EP2774772B1 - Method for fastening and crimping method with only one crimping head - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for stitching signatures according to claim 1 and a saddle stitcher for booklet production with the preamble features of claim 5.

State of the art

Saddle stitchers are well known in the art and, for example, in the DE 10 2008 023 865 A1 respectively. US 7,988,138 B2 shown. From folded sheet investors individual folded sheets are separated from a stack, opened and placed on the gathering chain. The gathering chain has a guide device whose upper portion is formed like a blade and whose ridge line defines the transport and stitching line, and a substantially roof-shaped support on which the signatures are transported astride. In order to securely capture the folded sheets deposited on the gathering chains, even at high processing speeds, and to achieve safe entrainment and to transport them uniformly, the collecting chain has entrainment elements which convey the deposited folding sheets in the horizontal direction. The folded sheets conveyed by the gathering chain and the carriers are transported through the gathering chain up to a stitching station, in which successive folded sheets are stapled in the fold with the aid of wire staples. For this purpose, stapling heads arranged above the gathering chain and clincher boxes arranged below the gathering chain which bend the free ends of the wire staples pierced by the stapling heads through the folding sheets. Thereafter, the stapled folded sheets are transported in the boom area of the gathering chain for further processing. For example, edge trim and display follow.

The DE 10 2004 021 958 A1 shows a saddle stitcher with finger strip system. The oscillating moving finger strip system has controllable fingers for capturing signatures and thus for the stepwise transport of the signatures from a gathering chain to a stitching station and, in a second step, from the stitching station to one Delivery station. With saddle stitchers of this kind, the stitching of the signatures takes place when the signatures are at a standstill, which is why stitches of high quality can be produced. Recognized as problematic is the high cost of retooling, ie when switching jobs with different signatures or differently arranged staples. To solve this problem, an extensive use of sensors is proposed in order to ensure automatic adjustability to different formats. A disadvantage of this solution is the high cost of the sensor in terms of cost and integration into the machine control.

Another saddle stitcher with finger strip system is in the DE 10 2008 058 953 A1 described. All saddle stitched saddle stitchers suffer from the common drawback that the signatures do not remain clamped during stapling in the stitching station, since the finger bar engages during the stapling operation to subsequently acquire a new signature. This can lead to a slight slippage of the signatures and thus to clip fluctuations. Another disadvantage results from the fact that a stapling head is required for each staple to be placed in a signature. This goes hand in hand with higher acquisition costs, higher setting costs, greater space requirement of the stitching station and the requirement for a particularly stable construction of the stitching station. Another disadvantage is that the minimum staple spacing is predetermined by the width of the stapling heads.

The EP1 629 992 B1 describes a saddle stitcher with a stitching station with only one stapling head. The stapling station works on the principle stapling in the movement, wherein a stapling head is moved on a staple carriage with the signature to be stapled. It is proposed that only one stapling head is positioned on the stapling carriage and that one stapling head sets all staples to be inserted into a respective signature. In order to bring several brackets in a signature, the movement profile of the stitching carriage with acceleration, deceleration and synchronization phases must be specified very precisely, which requires a very complex control of the drive of the stitching carriage and the stapling head.

In the DE 100 39 908 A1 a stapling station with only one stapling head is described: on a stapling head stationarily positioned in the stapling station, the products to be stapled are moved past and the stapling head is driven in such a way that a staple is then introduced into the product moving past, if the target The stapling position of the product is located in front of the stapling head. A disadvantage of this stapling principle is that the quality of stapling is greatly impaired by the relative movement of stapling head and stapling product during stapling.

The DE 1 265 120 B discloses a saddle stitcher comprising a stationary stapler and a single transporting device cooperating therewith. The transport device comprises a conveyor belt with riveted at different distances drivers. The signatures are collected on the conveyor belt and transported without a transfer station directly to the stapler and through it. By a driver of the transport device actuates a first along the orbit of the conveyor belt arranged adjustable microswitch, the signatures are slowed down in the stapler with a brake magnet and triggered a first stapling with a working magnet. The brake magnet dissolves again after the stapling process and allows the conveyor belt to continue running until the same driver actuates a second adjustable microswitch, likewise arranged along the orbit of the conveyor belt. The signatures are slowed down as before and a second stitch is triggered.

task

The object of the present invention is therefore to describe a method for stitching signatures and to provide a saddle stitcher for booklet production, which reduce the disadvantages of the prior art and a variable in number and position setting of staples and a good staple quality despite a simple structure and enable easy operation.

This object is achieved by a method for stitching signatures with the features of claim 1 and by a saddle stitcher for booklet production with the features of claim 5.

The inventive method is used for stapling in particular collected signatures for booklet production in a saddle stitcher with a gathering chain, a transport device, a transfer station, a stitching station, which has a stationary stapling head, and with a machine control that controls at least the transport device and the stapling head. In a first step, respective collected signatures to be stitched are transported through the gathering chain to the transfer station. In the transfer station, a respective signature is transferred to the transport device, which defines and securely holds a respective signature, wherein the respective signature is not released after the transfer from the gathering chain to the transport device to the delivery station, but remains permanently fixed, in particular by means of mechanical or pneumatic grippers. Subsequently, a respective signature is transported from the transport device to the stitching station in a first stapling position, wherein a first nominal stapling position of the signature is located under the one stapling head and via an interface of the machine control, the number of staples and the desired staple positions are set. Then, a respective signature of the transport device is stopped and there is a stapling of the first staple at a standstill by a stapling head. During the stapling process, a respective signature remains fixed by the transport device. After completing stapling the first

Staple a respective signature is transported by the transport device in a further stapling position, wherein another desired stapling position of the signature is located under the one stapling head. Then a respective signature is stopped again and there is a stapling of the other clip at a standstill by a stapling head. After stapling the further staple a respective stitched signature is further transported by the transport device to the delivery station, where the respective signature is released by the grippers of the transport device, so that a respective stitched signature can be transferred to a device for three-side trimming or display. The stitched signatures can then already be referred to as brochures.
If not only two clamps are to be inserted into the signatures, then a respective signature is halted in its further stapling positions before being transported to the delivery station, so that a further stitching can take place in each case.

The method according to the invention has the advantage that the positions of the clamps can be corrected very easily by changing the desired positions. It is also advantageous that freely selectable staple distances are possible, which do not depend on the stapling head width. Thus Klammem can be introduced with very little distance from each other in the signature. Since a respective signature is not released after the transfer from the gathering chain to the transport device up to the delivery station, but remains permanently fixed, clip fluctuations and slippage of the product can be minimized.

In an advantageous development of the method according to the invention, a carriage of the transport device performs a reciprocating movement and, after releasing a respective stitched signature in the delivery station, moves back beyond the transfer station back to its starting position for a next signature to be stitched take.

By at least the transport device and the stapling head are controlled by a machine control in the inventive method, it is ensured that the Brackets are set in their desired bracket positions. An interface allows the operator to easily correct the desired clip positions.

In an advantageous development of the method according to the invention, the holding of a respective signature during transportation and stapling of the signature by the transport device takes place by clamping the signature by means of grippers.

The invention also relates to a saddle stitcher for booklet making from signatures for carrying out the above-described method for stapling with a plurality of investors arranged along a circulating collecting chain, a stapling station with only one stationary stapling head, ie a stapling head, which does not displace in or against the transport direction and a boom station located downstream of the stitching station. In the stitching station, the stapling head is usually associated with a likewise stationary clincher box with a clincher for bending over the staple ends. According to the saddle stitcher has a transport device for transporting the signatures, wherein a transport region of the transport device extends from the downstream end of the gathering chain on the stitching station to the delivery station. The downstream end of the gathering chain is located in the area of a transfer station, where the signatures are transferred from the gathering chain to the transport device. The transport device has retaining elements designed as grippers for holding or clamping or gripping a respective signature during the entire transport process by the transport device. Furthermore, the saddle stitcher has a machine control for controlling at least the transport device and the stapling head for performing at least two stapling operations by a stapling head in a respective signature wherein the number of staples and the desired staple positions can be adjusted via an interface of the machine control. Such a saddle stitcher is advantageously simple and therefore inexpensive and its stitching station has only a small footprint. Using only one stapling head also requires only wire feeding and wire unwinding, further reducing the complexity and cost of the stitching station. Also, the setting times of the stitching station to a new product, ie, a different format, number of staples, or other stapling position can be substantially reduced. The setting of the stitching station may affect the setting via the interface of the Restrict machine control and possibly even the replacement of a stapling head or elements of the stapling head for the production of special brackets, such as ring loops require. Since the stapling head is stationary, the replacement of the stapling head can be significantly simplified.

In an advantageous embodiment of the saddle stitcher according to the invention, the transport device has a carriage and a carriage guide for reciprocating the holding elements in and against a transport direction. The holding elements may in particular be designed as mechanical or pneumatic grippers. It is also advantageous if the transport device has a controllable motor, in particular a servomotor, for driving the carriage with the grippers along the carriage guide.

The described invention and the described advantageous developments of the invention are also in any combination with each other advantageous developments of the invention.

With regard to further advantages and constructive and functional advantageous embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the dependent claims and the description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures.

embodiment

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to attached figures. Corresponding elements and components are provided in the figures with the same reference numerals. In favor of a better clarity of the figures was waived a true to scale representation.

Fig. 1a

einen Sammelhefter für Broschuren in vereinfachter Darstellung mit Anlegern, einer Heftstation und einer darauf folgenden Auslegestation

Fig. 1b

den Ablauf der Heftung einer Signatur

Fig. 2

die Heftstation mit der Transporteinrichtung in einer Detaildarstellung

Fig. 3a-c

Bewegungsprofile des Schlittens der Transporteinrichtung

It show in a schematic representation

Fig. 1a

a saddle stitcher for brochures in a simplified representation with investors, a stitching station and a subsequent Auslegestation

Fig. 1b

the sequence of stapling a signature

Fig. 2

the stitching station with the transport device in a detailed representation

Fig. 3a-c

Movement profiles of the carriage of the transport device

The machine components of the saddle stitcher according to Fig. 1a comprise in the present embodiment, three feeders 10, 12, 14, each having a signature 16, 18, 20 to an endless circulating, not shown here in detail, by a drive 40 (see Fig. 2 ) passed driven collecting chain 34. At the gathering chain 34 drivers 35 are arranged, which in this case astride the saddle provided signatures 16, 18, 20 and finally push the stapled together to form signatures 17 in front of him.
The signatures 16, 18, 20 deposited in this way form signatures 17 which are gathered together and which are transported in a transport direction according to the arrow P along a transporting and stitching line 22 extending along the feeders 10, 12, 14 and extends beyond a stitching station 24 out to a delivery station 29. Until the transfer station 36, the signatures 16, 17, 18, 20 of the gathering chain 34, then moved by the transport device 50.

The stitching station 24 according to the invention comprises a stapling head 26 and a stapling head, in Fig. 1 unrecognizable Umbieger, a so-called clincher, which umbiegt by means of the stapling head 26 in the booklets to be stapled 17 legs with wire clips 27.

The transport device 50 including grippers 51 and drive motor 55 and the stapling head 26 are connected to a machine control 23 and are controlled by this.

The delivery station 29 in the present embodiment comprises a machine component in the form of an ejector 29.1, not shown. The ejector 29.1 engages in the respective fold breakage of the stapled brochure 32 and lifts it out of the transport and stapling line 22 so that it can be transported further in the direction of the arrow T. In the direction T, a trimming device for three-side trim can then follow, such as a three-cutter or trimmer.

From the stitching station 24 upstream with respect to the transport direction according to arrow P, a measuring station 33 is provided, in which the thickness of the stitched together to be stapled signatures 17 is determined. Alternatively, other devices such as Aufspendeeinrichtung or inkjet head can be arranged at this position.

In FIG. 1b the sequence of a stapling operation using the example of a signature 17 is shown. The signature 17 is located in the region of a transport device 50 and is held by its grippers 51 and transported under the stapling head 26 (not shown). The signature 17 has two desired clamping positions 28 to which a wire clip 27 is to be attached in each case. As it turned out FIG. 1b 1, a first bracket 27 is first stapled to a first desired bracket position 28, and then this signature 17 'is further transported before a second bracket 27 is stitched into the signature 17 "at the second desired bracket position 28. The same applies to any further Staple positions 28 and brackets 27.

In FIG. 2 the transfer station 36, the stitching station 24 and the delivery station 29 is shown in more detail: A signature 17 is transported by the gathering chain 34 with its drivers 35 in the transfer station 36 until it is in a position P0 for the transfer. In this position P0, the signature 17 is gripped by grippers 51 of a transport device 50. The grippers 51 of the transport device are mounted on a carriage 56, which along a straight guide 52 can experience a reciprocating movement a in the transport direction of the signatures P or counter to the transport direction P. The signature 17 held by the grippers 51 is further moved by the transport device in the transport direction P until a first setpoint stapling position 28 of the signature 17 'is located directly below the one stapling head 26 in the stitching station 24. In this first stapling position, a first staple 27 is inserted into the signature 17 '. The signature 17 'in the position P1 is indicated by a dashed line. The stapling takes place at a standstill, ie the carriage 56 with its grippers 51 is unmoved during the stapling process. After the first stitching, the signature 17 'is further moved until a second desired stapling position 28 is located directly below the stapling head 26. This second stapling position P2 is shown with a signature 17 "in solid lines.

In the second stapling position P2, a second staple 27 is inserted at the second desired stapling position 28, wherein the carriage 56 and the grippers 51 and thus also the signature 17 "are at a standstill After the second stapling the signature 17" is in the Position PA transported where the signature 17 "'is designed by an ejector 29.1.

The transport device 50 has a drive, which in the in FIG. 2 illustrated embodiment has a drive motor 55 which is coupled via a drive toothed belt 54 with a transport toothed belt 53. The transport toothed belt 53, in turn, is connected to the carriage 56 via a rod, for example, and reciprocates it during a movement of the transporting toothed belt 53, with the result that the carriage 56 with the grippers 51 performs a reciprocating movement a.

Instead of the toothed belt drive 53, 54, a drive with rack and pinion or with transport thread (ball screw) could be used.

In FIG. 3a the movement profile of the gripper 51 of the stitching carriage 56 is shown in the direction of movement a. The distance covered is shown over the time and the different positions P0, P1, P2, PA are drawn into the curve. From position P0 to position PA, the grippers 51 remain activated and thus hold a respective signature 17 to be stitched.

In FIG. 3b is the first derivative of FIG. 3a shown, ie the velocity profile of the carriage 56th As is apparent from FIG. 3b results in the transfer of a signature 17 in the transfer station 36 in the position P0, while the gripper 51 and the carriage 56 move at a speed in the transport direction P, which coincides with the speed of the gathering chain 34 .. During the two stapling operations in the Stapling positions P1 and P2 is the carriage 56 and thus also a respective signature 17 ', 17 "at rest, so that stapling at a standstill.

In Figure 3c is the second derivative of FIG. 3a Depending on the format of the signatures to be stitched 16, 17, 18, 20, the respective staple positions 28, the number of compiled signatures 16, 18, 20, the material of the signatures 16 , 17, 18, 20, etc., the motion profiles can be easily adjusted by the machine controller 23 to ensure safe transportation and stapling.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

saddle stitcher

10

investor

12

investor

14

investor

16

signature

17, 17 ', 17 ", 17"'

Compiled signature in different positions

18

signature

20

signature

22

Transport and stapling line

23

machine control

24

finisher

25

Umbieger (clincher)

26

stapling head

27

wire clamp

28

Target clamp position

29

delivery station

29.1

ejector

32

Stapled brochure

33

Observed

34

collecting chain

35

takeaway

36

Transfer station

40

Drive collecting chain

50

transport means

51

grab

52

straight guide

53

transport timing belts

54

toothed belt drive

55

drive motor

56

carriage

a

Back and forth movement sled

P

Transport direction of the signatures

T

Direction of transport of the brochures

P0

Position for transfer

P1

first stapling position

P2

second stapling position

PA

Position for display

Claims (8)

1. Method for stitching signatures (17) for brochure production in a gatherer stitcher (1) comprising a gathering chain (34), a transport device (50), a transfer station (36), a stitching station (24) having a stitching head (26), a delivery station (29) and a machine control unit (23) which activates at least the transport device (50) and the stitching head (26), the method comprising the following steps:

   a) transporting to the transfer station (36) by the gathering chain (34) a respective signature (17) that has to be stitched.

   b) transferring a respective signature (17) to the transport device (50), which holds a respective signature, the respective signature (17), after being transferred by the gathering chain (34) to the transport device (50), not being released until reaching the delivery station (29) but remaining permanently fixed;

   c) transporting a respective signature (17) to the stitching station (24) into a first stitching position (P1), a first reference staple position (28) of the signature (17) being located below the one stitching head (26), and the number of staples and the reference staple positions being set by means of an interface of the machine control unit (23);

   d) stopping of a respective signature (17) and stitching of the first staple (27) while stationary by the one stitching head (26);

   e) transporting of a respective signature (17) by the transport device (50) to a further stitching position (P2), a further reference staple position (28) of the signature (17) being located below the one stitching head (26);

   f) stopping of a respective signature (17) for stitching of the further staple (27) while stationary by the one stitching head (26);

   g) onward transporting of a respective stitched brochure (32) by the transport device (50) to the delivery station (29), a respective brochure (32) being released by the transport device (50);

   h) delivery of a respective stitched brochure (32) or transfer of a respective stitched brochure (32) to a device for three-side trimming.
2. Method for stitching signatures according to Claim 1,
   characterised in that
   steps e) and f) are repeated for each further staple (27) to be inserted into the signature (17).
3. Method for stitching according to either of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the transport device (50) has a horizontally movable carriage (56) which is moved back to its starting position after step h).
4. Method for stitching according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the holding of a respective signature (17) during steps b) to g) by the transport device (50) is effected by clamping with at least one gripper (51).
5. Gatherer stitcher (1) for brochure production from signatures (16, 17, 18, 20), for carrying out the stitching method according to any one of the preceding claims, with a plurality of feeders (10, 12, 14) arranged along a circulating gathering chain (34), with a stitching station (24) having a stationary stitching head (26) and with a delivery station (29) located downstream of the stitching station (24),
   characterised in that
   the gatherer stitcher (1) has a transport device (50) for transporting signatures (17), wherein a transporting range of the transport device (50) extends from the downstream end of the gathering chain (34) via the stitching station (24) to the delivery station (29), and wherein the transport device (50) has at least one gripper (51) for holding a respective signature (17) during the entire transport operation (a) by the transport device (50), and
   in that the gatherer stitcher (1) has a machine control unit (23) for activating at least the transport device (50) and the stitching head (26), for performing at least two stitching operations by the one stitching head (26) in a respective signature (17), wherein the number of staples and the reference staple positions can be set by means of an interface of the machine control unit (23).
6. Gatherer stitcher according to Claim 5,
   characterised in that
   the transport device (50) has a carriage (56) and a carriage guide (52) for reciprocating movement (a) of the carriage (56) with the at least one gripper (51).
7. Gatherer stitcher according to Claim 5 or 6,
   characterised in that
   the transport device (50) has a controllable motor (55), in particular a servomotor, as the drive of the carriage (56).
8. Gatherer stitcher according to Claim 5, 6 or 7,
   characterised in that
   the transport device (50) has pneumatic, electric, piezo-electric or mechanical drives for moving the at least one gripper (51).

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