EP1234794B1 - Folding apparatus with a first and a second cylinder - Google Patents

Abstract

The folding apparatus has a first roller (14) with a gripper (32) for holding signatures and a folding blade (37) for producing a fold in it. A second roller (15) is fitted with a pocket (38) which holds the signature at the fold. A first motor (170) drives the gripper and a second motor (180) drives the folding blade and pocket. E- Independent claims are included for: (a) a method for cutting and folding printed products using the apparatus; and (b) a web-fed rotary printing machine fitted with it.

Description

The present invention relates to a folding apparatus with a first and a second cylinder according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such a folder is off DE 44 26 987 known. EP 1 074 500 and WO 96/29204 also describe folders.

Moreover, the present invention relates to a method for cutting and folding printed products according to the preamble of claim 8.

In web presses, a continuous web, z. As a paper web, printed. Subsequently, the continuous web is cut and folded in signatures in a folder of the printing press. There are various folders known, including combination folders.

Combination folders generally comprise a series of cylinders, each performing functions to perform different parts of the folding operation, each cylinder being capable of performing at least one function. To produce different types of printed products, the relative positions of the cylinders, i. the relative angular positions of the individual cylinders are changed in the combination folder.

Known Kombinationsfalzapparate usually require changing a folding mode and include air cylinder to move helical gears in the required position. The helical gears, which may be connected to the master cylinder bodies, determine the mutual phase relationship of the cylinder bodies, thus ensuring that one group of cylinder bodies remains in the correct phase relationship with respect to another group of cylinder bodies. By moving the helical gears, a phase correction or a phase change between individual cylinder bodies or between groups of cylinder bodies is possible, whereby the folding mode or the folded products to be produced can be changed.

A disadvantage of the system of pneumatic cylinders and helical gears is that a change in the phase position, a non-malfunction or malfunction or the seizing of the helical gears may occur. This danger arises z. B. by the weight of the cylinder body or by jamming the bearings on the shaft, if there is too little lubricant or corrosion due to friction occurs.

To reduce the risk of setting periodic maintenance measures are made on Kombinationsfalzapparat. However, these maintenance measures are time-consuming and increase the downtime of the folder.

The US 5,405,126 describes a folding apparatus with at least one first longitudinal folding device, driven cutting cylinders and a second longitudinal folding device, which are fed over a transport path folding copies. The folder includes traction devices upstream of the cutting cylinders in web and copy direction, first drive means for separate and controlled drive of the traction devices, and second drive means for driving the cutting cylinders and the transverse folding devices. Furthermore, the folder comprises a separate drive for driving outwardly pivotable conveyor belts. The second longitudinal folding device comprises various components and may comprise a phase-controllable separate electric motor which drives these components. The second drive means is an electric motor drive. From one of the cutting or separating cylinders of the drive of the electric motor extends to a gear. About the gear of the drive to a folding cylinder, is transmitted from this to a jaw cylinder and finally to a gripper cylinder. The drive of the second Längsfalzvorrichtung can also be done via the electric motor.

The Indian US 5,405,126 described folding apparatus has the disadvantage that adjustments or changes in the phase position of individual cylinders, for example, to change the folding mode, are not possible in a simple manner.

EP 0 699 524 A2 describes a printing machine with elements that are driven by electric motors. The folding devices described therein each have a separate motor which directly drives the folding cylinders in the folding devices. This has the disadvantage that an engine drives all folding cylinders of a folder, making phase changes difficult.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the described disadvantages of the prior art.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for facilitating grouped jaw adjustments and / or hemming mode changes.

This object is achieved by a folder according to claim 1 and by a method according to claim 8. Further features of the invention are contained in the subclaims.

The terms "gripper" and "jaw" are used in the present specification for any type of gripping or holding device for signatures, e.g. a gripper for gripping the edge or the folded edge or the fold breakage of a signature; and a folding flap for producing a folded edge or seam breakage in cooperation with a folding blade and for gripping the generated folded edge or seam breakage.

A folder according to the invention comprising a first cylinder having at least one first gripper for holding signatures and at least one folding blade for generating a first fold break in the signatures, and a second cylinder having at least one first jaw for holding the signatures at the first fold break , characterized by a first motor for driving the at least one gripper and at least one second motor, which drives the at least one folding blade of the first cylinder and the at least one folding flap of the second cylinder.

By the two different drive motors, the phase adjustment between the at least one first gripper and the at least one first folding flap can be advantageously changed by changing the angular relationship between the two motors in order to adjust the position of the folded edge. There are no complicated gearboxes, clutches or air cylinder necessary as in single-engine devices. In addition, the second motor driven folding blade / jaw system is completely independent of the first gripper and the previous cutting operations. This also achieves isolation of the system driven by the second motor from fluctuations or disturbances in the gear train of the upstream systems, whereby these fluctuations or disturbances occur, for example. can be caused by the periodic cutting process of the cutting blade cylinder.

There are still folding operations possible with lower tolerances.

Changes in the operating mode are easier to carry out, since the motors can be adjusted so that can be switched from a central fold in a delta fold. In this case, starting from a folding mode, which produces a central fold in the printed product, the phase position between the separately driven systems of folding cylinders and / or cutting cylinders are changed such that the folded edge is moved from an imaginary center line of the folded product to an imaginary line of the folded product which corresponds to the position of a folded edge necessary for a delta fold. The distance of this position from an edge of the folded product may e.g. about one third or about two thirds of the width of the folded product correspond.

Furthermore, at least one cutting cylinder pair can be provided, which is driven by the first motor.

The cutting cylinder may be connected to the first grippers via a phase gear.

The folding blades and the first jaws are preferably connected to each other via a phase gear.

The motors are preferably designed as synchronous AC motors.

In continuation of the inventive concept, a folder may be characterized in that the second cylinder has at least one second jaw for holding the signature at a second fold break, and that a third cylinder, the at least one second gripper and at least one second folding blade for generating a second fold fracture wherein the second motor further drives the second gripper of the third cylinder, and wherein a third motor is provided which drives the at least one second jaw of the second cylinder and the at least one second folding blade of the second cylinder.

Also, the third motor may preferably be formed as a synchronous alternating current.

Alternatively, four independently driving motors may be provided, wherein the additional fourth motor z. B. drives the cutting cylinder separately and isolated from the other cylinders of the folder.

The cutting and first gripping operation defines a first gear train or a first system, the first insertion operation into the first folding door and the second gripping operation define a second gear train and a second system, respectively, and the second insertion operation into the second folding door defines a third gear train. or a third system. By "system" or "gear train" is here and below in this sense, a plurality of driven elements, such as cutting or folding cylinders, understood, with their gears and drive motor can be attributed to the system. Preferably, the functional elements of the gear trains or the individual systems are synchronized within the systems.

As a result of the three closed gear trains of the present invention, the insertion process into the respective folding flap is independent of the cutting cylinders, so that disturbances remain isolated on the first gear train associated with the cutting operation, ie. H. do not affect the other gear trains. Deterioration of the folding operation, as often due to the periodic cutting operation, is thus prevented, thereby enabling a higher folding accuracy.

The phase position of the second gear train or system can be tuned or tuned with the phase position of the first gear train or system; likewise, the phase position of the third gear train or system with respect to the second and first gear train or system can be tuned or tuned. In this way, adjustments of the folding position and mode changes without longer downtime are possible.

As a phase gear is to be referred to below a gear, which is composed of two individual gears, which have a common axis of rotation and thus form a unit. The phase angle of one of the two gears can be changed against the phase angle of the other. Through the use of such a phase gear between two gear trains or systems, the relative phase of the gear trains or systems can be changed or corrected. In this case, in each case a gear of a phase gear can be part of a gear train or system. The phase gear may also include a plurality of gears, which form a phase gear, which also makes it possible to change the phase between a gear upstream of the gear and a transmission downstream.

Phase gears and idler gears within the gear trains provide a further level of freedom and allow z. B. a group setting of the jaws. Different types of printed products can be processed in this way. By a groupwise adjustment of the jaws products of different thickness can be produced. Adjustments to the operating mode, eg. Example, a switch from a double-parallel fold to a delta fold, are also possible by the angular ratio of the first gear train to the second gear train and the third and second gear train to the first gear train is changed.

The first gear train may have a reference point, preferably the gripper, and the phasing of all other functions and gear trains may be tuned to the reference point. Alternatively, the phase position of the first and third gear train can be tuned or tuned with the phase position of the second gear train. The phase angle of the first and second gear train can also be tuned or tuned with the phase position of the third gear train. In this case, however, additional adjustments are required because otherwise the pressure-to-cut register changes.

One of the gear trains or one of the systems, preferably the third or the third, is removable for simpler folding operations, can be stopped or decoupled.

By removing, stopping or decoupling one of the gear trains of the folder and its function is advantageously simplified and thus less prone to mechanical interference. At the same time, the costs are reduced by a possibly not required folding option.

The phase position at least between the first gear train and the second gear train can be changed in order to achieve a change in the position of the folded edge or the operating mode.

All motors are preferably designed as synchronous AC motors connected to one or more drive pinions and driving the folder. The synchronous AC motors have the advantage of synchronizing the gear trains. One of the functional elements, eg. B. a star-shaped gripper, a star-shaped folding blade, a star-shaped second gripper (or folding jaw), a star-shaped third gripper (or second jaw) a star-shaped second Falzmesserrad or a fourth star-shaped gripper, can also be assigned directly a synchronous AC motor, so that the function setting elements are driven directly. As a result, no further elements for the drive are required and it is less torque lost by friction.

Preferably, at least one of the motors is anchored directly on or with the ground surface to stabilize the position of the motor and to keep the adjustment of the relative phase positions from systematic errors.

A motorized or motorized platform for varying the angular relationship between the first, second, and third gear trains may also be integrated with the folder. The advantage that can be achieved thereby is that mode changes can be carried out more efficiently and that a lower degree of operator intervention is necessary during a mode change.

An inventive method for cutting and folding printed products is characterized by the following steps: driving a first gear train for cutting a signature and for transferring the signature to a first gripper by means of a first motor; Driving a third gear train for inserting the signature in a first jaw and for transferring the signature to a second gripper by means of a second motor and driving a third gear train for inserting the signature in a second jaw by means of a third motor.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the phase position is changed at least between the first gear train and the second gear train in order to achieve a change in the position of the folded edge or the operating mode or a groupwise adjustment of the jaws. For this purpose, a phase gear can be used.

Furthermore, a phase gear can be used to change the phase angle between a folding blade and a jaw in different gear trains or to achieve a group-wise adjustment of the jaws.

The features of the present invention will be explained in more detail in the following description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings listed below.

Fig. 1

eine Zylinderbasiskonstruktion für einen Kombinationsfalzapparat gemäß dem Stand der Technik;

Fig. 2

eine schematische Darstellung der Antriebsseite eines erfindungsgemäßen Kombinationsfalzapparats; und

Fig. 3

eine schematische Darstellung des in Fig. 2 gezeigten Falzapparats, wobei verschiedene angetriebene Elemente besonders hervorgehoben sind.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a cylinder base construction for a combination folding apparatus according to the prior art;

Fig. 2

a schematic representation of the drive side of a Kombinationsfalzapparats invention; and

Fig. 3

a schematic representation of the in Fig. 2 shown folding apparatus, with different driven elements are particularly highlighted.

Fig. 1 shows the cylinder base construction for a combination folding apparatus of the prior art. Shown is an example of a folding blade cylinder. This cylinder base design is well known and is presented here only for a better understanding of the present invention. A first functional element 1, z. B. a folding blade, is arranged via a first arm 3 and a second arm 4 directly to a shaft 2. The shaft 2 carries a first hollow hub 5 and a second hollow hub 6, which are arranged concentrically to the shaft 2. At the two hollow hubs 5, 6, a third arm 8 and a fourth arm 9 is arranged, which has a second functional element 7, z. B. a gripper section, wear. The shaft 2 and the two hubs 5, 6 can by a first and a second drive wheel, for. B. gear 10 and 11 are driven, the phase adjustment to each other via helical gears is adjustable.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic side view of a preferred embodiment of a combination Falzapparats invention with a three-motor drive. The folder comprises a first cutting cylinder pair 12 and a second cutting cylinder pair 13 for cutting a paper web in signatures. The signatures are fed to a collecting cylinder 14, at which a leading edge of the signature is detected by a gripper of a plurality of first grippers 32. The signature is rotated with the collecting cylinder 14 and guided past the first folding cylinder 15. A folding blade 37 a plurality of folding blades 37 of the collecting cylinder 14 pushes the Signature in the region of its center line in a jaw of a plurality of jaws 38 of the first folding cylinder 15 when the first gripper 32 releases the leading edge of the signature.

In this way, the signature is transversely folded, wherein the first fold break, which is held by the first jaws 38 of the first folding cylinder 15, to the new leading edge of the signature. Subsequently, the cylinder 15 moves the signature past the second folding cylinder 16, where the new leading edge (the first fold break) of the signature is detected by a gripper of a plurality of second grippers 39 and the signature is moved around the cylinder 16. Meanwhile, a folding blade 46 pushes a plurality of second folding blades 46 the already folded signature near its center line in a jaw 47 a plurality of jaws 47 of the first folding cylinder 15. The double parallel folded signatures can now be released from the second jaws 47 and z , B. be transferred to another conveyor.

The folder according to the invention is driven at three drive points 17, 18, 19 of three individual motors 170, 180, 190. Fig. 2 and 3 show the different drive elements for the in Fig. 2 shown folding apparatus. The drive point 17 drives a first phase gear 20, which z. B. via a star-shaped wheel, the first gripper 32 drives. A backlash-free gear 23 ensures that the first grippers 32 are moved in one direction only and that the gears mesh correctly to ensure the greatest possible folding accuracy. As a backlash gear should be referred to in this application, a gear which is used in a closed gear circle to prevent a flank change in the gear train. Such a backlash-free gear can be z. B. composed of two gears with a common axis, which z. B. are rotated by a spring force against each other and thus ensure a play-free contact of the teeth of the two gears both a vorals to a subordinate gear. The drive point 17 further drives an intermediate gear 200 to drive the cutting cylinder pair 13, which can drive the cutting cylinder pair 12 via a swing wheel 26. As a vibrating wheel is here and below referred to a gear whose axis is slidably mounted, so that this for a change in distance of the upstream and the downstream gear a Can perform movement to compensate and maintain the gear train. For example, such a swing wheel can be accommodated on pivotally mounted arms and be arranged on a transition region of two frame parts. The drive point 17 thus drives a first gear train, which includes the cutting cylinders 12, 13 and the first gripper 32 of the cylinder 14. By using the phase gear 20 and the intermediate gear 200, it is also possible to change the phase position between the pair of cutting cylinders 12 and the first grippers 32.

Via a second drive point 18, the folding blades 37 are driven on a star-shaped folding blade. A phase gear 21 drives via an intermediate 210, the first jaws 38 on a star-shaped Falzklappenrad. The second grippers 39 are driven starting from the first jaws 38. The second gripper 39 in turn drives an idler gear 230 and a backlash-free gear 25 to close the circuit back to the drive sprocket.

A second gear train, which comprises the respective first folding blade 37 arranged on a star-shaped wheel, the first jaws 38 and the second grippers 39, is accordingly driven by the drive point 18.

The drive point 19 drives an idler gear 240, which in turn drives the second folding blade 46. The second folding blade 46 drives the intermediate gear 220 and the second folding flap 47 via the phase gear 22. The latter drives the intermediate gear 250 and a backlash-free gear 24 to avoid gear play, which closes the circle to the drive pinion 19.

A third gear train comprising the second jaws 47 and the second folding blades 46 is thus driven by the drive point 19.

The motors 170, 180 and 190 are preferably designed as synchronous AC motors, which are controllable with high resolution and speed controllable in real time and are also position controlled under load can. In particular, preferably a portion of at least one motor is firmly anchored with respect to the ground.

The three gear trains or drive loops or systems, which each have a drive point 17, 18, 19, each control at least one specific folding function. The first gear train controls a cutting operation performed by the first and second cutting cylinder pairs 12, 13 and the first gripping operation performed by the first grippers 32; the second gear train controls a first insertion operation performed by the first folding blades 37 into the first jaws 38 and the transfer to the second grippers 39. The third gear train controls a second insertion operation performed by the second folding blades 46 into the second jaws 47.

In the first cutting / grasping operation, the cutting process is an independent process and the first detection process is a dependent process since the leading edge of the signature lies directly beneath one of the first grippers 32 when the signature is handed over. In the first insertion process, the transfer to the first jaw 38 and the subsequent transfer to the second gripper 39, the first folding blade 37, the first jaws 38 and the second gripper 39 are interdependent, since when inserting the signature by one of the first folding blade 37 is one of the first jaws 38 in the receiving position and is located on release of the signature by the first jaw 38 of one of the second gripper 39 in the receiving position. In the transition from the second insertion operation to the second jaw 47 there is a dependency between the second jaws 47 and the second folding blades 46, since one of the second jaws 47 is in a position for receiving the signature when one of the second folding blade 46 performs the second folding operation.

The independent gear trains provide some latitude in tuning the phasing of a number of functions with respect to another set of functions. For example, the first folding blades 37 can be phase-shifted with respect to the first gripper 32, to allow an adjustment of the position of the folded edge or the fold break, without the phase position between the folding blades 37 and the first jaw 38 is disturbed. A change in the position of the fold length causes a change in the relative position of the leading edge of the signature when the leading edge falls on the trailing edge after the folding operation. Thanks to the phase gear 21 can be optimized by a group Falzklappeneinstellung within the second gear train, the transition from the folding blades 37 to the jaws 38 and the processing of products of different thickness are possible.

During the setting of the folding position of the first folding operation, the first folding blades 37 are moved from a target position with respect to the first gripper 32. By means of the motors 170, 180 for the first and second drive points 17, 18 and by moving the second motor in creeper with respect to the first motor, the first folding blades 37 are moved relative to the first grippers 32, the first jaws 38 and the second grippers 39 continue remain in their correct position with respect to the first folding blade 37. The first folding blades 37, the first grippers 32, the first jaws 38 and the second grippers 39 are in the correct position when the signature is handed over. In this way, the position of the leading edge with respect to the fold break of the collector cylinder 14 leaving signature can be changed. By an excessive movement of the first folding blade 37 with respect to the first gripper 32 but also a first mode change can be achieved, so that z. B. a delta fold can be performed.

The third gear train is adjustable relative to the second gear train in order to allow an adjustment of the position of the folded edge or the fold fracture of the second folding operation. This adjustment is similar to the adjustment of the position of the folded edge of the first folding operation, however, while the third drive motor is moved with respect to the second drive motor in crawl. By the phase gear 24, it is also possible to adjust the jaws of the third Räderzugs.

Each of the three gear trains is exactly one of the three drive motors 170, 180, 190, a phase gear 20, 21, 22, one of the devices 23, 24, 25 to prevent gear play, ie a backlash-free gear, and at least one of the intermediate wheels 200, 210th , 230, 240, 220, 250 assigned. Preferably, the backlash-free gears, ie the Gears, which prevent a flank change in the gear train, and the phase gears, which allow a phase change between different gear trains, each composed of two gears, which have a common axis and beyond a 1: 1 ratio in size and number of teeth and have opposite helical teeth.

In each of the three gear trains a unique torque path is maintained: the torque is transmitted from one of the drive points 17, 18, 19 to the components of the gear train and finally back to the drive point 17, 18, 19.

The first, second and / or third gear train may drive a center fold portion, a quarter fold portion and a boom.

List of reference numbers

1

first functional element

2

wave

3

first arm

4

second arm

5

first hollow hub

6

second hollow hub

7

second functional element

8th

third arm

9

fourth arm

10, 11

drive wheel

12

first cutting cylinder pair

13

second cutting cylinder pair

14

collecting cylinder

15

first folding cylinder

16

second folding cylinder

17-19

drive point

20

Phase gear

21

Phase gear

22

Phase gear

23

backlash-free gear

24

backlash-free gear

25

backlash-free gear

26

Schwingrad

32

first gripper

37

first folding knife

38

first folding flap

39

second gripper

46

second folding knife

47

second jaw

170

engine

180

engine

190

engine

200

idler

210

idler

220

idler

230

idler

240

idler

250

idler

Claims (11)

1. A folding apparatus comprising a first cylinder (14) which has at least one first gripper (32) for holding signatures and at least one folding blade (37) for producing a first fold in the signatures, comprising a second cylinder (15) which has at least one first folding flap (38) for holding the signatures on the first fold, and comprising a first motor (170) for driving the at least one gripper (32) and at least one second motor (180) that drives the at least one folding blade (37) of the first cylinder (14) and the at least one folding flap (38) of the second cylinder (15), characterised in that the folding blade/folding flap system driven by the second motor is totally independent of the first gripper and the preceding cutting processes.
2. The folding apparatus according to Claim 1,
   characterised by
   at least one pair of cutting cylinders (12, 13) which is driven by the first motor (170).
3. The folding apparatus according to Claim 2,
   characterised in that
   the pair of cutting cylinders (12, 13) are connected to the first grippers (32) by means of a phasing centre (20).
4. The folding apparatus according to any of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the folding blade (37) and the first folding flaps (38) are connected to one another by means of a phasing centre (21).
5. The folding apparatus according to any of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the motors (170, 180) are synchronous AC motors.
6. The folding apparatus according to any of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the second cylinder (15) has at least one second folding flap (47) for holding the signature on a second fold, and that a third cylinder (16), which has at least one second gripper (39) and at least one second folding blade (46) for producing the second fold is provided, the second motor (180) furthermore driving the second gripper (39) of the third cylinder (16), and a third motor (190) being provided to drive the at least one second folding flap (47) of the second cylinder (15) and the at least one second folding blade (46) of the second cylinder (15).
7. The folding apparatus according to Claim 6,
   characterised in that
   the third motor (190) is a synchronous AC motor.
8. A method of cutting and folding printed products comprising the following steps:

   driving a first drive loop in order to cut a signature and to transfer the signature to a first gripper (32) by means of a first motor (170);

   driving a second drive loop in order to push the signature into a first folding flap (38) and to transfer the signature to a second gripper (39) by means of a second motor (180); and

   driving a third drive loop in order to push the signature into a second folding flap (47) by means of a third motor,

   characterised in that
   the folding blade/folding flap system driven by the second motor is totally independent of the first gripper and the preceding cutting processes.
9. The method according to Claim 8,
   characterised in that
   the phase position at least between the first drive loop and the second drive loop is changed in order to achieve a change in the position of the fold edge or of the operating mode.
10. The method according to Claim 9,
    characterised in that
    a phasing centre (20, 21, 22) is used in order to change the phase position between a folding blade (37, 46) and a folding flap (38, 47) in different drive loops or in order to achieve group adjustment of the folding flaps.
11. A printing machine, in particular a rotary roller printing machine,
    characterised by
    a folding apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 7.

Images