichtung T dieser Bogen erstreckender Länge durch eine Veränderung der von der Transportvorrichtung den betreffenden Bogen aufzuprägenden Transportgeschwindigkeit konstant gehalten wird, wobei die Transportgeschwindigkeit des in Transportrichtung T nachfolgenden Bogens im Verhältnis zu der Transportgeschwindigkeit des unmittelbar vorausgehenden Bogens verändert wird. Dabei werden die der betreffenden Bearbeitungsstation 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 nacheinander zuzuführenden Bogen zum Erreichen und/oder zum Beibehalten einer von der Bearbeitungsstation 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 zu erbringenden hohen Produktivität von der Transportvorrichtung jeweils vorzugsweise in einem minimalen, aber i. d. R. von Null verschiedenen Abstand transportiert. Der Abstand zwischen in Transportrichtung T aufeinanderfolgenden Bogen, d. h. zwischen der sich quer zur Transportrichtung T erstreckenden hinteren Kante des vorhergehenden Bogens und der sich quer zur Transportrichtung T erstreckenden Vorderkante des unmittelbar nachfolgenden Bogens, liegt z. B. im Bereich zwischen 0,5 mm und 50 mm, vorzugsweise bei weniger als 10 mm. Wenn ein Bogen kürzerer Länge in der betreffenden Bearbeitungsstation 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 nach einem Bogen größerer Länge zu bearbeiten ist, wird der Bogen kürzerer Länge von der Transportvorrichtung durch eine Erhöhung seiner Transportgeschwindigkeit beschleunigt. Umgekehrt wird ein Bogen größerer Länge von der Transportvorrichtung durch eine Verringerung seiner Transportgeschwindigkeit verlangsamt, wenn der Bogen größerer Länge in der betreffenden Bearbeitungsstation 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 nach einem Bogen kürzerer Länge zu bearbeiten ist. Als Bearbeitungsstation 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 wird vorzugsweise eine Non-Impact-Druckeinrichtung 06 verwendet, deren Produktivität i. d. R. dann am größten ist, wenn ihr die von ihr zu bedruckenden Bogen ungeachtet ihres jeweiligen Formats in einem konstanten minimalen Abstand aufeinanderfolgend zugeführt werden. Wenn in der betreffenden Maschinenanordnung der Non-Impact-Druckeinrichtung 06 eine z. B. als eine Offset-Druckeinrichtung 04 ausgebildete Bearbeitungsstation 04 vorgeordnet ist, werden in der Offset-Druckeinrichtung 04 bedruckte Bogen unabhängig von ihrem jeweiligen Format mit der einer Produktionsgeschwindigkeit dieser Offset-Druckeinrichtung 04 entsprechenden Transportgeschwindigkeit der Transportvorrichtung zugeführt, wobei diese diesen Bogen von der Offset-Druckeinrichtung 04 vorgegebene Transportgeschwindigkeit während ihres Transports mit der Transportvorrichtung an die einer Verarbeitungsgeschwindigkeit der Non-Impact-Druckeinrichtung 06 entsprechende Transportgeschwindigkeit anzupassen ist. Wenn diese Bogen ungeachtet ihres jeweiligen Formats zusätzlich noch jeweils in einem konstanten Abstand zueinander der Non-Impact-Druckeinrichtung 06 zugeführt werden sollen, werden Bogen größerer Länge weniger verlangsamt als kürzere Bogen, jedoch wird in jedem Fall eine Verringerung ihrer jeweiligen Transportgeschwindigkeit erforderlich sein, weil die Verarbeitungsgeschwindigkeit der Non-Impact-Druckeinrichtung 06 i. d. R. geringer ist als die Produktionsgeschwindigkeit der Offset-Druckeinrichtung 04.

As already mentioned, the previously described machine arrangements, each of which has several processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 for processing sheets and at least one transport device for transporting these sheets, are intended to process sheets of different formats, i.e. of different lengths and/or widths. The generally rectangular sheets therefore differ, for example, in their respective lengths, with this length extending in the transport direction T of these sheets. In order not to reduce the productivity of the respective machine arrangement with comparatively shorter sheets, i.e. with smaller format sheets compared to the larger format sheets otherwise processed in this machine arrangement, when using a processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12, which is designed in particular as a non-impact printing device 06, to which the sheets are fed sequentially, a method with the following method steps is proposed:

• Method for operating a transport device that sequentially feeds a plurality of sheets to a processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12, in which sheets of different lengths, each extending in the transport direction T of these sheets, are used for processing by the same processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12, wherein the processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 sheets to be fed one after the other are each transported by the transport device at a distance, wherein the transport device imposes a transport speed on the sheets to be transported, wherein the distance between immediately successive sheets for sheets of different lengths extending in the transport direction T of these sheets is kept constant by changing the transport speed imposed on the relevant sheet by the transport device, wherein the transport speed of the sheet following in the transport direction T is changed in relation to the transport speed of the sheet immediately preceding it. In this case, the sheets to be fed one after the other to the relevant processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 are each transported by the transport device preferably at a minimal distance, but usually different from zero, in order to achieve and/or maintain a high productivity to be achieved by the processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12. The distance between successive sheets in the transport direction T, i.e. between the rear edge of the preceding sheet extending transversely to the transport direction T and the front edge of the immediately following sheet extending transversely to the transport direction T, is, for example, in the range between 0.5 mm and 50 mm, preferably less than 10 mm. If a sheet of shorter length is to be processed in the relevant processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 after a sheet of greater length, the sheet of shorter length is accelerated by the transport device by increasing its transport speed. Conversely, a sheet of greater length is slowed down by the transport device by reducing its transport speed if the sheet of greater length is to be processed in the relevant processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 after a sheet of shorter length. The processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 is preferred a non-impact printing device 06 is used, the productivity of which is generally greatest when the sheets to be printed by it are fed to it one after the other at a constant, minimum distance, regardless of their respective format. If, in the machine arrangement in question, a processing station 04, e.g. designed as an offset printing device 04, is arranged upstream of the non-impact printing device 06, sheets printed in the offset printing device 04 are fed to the transport device at a transport speed corresponding to a production speed of this offset printing device 04, regardless of their respective format, wherein this transport speed predetermined for these sheets by the offset printing device 04 is to be adapted to the transport speed corresponding to a processing speed of the non-impact printing device 06 during their transport with the transport device. If these sheets, regardless of their respective format, are also to be fed to the non-impact printing device 06 at a constant distance from one another, longer sheets will be slowed down less than shorter sheets, but in any case a reduction in their respective transport speed will be necessary because the processing speed of the non-impact printing device 06 is generally lower than the production speed of the offset printing device 04.

During its transport, the respective sheet is preferably held in a force-fitting manner by the transport device, e.g. by suction air and/or by grippers. In the preferred embodiment, the transport speed to be imposed on the respective sheet is set by a preferably electronic control unit, wherein the control unit sets the transport speed in particular to maintain the constant distance between successive sheets, e.g. in a control loop. It is provided, for example, that a sheet to be fed to the mechanical further processing device 11 is brought from the second transport speed to the third transport speed by the oscillating gripper 19 and the transfer drum 31, which is e.g. single-sized, which means that the respective sheet is accelerated in particular by the rotation of the transfer drum 31 controlled by the control unit.

9 shows, by way of example, a machine arrangement with a plurality of processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12, wherein the processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 are arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T of the substrates. The processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 are each designed as an independently functional module, wherein each of the modules forms a machine unit mounted in its own frame. In the preferred embodiment, those modules which are designed as a coating device 02; 03; 08 (ie primer application device 02, cold foil application device 03 and painting device 08) or as a dryer 07; 09 or as a printing device 04; 06 or as a mechanical further processing device 11, each have a substrate guide unit 24 and a substrate processing unit 26. The substrate guide unit 24 has, for example, a transport cylinder arrangement 17; 19 or one or more transport cylinders 39 or one or more transfer drums 43; 44 for transporting the substrates. Depending on the type of respective processing station 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12, the substrate processing unit 26 has, for example, the actual coating device 02; 03; 08 or the dryer 07; 09 or at least one printing unit 86; 87; 88 of the printing device 04; 06 or at least one processing unit 46 of the mechanical further processing device 11. The substrate guide unit 24 and the substrate processing unit 26 each have a substantially horizontal joining surface at their joining point and thus form a substructure module 24 and a superstructure module 26.

The 9 The machine arrangement shown is a machine arrangement for perfecting and reprinting and has, starting from a feeder 01 designed as a sheet feeder 01 or magazine feeder 01, stacked substrates one after the other, e.g. with a suction head 41, and a downstream oscillating gripper 13 with a transfer drum 14 in the transport direction T of the substrates (sheets), a coating device 02; 03; 08, in particular in the form of a first primer application device 02 and then a first dryer 07. The substrates pretreated on the front side in this way are then fed to a first non-impact printing device 06 with a first printing cylinder 22 which prints on the front side of the substrates, wherein this first printing cylinder 22 is preferably designed to be three times the size or four times the size, which means that this first printing cylinder 22 has at least so many holding elements on its circumference that three or four substrates are arranged or can at least be arranged one behind the other on its circumference, each held by a force fit and/or by a form fit. As a rule, at least one holding element is assigned to each substrate to be held on the circumference of the printing cylinder 22, wherein those holding elements which are assigned to different substrates each independently of one another, i.e. can be operated separately from one another. Holding elements designed as grippers are arranged in particular in a channel, with the respective channel extending axially on the outer surface of the printing cylinder 22 in question. This means that, for example, with four substrates that can be arranged along the circumference of the printing cylinder 22 in question, the printing cylinder 22 in question has four channels, with at least one holding element being arranged in each channel. At least two holding elements can also be arranged in a channel, with one of these holding elements holding a rear edge of a first of these substrates in the transport direction T of the substrates and another of these holding elements holding a front edge of a second substrate that immediately follows the first substrate on the circumference of the printing cylinder 22 in question. Several inkjet printing devices are preferably arranged one after the other along part of the circumference of the first printing cylinder 22. In the preferred embodiment, the first non-impact printing device 06 is followed by a substrate guide unit 24 designed as a pure transport module without any further substrate processing unit 26. This transport module is also arranged in its own frame. In this machine arrangement, this substrate guide unit 24 enables the formation of a sufficiently wide cross gallery, which in turn improves the accessibility to the first non-impact printing device 06, for example for maintenance and/or repair work. By arranging the transport module, which has two double-sized transport cylinders or transfer drums, in the machine arrangement, it is achieved that a horizontal distance a between the outer surface of the printing cylinder 22 and the processing cylinder, which is in particular double-sized, of the next processing station in the transport direction T of the substrates corresponds to at least twice the diameter d of this processing cylinder ( 3 ). A second dryer 09 is arranged downstream of the substrate guide unit 24, which dries the printed front side of the substrates. The second dryer 09 is followed by a turning device 23, which makes it possible for the back side of the substrates to be printed as well. As previously described for face printing, i.e. for printing on the front side, the substrates coming from the turning device 23 are first fed to a second primer application device 02, which treats the back side of the substrates, and then to a third dryer 07. This is followed by a second non-impact printing device 37, which prints the back side of the substrates, with a second printing cylinder 38, wherein this second printing cylinder 38 is again preferably designed to be three or four times the size, which means that this second printing cylinder 38 has so many holding elements on its circumference that three or four substrates can be arranged or at least can be arranged one behind the other on its circumference, each held by a frictional connection and/or a positive connection. Preferably, several inkjet printing devices are arranged one after the other along part of the circumference of the second printing cylinder 38. The turning device 23 is arranged in the transport direction T of the substrates between the first non-impact printing device 06 and the second non-impact printing device 37. For the same reason as previously explained, a substrate guide unit 24 without a further substrate processing unit 26 is also preferably arranged after the second non-impact printing device 37. This is followed by a fourth dryer 09 for drying the printed back of the substrates. In the preferred embodiment, a coating device 08 is provided after this. The coated substrates are then dried in a further dryer 09, this dryer 09 being arranged, for example, in the transport path of a transport device designed as a chain conveyor 21, this transport device transporting the substrates to a delivery 12, in particular to a multi-stack delivery, and laying them out there. In the machine arrangement of the 9 the respective substrate guide units 24, each having a transport cylinder arrangement 17; 19, are preferably designed to be twice the size, apart from the two printing cylinders 22, so that two substrates are arranged one behind the other or at least can be arranged on the circumference of the respective transport cylinders 39 or transfer drums 43; 44.

In the turning device 23, turning generally takes place according to the principle of trailing edge turning. The turning device 23 can be designed, for example, as a three-drum turner or as a one-drum turner. Three substrate guide cylinders are arranged in the three-drum turner. In the transport direction T of the substrates, for example, a single-sized or double-sized transfer drum, a preferably double-sized storage drum and a preferably single-sized turning drum are arranged. A single-sized cylinder can accommodate a substrate of maximum format on its circumference. In an offset printing unit, for example, a single-sized cylinder has the same diameter as a forme cylinder designed, for example, as a plate cylinder, and a double-sized cylinder has a diameter twice as large.

The turning drum is in particular equipped with a turning gripper system and the storage drum is then equipped with at least one substrate holding system per substrate-bearing surface. The substrate holding systems are preferably designed as a gripper system for the substrate front edge. Preferably, fixing elements are also provided for the rear area of a substrate, which are preferably each designed as a suction system. The suction systems are preferably connected to adjustable rear casing segments and are adjustable in the circumferential direction relative to the gripper systems on front casing segments, so that substrates from the maximum to the minimum format can be held on the storage drum in the front and rear areas in the straight printing mode and/or in the front and back printing mode. Substrate guide elements for guiding the substrates can be arranged below the storage drum and/or turning drum. In a further development, the turning device 23 is assigned a guide blade for guiding the substrate between the storage drum and turning drum.

10 shows, by way of example, a machine arrangement for the one-sided processing of substrates, in particular for their one-sided printing. The substrates are transferred from a feeder 01 by means of an oscillating gripper 13 to a transfer drum 14, for example of a single size, and from there fed via a substrate guide unit 24, for example having only a single transport cylinder 39 or only a single transfer drum 43; 44, to a non-impact printing device 06, which prints the front side of the substrates in each case and has a printing cylinder 22 that is three times the size or four times the size. In order to improve the support of the substrates on the outer surface of the printing cylinder 22, for example a blowing air device 27 and/or a pressing element 28, for example in the form of a smoothing roller or ironing roller, are provided. This is followed by a substrate guide unit 24 with a transport cylinder arrangement 17; 19. This is followed by a dryer 07 and a painting device 08. The painted substrates are then dried in a further dryer 09, this dryer 09 being arranged, for example, in the transport path of a transport device designed as a chain conveyor 21, this transport device transporting the substrates to a display 12 and laying them out there. With the exception of the printing cylinder 22, the substrate guide units 24 preferably each have transport cylinders 39 or transfer drums 43; 44 that are twice as large. A substrate guide unit 24 with a transport cylinder arrangement 17; 19 having at least two transport cylinders 39 or transfer drums 43; 44 extends in the transport direction T of the substrates over a length that corresponds to at least one and a half times the diameter of the relevant transport cylinder 39 or the relevant transfer drum 43; 44.

The 11 to 13 show, by way of example, a machine arrangement for the one-sided processing of substrates, in particular for their one-sided printing, wherein, for example, a primer application device 02 and a dryer 07 are provided after the feeder 01. This is followed in the machine arrangement by a non-impact printing device 06, a substrate guide unit 24, a further dryer 07, a coating device 08 and a dryer 09 arranged, for example, in the transport path of a transport device designed as a chain conveyor 21, wherein this transport device transports the substrates to a delivery 12 and lays them out there.

In the machine arrangement of the 11 The printing cylinder 22 is quadruple-sized. The quadruple-sized printing cylinder 22 receives the substrates to be printed from a transfer drum 43 arranged immediately upstream, which is triple-sized. In the machine arrangement of the 12 the printing cylinder 22 is also quadruple-sized, but the quadruple-sized printing cylinder 22 transfers the printed substrates to a triple-sized transfer drum 44 arranged immediately downstream of this printing cylinder 22. 12 shows the quadruple-sized printing cylinder 22 with a double-sized transfer drum 43 arranged directly in front of this printing cylinder 22. The outer surface of the printing cylinder 22 and the transfer drum 43 are preferably arranged in contact with each other by forming a common roller strip 32. In the machine arrangement of the 13 The printing cylinder 22 and the transfer drum 43 arranged immediately upstream of this printing cylinder 22 are each designed to be three times the size. The machine arrangements of the 11 to 13 differ in the format of the printing cylinder 22 and a transfer drum 43; 44 arranged immediately upstream or downstream of this printing cylinder 22. A four-fold-sized printing cylinder 22 has a diameter of, for example, approximately 1,200 mm. A double-sized transfer drum 43 has a diameter of, for example, approximately 600 mm. The respective format of the printing cylinder 22 and a transfer drum 43; 44 arranged immediately upstream or downstream of this printing cylinder 22 is determined by the number of holding elements arranged on their respective circumferences, wherein the holding elements hold the respective substrates by means of a frictional connection and/or a positive connection on the circumference of the respective printing cylinder 22 or the respective transfer drum 43; 44. Several inkjet printing devices and, for example, a blowing air device 27 and/or a pressing element 28, for example in the form of a smoothing roller, are arranged on the circumference of the respective printing cylinder 22. The smoothing roller has its own rotary drive, e.g. a motor, with which a slight slip, ie a speed difference for the rotation of the respective printing cylinder 22 is set or at least adjustable. The slip serves to tighten the respective substrate transferred to the printing cylinder 22.

The 2 to 13 The machine arrangements shown are particularly advantageous in conjunction with UV-curing printing inks, e.g. in packaging printing for food or cosmetics.

14 is a detailed representation of a quadruple-sized printing cylinder 22; 38 and a double-sized transfer drum 43 arranged immediately in front of this printing cylinder 22; 38, this transfer drum 43 having two, for example, eccentrically adjustable cylinder surfaces 29. A quadruple-sized printing cylinder 22; 38 has four fields one behind the other in the circumferential direction, in each of which a substrate can be held on the outer surface of the respective printing cylinder 22; 38. Adjacent fields which follow one another are separated from one another, for example by a cylinder pit. The preferably compressible and/or elastic cylinder surfaces 29 are each mounted, for example, in an eccentric bushing 31. The outer surface of the printing cylinder 22; 38 and the transfer drum 43 are preferably arranged in touching contact with one another by forming a common roller strip 32. A quadruple-sized printing cylinder 22; 38 has a diameter of, for example, B. of about 1,200 mm. A double-sized transfer drum 43 has a diameter of e.g. about 600 mm. A comb suction device with a guide plate 33 is preferably arranged below the transfer drum 43, wherein substrates transported by the transfer drum 43 in question are transported along this guide plate 33 of the comb suction device. The comb suction device is an auxiliary device for supporting transported substrates, in which, instead of a substantially closed support for supporting the substrates to be transported, a guide plate 33 with several prongs arranged parallel to one another in the transport direction T of the substrates to be transported is provided. In addition, the comb suction device has at least one suction device with which

Substrates to be supported by guide plate 33 are sucked in the direction of this guide plate 33. If the printing cylinder 22; 38 has holding elements designed as grippers in each of its cylinder pits for holding substrates to be transported with the respective printing cylinder 22; 38, the pressing element 28, designed e.g. in the form of a smoothing roller, is either arranged at a distance from the outer surface of this printing cylinder 22; 38, i.e. with the formation of a gap that can be adjusted to the thickness of the substrate, or the pressing element 28 is placed under pressure against the outer surface of this printing cylinder 22; 38, but has undercuts for a gripper passage. As an alternative to the undercut, the respective grippers can be lowered in their respective cylinder pit below the outer surface of the respective printing cylinder 22; 38. 14 shows the printing cylinder 22; 38 with grippers for the leading and trailing ends of each substrate to be held on the outer surface of this printing cylinder 22; 38, with some grippers being shown in their open operating position, projecting radially beyond the outer surface of this printing cylinder 22; 38, and others in their closed operating position, in particular flush with the outer surface of this printing cylinder 22; 38. The pressing element 28 requires the undercuts to avoid a collision with grippers that are in their respective open operating position.

The 15 to 18 show a preferred embodiment of the processing cylinder, in particular the pressure cylinder 22; 38, each as a suction cylinder, in particular as a flat suction cylinder. 15 shows the suction cylinder in a sectional view. In this example, the suction cylinder is designed to be four times the size, which means that it has four fields 51; 52; 53; 54 on its outer surface in the circumferential direction, one behind the other, in each of which a substrate to be printed can be held by suction air. For this purpose, several channels 56, each extending from the interior of the suction cylinder to its outer surface, end in each of the fields 51; 52; 53; 54, in which a negative pressure is generated or at least can be generated by a suction device compared to the ambient air pressure. These channels 56 - also called suction holes - form a suction hole field on the outer surface of the suction cylinder in the respective field 51; 52; 53; 54. In each suction hole field, a substrate resting on the outer surface of the suction cylinder is sucked in over a large area and thus held. The size of the respective suction hole field is set, or at least adjustable, depending on the format of the substrate to be held, for example. 16 shows a perspective enlarged detail of the suction cylinder of the 15 , whereby the e.g. matrix-shaped arrangement of the channels 56 ending at the lateral surface, i.e. the respective suction bore field, is indicated. At least or only at the leading end of each field 51; 52; 53; 54 in the direction of rotation of the suction cylinder, a toothing 57 is provided, whereby in particular in connection with the respective teeth of the toothing 57 a suction device 58 is provided, whereby these suction devices 58 are preferably arranged in the area of the teeth of the toothing 57 and not in the area of the tooth gaps of this toothing 57. The suction devices 58 provided in the area of the teeth of the toothing 57 are e.g. in a single axially The suction cups 58 of the suction cylinder are arranged in a row extending in the direction of the suction cylinder. The suction cups 58 of the suction cylinder are supplied with suction air, for example, shortly before a tangent point of this suction cylinder formed with a feed drum. A gripper closure formed by a gripper of the suction cylinder takes place, for example, at the tangent point of this suction cylinder with the smoothing roller, ie the gripper closure is carried out at this time or in this rotational angle position of the suction cylinder. The rotational direction of the suction cylinder is indicated by a directional arrow. 17 shows a perspective enlarged detail of the suction cylinder, a variant in the design of the outer surface of the suction cylinder. Instead of the 16 shown jacket surface with openings for channels 56 directed into the interior of the suction cylinder, here in particular in the fields 51; 52; 53; 54, webs 59 extending in the circumferential direction are formed, on which a substrate that is sucked in can rest, such a substrate being held on the jacket surface of the suction cylinder by suction air acting between adjacent webs 59. The suction cylinder can be designed in such a way that a trailing end of each field 51; 52; 53; 54 can be adapted in a format-variable manner to a length of the substrate to be held on the jacket surface of the suction cylinder. This adaptability is indicated by a double arrow. It can be provided that the suction cylinder is designed to be flat in the area of its minimum format ( 16 ) and has 59 webs in its format-variable area ( 17 ). 18 shows the suction cylinder in interaction with a transfer drum 43 designed as a feed cylinder, this feed cylinder 43 being arranged directly in front of the printing cylinder 22; 38 designed, for example, as a suction cylinder. The feed cylinder 43 is preferably designed to be twice as large so that it can accommodate two substrates one behind the other on its circumference. In another variant, the feed cylinder 43 is designed to be three times as large so that it can accommodate three substrates one behind the other on its circumference. In a preferred embodiment, the ratio of the diameter of the printing cylinder 22; 38 to the diameter of the feed cylinder 43 arranged directly in front of this printing cylinder 22; 38 is not exactly an integer, but the diameter of the feed cylinder 43 is designed to be in the range between 0.1% and 3% smaller than an integer divisor of the diameter of the printing cylinder 22; 38. For example, the printing cylinder 22; 38 has a diameter of 1,200 mm and the feed cylinder 43 has a diameter of only 598 mm instead of 600 mm, i.e. the diameter of the double-sized feed cylinder 43 is smaller than the integer divisor two in relation to the quadruple-sized pressure cylinder 22; 38 with a diameter of 1,200 mm. The transfer drum 43 has, for example, an elastic elevator on its circumference, with which it rolls on the outer surface of the suction cylinder, i.e. it is adjusted so as to roll or can at least be adjusted. Alternatively, the transfer drum 43 has a slightly smaller diameter than its, for example, double-sized design, so that the transfer drum 43 with an elevator does not create any pressure on the outer surface of the pressure cylinder 22; 38. The feed cylinder 43 holds the substrates, for example by means of a gripper 61. If the suction cylinder is not channel-free, it also has, for example, an elastic elevator. B. in axially extending channels 62 or cylinder pits 62 open on the outer surface, grippers are provided, so-called safety grippers, which can hold a substrate if the suction air is disturbed or fails. The suction cylinder can be provided with grippers for holding the leading end of the respective substrate as well as grippers for holding the trailing end of the respective substrate. These grippers of the suction cylinder grip, for example, in the tooth gaps of the teeth 57 formed on the suction cylinder. 18 shows the rotational angle position of the suction cylinder and feed cylinder 43 at which a substrate can be transferred from the feed cylinder 43 to the suction cylinder. The respective cylinder pits 62 and grippers of the feed cylinder 43 and suction cylinder are synchronized with one another in their respective rotational angle position and operating position for transferring a substrate from the feed cylinder 43 to the suction cylinder. The application of suction air to the suction cylinder is, for example, switched or at least switchable depending on a rotational angle position of the suction cylinder. The transfer of a substrate from the feed cylinder 43 to the suction cylinder is thus possible solely by activating the suction cups, but also in conjunction with the grippers, both those of the feed cylinder 43 and those of the suction cylinder. In a further embodiment variant, the feed cylinder 43 or the transfer drum is also designed as a storage drum or as a suction drum, which has comparable features to those previously described in conjunction with the pressure cylinder 22; 38, so that each substrate is transferred from this storage drum or suction drum in an already taut state to the processing cylinder, in particular the pressure cylinder 22; 38, which is designed in particular as a suction cylinder.

The non-impact printing devices 06; 37 are each designed as inkjet printing devices in the preferred embodiment of the respective machine arrangement. Such inkjet printing devices each have at least one nozzle bar. At least one nozzle bar preferably extends orthogonally to the intended transport path of the printing material over a working width of the printing machine. The at least one nozzle bar preferably has at least one row of nozzles. The at least one row of nozzles has nozzle openings, viewed in a transverse direction, preferably over the entire working width of the printing machine and/or width of the barrel of the at least one first central cylinder, ie printing cylinder 22; 38, for example at regular intervals. The nozzles are preferably distributed over several print heads. An area of the respective print head surrounding the nozzle openings is preferably called a nozzle area.

Each nozzle bar preferably has at least one support body. The print heads of this nozzle bar are attached to the support body directly or preferably indirectly, for example via positioning devices and/or connecting elements designed in particular as an alignment device. The nozzle bar itself is preferably arranged to be movable relative to a frame of the printing unit and/or relative to a rotation axis of a central cylinder of the printing unit via at least one adjusting device. In a first embodiment, an adjusting path of the adjusting device has exclusively in an adjusting direction which has at least one component in a direction radial to the rotation axis of the central cylinder and which is more preferably oriented exclusively radially to the rotation axis of the central cylinder. In a second embodiment of the adjusting device, the adjusting path of the adjusting device has over at least 75%, more preferably at least 90% of its entire length in an adjusting direction which has at least one component in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the central cylinder and which is more preferably oriented exclusively parallel to the rotation axis of the central cylinder. A small part of the travel then preferably points in a radial direction to avoid damage to the print heads.

The actuating movement by means of the actuating device serves, for example, to make print heads accessible for maintenance work and/or cleaning work and/or an individual or group-wise replacement of one or more print heads. In particular, the actuating movement by means of the actuating device can create temporary access for a cleaning device to the respective print heads.

Preferably, several print heads are arranged next to one another in the transverse direction on the at least one nozzle bar, the nozzle surfaces of which have, for example, the shape of a rectangle, but more preferably the shape of a trapezoid and/or a parallelogram. Since such individual print heads are usually not provided with nozzles up to one edge of their housing, print heads must be arranged so as to overlap with respect to the transverse direction. The at least one row of nozzles is preferably not designed as a single linear series of nozzles, but results from the sum of several individual, more preferably two, series of nozzles arranged offset from one another in the circumferential direction. Different embodiments are possible for this.

In a first embodiment, for example, at least two and more preferably exactly two rows of print heads extending in the transverse direction are arranged offset from one another in the circumferential direction of the first central cylinder, preferably such that print heads following one another in the transverse direction preferably alternately belong to one of the at least two rows of print heads, preferably always alternately to a first and a second of two rows of print heads. Two such rows of print heads form a double row of print heads.

In a second embodiment, the print heads have housing shapes that are adapted to one another. For example, a respective nozzle surface of each print head and/or at least one respective surface of the print head that delimits the print head in its ejection direction has a shape that deviates from a rectangular shape, in particular the shape of a preferably symmetrical trapezoid and/or a parallelogram. As a result, the nozzle surfaces of adjacent print heads can overlap in the transverse direction and the print heads can still be arranged directly next to one another in the transverse direction, in particular without being offset from one another in a transport direction T. Such a row of print heads is called, for example, an obliquely overlapping row of print heads. In particular, at least in the printing operation in the circumferential direction with respect to the at least one first central cylinder, several rows of print heads, for example at least four double rows and more preferably at least seven double rows of print heads or preferably at least four rows of obliquely overlapping print heads and more preferably at least seven rows of obliquely overlapping print heads, are arranged one after the other in alignment with the at least one first central cylinder.

Each double row of print heads or diagonally overlapping row of print heads is preferably assigned and/or assignable to a coating agent, in particular a printing ink of a specific color, for example one of the colors black, cyan, yellow and magenta or a varnish, for example a clear varnish. For example, two double rows of print heads or two diagonally overlapping rows of print heads are assigned to each coating agent. The at least one print head works to generate of coating agent drops preferably according to the drop-on-demand process, in which coating agent drops are specifically produced when required.

In a normal printing operation, all print heads are arranged in a fixed position. This ensures that all nozzles are permanently aligned in register and/or in register. There are various situations in which, in addition to the movement using the adjusting device, a defined alignment movement of the print heads is necessary. The respective alignment movement of the print heads is preferably carried out using at least one positioning device.

Preferably, at least one positioning device is arranged, by means of which at least one print head can be adjusted in its position, in particular in its position relative to other print heads of the printing unit and/or to other print heads that belong to the same nozzle bar and/or in its position with respect to the transverse direction and/or in its position with respect to a pivot axis that is oriented parallel to its nozzle ejection direction. Preferably, several positioning devices are arranged. For example, each print head is assigned its own positioning device. Preferably, however, at least one such positioning device is assigned to several print heads together, in particular in such a way that several print heads can be adjusted in their position together by means of the common positioning device assigned to them, in particular in their position relative to the common nozzle bar and/or relative to other print heads that are arranged on this common nozzle bar and/or in their position with respect to the transverse direction and/or in their position with respect to a pivot axis that is oriented parallel to their nozzle ejection direction.

For example, the at least one positioning device has at least one base body. Preferably, the at least one print head is arranged on the at least one base body. Further preferably, several, in particular at least three and preferably at least four print heads are arranged on the at least one base body. The base body is preferably formed in one piece.

The respective print head on the one hand is connected to the base body on the other hand, for example via at least one connecting element. The at least one connecting element is designed, for example, as an alignment device. By means of the alignment device, the respective print head can preferably be aligned individually to the base body, in particular manually and/or in its position with respect to the transverse direction and/or in its position with respect to a pivot axis that is oriented parallel to its nozzle ejection direction. In this way, preferably several, in particular at least three and more preferably at least four print heads can be aligned relative to the base body and thus also to one another.

Preferably, these multiple, in particular at least three and more preferably at least four print heads and the base body are each part of a first assembly. The print heads of the first assembly are aligned, for example, outside the printing unit relative to the base body and thus also to each other. This means that they can be aligned with the appropriate tool and/or with the aid of a camera that records the relative position and/or with particularly good accessibility to the base body and thus also to each other. This produces a respective first assembly that is particularly precisely aligned.

Preferably, the respective nozzle bar is arranged to support several such first assemblies. Preferably, these several first assemblies can be adjusted in their respective position relative to the support body of this nozzle bar via their own positioning devices. Preferably, several positioning devices are therefore arranged on a support body. Preferably, several first assemblies are arranged on a support body at least indirectly via the positioning devices, in particular their position relative to the support body can be adjusted by means of the several positioning devices. For example, the print heads of two diagonally overlapping rows of print heads are arranged on a support body at least indirectly via the positioning devices.

By moving the support body, all print heads attached to it directly or indirectly can then be moved, in particular without changing their relative alignment to one another.

In order to determine which print head or group of print heads must be moved to what extent and in what direction in order to produce an optimal print result, at least one test print image is preferably printed and examined. Settings for positioning devices are determined from the result, which are then set manually and/or using the respective positioning drives. The settings of the individual alignment devices are preferably determined and/or set manually, but can alternatively also be determined using at least one test print image.

Preferably, at least one sensor designed as a first print image sensor is arranged, in particular at a point along the transport path of the printing material after the first printing unit. The at least one first print image sensor is designed, for example, as a first line camera or as a first area camera. The at least one first print image sensor is designed, for example, as at least one CCD sensor and/or as at least one CMOS sensor. By means of this at least one first print image sensor and a corresponding evaluation unit, for example the higher-level machine control, control of all print heads and/or double rows of print heads and/or diagonally overlapping rows of print heads of the first printing unit lying and/or acting one behind the other in the circumferential direction of the at least one first central cylinder is preferably monitored and/or regulated. In a first embodiment of the at least one print image sensor, only a first print image sensor is arranged, the sensor field of which covers the entire width of the transport path of the printing material. In a second embodiment of the at least one print image sensor, only a first print image sensor is arranged, which is designed to be movable in the transverse direction. In a third embodiment of the at least one print image sensor, a plurality of print image sensors are arranged, the respective sensor fields of which each cover different regions of the transport path of the printing material with respect to the transverse direction.

A position of pixels formed by drops of coating agent originating from a first print head is preferably compared with a position of pixels formed by drops of coating agent originating from a second print head arranged in the circumferential direction of the at least one first central cylinder and/or in the intended transport direction T of the printing material after the first print head and/or arranged in the transverse direction to the print head. This preferably takes place regardless of whether these first and second print heads, arranged and/or acting one behind the other in the circumferential direction of the at least one first central cylinder, process the same or a different coating agent. Preferably, a coordination of the positions of the print images originating from different print heads is monitored. If the coating agents are the same, a register-accurate joining of partial images is monitored. If the coating agents are different, a register or color register is monitored. Preferably, a quality control of the print image is also carried out using the measured values of the at least one print image sensor.

Preferably, at least one setting sensor is arranged. More preferably, at least two setting sensors are arranged. The at least one setting sensor and in particular the at least two setting sensors serve to record data on relative settings of several, for example at least four, print heads or groups of print heads to one another. Preferably, the at least one setting sensor or the at least two setting sensors are optical sensors. Such relative settings are, for example, relative geometric positioning of the print heads or groups of print heads and/or relative control times, in particular drop ejection times of the print heads and/or groups of print heads. The relative settings are additionally or alternatively, for example, relative settings that relate to at least one color density and/or at least one area coverage and/or at least one dot size of generated pixels. In the following, the relative settings are related to geometric positioning and/or control times, in particular drop ejection times. However, the devices and/or processes described also relate to the other relative settings mentioned, provided that no contradictions arise from them.

The at least one setting sensor and in particular the at least two setting sensors are preferably designed at least as position sensors. The at least two setting sensors, in particular position sensors, are designed, for example, as cameras and/or as CCD sensors and/or as CMOS sensors. The at least two setting sensors, in particular position sensors, are preferably used to directly or indirectly detect a relative position and/or control of at least two print heads and/or groups of print heads to one another. For preferred indirect detection, the at least one setting sensor and in particular the at least two setting sensors are preferably alignable and/or aligned with the printing material and/or aligned and/or arranged so that they can be aligned with the transport path provided for the transport of printing material and/or aligned and/or arranged so that they can be aligned with at least one transfer body.

Based on, preferably at least temporarily a respective position of the target area of at least one newly and/or re-arranged print head relative to a position of the target area of at least one previously arranged print head and/or at least one newly and/or re-arranged group of print heads relative to a position of the target area of at least one previously arranged group of print heads This is preferably done by comparing the relative positions of pixels on the printing material generated by the respective print heads using a common setting sensor, in particular a position sensor. These relative positions of the pixels are preferably evaluated using an evaluation unit, for example the higher-level machine control.

For example, the at least one first print image sensor already described is used as at least one setting sensor. However, it is preferable to use setting sensors other than the at least one first print image sensor already described, for example setting sensors specialized for this task.

After installation and/or maintenance and/or replacement and/or cleaning of at least one print head and/or at least one group of print heads, a test print is preferably carried out to create at least one test print image, in which the print head to be newly and/or re-arranged and/or the group of print heads to be newly and/or re-arranged on the one hand and at least one print head serving as a reference or guide print head on the other hand transfer drops of printing ink onto the printing material. The at least one test print image is preferably recorded automatically by means of at least one setting sensor, for example the first print image sensor. If an actual position of the at least one newly and/or re-arranged print head or the corresponding group of print heads deviates from a target position, as documented and recorded by the at least one test print image, the position of this print head or this group of print heads in the transverse direction and/or with respect to a pivot position is preferably automatically adjusted by means of the corresponding positioning device and/or the control of the nozzles of this print head with respect to a control time, in particular the drop ejection time.

List of reference symbols

01

Processing station; feeder; sheet feeder; magazine feeder

02

Processing station; primer application device

03

Processing station; cold foil application device

04

Processing station; offset printing device; flexo printing device

05

-

06

Processing station; non-impact printing device

07

Processing station; intermediate dryer; dryer

08

Processing station; painting facility

09

Processing station; dryer

10

-

11

Processing station; mechanical processing device

12

Processing station; display

13

Swing gripper

14

Transfer drum

15

-

16

Gripper system; chain conveyor

17

Transport cylinder arrangement

18 19

Transport cylinder arrangement

20

-

21

Chain conveyor

22

Pressure cylinder

23

Turning device

24

Substrate guide unit; substructure module

25

-

26

Substrate processing unit; superstructure module

27

Blowing air device

28

Pressure element

29

Cylinder surface

30

-

31

Eccentric bushing

32

Roller strips

33

Baffle

34

-

35

-

36

-

37

Processing station; non-impact printing device

38

Pressure cylinder

39

Transport cylinder

40

-

41

Suction head

42

-

43

Transfer drum; feed cylinder

44

Transfer drum

45

-

46

Machining plant

47

-

48

-

49

-

50

-

51

Field

52

Field

53

Field

54

Field

55

-

56

channel

57

Perforation

58

Mammal

59

web

60

-

61

Gripper

62

channel; cylinder pit

63 to 81

-

82

Printing cylinder

83

application roller; anilox roller

84

Doctor blade; chamber doctor blade system

85

-

86

Printing unit

87

Printing unit

88

Printing unit

a

Distance

d

diameter

T

Transport direction

α1

angle

α2

angle

Claims (8)

Machine arrangement for the sequential processing of sheet-shaped substrates, with a plurality of different processing stations, wherein at least one of the processing stations has a non-impact printing device (06; 37) which prints on the substrates, wherein the processing station having the non-impact printing device (06; 37) in question has a printing cylinder (22; 38), wherein the respective non-impact printing device (06; 37) is arranged on the circumference of the printing cylinder (22; 38), wherein a transfer drum (43) or a feed cylinder (43) is arranged immediately upstream of the respective printing cylinder (22; 38), wherein the respective printing cylinder (22; 38) is designed as a suction cylinder, wherein the respective printing cylinder (22; 38) has a plurality of fields (51; 52; 53; 54), each for holding a substrate, wherein in each of the fields (51; 52; 53; 54) a plurality of channels (56) each extending from the interior of the respective printing cylinder (22; 38) to its outer surface, in which channels a negative pressure is generated or at least can be generated by a suction device in comparison to the ambient air pressure, wherein these channels (56) are arranged on the outer surface of this printing cylinder (22; 38) form a suction hole field in the respective field (51; 52; 53; 54), wherein a size of the respective suction hole field is set or at least adjustable depending on the format of the substrate to be held, characterized in that at least or only at the end of each field (51; 52; 53; 54) leading in the direction of rotation of the respective printing cylinder (22; 38) a toothing (57) is provided, wherein at this end of each field (51; 52; 53; 54) a row of suction cups (58) extending in the axial direction of the respective printing cylinder (22; 38) is provided, wherein the suction cups (58) are each arranged in the region of the teeth of the toothing (57), wherein the suction cups arranged at the end of each field (51; 52; 53; 54) leading in the direction of rotation of the respective printing cylinder (22; 38) (58) are each subjected to suction air immediately in front of a tangent point of this printing cylinder (22; 38) formed by the upstream transfer drum (43) or the upstream feed cylinder (43). Machine arrangement according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the respective pressure cylinder (22; 38) has grippers in respective axially extending channels (62) or cylinder pits (62) open on the outer surface. Machine arrangement according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that a blowing air device (27) and/or a pressing element (28) is/are arranged on the circumference of the respective printing cylinder (22; 38). Machine arrangement according to Claim 3 , characterized in that a gripper closure formed by a gripper of the respective printing cylinder (22; 38) in the tangent point of this pressure cylinder (22; 38) with the pressing element (28). Machine arrangement according to Claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 , characterized in that substrates held on the outer surface of the respective printing cylinder (22; 38) are each held by suction air and grippers. Machine arrangement according to Claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 , characterized in that the respective printing cylinder (22; 38) is designed to be triple or quadruple in size. Machine arrangement according to Claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 , characterized in that the transfer drum (43) arranged immediately upstream of the respective printing cylinder (22; 38) or the feed cylinder (43) arranged immediately upstream is each designed to be twice as large or three times as large. Machine arrangement according to Claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 , characterized in that the transfer drum (43) arranged immediately upstream of the respective printing cylinder (22; 38) or the feed cylinder (43) arranged immediately upstream each has an elastic lift on its or its circumference, with which the transfer drum (43) or the feed cylinder (43) is or at least can be positioned in contact with the outer surface of the respective printing cylinder (22; 38).

Images