EP1730063B1 - System comprising alternative processing sections for the further processing of products, longitudinal folding device and method for the synchronous operation of a folding device - Google Patents

Abstract

A system comprises alternative processing sections for use in the further processing of products. A separator, at which a transport section is divided into several alternative transport sections for the further processing of products in processing stages, is provided. A sensor, that detects the phasing of the products, is located upstream of the separator. A request from the sensor acts on a drive which actuates the separator through a control device. A further sensor, which detects the product phasing, is located on each of the at least two transport sections. This further sensor is connected to a drive for the processing stage served by respective ones of the separate transport sections. The drive of each such processing stage is controlled independently of the drive for the respective transport section by a suitable control unit which takes into consideration the detected product phasing for the associated transport section.

Description

The invention relates to a system with alternative processing lines for further processing of products, a longitudinal folding apparatus and a method for synchronous operation of a folding apparatus according to the preamble of claim 1, 2 and 15 respectively.

In folders, in particular for products of a rotary printing press, product sections in several successive and z.T. further processed in alternatively selectable processing stages. The alternative assignment of product sections to several processing stages is via a product diverter. In conventional folders, both the product diverter and the tools of the subsequent processing stages have mostly been driven by gears from a main drive of the folder or its transport means and synchronized with them. However, if the product sections are not always exactly oriented prior to entering the switch and / or before entering the downstream processing step, it may damage the product both during passage through the switch and during subsequent further processing, to a reduction in quality and / or come to a standstill of the plant.

In the DE 198 02 995 C2 is a product diverter of a folder with two downstream Längsfalzapparaten disclosed, wherein the product diverter is arranged upstream of a sensor for detecting the product phase position and downstream of a sensor for detecting stoppers in this way on each of the two subsequent product paths. The three sensors, a sensor detecting the speed of the main drive and a switching device which determines the type of production are used to control the product diverter connected to a control device which acts on a connected to the axis of the product diverter stepper motor.

By the DE 40 20 937 C2 a longitudinal folder is known, wherein a folding blade on a cam on the folding gap and is movable away.

The DE 199 43 165 A1 discloses a folding blade of a longitudinal folding apparatus which is movable into and out of the folding gap by means of electromagnetic force-generating coils.

Longitudinal folders are used in the printing industry, especially in the final production of printed products, the printed products are pressed by the folding blade in the folding gap and folded in this longitudinally. Because the direction of entry of the printed products into the longitudinal folder is transverse to their subsequent movement through the nip, they must be decelerated before passing through the nip. For this purpose, in known Längsfalzapparaten brake brushes, which gradually decelerate the incoming printed products by friction, and fixed stops are known, against which the printed products abut and thereby abruptly decelerated. In order to avoid damage to the printed products at the stop, their speed must be reduced by the brushes to a low value, but this value must not be zero, because then the printed products do not reach the stop and it comes to a jam. The extent of slowing down by the brushes is determined by the frictional force exerted on the printed products, and ultimately by their position. If, while maintaining the brush position, printed products of different thickness should be folded, the friction with the thickness of the products increases sharply, so that a thick product may get stuck between the brushes and not reach the stop, while a thin at such a high speed the stop bounces that it is damaged. The position of the brushes must therefore to the thickness of the Be adapted to printed products.

The friction between printed products and brushes also depends on the surface finish of the printed products. Smooth paper products can hit the fence too quickly, while equally thick and equally heavy products made from a rough paper may not reach the fence.

Another problem arises from the fact that the kinetic energy of the printed products dissipated at the brushes is given by the product of the frictional force and the length of the braking distance. It is independent of the input speed of the printed products. Changes in this input speed, whether intentional or unintentional, therefore strongly affect the impact speed of the printed products at the stop.

The position of the brushes must therefore be adapted to virtually every print job to ensure proper functioning of the Längsfalzapparats. Due to the variety of influencing parameters, adaptation can often only be done empirically, which involves a great deal of time and costs.

Another fundamental problem that occurs with high input speeds of the printed products, even if they are braked so far that there is no damage when hitting the stop, results from the fact that the printed products change their position and orientation during the braking process. In many cases, a printed product takes a twisted position in the longitudinal folder after braking, in which the leading edge of the printed product is no longer perpendicular to the folding nip. In the subsequent folding, in which the printed product is pressed by the folding blade in the folding nip, the printed product is therefore not as desired centered transverse, but has an oblique fold.

Also, a premature folding can take place when product sections retarded delayed in the longitudinal folder and the drive of the folding blade (tool of the processing stage) is mechanically coupled from a main drive ago.

The EP 1 211 212 A2 shows a Falzschwertsteuerung a Längsfalzapparates with a Längsfalzapparat upstream sensor, wherein a control of the triggering time is determined in dependence on a determined by means of the sensor speed of the transported product sections.

The DE 198 28 625 A1 relates to a transverse folding device for Querfalzung of individual sheets. It has a folded in the transport direction folding blade and an automatic control for the location or the correct separation of the sheet and is designed to be able to fold paper sheet simply or repeatedly across.

The DE 694 00 629 T2 discloses a longitudinal folder, wherein two position sensor means are provided at the upstream end of the fold portion. The output signals are used to control the brake pressure of a braking device braking the product sections.

The invention has for its object to increase in a system with alternative processing lines for further processing of products and in a longitudinal folder the product quality and reliability, and to provide a corresponding method for synchronous operation of a folder.

The object is achieved by the features of claim 1, 2 and 15 respectively.

The achievable with the present invention consist in particular in that the product quality on the one hand and the reliability (availability) of the Folder on the other hand is considerably increased. This is advantageously ensured by an optical detection of the product position in front of the two longitudinal folders and a synchronization of the mechanically independent of the conveyor system driven folding blade and / or a movable stop and / or an optical detection of the product position in front of the switch.

Due to the optical detection of the product phase position directly in front of the longitudinal fold, the folding time can be ideally synchronized and corrected if necessary. The quality is further improved if additionally movable stops are also synchronized via the optical detection and reduce the impact and ensure an exact product alignment.

In an advantageous embodiment, the longitudinal folding apparatus by the movable stop a gentle deceleration of the products, eg. B. printed products achieved because the kinetic energy with which the products hit the current stop, compared to the kinetic energy released upon impact against a fixed stop is reduced. If the difference between the input speed of the products and the speed of the current stop is chosen to be sufficiently small, the said unwanted effects due to a released kinetic energy can even be completely avoided. In this case, the movable stop can also absorb very high input speeds of the products and gently slow down the products. With the movable stop independent of mass, thickness and surface finish of the incoming products braking effect can be achieved, so that different products can be processed without the Längsfalzapparat would have to be adjusted to this before.

Most preferably, the longitudinal folder comprises a control unit which controls a reduction in the speed of the stop on the braking distance. With the control unit targeted braking of the incoming products is possible so that they come to a predetermined certain position to a standstill and are optimally aligned for the subsequent folding, or that they are on a second, fixed stop, the desired position of the products for determines the subsequent folding operation, impinging at a low speed, at which no damage of the products is to be expected by the impact.

In particular, if the control unit has an input for a signal representative of the input speed of the products, the speed of the stop can be conveniently adjusted via the control unit to changing input speeds of the products.

Advantageously, a sensor for detecting incoming products is upstream of the braking path and coupled to the control unit, so that the control unit can synchronize the movement of the movable stop so that a detected incoming product at the beginning of the braking distance at about the input speed moving stop hits. The speed of the stop at the beginning of the braking distance may be less than the input speed, as long as the difference between the speeds is not so great that damage to the product seems possible. It can also be slightly larger; in this case, it comes only later on the braking distance when the stop has become slower than the product, the contact between the two.

The stop is preferably designed as a circumferential cam whose direction of movement crosses a braking distance of the product at least on a path section. Using a on a rotatable body, z. As a disc, a roller or an eccentric, arranged circumferential cam, the stop in a continuous movement, without reversing the drive direction, from one end of the braking distance - d. H. an external contact with the product - back to its beginning - d. H. Contacting - to be transported in order to be able to catch the next product there. In this case, the rotatable body can be provided either as a retrofit module of the longitudinal folding apparatus via a folding gap having the folding gap, or else the rotatable body having the cam is arranged as a module permanently integrated in the longitudinal folding apparatus below the folding table. In a preferred embodiment, the body is a plurality of disks arranged axially next to one another and each having at least one cam on its circumference.

In a variant, the cam may be arranged on a revolving endless belt, which has a portion parallel to the braking distance.

Advantageously, on both sides of the folding gap at least one cams exhibiting rotatable body or an endless belt is arranged, each carrying synchronously moving attacks. Two rotatable bodies or endless belts per side of the seam gap are preferred. Thus, a proper alignment of the braked product is ensured and unwanted twisting of the product with respect to the folding gap is further complicated.

For driving the rotatable body or the endless belts can be provided on both sides of the seam gap at least one motor. This motor can be a high dynamic servomotor or an electric motor. But it is also an embodiment possible in which a single motor by means of a continuous shaft drives the rotatable body or endless belts on both sides of the folding gap.

Preferably, a velocity of the stop at the beginning of the braking distance of at least 90% of the input speed of the products, because then between the speed of the stop and the input speed is a sufficiently small difference, so that when the impact of the products to the stop little kinetic energy is released ,

It may be advantageous to provide in addition to the movable stop and brake brushes in Längsfalzapparat, with which the deceleration of the products can be further mitigated.

An embodiment is shown in the drawings and will be described in more detail below.

Fig. 1

einen Längsfalzapparat in Seitenansicht;

Fig. 2

den Längsfalzapparat in Draufsicht;

Fig. 3

den Vorgang des Abbremsens eines Druckerzeugnisses a) bis d);

Fig. 4

ein Geschwindigkeits-Zeit-Diagramm für ein Druckerzeugnis in einer ersten Betriebsweise des Längsfalzapparates;

Fig. 5

ein Geschwindigkeits-Zeit-Diagramm für ein Druckerzeugnis in einer zweiten Betriebsweise des Längsfalzapparates;

Fig. 6

einen weiteren Längsfalzapparat in Seitenansicht;

Fig. 7

den Längsfalzapparat aus Fig. 6 in Draufsicht;

Fig. 8

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Bremsvorrichtung mit bewegbaren Anschlag;

Fig. 9

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Bremsvorrichtung mit Falztisch und Gestell;

Fig. 10

eine schematische Darstellung eines Systems mit alternativen Bearbeitungsstrecken zur Weiterverarbeitung von Produkten.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a Längsfalzapparat in side view;

Fig. 2

the Längsfalzapparat in plan view;

Fig. 3

the process of braking a printed product a) to d);

Fig. 4

a speed-time diagram for a printed product in a first Operation of the longitudinal folder;

Fig. 5

a speed-time diagram for a printed product in a second mode of operation of the longitudinal folding apparatus;

Fig. 6

another longitudinal folder in side view;

Fig. 7

the longitudinal folder Fig. 6 in plan view;

Fig. 8

a perspective view of a braking device with movable stopper;

Fig. 9

a perspective view of a braking device with folding table and frame;

Fig. 10

a schematic representation of a system with alternative processing lines for further processing of products.

The Fig. 1 and 2 FIG. 1 shows a processing stage 01 executed as a longitudinal folding apparatus 01, once from a lateral view (FIG. Fig. 1 ) and once in plan view ( Fig. 2 ). The longitudinal folding apparatus 01 comprises a folding table 04, in which an elongate folding gap 06 is provided. Under the folding table 04 is at the level of the folding gap 06, a pair of collapsed folding rollers 07, of which in Fig. 1 only one is visible and the other is concealed, arranged such that they form a parallel to the folding gap 06 oriented and located directly below this gap. On the folding table 04 pivotable folding lever 21 are provided which hold a likewise parallel to the folding gap 06 oriented folding blade 03 above the folding gap 06. With pivoting of the folding lever 21, the folding blade 03 can penetrate into the folding gap 06. In an end region of the folding gap 06, an elongate stop 08 is arranged transversely to the folding gap 06 on the folding table 04. At the Stop 08 are the top of the folding table 04 facing brake brushes 09 attached. The folding blade 03 is - in contrast to a rotating blade - preferably designed in the manner of a. With respect to the folding table 04 pivotable, ie relative to the folding table 04 up and down movable knife 04. The knife 04 is z. B. mounted on levers 43, which in turn. With respect. The folding table 04 pivotally about an axis 44 (FIG. Fig. 9 ) are stored. In another embodiment, however, the knife may also be arranged as eccentrically on a continuously rotating body of revolution. It may also be arranged eccentrically on a revolving planetary gear. In an advantageous embodiment, a mechanically independent drive (see below) is provided.

In a preferred embodiment - in Fig. 1 indicated only by dashed lines - the folding blade 03 is assigned its own, mechanically independent of transport or production equipment drive 05. This drive 05 may for example be designed as a motor 05, which via a transmission, for. B. an eccentric or a crank mechanism, the folding blade 03 clocked to the position of a product 02 on the folding table 04 lowers or raises. The control of the drive 05 is effected, for example, by a control device 10 shown by dashed lines, which either via information about the speed of a transport system conveying the product 02 or via a signal of a sensor upstream of the folding gap 06 and detecting the product 02 (eg sensor mentioned below 18) synchronizes the movement of the folding blade 03 with the product flow.

On both sides of the folding gap 06 is in each case one with its axis of rotation perpendicular to the folding gap 06 extending rotatable body 15, z. As discs 15, arranged. At the periphery of the discs 15 are each two stops 13; 14, z. B. cams 13; 14 arranged, z. B. welded, starting from any of the cams 13; 14 a distance between the cams 13; 14 is preferably the same length along the length of the toothed belt 12. The two discs 15, which are located on different sides of the folding gap 06, each with a motor 16, z. B. with a angular position-controlled electric motor 16 connected and preferably driven synchronously. In a variant, not shown, the two discs 15 are connected to each other via a continuous shaft 17 and driven by a common motor 16 (see below to Fig. 7 ). A braking path 24 for printed products 02 is bounded on the one hand by the upper side of the folding table 04, on the other hand by a lateral surface of the two disks 15 facing this surface. The distance between the surface of the folding table 04 and the lateral surfaces of the discs 15 is smaller than the height of the cams 13, 14. The motors 16 are controlled by a control unit 19 or control device 19, which is further connected to a sensor 18. The sensor 18 is for detecting at an input speed v ₀ ( Fig. 5 and 6 ) in the limited by the timing belt 12 and the folding table 04 braking path 24 incoming products 02, z. B. printed products 02 upstream of the braking path 24 on the input side. The control unit 19 further has an input for a signal which specifies the speed v, enter the printed matter 02 in the braking path 24. This signal can z. B. derived from a web speed signal of the printed products 02 delivering web press or be provided by the control center of such a machine. But it is also possible, the speed v of each individual incoming printed product 02, z. B. by means of two successively passed by the printed product sensors 18, and to supply the input of the control unit 19.

In a variant ( Fig. 6, 7 ) to the cams 13; 14 supporting disc 15 runs on both sides of the folding gap 06 each a folding gap 06 parallel toothed belt 12 as an endless belt 12 via two rotatably mounted gears 11, z. B. pulleys. On the timing belt 12 are each two stops 13; 14, z. B. cams 13; 14 welded, again starting from any of the cams 13; 14 a distance between the cams 13; 14 along the length of the toothed belt 12 is the same size. Two of the gears 11, which are located on different sides of the folding gap 06 are here via the continuous shaft 17 with each other and with the common motor 16, z. B. connected to a angular position controlled electric motor 16 and driven synchronously. The braking path 24 for printed products 02 is bounded on the one hand by the upper side of the folding table 04, on the other hand by a strand of the two toothed belts 12 facing this surface. The distance between the surface of the folding table 04 and the strands of the two toothed belts 12 is slightly smaller than the height of the cams 13, 14. The motor 16 is driven by the control unit 19, which as Fig. 1 executed, is connected to the sensor 18 (see above).

The discs 15 and the endless belts 12 and gears 11 may be arranged in a non-illustrated embodiment on the printed product 02 side facing away from the folding table 04, wherein the cams 13; 14 must pass through the folding table 04 in such a way that they protrude from the printed product 02 facing surface at least in a path portion as a movable stop for the printed product.

In the 3 a) to 3 d) the process of braking the incoming printed product 02 is shown using the example of the rotatable body 15, wherein for the sake of clarity, a representation of the folding blade 03 and the folding rollers 07 has been dispensed with. The endless belt 12 design has been considered where possible by parentheses.

The incoming with an input speed v ₀ in the longitudinal folder 01 printed product 02 is in Fig. 3 a) detected by the sensor 18. Based on the signal applied to the input of the control unit 19 (time of product detection and / or speed signal), the control unit 19 synchronizes the movement of the discs 15 (toothed belt 12) with that of the printed product 02 so that the printed product 02 at the entrance of the braking path 24 to a cam 13 or 14, in Fig. 3 b) The cam 13, which moves at this time slightly slower than the printed matter 02 and this slows down without damaging it. During the passage of the Cam 13 through the braking distance 24 in Fig. 3 b) slows the control unit 19 in a first mode continuously the rotational movement of the discs 15 (the movement of the timing belt 12) until the printed product 02 z. B. reaches the brake brushes 09 and is further slowed down by these and finally at a speed v abuts against the stop 08, where it is not damaged by the impact. In the event that the brake brushes 09 are arranged only behind the point at which the printed product 02 disengages from the cam 13, however, the printed product 02 initially moves uniformly at a reduced speed until it encounters the brushes. The Fig. 3c) shows the situation shortly before the abutment of the printed product 02 to the stop 08, the Fig. 3 d) the situation shortly after the abutment of the printed product 02 to the stop 08. Once cam 13 and printed matter 02 are disengaged, the disc 15 (the timing belt 12) can be accelerated again, so that the second cam 14 in time for the arrival of a subsequent printed product 02 are located at the entrance of the braking path 24 and have a speed v suitable for braking this printed product 02.

In a simplified embodiment of the longitudinal folding apparatus 01, the brake brush 09 can be omitted. In this case, however, the cams 13; 14 are slowed down when passing the stop 08 to a lower speed v than when the brake brushes 09 are present to prevent damage to the printed matter 02 at the stop 08 and rebounding. It is therefore a more powerful engine 16 needed.

In the subsequent folding step, the now stationary printed product 02 is pressed by the folding blade 03 in a known manner through the folding gap 06 in the gap between the two folding rollers 07 and thereby folded longitudinally. This is a well-known process, so that it will not be discussed in detail here at this point.

The Fig. 4 shows by way of example the time evolution (t) of the speed v of a printed product 02 when passing through the braking path 24.

The printed product 02 enters the longitudinal folding apparatus 01 at an input speed v ₀ . The cams 14 and 13 precede the printed product 02 at a speed v ₁ which is 90% of the input speed v ₀ . Upon impact of the printed product 02 on the cams 14 and 13 at the time t ₀ , the relative speed between the printed product 02 and the cams 14 and 13 is therefore one tenth of the input speed v ₀ . Because the relative velocity is quadratic in the kinetic energy, this means that upon impact of the printed product 02 on the cams 14 and 13 at time t ₀ only one hundredth of that kinetic energy is released, which at a collision of the printed product 02 with the unrestrained input speed v ₀ against the stop 08 would be released.

Between the time t ₀ and the time t ₁ at which the printed product 02 enters the effective range of the brake brushes 09, the speed of the cams 14 is continuously reduced by the control unit 19. In the speed-time diagram, a falling straight line results between these times for the speed. The deceleration by the control unit 19 may also follow a different waveform. From the time t ₁ , the printed product 02 is additionally braked by the brake brushes 09, so that the straight line between the times t ₁ and t _{2 has} a curvature. If the printed product 02 at the time t ₂ finally abuts the stop 08, being completely decelerated, it has the very low speed v ₂ compared to the input speed v ₀ . Thus, the impact of the printed matter 02 against the stopper 08 is very gentle, and little kinetic energy is released. From the time t ₁ , when the contact between the printed product 02 and the cam 14 is lost, the control unit 19 can accelerate the toothed belt 12 again to the cams 13 and 14 with the subsequent printed product 02 to synchronize.

Fig. 5 shows the development of the speed v of a printed product 02 when passing through the braking path 24 in a further simplified embodiment of the Längsfalzapparates 01, wherein the cam 13; 14 carrying disc 15 (or endless belts 12) are driven at a uniform speed. The printed product 02 runs here also with the input speed v ₀ in the longitudinal folder 01 a. This time, 14 and 13 through the cam 02 the printed product advance at a reduced speed compared to the speed v ₁ v. ₃ At time t ₀ , the printed product 02 has caught up with the cams 14 and 13, respectively, and abuts them, reducing its velocity v from v ₀ to v ₃ , the speed of the cams 14 and 13, respectively. Between the time t ₀ and the time t ₁ at which the printed product 02 reaches the effective range of the brake brushes 09, the speed v _{3 of} the cams 14 or 13 and thus the speed v of the printed product 02 remains approximately constant. However, in the case of the disc 15, this only applies to a contact area within a small angle of rotation - z. B. less than 20 ° - approximately. After the vertex of the cam 13, ie at the location of the shortest distance to the folding table 04, which is characterized in that the center of the disc 11 is connected to the front edge of the cam 13 line perpendicular to the plane of the folding table 04, the cam 13 runs at constant rotational speed of the decelerated printed matter 02 in the plane of the folding table 04 slightly thereof (is not in Fig. 5 shown).

From the brake brushes 09, the printed product 02 is further decelerated, which is noticeable in a curvature of the previously straight graph, while the cams 14 and 13 continue to run, whereby they separate from the printed matter 02 again. Finally, the printed product 02 comes at the time t ₂ at the speed v ₄ against the stop 08 and is completely decelerated.

For the sake of simplicity of estimation, consider once the influence of the brake brushes 09 on the speed v of the printed matter 02, assuming that there are no brake brushes 09, and further assume that the speed v _{3 of} the lobes 14 is half as great the input speed v _{0 of} the printed product 02, so at the collision of the printed product 02 to the cams 14 and 13 and the collision of the printed product 02 to the stop 08 each have the same kinetic energy, because in both collisions in each case the same relative velocity between the Printed product 02 and the cam 14 and 13, the stop 08 is present. This means that in each case only one quarter of the kinetic energy which would be released when the printed product 02 would hit the fixed stop 08 with the unrestrained input speed v ₀ is released in both impacts. Are braking brushes 09 are present, may v _3> v _0/2 and v _4> v are _0/2 is selected, and both shocks are alleviated.

In an advantageous embodiment with the disk 15, the impact point is located in front of the vertex of the cam 13, d. H. before the location of the shortest distance to the folding table 04, which is characterized in that the line connecting the center of the disc 11 with the front edge of the cam 13 is perpendicular to the plane of the folding table 04.

The longitudinal folder 01 with arranged below the folding table 04 discs 15 and endless belts 12 is particularly preferred when the discs 15 and timing belt 12 are provided with gears 11 and the motor 16 / motors fixedly installed in this, while the longitudinal folder 01 with above the folding table 04 arranged discs 15 and endless belts 12 in practice is then preferred when the timing belt 12 to be configured with the gears 11 and the motor 16 as a detachable modules.

Fig. 8 shows an advantageous embodiment of a movable stop 13; 14 It has on both sides of the folding gap 06 a group of several, here four, discs 15, which each carry a cam 13 on the circumference, and each group is driven by a motor 16. In principle, this device could be detachable or non-detachable with a frame 27 or frame 27 or the folding table 04 (FIG. Fig. 9 ). In an advantageous embodiment, however, the braking device 26 is designed as a module 26 which is arranged so movable relative to the frame 27, that the space directly above the folding table 04 is releasable. For this purpose, the braking device is mounted pivotably with respect to the frame 27. The braking device has the groups of discs 15 receiving carrier 29, which are either rotatable about a frame-fixed axis 28 or rotationally fixed about an axis rotatably mounted on the frame 27 28 pivotally. The pivoting can either manually, or as shown with drive means 31, z. B. by one or more acted upon by pressure cylinders, done. For this example, the cylinder is fixed to the frame and the piston end hinged to the carriers 29 or vice versa. Fixed to the frame in this case includes that the bearing of the axis 28 and the cylinder can be connected via other, arranged in fixed orientation to the frame 27 and the folding table 04 components. If now the folding table 04 or the folding blade 03 are made accessible, the brake device is swiveled off via actuation of the drive means 31 (or manually). The module 26 - whether arranged movable or fixed to the frame - is suitable in a particularly simple manner for retrofitting conventional Längsfalzapparate 01.

The principle of the movable stops 13; 14 as well as the special embodiments of the device are considered alone, but in total within a system 32 described below with alternative processing lines advantageously used.

Fig. 10 schematically shows a system 32 with alternative processing lines for further processing of products 02, z. B. of intermediates 02, in particular for further processing of printed products 02 within a folder.

Intermediates 02, z. B. already cross-cut and / or quergefalzte sections of printed products, along a distance 33, z. B. a supply line 33, on a switch 34, z. B. a splitter 34, to be promoted, at which the further transport in several (here two) alternative routes 36; 37, z. B. conveyor lines 36; 37, in particular processing sections 36; 37 for further processing of the intermediates 02, shares. The splitter 34 has, for example, a tongue 38, z. B. Splittzunge 38, which is arranged to be movable in such a way that the incoming product 02 depending on the position of the tongue 38 in one or the other conveyor section 36; 37 is headed. Thus, for example, alternately a product 02 alternately in one and the other conveyor section 36; Guide 37 and two different downstream processing stages 01 feed. The promotion of the products 02 on the routes 33; 36; 37 can in principle in a variety of ways by transport systems, eg. B. by belt or chain conveyor, or by the products 02 on both sides enclosing belt or belt systems done. The transport systems of the routes 33; 36; 37 may be driven by a plurality of independent or a common drive means.

Timing or synchronization of the splitting device 34 or splitting tongue 38 with the product 02 takes place in conventional systems mechanically by coupling with the drive of a processing stage and / or the transport system. Disadvantage here is that compared to the transport system slipped products 02 or 02 products that were late or prematurely supplied to the transport system, the switch 34 happen at a wrong moment and it can therefore lead to mis-wiring or even jamming and shutdown of the system.

This in Fig. 10 shown system 32 is performed with an optical detection of the product layer or the product phase position. For this purpose, the system 32 upstream of the switch 34, advantageously at a short distance to the switch such. B. the highest five product lengths, especially advantageously less than or equal to two product lengths, a sensor 39 for detecting a position or phase angle of the product, z. B. an optical sensor 39, on. This can detect the entry of the product 02 in the field of view, the exit from the field of view and / or its transport speed and output a corresponding signal. The signal is fed to a control device 41, which in turn controls a drive 42 of the switch 34. The control device 41 is designed to synchronize the phase position of the switch 34, in particular the position or phase of the chipping tongue 38, with the arrival of the product 02 by means of the signal from the sensor 39.

In a first variant of a discontinuously operated drive 42, for example, the switch 34 is brought in each case as a result of a signal by the drive 42 in the required position. Ie. in the sequence of the detected products, a change of direction is made in each case caused by a signal. A number of optionally located on the path between switch 34 and spaced sensor 39 products 02 must be taken into account if the more the distance is more than a product length 02.

In an advantageous variant of the drive 42, for example, designed as a motor 42, operated continuously and drives via a transmission, for. B. a crank mechanism, the splitting tongue 38 at. The speed and / or position of the motor 42 is adjusted in synchronism with the product flow by the control device 41 in such a way that the chipping tongue 38 is in the desired position when a product 02 enters the switch 34. This takes place, for example, taking into account the distance between sensor 39 and switch 34 and the product speed. The latter can be determined, for example, either via the sensor 39, or taken over from information about the speed of the transport system on the supply line 33. If the phase position and / or the phase velocity between the signal for detecting the product 02 and that of the splitting tongue 38 no longer match, the control device makes a correction of the rotational position and / or rotational speed of the Drive 42. As a result, an exact synchronization between product infeed into the switch 34 and switch position can be produced.

The described optical detection in advance of the switch 34 with appropriate control of the switch 34 is basically advantageous in systems with alternative conveyor lines 36; 37 can be used for products 02. However, this is especially true in the context of a system 32 with alternative processing sections 36; 37 for intermediates 02, in particular for printed products 02, whose product stream is split according to specified specifications or directed into a specific processing path, and the split product streams are to be supplied to various processing stages for further processing. Such processing stages can basically be folding, gluing, labeling, punching, stacking, binding and / or stapling devices. A timing or synchronization of the processing level, z. As the folding blade 03 of a folder, with the product 02 takes place in conventional systems mechanically by coupling with the drive of a pre- or downstream processing stage and / or with the product 02 conveying transport system. Disadvantage here is again that against the transport system slipped products 02 or 02 products that were late or prematurely supplied to the transport system, can block the processing stage or at least to a faulty product processing -. B. faulty lying fold - can lead. Furthermore, increased wear on the transport system, eg. B. on the tape system, or the processing stage itself be the result.

This in Fig. 10 shown system 32 is therefore designed with an optical detection of the product layer before the further processing stage. It has two processing sections 36; 37, each with a running as a longitudinal folder processing stage with a designed as folding blade tool. The Längsfalzapparate can be as conventional Längsfalzapparate or advantageously as Längsfalzapparate 01 one of the above embodiments with disc 15 and endless belt 12, which as a folding blade 03 executed - in particular mechanically independently driven - have tool 03.

Preferably, the upper and / or lower Längsfalzapparat 01 (preferably both) has a mechanically independent of the transport system drive 05 for the folding blade 03 and a folding gap 06 on the conveyor line 36; 37 upstream sensor 18 for detecting the position or a passage time of a product 02, ie the product phase position on. About the controller 10, the movement of the folding blade 03 is synchronized. The sensor 18 detects the time of passage of a product 02 which is corrected by the control device 10, a synchronization of the movement of the folding blade 03 or in deviation from a target value of the folding time. If the longitudinal folder 01 additionally has a movable stop 13; 14 from the above-mentioned embodiments, this is also on the associated control unit 19 (see Fig. 1 to 3 ) can be synchronized. The control units 10 and 19 can in this case be structurally combined, and possibly be part of a higher-level control.

A particularly advantageously implemented system 32, in which a product stream is split according to specified specifications, and the split product streams are to be supplied to different processing stages for further processing, in particular longitudinal folders 01, are both in front of the switch 34 and in front or in the entrance area of the processing stages with a o. performed optical detection of the product layer.

The described longitudinal folding apparatus 01 are preferably designed as so-called. Third fold, on the product path a first Längsfalzeinheit, such as a former, and a Querfalzapparat, for example, with a folding blade cylinder acting jaw cylinder, are arranged upstream.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

01

Longitudinal folder, processing stage

02

Product, printed matter, intermediate

03

folding blade

04

folding table

05

Drive, engine

06

folding gap

07

folding roller

08

attack

09

brake brush

10

control device

11

gear

12

Timing belt, endless belt

13

Stop, cam

14

Stop, cam

15

Body, rotatable, disc

16

Engine, electric motor

17

wave

18

sensor

19

Control unit, control device

20

-

21

seam lever

22

Product, printed matter

23

longitudinal folder

24

stopping distance

25

-

26

Brake device, module

27

Frame, frame

28

axis

29

carrier

30

-

31

drive means

32

system

33

Range, feed range

34

Soft, splitting device

35

-

36

Route, conveyor line

37

Route, conveyor line

38

Tongue, chipped tongue

39

sensor

40

-

41

control device

42

Drive, engine

43

lever

44

axis

t

Development, in time

t ₀

time

t ₁

time

t ₂

time

v

speed

v ₀

Input speed (02)

v ₁

Speed (14; 13)

v ₂

Speed (02)

v ₃

Speed (02)

v ₄

Speed (02)

Claims (17)

1. A system with alternative treatment paths for the further processing of products (02) in longitudinal folders (01), wherein a former and a transverse folder are arranged upstream of the longitudinal folders (01) on the product path, and with a switch point (34) at which a conveying path (33) is divided into a plurality of alternative conveying paths (36; 37) for the further processing of the products (02) in the longitudinal folders (01), wherein the switch point (34) has arranged upstream of it a sensor (39) which detects the product-phase position and the signal of which acts by way of a control device (41) upon a drive (42) actuating the switch point (34), and wherein one further sensor (18) is arranged in each case on the at least two conveying paths (36; 37), characterized in that the further sensor (18) is constructed in the form of a sensor (18) detecting the product-phase position in order to detect the time of a passage through, and the sensor (18) is connected to a drive (05) - mechanically independent of the drive of the conveying paths (33; 36; 37) - of a folding blade (03) - movable up and down relative to a folding bench (04) - of the longitudinal folder (01) by way of a control device (10; 19) which controls the drive (05) of the folding blade (03) whilst taking into consideration the product-phase position detected.
2. A longitudinal folder (01) upstream of which longitudinal folder 01 a former and a transverse folder are arranged on the product path, wherein a product (02) is capable of being supplied to the longitudinal folder (01) by way of a conveying path (36; 37), wherein a sensor (18) is arranged upstream of the longitudinal folder (01) on the conveying path (36; 37), characterized in that the sensor (18) is constructed in the form of a sensor (18) detecting the product-phase position in order to detect the time of a passage through, and the sensor (18) is connected to a drive (05; 16) - mechanically independent of the drive of the conveying paths (33; 36; 37) - of a folding blade (03) of the longitudinal folder (01) by way of a control device (10) which controls the drive (05) whilst taking into consideration the product-phase position detected, and the drive (05) is constructed in the form of a motor (05) which lowers or raises by way of a gear mechanism the folding blade (03) in a clock-timed manner with respect to the position of the product (02) relative to a folding bench (04).
3. A system according to Claim 1 or a longitudinal folder (01) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the blade (04) is mounted on at least one lever pivotable with respect to a folding bench (04).
4. A system according to Claim 1 or a longitudinal folder (01) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the longitudinal folder (01) has a movable stop (13; 14) which retards a product (02) running into the longitudinal folder.
5. A system or a longitudinal folder (01) according to Claim 4, characterized in that the stop (13; 14) is movable along the braking path (24) of the printed products (02; 22) with a speed lower than the entry speed (v₀).
6. A system or a longitudinal folder (01) according to Claim 4, characterized in that a drive (16) mechanically independent of the drive of the conveying paths (33; 36; 37) is constructed in the form of a drive (16) of the stop (13; 14).
7. A system or a longitudinal folder (01) according to Claim 6, characterized in that both the drive (05) of the folding blade (03) and the drive (16) of the stop (13; 14) are controlled whilst using the signal from the sensor (18).
8. A system or a longitudinal folder (01) according to Claim 4, characterized in that the movable stop (13, 14) is arranged on the periphery of a rotatable body (15) [with a] circulating endless belt (12) which extends into the braking path (24) at least on one portion.
9. A system or a longitudinal folder (01) according to Claim 4, characterized in that the movable stop (13, 14) is arranged on a circulating endless belt (12) which has a portion parallel to the braking path (24).
10. A longitudinal folder (01) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the longitudinal folder (01) has arranged upstream of it a switch point (34) by means of which the products (02) are capable of being supplied alternatively to the longitudinal folder (01) or to another treatment stage (01).
11. A longitudinal folder (01) according to Claim 10, characterized in that the switch point (34) has arranged upstream of it a sensor (39) which detects the product-phase position and the signal of which acts by way of a control device (41) upon a drive (42) actuating the switch point (34).
12. A system according to Claim 1 or a longitudinal folder (01) according to Claim 11, characterized in that the control device (41) is designed in such a way as to synchronize, whilst using the signal from the sensor (39), an operative position of the switch point (34) with the product-phase position detected.
13. A system according to Claim 1 or a longitudinal folder (01) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the control device (10) is designed in such a way as to synchronize, whilst using the signal from the sensor (18), the movement of the folding blade (03) with the product-phase position detected.
14. A system or a longitudinal folder (01) according to Claim 4, characterized in that the control device (10; 19) is designed in such a way as to synchronize, whilst using the signal from the sensor (18), the movement of the stop (13; 14) with the product-phase position.
15. A method for the synchronous operation of a longitudinal folder with alternative treatment paths, wherein

    - a product-phase position is detected by means of a sensor (39) arranged upstream of a switch point (34),

    - the product flow is guided by means of the switch point (34) into a selected treatment path with reference to pre-set values fixed for the production or is split into a multiplicity of treatment paths,

    - as an operative setting of the switch point (34) is synchronized with respect to the product-phase position with reference to the signals from the sensor (39),

    - a product-phase position, i.e. the time of a passage through, is determined before and during the entry into a treatment stage (01) by means of a second sensor (18) arranged downstream of the switch point (34) and upstream of the treatment stage (01),

    - and a drive (05) for a movement up and down - carried out relative to a folding bench (04) - of a folding blade (03) of the treatment stage (01) for treating the product with reference to the signals from the second sensor (18) is synchronized by a second control device (10) with respect to the product-phase position.
16. A method according to Claim 15, characterized in that the synchronization of the operative setting of the switch point (34) with respect to the product-phase position is carried out by a first control device (42).
17. A method according to Claim 15, characterized in that the synchronization of the movement of the folding blade (03) with respect to the product-phase position is carried out by a second control device (10).

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