EP1254025B1 - Guiding device for metal sheet printing machines and metal sheet painting machines - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a guiding device for metal sheet printing machines and metal sheet painting machines, which have at least two printing cylinders and a transfer drum situated therebetween. The guiding device is arranged on said transfer drum and, to be precise, is located close to the imaginary cylindrical outer surface of the transfer drum. The guiding device comprises at least one guiding element with an outwardly turned bearing surface for supporting the rear edge of the metal sheets. The guiding element is pivotally mounted by means of a swivel bearing whose pivotal axis is parallel to the axis of the transfer drum. The guiding element is coupled to a pivot drive by means of which its bearing surface can be adjusted to different pivoting angles (beta) with regard to the tangent to the imaginary cylindrical outer surface of the transfer drum. This pivoting angle (beta) is larger at the rotating position of the transfer drum at which the rear edge of the metal sheets rest against the guiding element, and is smaller at the rotating position at which the rear edge of the metal sheets leave the guiding element.

Description

Metal sheet printing machines and sheet metal painting machines are used for printing or for painting metal sheets from which, after printing and / or painting, cans for packaging purposes, lids for these cans or for glasses, closures for bottles or similar articles made from thin sheet metal are produced , These metal panels are referred to below as sheet metal panels. The printing and varnishing machines are also used to print and / or paint panels of other materials, e.g. made of plastic, used.

These machines are followed by a series of impression cylinders and transfer drums. In some machines, the axes of these cylinders and drums are approximately at the same height. In other machines, the axis of the transfer drums is lower than that of the impression cylinder.

The impression cylinders have a largely closed cylindrical surface. The transfer drums, however, preferably consist of a tubular drum core of smaller diameter, on which some components are arranged, which rotate with the drum core. The outermost cylindrical trajectory of these components defines an imaginary cylindrical surface of the transfer drums, to which a part of the following statements relate.

Both in the printing cylinders, as well as the transfer drums grippers are arranged at a certain peripheral point, which detect the front edge of the printed or painted sheet metal plates and take them. For the rear edge of the metal sheets such grippers are not available.

During their passage through the printing press, the metal sheets are transferred from the impression cylinder to the transfer drum and from there to the impression cylinder. They are detected by the associated grippers at their front edge portion and carried on from one transfer point to the next. The metal sheets change their curvature.

When circulating with the printing cylinder, which is actually to be referred to as a counter-pressure cylinder, lie the metal sheets with their back on the printing cylinder. The metal sheets are guided by the fact that they are passed through the narrow gap between the impression cylinder and a blanket cylinder, which transmits the printed image with a specific color on the front side facing the metal sheets.

When circulating with the transfer drum, the metal sheets are guided on their back by guide rails, which are arranged at a certain distance from the imaginary lateral surface of the transfer drum. These guide strips extend over a peripheral region of the transfer drum, which is smaller than the peripheral region between the first and the second transfer point of the transfer drum.

When transitioning the metal sheets from the transfer drum to the next printing cylinder is beyond a certain distance of the metal sheets whose rear longitudinal portion on the one hand no longer on the guide rails and on the other hand not yet on the impression cylinder. The result is that the metal sheets become unstable and tend to vibrate outside their clamped front edge area under the action of internal and external forces, such as elasticity and inertial forces. These phenomena already occur in printing presses whose axes are at the same height.

To at least reduce these vibrations, it is known GB 741153 A or EP 0 752 310 B1 ) to attach to the transfer drum guide elements, which are arranged in the end region of the metal sheet so that the trailing edge of the metal sheet can invest it. These guide elements have a contact surface, which has a certain, fixed angle of inclination relative to the tangent of the lateral surface of the transfer drum.

Since the guide element moves away from the metal sheet in its circular trajectory, the angle of inclination between its abutment surface and the rear end portion of the metal sheets changes. The transition of the metal sheets from the transfer drum to the next printing cylinder, it may therefore occur as a result of the vibrations occurring in the metal sheet and due to the instability of their rear portion that not only the end edge of the metal sheets, but their entire end portion and thus the end portion of the printed surface on the Contact surface of the guide element is applied and that thereby the printed image is smeared.

In printing machines with a height offset of the axes of the printing cylinder and the transfer drums this error can occur more. This smearing of the printed image may make the metal sheets unusable.

The invention has for its object to provide a guide device for metal sheet printing machines and sheet metal painting machines, in which the smearing of the printed image in the rear end of the metal sheets at least diminished, if not avoided. This object is achieved by a guide device with the features of claim 1.

The fact that the guide element is pivotally mounted by means of a pivot bearing with parallel to the axis of the transfer drum aligned pivot axis and the inclination of its contact surface can be changed by means of a pivot drive, the contact surface can be better adjusted to the angular position of the end portion of the metal sheets, so that only the Trailing edge of the metal sheets rests against the guide surface, but not more their rear end portion. As a result, the risk of smearing of the printed image at the rear end portion is at least considerably reduced, if not completely eliminated.

With the embodiment of the guide device according to claim 2, a particularly favorable angular range for the pivotal movement of the contact surface is specified.

In one embodiment of the guide device according to claim 3, the investment of the metal sheets is limited to the guide element in roof-shaped arrangement of the surface portions on the ridge edge and dovetailed arrangement of the surface portions on the two outer longitudinal edges of the guide element.

Similarly, in an embodiment der.Führungseinrichtung according to claim 4, the investment of the metal sheets on the guide element limited to the lateral longitudinal edge.

By an embodiment of the guide device according to claim 5 ensures that even with wider metal sheets whose trailing edge rests only on one side edge of the guide elements, even if the Metal sheets are concavely or convexly curved in their transverse direction under the effect of their own weight and / or their mass forces.

By an embodiment of the guide device according to claim 6, the guide elements can be easily adjusted to different widths of the metal sheets.

With an embodiment of the guide device according to claim 7, the pivotable guide elements can be adjusted in the circumferential direction to different lengths of the metal sheets, wherein their adjustment in the circumferential direction is usually based on the circumferential location of the gripper, which detect the metal sheets at the front edge portion.

By an embodiment of the guide device according to claim 8, the pivot drive for the guide element can be made relatively simple. This applies in particular to one of the developments of the guide devices according to claim 9.

With an embodiment of the guide device according to claim 10, the adjustment of the inclination of the contact surface can be adjusted even better on the movement conditions and elastic deformations of the rear longitudinal section of the metal sheets. This applies in particular to the developments according to claim 11 and / or claim 12. A further optimization of the adjustment of the contact surface of the guide element can be achieved with an embodiment of the guide device according to claim 13.

In an embodiment of the guide device according to claim 14, in which the guide element itself is made of a vibration-damping material or at least provided with a vibration-damping layer, the vibrations of the metal sheets are reduced at least in the region of their trailing edge. This has a calming effect on the metal sheet as a whole and also contributes to the risk of smearing of the printed image at the rear end portion at least considerably reduced, if not completely eliminated.

In one embodiment of the guide device according to claim 15, a abrasive effect is at least greatly reduced by the trailing edge of the metal sheets on the contact surface of the guide element, which can arise because of the geometric conditions and the material properties, the trailing edge of the metal sheets on the contact surface of the guide elements moved along, and in that the metal sheets usually have a sharp cutting burr by the separation of a coil and this can cause strong wear on the contact surface of the guide element. By an embodiment of the guide device according to claim 16, this abrasive effect is greatly reduced at the contact surface, especially on those guide elements which are either made according to claim 14 themselves from a vibration damping material or whose guide element with a vibration-damping layer (84) are provided.

By an embodiment of the guide device according to claim 17, a particularly good vibration damping effect is achieved. By an embodiment of the guide device according to claim 18, the wear of the guide element is particularly greatly reduced.

Fig. 1

einen schematisch dargestellten Aufriss eines Teils einer Blechtafel-Druckmaschine mit einer Führungseinrichtung für die Hinterkante der Blechtafeln;

Fig. 2 und 3

eine Seitenansicht, beziehungsweise eine Vorderansicht eines ersten Ausführungsbeispieles der Führungseinrichtung mit einem Führungselement;

Fig. 4 und 5

eine Seitenansicht bzw. eine Vorderansicht eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispieles der Führungseinrich tung mit einem Führungselementen.

Fig. 6 und 7

eine Seitenansicht bzw. eine Vorderansicht eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispieles der Führungseinrich tung mit einem Führungselementen.

Fig. 8

eine Vorderansicht eines vierten Ausführungsbeispieles der Führungseinrichtung mit zwei Führungselementen.

Fig. 9

eine Seitenansicht eines abgewandelten Führungselementes;

Fig. 10

eine Seitenansicht eines weiteren abgewandelten Führungselementes;

Fig. 11

einen vergrößert dargestellten Querschnitt des Führungselementes nach Fig. 10.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to embodiments shown in the drawing. Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematically illustrated elevational view of a portion of a metal sheet printing machine with a guide device for the trailing edge of the metal sheets;

FIGS. 2 and 3

a side view, or a front view of a first embodiment of the guide device with a guide element;

4 and 5

a side view and a front view of a second embodiment of Führungseinrich device with a guide elements.

6 and 7

a side view and a front view of a second embodiment of Führungseinrich device with a guide elements.

Fig. 8

a front view of a fourth embodiment of the guide device with two guide elements.

Fig. 9

a side view of a modified guide element;

Fig. 10

a side view of another modified guide element;

Fig. 11

an enlarged cross-section of the guide element according to Fig. 10 ,

Out Fig. 1 is a highly schematic representation of a part of a metal sheet printing machine 10 can be seen, which is referred to below as the printing machine 10. This part of the printing press 10 has two so-called impression cylinders 11 and 12, which are function of counter-pressure cylinder. The axis 13 of the printing cylinder 11 and the axis 14 of the printing cylinder 12 are aligned parallel to each other and are at the same height. Each of the printing cylinders 11 and 12 cooperates with a respective rubber cylinder 15 and 16, from which the printed image is transferred in a specific color on the metal sheets between the impression cylinder and the associated blanket cylinder be passed. For this purpose, the pressure cylinder 11 and 12 grippers, not shown, which detect at a transfer point, also not shown, the sheet metal plates supplied at its front edge and lead to the next transfer point with him.

Between the two adjacent pressure cylinders 11 and 12, a transfer drum 17 is provided, the axis 18 is aligned at least approximately parallel to the axes 13 and 14. The axis 18 of the transfer drum 17 is located by a predetermined amount below the axes 13 and 14th

Unlike the impression cylinders 11 and 12 with a closed cylindrical surface, the transfer drum 17 has only one tubular drum core 19, which is delimited at a predetermined radial distance from an imaginary cylindrical surface 21. Apart from some components which are arranged on the outside of the drum core 19, the space between the drum core 19 and the imaginary lateral surface 21 is empty.

Below the transfer drum 17 guide rails 22 are arranged, which have a predetermined distance from the imaginary surface line 21 of the transfer drum 17, which is adjustable. The guide rails 22 extend over a peripheral region of the transfer drum 17, which is smaller than the peripheral region extending from the first transfer point 23 to the second transfer point 24 of the metal sheets, of which the first transfer point 23 at the imaginary point of contact between the impression cylinder 12 and the transfer drum 17 is located and of which the second transfer point 24 is located at the imaginary point of contact between the transfer drum 17 and the second impression cylinder 11.

The transfer drum 17 is equipped with a plurality of grippers 25, which are arranged on a common carrier 26 which is rigidly connected to the drum core 19. The grippers 25 are arranged in the vicinity of the imaginary lateral surface 21 of the transfer drum 17 at a circumferential location, which is adapted to the circumferential location of the grippers on the printing cylinders 11 and 12.

As they pass through the printing press, the metal sheets 30 are transferred from the printing cylinder 12 to the transfer drum 17 and from there to the printing cylinder 11. They are detected by the associated grippers at their front edge portion and carried on from one transfer point to the next. The metal sheets 30 change their curvature in sections. As a result, the sheet panels 30 outside of their clamped initial area under the action of internal and external forces, such as elasticity and inertial forces, tend to perform proper motions. In order to at least partially absorb these proper movements, guide elements 31 are arranged on the transfer drum 17. These have a contact surface 32 on which the trailing edge 33 of the metal sheets 30 can create and is guided. The guide elements 31 are arranged on a respective holder 34. They are pivotally mounted thereto by means of a pivot bearing 35 about a pivot axis which is aligned parallel to the axis 18 of the transfer drum 17. The guide elements 31 are provided with a in Fig. 1 Not shown pivot drive coupled by means of which the inclination angle β of the contact surface 32 relative to the tangent 36 of the lateral surface 21 of the transfer drum 17 can be changed.

The size range of the pivot angle β is between 75 ° and 5 °. How out Fig. 1 it can be seen, has the tilt angle β is a larger angle value in the region of that point of the circulating movement of the guide element 31, at which the trailing edge 33 of the metal sheets 30 on changing its curvature on the guide member 31 applies, and a smaller angular value in the region of that point of the orbital motion of the guide member 31 at which the Trailing edge 33 of the metal sheets 30 from the guide member 31 releases again. In the former, the guide member 31 and the parts connected to it are shown extended. In the latter point, the guide member 31 and the parts connected to it are shown in phantom. In the same way, the grippers 25 and the parts connected to them are shown.

The holder 34 for the guide member 31 is disposed on a support 37 which is connected to the drum core 19 in such a manner that the holder 34 can be pivoted on an arcuate trajectory about the axis 18 of the transfer drum 17 and by means of a setting on a certain circumferential position can be adjusted. This circumferential location depends on the length of the metal sheets 30 and is related to a fixed circumferential location on the transfer drum 17, which is predetermined by the gripper of the transfer drum 17.

Out FIGS. 2 and 3 the holder 34 can be seen in more detail, on which the guide element 31 is pivotally mounted by means of the pivot bearing 35. The guide element 31 is strip-shaped. It has a given length. It is dimensioned so large that the trailing edge 33 of the metal sheets 30 can also be present when the metal sheets are different lengths and / or different elastic.

The pivot bearing 35 is disposed in the vicinity of one end of the guide member 31. Near the other Finally, a pivot drive 38 is coupled. Shown is a pivot drive in the form of a pneumatic or hydraulic piston drive, the cylinder is housed in the holder 34 and hingedly connected to it and the piston rod 39 is pivotally coupled to the guide member 31.

The pivot drive 38 has two end positions, of which a pivoting position with the larger pivot angle β is shown pulled out and the pivot position β is shown in phantom with the smaller pivot angle. Instead of a hydraulic or pneumatic piston drive is also an electromagnet as a drive into consideration, which then also has two end positions.

The adjustment of the guide element 31 to the larger pivot angle β takes place in a region of the circulating movement of the transfer drum 17 which is located a sufficient distance in front of that circumferential point at which the trailing edge 33 of the metal sheets 30 abuts the guide element 31. The location of this circumferential location depends on several circumstances, and in particular on the length of the metal sheets 30, through which the change of curvature in the rear longitudinal section of the metal sheets 30 is determined. By this change of the curvature of the metal sheets 30, the lifting of the trailing edge 33 of the metal sheets 30 is effected by the guide rails 22 and the application to the guide element 31.

The adjustment of the guide element 31 to the smaller pivot angle β takes place in a region of the circulating movement of the transfer drum 17, which is located between the two circumferential locations, at which the trailing edge 33 of the metal sheets 30 abuts the guide element 31 and at the trailing edge 33 of the metal sheets 30th from the guide element 31 releases again. Since the latter circumferential location depends very much on the length and the physical properties of the metal sheets, it must be determined empirically.

In the following exemplary embodiments, it is to be assumed that components and assemblies that are not separately explained are the same or at least similar to those of the components and assemblies described above.

At the 4 and FIG. 5 apparent embodiment, a guide member 41 is pivotally mounted on the holder 34 by means of the pivot bearing 35, the contact surface 42 is formed by two surface portions 42.1 and 42.2, which are arranged roof-shaped and connect to the ridge edge 43 to each other. The two surface portions 42.1 and 42.2 have in the axial direction an opposite inclination relative to a parallel to the axis of the pivot bearing 35 which is preferably greater than that axial inclination which occupy the metal sheets 30 on both sides of the ridge edge 43, if they are due to this investment in the ridge edge 43rd Warp elastically convex in the transverse direction. In the case that two guide elements 41 are arranged side by side in a mutual axial distance, depending on the width of the metal sheets 30 and their elasticity, their warping may also be concave. The axial inclination of the two surface sections 42.1 and 42.2 may be greater than that of the metal sheets 30 in the area of their contact point on the ridge edge 43 of the two guide elements 41. But it can also be smaller than that of the metal sheets 30. Then lies their trailing edge 33 on the outer edge of the associated surface portion 42.1 or 42.2.

At the 6 and 7 apparent embodiment, the contact surface 52 is inclined on the guide member 51 as a whole in the axial direction. This causes the trailing edge of the metal sheets is not applied to the entire contact surface 52, but only on the protruding longitudinal edge 53 of the guide member 51st

Out Fig. 8 is a pair of guide members 61 can be seen, which are referred to better distinction as a guide element 61.1 and 61.2. These two guide elements 61.2 and 61.2 are arranged together on a carrier part, not shown, in a predetermined mutual axial distance. They are connected to the support member in such a way that they can be moved in the axial direction and can be fixed at a certain point.

The guide elements 61.1 and 61.2 differ in so far from each other, as their contact surface 62.1 and 62.2 are inclined in opposite directions in the axial direction. The inclination of the abutment surfaces 62.1 and 62.2 in the axial direction is expediently chosen to be smaller or larger than the axial inclination of the surface sections of the metal sheets 30 which rest against the guide elements 61.1 and 61.2. This ensures that the trailing edge of the metal sheets rests either only on the higher longitudinal edge 63.1 and 63.2 or only on the lower longitudinal edge 63.1 and 63.2.

It may be expedient to use instead of the described rotary actuators with two end positions such rotary actuators that allow a continuous change of the pivot angle β of the contact surface 32 of the guide elements 31. For this pivot actuators come with a crank mechanism, a cam drive or a spindle drive into consideration. This rotary actuator may have a controllable electric motor, in order to better adapt the pivoting movement to the requirements of different metal sheets. This can be considered a stepper motor, a servomotor or a linear motor. In addition to their use as an indirect drive, these motors are also suitable for a direct drive of the guide elements 32, with or without intermediate gear.

When using a continuously adjustable pivoting drive, such as a stepper motor, the pivot angle β of the guide element can be largely adjusted depending on its circulation path, especially in the circulation path between the point at which the trailing edge of the metal sheets rests against the guide element , and the location where the trailing edge of the metal sheets comes off the guide member.

Just by the repetition of the curvature of the metal sheets 30 in the passage through the printing press 30 vibrations are excited in the metal sheets. In addition, in the transition from the transfer drum 17 to the printing cylinder 11, the metal sheets 30 are released from the guide rails 22 and their trailing edge 33 impinges at a certain impact speed on the contact surface 32 of the guide elements 31, which also excites vibrations in the metal sheets 30 or existing Can amplify vibrations. Since these vibrations are unfavorable for a trouble-free passage of the metal sheets 30 through the printing press, it is expedient to produce the guide elements 31 as a whole from a vibration-damping material. Above all, different plastics are suitable for this.

Since the metal sheets 30 are usually separated from a coil, arises at the leading edge and the trailing edge Burr. The cutting edge of the trailing edge has an abrasive effect on the contact surface of the guide elements. Therefore, in the case of Fig. 9 apparent guide element 71, the material itself does not have the desirable wear resistance, in the area of the contact surface 72, a wear-resistant layer 73 is arranged.

Out 10 and 11 is a further modified guide member 81 can be seen. In the region of its contact surface 82, a layer 83 of a wear-resistant material is arranged. Below this, a second layer 84 is arranged from a vibration-damping material. The remaining part 85 of the guide element 81 is made of a conventional material, for example of metal.

In the case of the guide elements 71 and 81, the type of connection between the guide elements and the layer or layers arranged thereon and optionally the layers depends on one another according to the materials of the parts joined together. This also applies to additives that may be used.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Metal plate printing press

11

pressure cylinder

12

pressure cylinder

13

axis

14

axis

15

rubber cylinder

16

rubber cylinder

17

Transfer drum

18

axis

19

drum core

21

lateral surface

22

guide rails

23

Transfer point

24

Transfer point

25

grab

26

carrier

30

metal sheets

31

guide element

32

contact surface

33

trailing edge

34

holder

35

pivot bearing

36

tangent

37

carrier

38

Rotary actuator

39

piston rod

41

guide element

42

contact surface

42.1

surface section

42.2

surface section

43

First edge

51

guide element

52

contact surface

53

longitudinal edge

61

guide element

62

contact surface

63

longitudinal edge

64

longitudinal edge

71

guide element

72

contact surface

73

Layer (wear-resistant)

81

guide element

82

contact surface

73

Layer (wear-resistant)

84

Layer (vibration damping)

85

remaining part

Claims (18)

1. A guide device for metal-sheet printing machines and metal-sheet painting machines, with the features:

   - at least two printing cylinders (11; 12) are provided,

   - - which are arranged adjacent to one another at a mutual distance and

   - - the axes (13; 14) of which are orientated parallel to one another

   - a transfer drum (17), the axis (18) of which is orientated at least approximately parallel to the axis (13; 14) of the printing cylinders (11; 12), is present between two respective mutually adjacent printing cylinders (11; 12) in each case,

   - below the transfer drum (17) guide strips (22) are provided,

   - - which are at an adjustable distance from the imaginary circumferential surface (21) of the transfer drum (17), and

   - - which extend over a peripheral region of the transfer drum (17), which is smaller than the peripheral region which extends from the first transfer station (23) of the metal sheets (30) between the first print cylinder (12) and the transfer drum (17) as far as the second transfer station (24) of the metal sheets (30) between the transfer drum (17) and the second print cylinder (11),

   - at a specific peripheral point on the transfer drum (17) at least one guide element (31) is provided,

   - - which comprises an abutment face (32) for the metal sheets (30), which is directed towards the outside and which has a pre-determined angle of inclination (β) with respect to the tangent (36) of the imaginary circumferential surface (21) of the transfer drum (17),

   characterized by the features:

   - the guide element (31) is mounted so as to be pivotable by means of a pivot bearing (35) with a pivot axis orientated parallel to the axis (18) of the transfer drum (17),

   - a pivot drive (38) is provided, by means of which the angle of inclination (β) of the abutment face (32) of the guide element (31) can be altered with respect to the tangent (36) of the imaginary circumferential surface (21) of the transfer drum (17).
2. A guide device according to Claim 1, characterized by the features:

   - the angle of inclination (β) between the abutment face (32) and the tangent (36) of the imaginary circumferential surface (21) of the transfer drum (17) is at least approximately within a range of from 75° to 5°,

   - - wherein the larger angular value is present at that point of the rotational movement of the guide element (31) at which the rear edge (33) of the metal sheets (30) rests against the guide element (31), and

   - - wherein the smaller angular value is present at that point of the rotational movement of the guide element (31) at which the rear edge (33) of the metal sheets (30) is released from the guide element (31).
3. A guide device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized by the features:

   - the abutment face (42) of the guide element (41) is subdivided into two portions (42.1;42.2),

   - - which are arranged adjacent to each other and adjoin each other in the axial direction, and

   - - which are inclined in opposite directions in the axial direction,

   - the axial inclination of the two portions (42.1; 42.2) of the face is preferably larger or smaller than that displayed by the metal sheets (30) at the contact point with respect to the circumferential line of the imaginary cylindrical circumferential surface (21).
4. A guide device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized by the features:

   - the abutment face (52) of the guide element (51) is orientated at an inclination in the axial direction,

   - the axial inclination of the abutment face (52) is preferably larger or smaller than that displayed by the metal sheets (30) at the contact point with respect to the circumferential line of the imaginary cylindrical circumferential surface (21).
5. A guide device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized by the features:

   - when two guide elements (61.1; 61.2) are present which are arranged at a mutual distance next to each other in the axial direction, their abutment face (62.1; 62.2) is also inclined in the axial direction,

   - the axial inclination of the two abutment faces (62.1; 62.2) is orientated in opposite directions,

   - the axial inclination of the two abutment faces (62.1; 62.2) is preferably larger or smaller than that displayed by the metal sheets (30) at the contact points with respect to the circumferential line of the imaginary cylindrical circumferential surface (21).
6. A guide device according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized by the features:

   - in the case of two or more guide elements (61.1; 61.2) at least part of them are made adjustable in the axial direction.
7. A guide device according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized by the features:

   - the existing guide elements (31.1; 31.2) and their associated pivot drive (38) are arranged on a common support (37),

   - - which is guided on an arcuate movement path so as to be movable about the axis (18) of the transfer drum (17), and

   - - which is adjustable to a specified peripheral point with respect to a pre-determined fixed point on the transfer drum (17) by means of an adjustment device.
8. A guide device according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized by the features:

   - the pivot drive (38) is adjustable to two end positions.
9. A guide device according to Claim 6, characterized by the features:

   - the pivot drive (38) has a pneumatic or hydraulic piston drive or an electromagnet.
10. A guide device according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized by the features:

    - the pivot drive is continuously adjustable within a pre-determined pivoting range.
11. A guide device according to Claim 8, characterized by the features:

    - the pivot drive has a crank drive or a cam drive or a spindle drive.
12. A guide device according to Claim 10 or 11, characterized by the features:

    - the pivot drive is formed by a controllable electric motor or comprises such a motor,

    - the said motor is preferably formed

    - - as a stepping motor,

    - - as a servo motor or

    - - as a linear motor.
13. A guide device according to Claim 8, characterized by the features:

    - the pivot angle (β) of the guide element (31) is adjustable as a function of at least part of its rotational path between the two peripheral points, at which the rear edge (33) of the metal sheets (30) rests against the guide element (31), and at which the rear edge (33) of the metal sheets (30) is released from the guide element (31) respectively.
14. A guide device according to Claim 1, characterized by the features:

    - the guide element (31) is either itself produced from a vibration-damping material, or the guide element (81) is provided with a vibration-damping layer (84).
15. A guide device according to Claim 1, characterized by the feature:

    - the guide element (71) is provided in the region of its abutment face (72) with a wear-resistant layer (73).
16. A guide device according to Claim 14, characterized by the features:

    - the guide element (81) is provided in the region of its abutment face (82) with a wear-resistant layer (83).
17. A guide device according to Claim 14 or 16, characterized by the features:

    - the vibration-damping part of the guide element (31) or the vibration-damping layer (84) of the guide element (81) consists

    - - of plastics material or

    - - of solid rubber or

    - - of cellular rubber with open and/or with closed pores.
18. A guide device according to Claim 15, 16 or 17, characterized by the features:

    - the wear-resistant layer (73; 83) consists

    - - of a hard metal or

    - - of an oxide-ceramic material or

    - - of a silicate glass.

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