EP3285978B1 - Device for carrying out cutting operations of open formatting edges of a printed product - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a device for performing cutting operations open form edges of at least one printed product, namely for the trimming of at least one head, front, foot edge according to the preamble of claim 1, such as from EP 1 504 860 A1 known.

The term "open format edges" is thus understood to mean head, front and foot parts of the printed product, regardless of whether this is composed of individual pages or signatures.

For the industrial production of printed products, preferably book blocks or brochures, in small or small editions, one operates with a so-called three-knife trimmer, which is able to follow the same or variable formats and thicknesses with high cycle performance with the highest quality cut to the desired To cut formats.

At three cutting stations, the book blocks or brochures are cut to final size at the top, bottom and front of the unit for a given thickness. The book blocks or brochures are bound on the back. Suitable bindings are all known methods, such as; Thread stitching, perfect binding, saddle stitching, etc.

The three-knife trimmer can be used both as a solo machine and as a machine in a line network with other production machines.

State of the art

The task of the device, hereafter referred to as a three-knife trimmer, is to cut the printed products, ie mostly book blocks and / or brochures, at the three open sides. This is done by clamping the book block or booklet (hereafter referred to as the book block) at a standstill between press bars or press plates and three cutters trimming the three above-mentioned pages of the book block. The cutting devices can be designed as counter-knife units in which two blades cut as a pair of scissors or as blade units with cutting strips, in which a knife cuts against a plastic strip and easily penetrates into the plastic strip in the end position.

In the case of such three-knife trimmers, the head and foot trimming is usually carried out in a first phase and the front trimming is carried out in a second phase. The order is not mandatory, it can be the other way around. Furthermore, it is possible to perform on the book block only the head and foot section or only the front section, which is needed for example for the production of English brochures. There are three-knife trimmers in which the book block stops between the first cut phase (e.g., head and foot cut) and the second cut phase (e.g., front cut), and there are designs in which the book block is transported therebetween.

There have also been known three-knife trimmers in which the book blocks are pressed for cutting between press dies and cutting cassettes and held for the cutting operation (s). When the press die is raised, the cut book block is ejected and the new book block to be cut is introduced. By means of a centering device, the book block is brought into position and then clamped by the lowering pressing ram. The knives move in a swinging motion against the book and cut the open ones Pages. After cutting all sides of the punch is raised and the next cycle can begin. However, this three-cutter version is not suitable for a quick format change. The punch and also the cutting cartridge are tailored to the format to be processed and can only be replaced by stopping the machine.

In the DE102011105253 A1 discloses a three-knife trimmer, in which the blades cut against cutting edges or counter blade, the book block is held at head and Fußschnitt and the front section by pressure strips next to the knives. In the format-dependent variable free space between the cutting bars, or counter knives on the one hand and the space between the pressure bars on the other hand, a plurality of zigzag-shaped support webs for supporting the book block is arranged during cutting. With such a three-knife trimmer, a good cut quality can be achieved because the book block is pressed or supported with the pressure bars and the zigzag-shaped support webs during cutting.

However, with this solution, it should be remembered that the book block can attach to the zigzag-shaped support webs during insertion and removal in the cutting position. This circumstance will be added DE102011105 253 A1 counteracted by the transport system consists of a lower belt and a top belt, the two belts for the book block transport against each other are driven together slightly so that the book block can not attach to the support webs of the cutting table level or the press level. With such a book block transport, however, takes place that at different book block thickness only a book block in the transport system can be transported. This limits the allowable thickness difference from book block to book block because there are several book blocks in the transport system. Particularly in three-knife trimmers in which the cut takes place in two stations, transporting the thickly varying book block with the described transport system is problematic. With greatly varying book block thicknesses, it is therefore necessary within the transport system to transport only one book block at a time. However, this limits the capacity of such a three-knife trimmer, ie the three-knife trimmer can only be operated with a low number of cycles (power).

In the DE102011105253 A1 are further three knives listed that define a state of the art. However, all of them are not able to meet the requirements for a short changeover time associated with the requirement of a high quality cut.

In EP1504860 A1 a three-knife trimmer is disclosed in which the book blocks to be trimmed are detected by a positioning device and fed to the cutting devices with a feed device. There are a plurality of spaced-apart cutting devices are provided, in which the book block are positioned by the delivery device successively each for a side section. In each cutter, a side cut is made on the positioned print product. From the positioning device, the aligned book blocks are moved with an intake gripper by a linear stroke in a transition position, wherein the orientation of the book block is not changed. The delivery of the book blocks is done with a multiple planetary gear. For positioning of the book blocks in the cutting devices adjustable control gates are provided. The device allows easy and quick changeover to other formats. Each cutting device consists of a frame-fixed lower blade and a top blade to which a press plate is coupled via a guide and a pneumatic cylinder. The press plate clamps the book block before cutting between the press plate and the stationary lower knife. The book block is not a large area, but only in the cutting area pressed by the press plate and the lower blade, and the feed device. The areas of the book block that are not pressed tend to "sag" and therefore may result in insufficient cut quality. This is especially the case when soft and / or thin paper is used for the book blocks.

With the JP2012-218114 A A three-knife trimmer is introduced, which can process different book formats in the sequence and in which the outer sides of the book are not damaged. On a moving part, a gripping unit for gripping the back of the printed product is mounted, the gripping unit having a reference surface for positioning the spine of the printed product. With a Positionieraktuator the moving member is moved by a controller in a vertical plane and positioned correctly for the cutting operations on the three open sides of the printed product, so that the, moving in the horizontal direction, cutting knife can cut the printed product. At the reference surface of the chuck and a vertical abutment surface, the printed product is aligned, thereby enabling the controller, together with the format data, to approach the positions required for the respective cut and to properly position the printed product for the cut.

A disadvantage of this latter three-knife trimmer is the limited ability to vary the book format. Due to the fact that one clamping unit holds the printed product for all three sections, the clamping unit has to be designed substantially smaller than the smallest printed product to be processed. If the printed product has a much larger format, then the plates, which are additionally used to support the printed product during cutting, must be provided with a large area of exception. A large exception, however, has a detrimental effect on the quality of cut.

For the front section, the clamping unit can dive more or less deeply into the exception area of the plates. The printed matter is properly supported only when the gripping unit is inserted deeply into the exception area of the plates. In order for the printed product, without replacement of the plates, can be sufficiently supported, only a small difference in bookbord width is editable with the three-knife trimmer.

Presentation of the invention

The present invention is based on the object to provide a trained as a three-knife device. The present invention is further based on the object of proposing a method for operating such a device designed as a three-cutter, which is capable of continuously processing printed products of the same or different formats and thicknesses at high cutting performance and quality, ie by definition according to format trimming. The inventive three-knife trimmer and its operation are also suitable for trimming stacked brochures according to the same procedure as is the case with a book block.

The three-knife trimmer is therefore used for the trimming of open format edges, also called side edges of the printed products, such as books, brochures, magazines used, wherein for the sake of simplicity predominantly the terms "printed product", selectively "book block" or "booklet" are used below ,

By means of the three-knife trimmer according to the invention, reliable processing of very small runs up to the minimum number of pieces 1 can be realized without having to provide stoppages due to a changeover from one to the next format. Thus, the three-cutter can be supplied with book block formats of different sizes and / or the production of book blocks can be processed by different sections to be cut off at the edges.

In accordance with the present invention, the invention is accomplished by an apparatus and method in which the printed product is conveyed from a first cutting location in which the first side edge cutting operation to a second cutting location in which the second side edge cutting operation occurs. is transferred, wherein the printed product after the performed cutting operation at the second cutting location a third cutting location, in which the cutting operation for a third side edge takes place, and that the transfer of the printed product from one cutting location to the next is accomplished by at least one transport unit.

In order to keep the economy of the trimmer according to the invention high, the format change takes place during the course of the machine, preferably during the period of time available for the infeed and outfeed of the printed product.

The conversion from one format to the next has to be done accurately, so that every cut print product meets the requirements for dimensional accuracy.

After the inventive three-knife trimmer can be used even with a run of a printed copy, the goal of the trimmer according to the invention must be seen in the fact that the copy only once available is cut 100% reliable.

Another significant advantage of the invention is the fact that the three-knife trimmer is simple in design and reliable, so that its operation can be done even by auxiliary personnel.

By the inventive three-cutter is ensured that the dimensional accuracy of the cut printed product and its straight, parallel and rectangular cuts are guaranteed against the front and back surface of each printed product.

The three-knife trimmer according to the invention thus ensures a high quality of cut even with larger print product thicknesses, by maximizing the printed product over the entire surface is clamped by at least one pressing device between the first and last side, during which the cutting operations takes place at the upcoming open side edges, so that in this cutting operation, the risk of a quality-reducing "nose" can be excluded. The full-surface detection of the printed product can be achieved if required by a plurality of press plates or recordable by segmented press plates or individually operable pressing elements.

In this case, the printed products are lying, with the binding processed back ahead and fed with approximately the same pitch via a conveyor belt to the three-knife trimmer. The approximately uniform pitch is given either by a clocked supply of the printed products to the conveyor belt of the three-knife trimmer, or such feeding is produced by known devices and methods in front of the conveyor belt.

In another embodiment, the printed products with an irregular pitch are fed to the conveyor belt of the three-knife trimmer. A clocking device ensures that minimal divisions (distance between the leading book spine edge and the spine edge of the subsequent product) are not undershot. A sensor detects when the printed product arrives at the conveyor belt of the three-knife trimmer.

If the spacing between the printed products is greater than the minimum spacing, it may be provided as the first preferred variant that the printed products located within the three-cutter process are finished, and then the infeed is resumed. As a further option, it can be provided that the control reduces the speed of the three-knife trimmer and synchronizes the three-knife trimmer to the cycle of the printed product. If the division then exceeds a maximum dimension, then it can also be optionally provided that the controller generates empty cycles on the three-knife trimmer.

1. i) Übernahme des Druckproduktes durch den Greifer des Supports nach Abschluss der ersten Schneidoperation am ersten Schneidort; ii) Überführung dieses Druckproduktes durch den gleichen Support/Greifer zu dem zweiten Schneidort nach erfolgter Schneidoperation am ersten Schneidort; iii) Überführung desselben Druckproduktes durch den gleichen Support/Greifer zu dem dritten Schneidort für die dritte Schneidoperation nach erfolgter Schneidoperation am zweiten Schneidort; und danach iv) Zurückfahren des Supports/Greifers in die Ausgangsposition am ersten Schneidort für eine erneute Übernahme eines nachgelieferten Druckproduktes, nachdem die erste Schneidoperation an diesem Schneidort durchgeführt und abgeschlossen ist.

The transport unit consists essentially of at least one support, which end is provided with at least one print product-related gripper, wherein the gripper detects the printed product to be trimmed spine side, whereby the printed product is conveyed hanging, and wherein the support and gripper relative to the cutting locations following control-assisted translational movements lie:

1. i) takeover of the printed product by the gripper of the support after completion of the first cutting operation at the first cutting location; ii) transferring this print product through the same support / gripper to the second cut location after the cutting operation at the first cut location; iii) transfer of the same printed product by the same support / gripper to the third cutting location for the third cutting operation after cutting operation at the second cutting location; and thereafter iv) returning the support / gripper to the home position at the first cutting location for retaking a subsequently delivered printed product after the first cutting operation at that cutting location is completed and completed.

1. i) Der erste Greifer des ersten Supports übernimmt das Druckprodukt nach erfolgter erster Schneidoperation am ersten Schneidort: ii) Der erste Support/Greifer überführt dieses Druckprodukt zu dem zweiten Schneidort, positioniert dort das Druckprodukt für die Durchführung der zweiten Schneidoperation und kehrt anschliessend zur Ausgangsposition am ersten Schneidort zurück, wo die erneute Übernahme eines nachgelieferten Druckproduktes erfolgt, nachdem bei diesem die erste Schneidoperation am ersten Schneidort durchgeführt wurde; iii) Zwischenzeitlich übernimmt der zweite Greifer des zweiten Supports das Druckprodukt unmittelbar nach beendeter Schneidoperation am zweiten Schneidort und überführt dieses zu dem dritten Schneidort, wo die dritte Schneidoperation stattfindet; iv) Danach kehrt der zweite Support mit dem zweiten Greifer zu dem zweiten Schneidort zurück, wo bereits wieder ein von dem ersten Support/Greifer nachgebrachtes und bereits beschnittenes Druckprodukt zur Abholung und Überführung desselben zu dem dritten Schneidort.

As a further variant, the transport unit may consist of two print product-related supports, each with a gripper, which also captures the print product to be trimmed spine side, so hanging, these supports are in operative operative connection with the associated grippers, and wherein the supports and grippers opposite The cutting locations are based on the following control-supported translation movements:

1. i) The first gripper of the first support accepts the printed product after the first cutting operation at the first cutting location: ii) The first support / gripper transfers this printed product to the second cutting location, positions there the printed product for performing the second cutting operation and then returns to the starting position on first cutting location, where the renewed takeover of a nachgeliefert printed product takes place, after this the first Cutting operation was performed at the first cutting location; iii) Meanwhile, the second gripper of the second support picks up the printed product immediately after the cutting operation is completed at the second cutting location and transfers it to the third cutting location where the third cutting operation takes place; iv) Thereafter, the second support with the second gripper returns to the second cutting location where there is again a printed product replenished and already trimmed by the first support / gripper to pick it up and transfer it to the third cutting location.

Both when operating with one and two supports, the head part is cut at the first cutting location, the front part at the second cutting location, and the foot portion of the printed product at the third cutting location.

A further transport unit of the printed products from one cutting location to the next is that at least two, three supports run along a substantially circular, round, elliptical-like path, said functional circumferential path consisting of a front and a substantially parallel rear path, wherein the two paths merge into each other through a lateral curvature. The front track serves to guide the supports straight or quasi-straight along the cutting edge. The number of supports along the route is dependent on the maximum permissible cycle, ie, each support is in charge of a printed product, and this leads without handover over the three cutting locations. To maximize production, the clock is designed so that the supports follow each other closely, and the distance to each other depends on the time taken for the individual cutting operations, which usually involves more than two or three supports. For example, a reduction in the number of supports can be achieved as they accelerate along the trailing path between the last and first cutting operations. Thus, with such a provision, the intermediary cutting site specific levies and takeovers of the printed product can be circumvented by reciprocating supports. On the other hand, as a rule, to the production To keep high, more peripheral supports are provided, and at the same time precipitates the infrastructure of the elliptical track more demanding.

Such a transport variant characterized by an ellipse-like route can be used as a basis for central pruning of the printed products, ie if the three cutting operations are carried out at a single cutting location, ie if the takeover of the printed product, its supply to the central cutting location, and its subsequent delivery done by one and the same support. Advantageously, then this support does not go back on the front track, which would inhibit the production flow, but undertakes the return trip for the acquisition of a new printed product then on the back track.

As far as a trimming of all format edges of the printed product takes place at a single central cutting location, preferably the following kinematic sequences should be provided:
Once the printed product is properly positioned within a stationary clamping device, it is finally pressed against the fixed wall of the clamping device by a press beam and thus fixed for the cutting operation. The press beam is preferably located at the lower end of a spindle which is drivingly connected to a servomotor controlled by a servo drive, via a line. The servo drive is connected via another signal line with a sensor that detects the position of the press beam. Turning the spindle moves the press bar in the direction of the printed product. The servo drive is also connected to a higher-level control. Once the printed product has finally been fixed, it is then trimmed with a knife on the front and then with two side knives on the head and on the foot. The order of cuts can also be reversed, head and foot before front trim. It is obvious that the movement of the side knives and the associated pressing beam relative to the movement of the front blade and the associated press beam must be designed out of phase, so that a collision of the knife can be prevented. So as soon as the cutting is done by the side knives, the local pressures (clamping device, press bars) are terminated, and the cut printed product is carried away.

In the case of the three-knife trimmer according to the invention, this procedure is not necessarily specified, in particular as regards the machining sequence of the first and third cutting locations, according to which the first trimming always has to be the head part, but it is readily possible to have the foot section at the first cutting location and then edit the head section at the third cutting location, wherein at the second cutting location as before, the circumcision of the front part of the printed product is carried out, this optimally designed to follow the present invention based on translational movements follow.

Whether the head or foot section is machined at the first cutting location depends on how the feed of the printed product to the three-knife trimmer is scheduled, i.e., whether the reading front side of the printed product is directed up or down on the conveyor belt. In both cases, the back edge of the printed product remains in transit to the three-cutter prior. If such a change (head / foot section) is made, then it must be ensured that appropriate control-technical precautions are taken for the sections to be cut off, in particular when head and foot sections with different section lengths are to be processed.

• Eine erste Ebene (X), welche durch die Überführung des Druckproduktes von einem Schneidort zum nächsten charakterisiert ist;
• Eine zweite Ebene (Y), welche durch die Ladung und Entladung des Druckproduktes am jeweiligen Schneidort charakterisiert ist;
• Eine dritte Ebene (Z), welche durch eine laterale Anpassung (Offset-Bewegung) des Supports/Greifers gegenüber den stationären druckproduktbezogenen Klemmvorrichtungen am Schneidort charakterisiert ist, wobei diese laterale Anpassung fest vorgegeben ist, oder optional gesteuert zur Einsatz gelangt kann.

The translational movements of the gripper or the gripper therefore detect two resp. three levels of work, namely:

• A first plane (X) characterized by the transfer of the printed product from one cutting location to the next;
• A second plane (Y) characterized by the charge and discharge of the printed product at the respective cutting location;
• A third plane (Z), which is characterized by a lateral adjustment (offset movement) of the support / gripper relative to the stationary pressure-product-related clamping devices at the cutting location, this lateral adaptation being fixed, or optionally controlled, being used.

The gripper itself is end equipped with pressure-product-related jaws, said gripper resp. the one or more supports at the cutting locations has an additional translational degree of freedom in all the above-mentioned planes (X, Y, Z). The seizure of the respective printed product is maximized at its center of gravity, and / or the seizure of the printed product in dependence on the cut off sections on the open side edges (head, front, foot) coincides with the best possible geometric location, with the latter possibility a medium to strong Deviation from the theoretical focus of the printed product is possible.

1. a) Die einer Klemmvorrichtung zugehörigen Klemmbacken steht direkt oder indirekt in Wirkverbindung mit einem für die kraftschlüssige Klemmwirkung operierenden Antrieb, wobei die durch die Antriebe geführten Klemmbacken einstellbare und/oder prädiktiv geregelte Hub- und Kraftschlussprofil aufweisen, welche auf eine beliebige Formatausprägung des jeweils zu bearbeitenden Druckproduktes ausgerichtet sind. So lässt sich das Druckprodukt durch das durch die Klemmbacken ausgeführte kraftschlüssige Bewegungsprofil gegenüber der Mittellinie des Rückens des Druckproduktes symmetrisch oder quasi-symmetrisch erfassen. Des Weiteren lässt sich erzielen, dass mit den Klemmbacken mindestens während der operativen Phase eine Klemmkraft auf das Druckprodukt durch ein gegenseitig abgestimmtes gleichförmiges, ungleichförmiges oder adaptives Geschwindigkeits- und/oder Bewegungsprofil ausgeübt werden kann.
2. b) Das gegenseitig abgestimmtes gleichförmiges, ungleichförmiges oder adaptives Geschwindigkeits- und/oder Bewegungsprofil beider Klemmelemente einer Klemmvorrichtung lassen sich auch für eine einseitige Presskraftausübung eines einzelnen Presselementes vorsehen. Im Sinne einer Qualitätssicherung der Schneidoperation betrifft dies den Pressbalken, der in unmittelbarer Wirkverbindung mit den Messern steht, dergestalt, dass dessen Presskraftausübung auf das Druckprodukt nach bestimmten Kriterien vonstatten gehen muss. Das Geschwindigkeitsprofil des Pressbalkens kann unmittelbar nach der ersten Kontaktnahme mit dem Druckprodukt in einen anderen Modus überführt werden. Dies betrifft auch hinsichtlich der weiteren Kraftentfaltung auf das Druckprodukt, welche je nach Vorgabe sukzessiv monoton oder quasi-monoton, ansteigend oder abfallend erfolgen kann. Wenn also bei der Kraftentfaltung gegen Schluss der Pressung eine gewisse Flexion verlangt ist, um beispielweise die allenfalls leicht verdickte Rückenpartie der Druckproduktes zu schonen, so lässt sich dies mit der Aktivierung eines entsprechenden Steuerprofils vorsehen, wonach beispielsweise die monoton ansteigende Kraftentfaltung in eine Kurve nach dem Prinzip einer Kondensatoraufladung übergehen kann. Dementsprechend ist es dann ohne weiteres möglich, eine exponentielle Kraftentfaltung vorzusehen, welche intermediär oder übergreifend zum Einsatz kommt.

In principle, a clamping device can be operated according to the following criteria:

1. a) The jaws associated with a clamping device is directly or indirectly in operative connection with a force acting for the force-locking clamping action, the guided by the drives jaws adjustable and / or predictively controlled lifting and adhesion profile have, which on any Formatausprägung each to be processed Printed product are aligned. Thus, the printed product can be detected symmetrically or quasi-symmetrically by the frictional movement profile executed by the clamping jaws relative to the center line of the back of the printed product. Furthermore, it can be achieved that with the jaws, at least during the operative phase, a clamping force on the printed product by a mutually coordinated uniform, non-uniform or adaptive velocity and / or motion profile can be exercised.
2. b) The mutually coordinated uniform, non-uniform or adaptive speed and / or movement profile of both clamping elements of a clamping device can also be provided for a one-sided pressing force of a single pressing element. In terms of quality assurance of the cutting operation, this relates to the press beam, which is in direct operative connection with the knives, such that its pressing force must be exerted on the printed product according to certain criteria. The speed profile of the press beam can be transferred to another mode immediately after the first contact with the printed product. This also applies to the further development of force on the printed product, which can be successively monotonous or quasi-monotonous, rising or falling depending on the specification. If, therefore, a certain amount of flexion is required in the development of force towards the end of the pressing in order to protect the possibly slightly thickened back part of the printed product, this can be provided by activating a corresponding control profile, according to which, for example, the monotonously increasing force development into a curve after Principle of a capacitor charging can pass. Accordingly, it is then readily possible to provide an exponential force development, which is used as an intermediate or overarching.

The cutting stations of the three-knife trimmer are at each cutting place in operative connection with at least one stationary, quasi-stationary or movable force-acting clamping device, which is responsible for the basic detection and generation of the pressing force on the printed product to be trimmed, this clamping device is tuned to the format size of the printed product , So have an optimized fixed contact surface, or in the course of operation by simultaneous adjustments to the respective format sizes of the printed product.

The exercise of force, so the pressing force to be introduced, such a clamping device on the printed product during the cutting operation acts force predominantly against the exerting of the jaws of the gripper closing force on the printed product, such that this fixed during the whole cutting operation by the outgoing force of the respective clamping device remains positioned.

The closing force of the jaws of the gripper, as far as it remains at the location of the cutting operation, does not affect the pressing force of the clamping device and its vectors on the printed product. This means that the pressing force of the clamping device relative to the closing force of the jaws of the gripper behaves absolutely effective and Kräftprädominant.

At least one clamping device within the three-knife trimmer can consist of two clamping plates which execute at least one force-exerting closing movement relative to one another. Furthermore, at least one further clamping device can be made of individual composite pressing bars at a suitable cutting location, which exert the pressing force on the pressing surfaces of the printed product, these pressure bars in their entirety forming a pressure bar battery.

According to the invention, initially a feed device (also called insertion wheel or star-shaped wheel because of its configuration) is directly in operative connection with the first cutting operation at the first cutting location. Basically, this delivery device in the form of a four-part wheel, with other divisions are possible. If the promotion of a coherent book block, so the operation of such a multi-part delivery device is the following:
During a first 90 ° rotation of the feed device a hinged rake-like guide is pivoted against the book block, such that it lies after the 90 ° rotation on the back and is protected against fanning and / or falling over. The rake-like guide is coupled to a clamping unit acting within the feed device, which clamps the book block in a lying on the back position short term. This clamping unit is kinematically designed so that the rake-like guide is transferred to a book block thickness-dependent position. In this position, the clamping unit performs a small opening, so that the book block, following gravity, aligns at its back against a stop surface within the corresponding station of the delivery device. Then the clamping unit closes again, whereupon the book block is held in a defined position for the further processes.

The delivery device, so the insertion wheel rotates on it by two bars by 90 ° on and brings the book block in a now hanging position. During this rotational movement, the first rake-like guide and an operatively connected second guide are pivoted away from the book block, such that the freestanding pages or signatures of the book block hang vertically downwards solely by gravity, during which the book block in the region of its back through said Clamping unit is held.

The delivery device of the device according to the invention for printed products, which also consist of two or more brochures, can likewise be formed by such a four-part delivery device, the functioning of this delivery device then being the following:
During a first 90 ° turn of the feed device, a hinged rake-like guide is pivoted against the booklets, such that the booklets are then on their backs after the 90 ° turn and are thus protected against fanning out and / or falling over. The rake-like leadership is with coupled to a clamping unit acting within the feed device, which clamps the brochures in a lying on the back position short term, that this clamping unit is kinematically designed so that the rake-like guide is transferred to a thickness-dependent position. Thereafter, the clamping unit opens a little again, so that the brochures following gravity, align their backs against a stop surface within the delivery device and / or engage during this process additional mechanical and / or vibration-triggering means which align the leaflets to formateinheitlichen block , Then the clamping unit closes again, whereupon the brochures are held in a defined position.

The delivery device rotates by two bars by 90 ° and brings the booklets in a now hanging position. During this rotational movement, the first rake-type guide and an operatively second guide are pivoted away from the booklets so that the freestanding pages or signatures of the brochures hang vertically downwards solely by gravity, while the booklets are in the region of their backs through the clamping unit being held.

On the other hand, in the region of the first cutting location, this feed device is in operative operative connection with a movable clamping clamp-equipped transport clamp which performs the function of the clamping device and which takes over the printed product from the feed device according to the kinematics described above and supplies it to the first cutting operation.

A flush valve is in operative connection with the delivery device, and is intended to supplement the already explained measures to achieve a secure positioning of the book block against the stop surfaces.

An abutment surface is used both in individual books and in a stack of leaflets to align with the backsides of the printed products based on a fixed predetermined contact surface within the delivery device basis. On the other hand, it must be ensured that the head and / or foot of the printed products before the first cutting operation, a corresponding hanging elongated positioning of the printed products in the flow direction is ensured.

In individual books, this happens insofar as the format-moderate takeover of the individual book is guided by the delivery device by the transport clamping device of a sensor which responds to the outer edge of the overhanging envelope. of the book block itself in the area of the head, resp. foot lot. This ensures that the chip cut there in the book block has a coordinated size.

For a stacked package of individual brochures, lateral means must be provided prior to the first cutting operation to ensure uniform alignment of the cutting edge edges of this package.

In summary, the function of the delivery device is to pivot a hinged, rake-like running guide against the book block, so that this after a 90 ° rotation, lying on his back, does not fanned and can not fall over. The rake-like guide is coupled to a clamping unit, which clamps the book block in a lying on the back position short term and is kinematically designed so that this rake-like leadership can be converted into a buchdickenabhängige position. Thereafter, the clamping unit opens a little again, so that the book block or brochures, following the gravity, gets the opportunity to align itself on its book block back side against the stop surface of the delivery device. Then the clamping unit closes again, whereupon the book block is held in a defined position.

This procedure, which is optimized in itself, thus guarantees that the back sides of the printed products assume a defined position, which is decisive for the following cutting operations.

Nevertheless, it is correct from a qualitative point of view, if additional measures (flush valve, acting in the vertical and horizontal plane) are provided, which should intervene in those cases when the use of gravity alone is not sufficient for different design of the printed product, in particular their book block backs in order to ensure the desired defined position of the book block back side relative to the associated stop surface.

In this context, it must be assumed that the printed products, in particular the book blocks, are in most cases finished with an envelope which has a relatively large overhang from the enclosed body on all sides (head, foot, front). This overhang does not imply any limitations on the cutting process, but must be detected with additional sensors for accurate trimming of the printed product within the various cutting operations. Due to logistical aspects, it is advantageous to operate with the same envelope sizes as possible, so that a wide range of different book block formats can be captured. So it can be assumed that the majority operates with a relatively large overhang.

To accomplish the secure defined position between the book block back page and stop surface within the delivery device even with envelopes with a large overhang in the head, foot and front sections, the inventive enrichment of the prior art is proposed during the short opening of the clamping unit to order to use gravity on the printed product, in addition intervened with at least one adequate flush valve, the necessary pressure force via the envelope overhangs directly or indirectly can exert on the bordered printed product, so that at least the back side of the printed product rests securely on the associated stop surface.

For this purpose, the two front cover overhangs of the book block are detected by one in the pressure plane angle optimally aligned brush comb or by other flexible mechanical or pneumatically driven means so that the resulting pressure force transmits via Umschlagüberhänge on the body of the printed product, such that this then securely rests on the stop surface arranged within the delivery device.

Using the example of a brush comb whose material flexibility is formed so that the free resulting portion of the brush comb between the two Umschlagüberhängen by the vertical or quasi-vertical pressure movement can additionally penetrate to the front of the book block to unfold there an additional or primary pressure force can ,

Basically, this procedure can also be provided when it comes to a by adequate means lateral pressure force on the head or foot section of the printed product to form a uniform level, even if the package consists of different brochures, so this uniform edge then a sensor receives that optimum positioning within the transport clamp device.

According to the invention, the clamping device at the second cutting location, as already mentioned above, is pressure strips which are arranged on both sides of the pressing surfaces of the printed product, and which pressure strips press the printed product simultaneously or subsequently from at least one side.

The number of operatively used pressure bars on both sides is determined in each case depending on the format size of the processed print product control technology, and it is also possible that for the use enable released pressure bars for the exertion of the pressing force on the printed product against each other directed movements, either with equal force, or by a controlled graduated power delivery.

With a subsequent action of the pressure bars on the printed product, the pressing action, i. the Presskraftentfaltung, with the first pressure bar in the region of the back of the printed product to then continue continuously by a subsequenten or semi-consecutive sequence to approximately in the region of the edge to be cut.

Subsequent control of the pressure bars along the format of the printed product also causes the air trapped between the sides or signatures of the printed product to be continuously squeezed out until a complete thickness consistency of the block is achieved. Only then, in particular, can the cutting operations directed at the front edge of the printed product be successfully carried out. This procedure can also be carried out in the other cutting operations with appropriate clamping devices.

Regardless of which type of clamping device is used, whether by means of clamping plates or pressing bars, the printed product is additionally pressed in the immediate vicinity of the cutting operations by the use of pressing bars, thus achieving the ultimate optimum conditions for the cutting operation.

In the area of the third cutting operation at the third cutting location, another force-exerting clamping device is used, which is constructed according to a four-clamp system, whereby a different subdivision is also possible. In order not to trigger linguistic conflicts with the previously discussed clamping devices, we will speak here of a four-clamp system. This four-clamp system can simultaneously, directly or indirectly, fulfill the function of a pressure-product-related delivery device.

This four-staple system of the device according to the invention, which accommodates both book blocks and brochures and can provide further processing, is operated according to the following criteria:
The book blocks or booklets inserted into the four-staple system for the third cutting operation are pressed during the cutting operation at the third cutting location between a movable jaw belonging to the four-staple system and a fixed jaw.

After performing a cutting operation at this third cutting location, the rotatable four-staple system moves 90 ° during each cycle, and thus also a staple with the book block or leaflets orthogonal to the knife movement at the third cutting location away from the knife. In this position, the book block or brochures are then removed from the four-staple system and transferred to a conveyor belt.

The cutting operations in the cutting locations of the three-knife trimmer are carried out with respect to the trimming of the individual open side edges of the printed product, each with an individually driven cutting device, wherein at least one cutting device is operated with a single-acting cutting blade.

This cutting device is preferably of modular design, and it consists of at least three cutting stations for the cutting of the head-front and foot edge, which cutting stations are arranged U-shaped with the open side down. The cutting operations are then operatively connected to at least one locally disposed pressing beam, the pressing beam acting against the inner planes of the U-shape. Due to this U-shaped configuration, the cut sections of the book block or brochures all fall down.

In addition, the three-knife trimmer according to the invention has the following advantages over the known three-knife trimmers:
During the individual cutting operation, the printed product is formed in variously formed clamping devices (clamping plates or pressure bar batteries), with additional press action by the already mentioned pressing bars, so that the printed product is almost completely recorded during each cutting operation. Only in the area of the back the printed product is not recorded. This is not critical, because the respectively used back binding (thread stitching, adhesive binding, saddle stitching, etc.) sufficiently holds together the printed product in this area, while the clamping plates or pressure strips used to support the printed product integrally sufficient. This full-surface pressing of the printed product in conjunction with the pressing beams used are the prerequisites for a high quality of cut.

Accordingly, the inventive almost full-surface pressure of the printed product is achieved in the simplest way. It is not necessary to provide format-dependent webs, support elements or support strips. As a result, a high power density can be achieved at high cycle rates in the inventive three-knife trimmer.

Since the printed product is transported hanging to the individual cutting stations of the cutting device with the inventive three-cutter, no support of the sides of the printed product is necessary at the transfer points in the transport system.

So because the printed products are not transported horizontally, the book pages do not bend at not full-surface contact surfaces between the support points, and thus they can not attach to the intended transfer points.

The three cutting stations of the cutter are U-shaped with the open side of the U facing down. The cut off section length at the edges, so on the open sides of the printed product takes place in all three cutting operations (head, foot, front) against the inside of the U-shape. This can be operated with a single disposal facility, after which all accumulating sections can be "promoted" together. The sections fall down by gravity without further aids, where they can be globally collected or continuously transported away.

A good section disposal is of great importance because in the industrial production of individual printed products (book blocks) the different formats are very often produced only on the three-knife trimmer. In this case, the printed products are fed to the three-cutter in a size which is matched to the largest final format, which naturally leads to large sections to be cut off in the case of small end formats.

However, in three-knife trimmers with cutting cassettes and press dies, it is customary to align the printed product with two right-angled stops in the corners of spines to the head side and spine to the foot side, as well as a stop from the book block front side. When creating variable-size printed products (book blocks), envelopes of the same size are usually used for a particular size range.

Said pressing beam is thus directly in operative connection with the respective cutting blade and ensures that that force is exerted on the printed product, which is indispensable for a clean cut.

Basically, there are two main variants in the foreground: On the one hand, there is a powerful coupling between the press beam and the cutting blade, ie the press beam force Thus, it has a fixed value, with the speed profile (pressing speed / acceleration) then also running monotonously as a rule. Another variant consists of decoupling the force exerted by the cutting blade and the pressing beam so that the pressing beam then operates according to the following criteria:
The construction of a certain force on the pressing beam is done by building a corresponding torque on the servo motor by a servo drive. Based on a thickness measurement, the optimum pressing force is determined on the printed product, which can be done easily by stored control profiles. As a rule, a single calibration suffices for detecting a specific thickness variability of the printed products, as far as the underlying press force characteristic can be regarded as constant, because the differences in book block thicknesses within a job are relatively small.

On the other hand, however, it must be taken into consideration that a substantial reduction of the pressing speed and, above all, the acceleration can be achieved by optimizing the pressing stroke, especially in the case of stiff and / or thin printed products. But it is advantageous in this concept that regardless of the production speed, the respective cutting device (s) always work at the maximum speed, which is not limited by the cutting speed, but by the limits determined by the mechanics. It is also essential that an increased cycle time is available at low machine speeds, in particular for the operations of transporting, aligning and pressing, since the cutting process always requires the same amount of time.

If the thickness of the printed products now varies within a certain frame and if these are produced by a fixed edge processing, the envelope on the uppermost side of the printed product is not the same size as on the last side of the same. If the height of the printed product varies, then the envelope is more or less dependent on the printed product. In general, will be the printed products were made with a solid supernatant of the envelope on one side and a variable supernatant on the other side. For such products, the alignment of the book block is inappropriate, as in the three-cutter with cutting cassettes and press dies.

In contrast, in the inventive three-cutter the still uncut printed product is aligned at the foot or head edge and the back edge. Thus, the variable projections of the envelope in terms of width, and possibly also the height of the printed product play no role.

For each printed product to be cut, the three-cutter control product data must be known, from which the necessary movements of the transport organs can be calculated so that at the end a cut print product is produced, which has the desired format dimensions.

These data can be transmitted to the controller in a variety of ways. Here are some examples of options:
Each printed product is equipped with an identification feature. A feature reader at the entrance of the three-knife trimmer reads the identification feature (eg: one or two-dimensional barcode, RFID chip, character, image, etc.) and transmits the information from the feature with the machine cycle allocation to the controller. The feature may include the necessary information that maps the cut print product dimensions, or the missing information may be supplemented from control profiles stored in a database.

In another system, the printed products are clocked fed to the three-knife trimmer. With each cycle, the three-cutter control is provided with the information necessary to cut the printed product to the correct dimension. Here, too, data supplied with the printed product can be supplemented by data from a database.

Another possibility is to make the data known to the three-knife trimmer with an order of the printed products before their feeding takes place. The three-knife trimmer processes the next data set in the given order with each printed product being fed. The feeding of the printed products must be done in the right order. For control, a feature reader can be used in addition, which controls the order.

As already mentioned above, the printed products lying, with the machined side (thread stitching, perfect binding, saddle stitching, etc.) are advanced and fed with approximately the same pitch via a conveyor belt to the three-knife trimmer. The approximately uniform pitch is either given by a clocked delivery of the printed products to the conveyor belt of the three-knife trimmer, or it is produced by prior art devices and methods in front of the conveyor belt.

In another embodiment, the printed products with an irregular pitch are fed to the conveyor belt of the three-knife trimmer. A clocking device ensures that minimal divisions (distance from the spine edge to the spine edge of the next product) are not undershot. A sensor detects when a book block arrives at the conveyor belt of the three-knife trimmer. If the distance between the book blocks is greater than the minimum spacing, it can be provided as the first preferred variant that the printed products located within the three-cutter process are finished and then the infeed is resumed.

As a further option, it can be provided that the control reduces the speed of the three-knife trimmer and synchronizes the three-knife trimmer to the cycle of the printed product. If the division exceeds a maximum dimension, it can also be optionally provided that the control system empties the three-knife trimmer generated, as has already been explained above in connection with the operation of the delivery device.

Short description of the drawing

The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawing. All elements not essential to the instant understanding of the invention have been omitted. In the following, the printed product is generally referred to as a book block, which then has room to respond to other types of printed products, such as brochures.

Figur 1

Translationsbewegungen der Supporte und Greifer innerhalb der X- und Y- Ebenen;

Figur 2

eine Gesamtansicht des Dreischneiders mit einer Momentaufnahme der Supporte;

Figur 3

eine weitere Ansicht des Dreischneiders mit einer weiteren Momentaufnahme der Supporte;

Figur 4

Einlaufvorrichtung für die Buchblocks in den Dreischneider;

Figur 5

ein Einschubrad als Zustellvorrichtung;

Figur 6

eine Transportklammer;

Figur 7

eine modulare Schneidvorrichtung beinhaltend die drei Schneidstationen;

Figur 8

eine Momentaufnahme beim Betrieb der Pressleisten;

Figur 9

eine weitere Momentaufnahme beim Betrieb der Pressleisten;

Figur 10

eine weitere Momentaufnahme während der Schneidoperation;

Figur 11

ein drehbares Vierklammersystem als Klemmvorrichtung und Ausförderungsvorrichtung;

Figur 12

die ultimative Anpressung des Buchblocks anlässlich der Schneidoperation;

Figur 13

Verlauf der Kräfteentfaltung verschiedener Klemmelemente während einer Schneidoperation;

Figur 14

einen Bündigschieber für die vertikale Druckausübung auf das Druckprodukt;

Figur 15

einen Bündigschieber für die horizontale Druckausübung auf das Druckprodukt;

Figur 16

eine weitere Transporteinrichtung der Druckprodukte.

In the drawing shows:

FIG. 1

Translational movements of the supports and grippers within the X and Y planes;

FIG. 2

an overall view of the trimmer with a snapshot of the supports;

FIG. 3

another view of the three-knife trimmer with another snapshot of the supports;

FIG. 4

Inlet device for the book blocks in the three-knife trimmer;

FIG. 5

a Einschubrad as a delivery device;

FIG. 6

a transport bracket;

FIG. 7

a modular cutter including the three cutting stations;

FIG. 8

a snapshot of the operation of the pressure bars;

FIG. 9

another snapshot when operating the pressure bars;

FIG. 10

another snapshot during the cutting operation;

FIG. 11

a rotatable four-staple system as a clamping device and delivery device;

FIG. 12

the ultimate press of the book block during the cutting operation;

FIG. 13

Course of the development of forces of various clamping elements during a cutting operation;

FIG. 14

a flush valve for the vertical pressure application to the printed product;

FIG. 15

a flush valve for horizontal pressure on the printed product;

FIG. 16

another transport device of the printed products.

Embodiments of the invention

FIG. 1 1 schematically shows the translational movements of a transport unit belonging to a three-cutter 100, the movements of which are carried out by two print-product-related movable supports 101, 102, these supports being described in detail later for the description of the remaining figures will come into operative connection with each other. The supports have at the end pressure-product-related grippers 103, 104 with clamping jaws which capture the printed product A to be trimmed on the spine side A ^{R in} succession. The supports themselves carry out the following coordinated control-supported translational movements in relation to the cutting locations 1, 2, 3, also called cutting stations:
The first support 101 actively takes over the printed product A after the first cutting operation at the first cutting location 1. The first support then transfers this printed product A to the second cutting location 2, and returns to the starting position 1 at the first cutting location 1 for a new takeover of the printed product nachgeliefert printed product A, this after the first cutting operation has been performed at the first cutting location 1. In the meantime, the second support 102 accepts the printed product A immediately after the cutting operation at the second cutting site 2 has been completed, and transfers this printed product to the third cutting site 3 where the third cutting operation takes place. Thereafter, the second support 102 returns to the second cutting location 2, where already again provided by the first support and already trimmed further printed product A for picking up and transfer to the third cutting location 3 is ready.

The translational movements of the supports 101, 102, with the connected grippers 103, 104, detect two resp. three levels, namely, in the first level X is performed by the transfer of the printed product from one cutting location to the next; in the second plane Y, the charge and discharge of the printed product at the respective cutting location is completed. Optionally, a third plane Z (not shown in detail) is then used in which, as required, a lateral adaptation (offset movement) takes place relative to the printed product-related stationary clamping elements at the respective cutting location of the three-knife trimmer 100.

In the following, the effect of the translational movements of the supports on the grippers will be described, since they best reflect the operations of the trimmer.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show the three-knife trimmer 100 in a 3D representation. The book blocks A ⁿ are lying, with the book block back and at about the same pitch, fed via a conveyor belt 110 to the three-knife trimmer 100. The approximately uniform pitch is either given by a clocked feeding of the book blocks to the conveyor belt of the three-knife trimmer, or it is generated by prior art known devices in front of the conveyor belt.

In another embodiment, not shown, the book block with an irregular division of the conveyor belt 110 of the three-cutter 100 are supplied. A clock device ensures that minimal divisions (distance from one leading book edge to the book back edge of the next book block) are not undershot.

By a sensor not shown in detail that time is detected in which a book block arrives at the conveyor belt of the three-knife trimmer. If the distance between the book blocks is greater than the minimum spacing, then the controller reduces the speed of the translation movements of the three-knife trimmer, whereupon the trimmer is synchronized to the beat of the supplied book block. If the pitch exceeds a maximum dimension, the controller is programmed so that it is capable of generating empty cycles on the three-knife trimmer.

The book blocks A ⁿ are aligned on the conveyor belt 110 by a fixed stop on the head or foot side. This can be done by a transport route with slightly skewed transport rollers, or by other methods known from the prior art methods.

The remaining modules of the trimmer according to the instructions in the FIGS. 2 and 3 are described in detail in the following figures.

A flush valve 125 (See Figures 3 and 14 ) is in operative connection with the insertion wheel 120 (delivery device), and should serve as a supplement to the measures already explained, in order to achieve a secure positioning of the book block with respect to its abutment surfaces.

An abutment surface is used on the one hand both in individual book block as well as in a stack of brochures for the alignment of the back side of the printed products against a fixed predetermined contact surface within the insertion wheel 120 basis. On the other hand, it must be ensured that the head and / or foot of the printed products before the first cutting operation have a corresponding hanging longitudinal positioning in the flow direction.

In book blocks, this happens insofar as the format-moderate adoption of the individual book is controlled by the insertion wheel 120 by the transport clamping device 130 by a sensor which responds to the outer edge of the overhanging envelope. of the book block itself in the area of the head, resp. appealing to a foot party. This ensures that the edge zone cut there has a coordinated size in the book block.

In a stacked package of individual leaflets, lateral means should then preferably be provided prior to the first cutting operation, which ensure a uniform alignment of the cutting edge edges of this package.

The function of the insertion wheel 120 is therefore to pivot a hinged, rake-like running guide against the book block, so that this after a 90 ° rotation, lying on his back, not fanned and can not fall over. The rake-like guide is coupled to the clamping unit, which clamps the book block in a lying on the back position short term and kinematically designed so that this rake-like leadership can be converted into a book thickness-dependent position. Thereafter, the clamping unit opens a little again, so that the book block, following gravity, gets the opportunity to align itself on its book block back side against the stop surface of the insertion wheel. Then the clamping unit closes again, whereupon the book block is held in a defined position.

This procedure, which is optimized in itself, thus guarantees that the book block back side assumes a defined position, which is decisive for the following cutting operations.

Nevertheless, it is from a qualitative point of view, if additional measures are provided, which should intervene in those cases when using different embodiments of the book block, in particular the book block back, the use of the gravity component alone is not enough to the desired defined position of the book block back page against the Ensure appropriate stop surface.

In this context, it must be assumed that the book blocks are in most cases made up with an envelope which has a relatively large overhang from the original book block body on all sides (head, foot, front). This overhang in itself forms no restrictions on the cutting process, but offers logistical advantages because of its unification, insofar as a large range of different book block formats can be recorded with the same envelope size. So it can be assumed that the relatively large overhang will be used by a majority.

In order to accomplish the safe defined position between the book block back page and stop surface within the insertion wheel 120 even with envelopes with a large overhang in the head, foot and front sections, is the proposed enrichment of the prior art, during the short opening of the clamping unit to allow gravity to act on the book block, at least with a flush valve 125, 126 (see Figures 14 . 15 ) to operate in an adequate form, which can exert the necessary pressure force directly or indirectly on the book block via the cover overhangs, so that the book block back side rests securely on the associated stop surface or is aligned laterally.

For this purpose, the two front cover overhangs of the book block of in the pressure plane angle optimally aligned brush combs (see Figures 14 . 15 ) or detected by other flexible mechanical or pneumatically controlled means, so that the resulting pressing force transmits via envelope overhangs on the body of the book block A, such that it then rests securely on the disposed within the insertion wheel 120 stop surface or otherwise positioned horizontally.

Using the example of a brush comb (see Figures 14 . 15 ) whose material-like flexibility is achieved so that the free resulting portion of the brush comb between the two Umschlagüberhängen by the vertical or quasi-vertical pressure movement can additionally penetrate to the front of the book block to unfold there an additional or primary pressure force can.

In principle, this pressure force can also be provided when it is a matter by a suitable means in the form of another flush valve 126 (see Figures 3 and 15) to exert a lateral pressure force on the head or foot section of the printed product in general, with the aim of the formation of a uniform level over all the printed products of the package, so that this edge can then be reliably detected by a sensor in order to create that optimal positioning within the transport stapler 130, so that the subsequent cutting operations (head and foot) can be performed properly.

As in this regard FIG. 4 As can be seen, the book blocks are pressed by slightly skewed transport rollers 113 in the transport direction 112 against a fixed stop 111 and then transported on to the three-knife trimmer 100. The fixed stop 111 may be formed with a revolving belt not shown in detail or even as a solid plate.

The book block A ⁿ then pass into a transfer position, from which they are raised, for example, by a rotating Einschubrad 120 and brought by rotation in position.

As in this regard FIG. 5 As can be seen, during a first 90 ° rotation of the insertion wheel 120, which fulfills the function of a delivery device against a subsequent operation, a hinged, rake-like guide 121 is pivoted against the book block A, so that the book block after the 90 ° rotation, on the back lying, not fanning and can not fall over. The rake-like guide 121 is coupled to a clamping unit 122, which clamps the book block in a supine position for a short time, and is kinematically designed so that the rake-like guide 121 can be converted into a book thickness-dependent position. Thereafter, the clamping unit 122 opens a little again, so that the book block A, following the gravity, gets the opportunity to align itself at its book block back against the stop surface 123 of the insertion wheel 120. Then the clamping unit 122 closes again, whereupon the book block is held firmly in a defined position. The four-part insertion wheel 120 now rotates for two cycles by 90 ° each and ensures the printed product generally in a now hanging position for further processing. During this rotational movement, the first rake-like guide 121 and a second rake-type guide 124 operatively associated therewith are slightly pivoted away from the book block, leaving the pages of the book block alone gravity, hanging down vertically while the book block is held at the book block spine by the nip assembly 122.

In this position moves an open transport bracket (clearly visible in FIG. 2 , Pos.130) horizontally in the direction of the book block back over the book block and takes over this large area.

As detailed in this regard FIG. 6 As can be seen, this transport clamp 130 consists of two jaws 131, 132. Preferably, the transport clamp operates so that the one jaw 131 performs no stroke, while the other jaw 132 makes the entire stroke. Together, the two jaws 131, 132 drive two different offsets, which are related to whether the printed product is being transported in general or an empty run is being made. Optionally, with certain variable and / or inconsistent book block thicknesses, it may be provided that the stroke of the two clamping jaws 131, 132 of the transporting clip 130 is designed individually, ie that identical or different paths are taken until the final pressing position is completed.

The transport clamp 130 can be moved horizontally by a linear motion device 133. A not shown in detail controlled drive moves the transport clamp 130 positionally accurate against a book block compliant transfer position. This takeover position is always dependent on the section to be cut off, which is to be made on the top or bottom of the book block. Then, in the transfer position closes the transport bracket 130 and thereby pinches the book block between its front and back surfaces over a large area. Only the back area and the section area of the book block to be cut off remain free. For this purpose, the description of FIG. 12 directed.

The clamping unit 122 (see FIG. 5 ) opens now and releases the book block back. The transport clamp 130 then moves horizontally and transported move the book block to the first cutting position (see also FIG. 1 , Pos. 1) of a modular multi-cutting device.

The two jaws 131, 132 can also be operated according to the following criteria: Each jaw is directly or indirectly in operative connection with a drive operating for the non-positive clamping action. The guided by the drives jaws have adjustable and / or predictively controlled lifting and adhesion profile on any Formatausprägung of the submitted print product, so that the force applied by the jaws force detection of the printed product with respect to the center line is designed for symmetry or quasi-symmetry. The jaws perform at least during the operative phase for exerting the clamping action on the printed product a mutually tuned uniform, non-uniform or adaptive velocity profile. This operation can be provided for all operatively connected jaws, which are part of this application.

As in this regard FIG. 7 As can be seen, the modular cutter 140 includes three cutting stations extending from a first station 141 at the cutting site 1 (see FIG FIG. 1 ), a second station 142 at the cutting location 2 (see FIG. 1 ) and a third station 143 at the cutting location 3 (see FIG. 1 ) consist. For the respective cutting operation, the book block is pressed by a pressing plate 145 and additionally with a pressing bar 144, such that the book block is clamped or compressed maximized by pressing bars 144 and the already mentioned pressing plates in the area between the conveying clamp and the cutting edge during the cutting operation. is pressed. A knife 150b preferably moves in an oblique section against a per se fixed cutting bar.

The respective pressing bar 144 is therefore directly in operative connection with the respective cutting blade 150a, 150b, 150c, and ensures that that force is exerted on the printed product, which is indispensable for a clean cut.

Basically, two main variants are in the foreground: On the one hand, as pos. 250 in FIG. 7 wants to symbolize, there is a strong coupling between the press bars and cutting blade, ie the pressing beam force thus has a fixed value, then usually the speed profile (pressing speed / acceleration) is monotonous.

Another variant, as pos. 251 in FIG. 7 is to decouple the force exerted by the cutting blade and the pressing beam to each other so that the pressing beam 144 then operates autonomously according to the following criteria:
The construction of a certain force on the pressing beam is done by building a corresponding torque on the servo motor by a servo drive. Based on a thickness measurement, the optimum pressing force is determined on the printed product, which can be done easily by stored control profiles. As a rule, a single calibration suffices for detecting a specific thickness variability of the printed products, as far as the underlying press force characteristic can be regarded as constant, because the differences in book block thicknesses within a job are relatively small.

On the other hand, however, it must be taken into consideration that a substantial reduction of the pressing speed and, above all, the acceleration can be achieved by optimizing the pressing stroke, especially in the case of stiff and / or thin printed products. But it is advantageous in this concept that regardless of the production speed, the respective cutting device (s) always work at the maximum speed, which is not limited by the cutting speed, but by the limits determined by the mechanics. It is also essential that an increased cycle time is available at low machine speeds, in particular for the operations of transporting, aligning and pressing, since the cutting process always requires the same amount of time.

The remaining two cutting locations are operated by the knives 150a and 150c, which follow substantially the same pressing and cutting philosophy. In the first cutting station 141, the head portion of the book block is cut (see also FIG FIG. 1 ). However, it is not excluded to start the first cutting operation with the foot portion of the book block, but in some configurations this would necessitate an adjustment of the operating location of the staple and possibly the cutter 140 as well as the width of the portions, on the basis of maintaining the spine side clamp A ^R (see FIG. 1 ).

Returning to FIGS. 1 . 2, 3 engages during the cutting operation in vertical (Y-plane, see FIG. 1 ) as well as in the horizontal direction (X-plane, see FIG. 1 ) a movable, open first gripper 103, wherein in the vertical direction, the gripper is directed against the book block back. After the first cut, the first gripper 103 takes over the book block on the back and the transport clamp 130 opens. This transport clamp then moves to the takeover position for the next book block. The first gripper 103 transports the book block from this first cutting operation ( FIG. 1 , Pos. 1) vertically upwards (Y-plane) and moves by a superimposed, horizontal movement in the second cutting position ( FIG. 1 , Pos. 2).

The moving distance of the first gripper 103 in the vertical direction is controlled by the machine controller depending on the width of the cut book block, and also the moving distance of the gripper can be controlled individually in the horizontal direction relative to the book block, so when a special gripping position is desired. For example, if the format and the sections to be cut in the respective book block an asymmetric or quasi-asymmetric or a one-sided focus-related clamping effect necessary.

In the second cutting position ( FIG. 1 , Pos. 2), the book block is formed by a plurality of pressure strips, the pressure bar to a battery ( Fig. 2, 3rd , Pos. 200), with which the book blocks are clamped between the front and the back. In FIG. 2 the pressure bar battery appears in the closed state while in FIG. 3 the pressure bar battery are shown in the open state.

As in the FIGS. 8 and 9 it can be seen, close the individual pressure bars 200 ^1-n , starting at the book bridges, one after another, so that the air between the individual sheets can be selectively pressed against the direction of the cutting edge, at the same time there is a smoothing of the printed product as a body. How out FIG. 9 then well, close only as many pressure bars, as between the position of the gripper 103 with the respective jaws 103a, 103b and the second cutting station 142 at the second cutting location 2 (see FIG. 1 ) Can find space. The same jaws 104a and 104b (not shown in detail) are the other gripper 104 (see FIG. 1 ). This in turn achieves a large-area pressing of the book block. In the second cutting station 142, the front side of the book block is now cut, this is done in an analogous manner as in the first and the third cutting stations 141, 143 for head resp. Foot side.

After the used pressure bars 200 ^{1-n of} the pressure bar battery 200 the relevant book block at the second cutting location 2 (see FIG. 1 , Pos. 2) have clamped, as is apparent from FIG. 10 shows, the first gripper 103 can let go of the book block and in its takeover position (cutting location 1, FIG. 1 ) for the next book block.

Furthermore goes out FIG. 10 the ultimate force-related support of the book block A on the occasion of the cutting operation to ensure that the cut can be carried out with high quality by means of the knife 150b shown. So if the used pressure bars 200 ^1-n (see the FIGS. 8, 9 ) have taken over the book block A from the gripper 103, so grab Pressing bar (item 144), which exert the definitive contact force on the book block in the immediate cutting area. In this case, this force must be designed predominantly with respect to the pressing force exerted by the pressure bars, so that the cut carried out by knife 150b enables a cutting edge which is sharpened at right angles. The pressing device consists of a fixed stop 152 as part of a press plate 145 (see also FIG. 7 ) on one side of the book block and from an opposite movable press beam 144 on the other side, which is pressed against the book block by a press stud 151.

The stopper 152 may also be made movable in a further embodiment to take into account the thickness and / or thickness consistency of the book block recessed from above, in other words, for the purpose that the leading edges of the inserted book block can not be pushed open. This dynamic adaptation of the stop 152 can be done by the already mentioned machine control.

For example, the press stud 151 for the press beam 144 may be driven by a motor, hydraulic, or pneumatic, thus exerting the predetermined pressing force on the book block.

By the same principle also the other press beams work (see FIG. 7 , Pos. 144) at the other cutting locations 1, 3, which now provide the exercise of the pressing force in the vertical plane. Again, it is about ensuring a right-angled sharply cut cutting edge.

Once the book block is kept clean by the pressure bars 200 ^1-n , then the second cutting operation (front cut) can be performed. After completion of the cutting operation, a second gripper 104 moves (see FIG. 1 ) in the position above the pressure bar battery and engages the book block in an analogous manner as was the case with the first gripper 103. The position of the second gripper 104, in which he pinches the book block depends on the cut book block height. The controller brings the second gripper 104 into the previously calculated gripping position, so that by the third cutting operation (see FIG. 1 , Pos. 3) on the book block, the correct book block height arises.

After the second cutting operation (front cut) is carried out, the pressure bar battery 200 opens and the second gripper 104 moves the printed product through a vertical (out of the cutting position), then horizontal (feed to the next cutting position) and finally back to the cutting position for the vertical movement third circumcision (foot part) continues (see FIGS. 1 . 2 ).

In the case of vertical movements in the region of at least one cutting position, the loaded gripper in question still performs, as required, a lateral offset movement with respect to a clamping surface of the clamping device.

If the cutting operation is at the third cutting location 3 (see FIG. 1 ), the rotatable discharge device (four-clamp system) 160 moves in accordance with FIG FIG. 11 and thus also the clip 161 with the book block orthogonal to the knife movement away from the knife. The rotatable four-clamp system 160 rotates 90 degrees during each stroke.

The end FIG. 11 in this regard, the position of the clip 161 in the cutting position 162 at which a movable jaw 163 is still open. Another clip acts within the discharge position 164. In this position, the book block A can be removed. The operation of the four-staple system 160 ensures that the book block A during the cutting process at the third cutting location 3 (see FIGS. 1 . 7 ) and the rotational movement of the four-clamp system is sustainably pressed between the movable jaw 163 and the fixed jaw 165. Furthermore, within one quadrant, two states of the bracket 161 can be seen, namely a completely closed 166 and completely open 167 intermediate position. Specifically, one or the other variant can be considered within this quadrant, according to the prevailing space available during the rotation.

As a sampling device may for example be a conveyor belt, which is equipped for the promotion of the book block with movable rollers. Other devices known in the art may also be provided.

Out FIG. 12 shows the ultimate pressure of the book block by pressing bars 144 during the cutting operation. Such contact pressure corresponds to the effect of those under FIG. 10 has been described. The infeed direction is marked Pos. 170.

FIG. 13 shows the interdependence of the various pressing elements (clamping devices) on the printed product, which, based on the cutting location 2, is exerted by the various clamping devices 103, 200, 144, wherein at this cutting location the one clamping device 200 consists of a pressure bar battery 200. The clamping forces of the various clamping devices in the diagram must also be understood only qualitatively. The clamping force of the gripper 103, which is provided for the transport 210 of the printed product from one cutting location to the next, is smaller in comparison with the cutting location-related clamping forces 200 and 144 per se, since this is only a force which is only for the secure clamping action of the printed product during transport must be sufficient. At the cutting location 2, the clamping force of the pressure strip battery 200 ^1-n then builds up simultaneously or subsequently rapidly, so that the clamping force of the gripper 103 immediately decreases 211 (acceptance point) as soon as the final clamping force of the pressure strips on the printed product is reached. The extent to which the clamping force of the gripper decreases to the printed product is set individually and also depends on the weight of the respective printed product. The final clamping force, which is important for the quality of the cutting quality the printed product is then exerted by the already mentioned pressing bar 144, which assumes its position fully parallel to the plane of the cutting blade. As from the force diagram according to FIG. 13 As can be seen, the pressing bar 144 preferably deploys the greatest clamping force, which is variably and phase-shifted 212 (engaging plane) with respect to the other clamping devices, as shown by the parallel lines of interruption 212a, 212b (phase shift interval). Once the pressing force from the pressing bar 144 is reached, the knife performs the cutting operation 213. Thereafter, the pressing bar 144 remains briefly in the cutting plane 215 until the clamping force of the gripper has built up so far that a secure onward transport 214 of the printed product is guaranteed. Thereafter, the clamping forces of the remaining elements 144, 200 after a certain decrease curve 217 subsequent from, so that the further transport plane 216 is open again with the fully grasped by the gripper 103 printed product. In principle, this dynamic also applies to the second support 102 (see FIG. 1 ) belonging gripper 104 in operative connection with the respective clamping devices.

These FIG. 13 symbolically further shows that the mutually tuned uniform, non-uniform or adaptive velocity and / or motion profile of both clamping elements of a clamping device can also provide for one-sided pressing force exertion of the pressing bar 144, by no longer providing the power supply for the knife 150b with that for the pressing bar 144, but this exerts its pressing force autonomously on the printed product, as this symbolizes the position 251 (see also FIG. 7 ). Accordingly, the press force exertion of the press bar on the printed product can then be provided according to certain criteria. The speed profile of the press bar 144 may be transferred to another mode immediately after the first contact with the print product. This also applies to the development of force on the printed product, which can be made successively monotonous, rising or falling depending on the specification. Thus, when the force development of the press beam 144 towards the end of the pressing a certain flexion is required, for example To protect the possibly slightly thickened back of the printed products, this can be with the activation of a corresponding control profile provide, after which, for example, the monotonically increasing power delivery can go into a curve on the principle of a capacitor charging. Accordingly, it is then readily possible to provide an exponential force development, which is used as an intermediate or overarching.

Furthermore, the document EP 1 647 373 A1 represent an integral part of this description, especially when it comes to show how the coordination of the drives for the pressing force supply and knife dynamics is being considered.

FIG. 14 shows the configuration of a flush valve 125 (see also FIG. 3 ). This consists of a receiving plate acting from above 180, which carries printed product side brush body 181, 182, which exert pressure on the front over the printed product A protruding end turns 183, so that the back of the printed product coincides with the support surface within the insertion wheel 120. Since the turnup ends 184 lie in front of the same alignment plane, they can be seen better under the positions 185 and 186 (on the head or foot of the printed product A). Both brush bodies 181 and 182 each consist of two partial brush bodies 181a, 181b; 182a, 182b, which are at an angle to each other, in such a way that the respective turnup end is detected in a wedge shape and can be pressed down correspondingly parallel, whereby the turnup ends do not experience a damaging bulge.

FIG. 15 shows the configuration of another flush valve 126 (See also FIG. 3 ). This consists of one of the side (head or foot side) acting receiving plate 190 which carries printed product side brush body 191, 192, which exert pressure on the head or foot side over the printed product A projecting turnup ends 184, 185, so that the printed product A for the cutting operations are positioned accordingly. The overhanging ends are here in relation to the back section 193 of the printed product A visible. Both brush bodies 191 and 192 each consist of two partial brush bodies 191a, 191b; 192a, 192b, which are at an angle to each other, in such a way that the respective end of the envelope of the brush bodies detected in a wedge shape and the entire printed product body can be positioned laterally according to specification, so that the turn ends do not experience any harmful bulge.

FIG. 16 shows a further transport device 300 of the printed products from one cutting location 1 to the next 2 and from this to a third 3. The cutting operations carried out at these cutting locations are the same as under FIG. 1 are described.

The main difference to the dynamics according to FIG. 1 here is that at least three supports with respective grippers 101/103 operatively in use along a substantially ellipse-like route 301, this functional circumferential route consists of a front track 303 and a substantially parallel rear track 304, the two Trains pass through each a lateral curvature 305, 306 into each other. The front web serves to guide the successive successive supports 101 in a straight line or quasi-rectilinearly along the cutting locations 1, 2, 3. The number of supports 101 along the route is dependent on the maximum allowable tact, ie, each support takes a leading role in a printed product, and this leads to the underlying three cutting sites 1, 2, 3, without making a transfer to another support. To maximize production, the clock is designed in such a way that the supports follow each other closely and the distance between them depends on the time taken for the individual cutting operations, which usually involves more than three supports. A reduction in the number of supports can be achieved, for example, if they experience an acceleration along the rear track 304 between the last cutting location 3 and the first cutting location 1.

Thus, with such a provision, the intermediate tailor-specific levies and takeovers of the printed product can be circumvented by reciprocating supports (see FIG. 1 ). On the other hand, in order to keep production high, more peripheral supports 302a-302f usually need to be provided because the supports need time to travel over the rear track 304.

For better understanding, the supports which are in operational use are hatched, while the others not loaded, ie downstream of the discharge device 160, which respectively are on the way to the delivery device 120 for the renewed acceptance of a printed product, are shown unshaded.

Such a transport variant characterized by an ellipse-like path 301 can be used as a basis for a central trimming of the printed products, ie if the three cutting operations are carried out at a single cutting location, ie if the takeover of the printed product, its supply to the central cutting location, and its subsequent cutting Delivery by one and the same support. By analogy, such a central circumcision could advantageously be arranged within the second cutting location 2. Advantageously, the supports in use should then not return via the front track 303 back into the delivery device 120, but on the rear track 304, so as not to inhibit the production flow.

It is obvious that, in the case of a central cutting site for trimming all the printed edges of the printed product, provision must be made for the movement of the side knives and the associated press beams to be out of phase with the movement of the front knife and the associated press beam, thus colliding the knives can be prevented.

The described three-knife trimmer 100 according to the invention has the following advantages over the known three-knife trimmers:
During cutting, the book block in staples or the pressure bar battery is almost completely pressed. Only in one area of the spine does the book block have an open space M ₁ . This is not critical because the binding holds the book block together in this area sufficiently and support the book block in the cutting area, the pressure bars within the respective cutting station of the cutting devices. The full-surface pressing of the book block leads to a high quality of cut.

The full-surface pressing is achieved in a simple manner. No webs, support elements or support strips need to be adjusted depending on the format. As a result, a high number of cycles and thus a high performance of the three-knife trimmer can be achieved.

Since with the inventive three-cutter the book block hanging to the individual cutting stations 141, 142, 143 (see FIG. 7 ) is transported, at the transfer points in the transport system no support of the pages of the book block is necessary. Since the book blocks are not transported horizontally, the book pages do not bend at not complete contact surfaces between the support points, which they can not attach to the transfer points.

The three cutting stations 141, 142, 143 of the cutting device are arranged U-shaped with the open side of the U down against each other. The section of book block to be cut is operative in all three cutting operations in association with the pressing bars 144 (see FIG FIG. 7 , and particularly FIG. 10 ) against the inside of the U-shape. Thereby, it is possible with a single lower side arranged section disposal means, all three cut sections successfully "auszufördern". Namely, these sections fall down by gravity without further aids.

A good section disposal, regardless of whether it is book blocks or brochures, is therefore of great importance, because in the industrial production of individual books, the different formats are very often produced only on the three-knife trimmer. The book blocks are fed to the three-knife trimmer in a size adapted to the largest final format, which leads to large cutting sections in the case of small end formats.

For three-knife trimmers with cutting cassettes and press dies, it is customary to align the book block with two right-angled stops in the corners of spines to the top and spine to the bottom, as well as from the front of the book block. When making format-variable books, brochures, etc., envelopes of the same size are usually used for a particular size range. If the thickness of the book block now varies and the books are bound with binders having fixed edge processing, the envelope on the top of the book is not the same size as on the last page of the book.

If the book block height varies, depending on the envelope, the book is more or less in front of the book. Typically, the book blocks are made with a solid overhang of the envelope on one side and a variable overhang on the other side.

For such products, the alignment of the book block is inappropriate, as in the three-cutter with cutting cassettes and press dies.

In the trimmer according to the invention, the uncut book block or the uncut booklets are aligned at the foot or head edge and the processed back edge. Thus, the variable projections of the envelope in the book block height and the book width play no role.

For each book block to be cut or for each booklet to be cut, the three-cutter control product data must be known, from which the necessary movements of the transport organs can be expected, so that at the end a cut book is produced, which has the desired format dimensions.

These data can be transmitted to the controller in a variety of ways. Here are some examples of options. Each book block or booklet is equipped with an identification feature. A feature reader at the entrance of the three-knife trimmer reads the identification feature (for example: one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcode, RFID chip, character, image, etc.) and transmits the information from the feature with the machine cycle assignment to the controller. The feature may include the necessary information mapping the cut print product dimensions, or the missing information may be supplemented from a database.

In another system, the book blocks are clocked fed to the three-knife trimmer. With each cycle, the three-cutter control is supplied with the information necessary to cut the book block to the correct dimension. Again, data supplied with the book block can be supplemented with data from a database.

Another possibility is to make the data known to the three-knife trimmer with an order of the book blocks before the book blocks are fed. The three-knife trimmer processes the next record in the given order with each book block being fed. The feeding of the book blocks must be done in the right order. For control, a feature reader can be used in addition, which controls the order.

Claims (35)

1. Device for carrying out cutting operations on at least one open format edge of at least one printed product, the device being operatively connected to a printed product-related infeed apparatus for the first cutting operation and to a printed product-related discharge apparatus which operates downstream of the last cutting operation, wherein each edge-related cutting operation is operative with at least one cutting device by means of at least one cutting apparatus, wherein the printed product (A) is transportable from a first cutting location (1), at which the cutting operation for a first format edge of the printed product takes place, to a second cutting location (2), at which the cutting operation for a second format edge takes place, wherein the printed product is transportable, after the cutting operation has been carried out at the second cutting location, to a third cutting location (3), at which the cutting operation for a third format edge takes place, and wherein the transfer of the printed product along a guide section from one cutting location to the next is carried out with at least one transport unit (101, 102, ...), characterized in that the transport unit includes at least one means, by way of which the printed product is gripped by the spine and conveyable from one cutting location to the next in a suspended manner.
2. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the printed product to be trimmed is composing at least of a connected book block, individual brochures or a number of stacked brochures.
3. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the printed products before and/or after the cutting operations have the same or variable format dimensions with the same or different thickness dimensions.
4. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the first edge to be trimmed at the first cutting location (1) relates to the head portion, in that the second edge to be trimmed at the second cutting location (2) relates to the front portion, and in that the third edge to be trimmed at the third cutting location (3) relates to the tail portion of the printed product, or in that the first edge to be trimmed at the first cutting location (1) relates to the tail portion, in that the second edge to be trimmed at the second cutting location (2) relates to the front portion, and in that the third edge to be trimmed at the third cutting location (3) relates to the head portion of the printed product.
5. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that, for the positional alignment of a printed product which is configured as a book block (A), the infeed apparatus has the shape of a multiple-piece inserting wheel (120) which is operable according to the following criteria:

   a) during a first 90° rotation of the inserting wheel (120), a foldable rake-like guide (121) performs with respect to the book block (A) a pivotable movement in such a way that the book block (A), after the 90° rotation, lies on its spine (A^R), whereupon the book block is secured against fanning out and/or falling over;

   b) the rake-like guide (121) is coupled to a clamping assembly (122), by way of which the book block (A) which lies on its spine is clamped briefly, wherein said clamping assembly (122) being kinematically operable in such a way that the rake-like guide (121) being transferable into a position which is dependent on the book block thickness;

   c) afterwards, the clamping assembly (122) opens again a little, so that spine (A^R) of the book block, following gravity, is aligned downstream of a stop face (123) within the inserting wheel (120);

   d) afterwards, the clamping assembly (122) closes again, whereupon the book block (A) has a defined position;

   e) the inserting wheel (120) then rotates further by two steps of in each case 90° per step, as a result of which the book block (A) is transportable into a position which is now suspended, with respect to the cutting locations (1, 2, 3);

   f) during the said last-mentioned rotary movement, the first rake-like guide (121) and a second guide (124), which is operatively connected thereto, are pivoted away from the book block, the book block (A) being held in the region at least of one part of its spine (A^R) by the clamping assembly (122), wherein the portion of the book block (A) released by the guides (121, 124) is suspended vertically downwards solely due to gravity.
6. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the infeed apparatus for a printed product which comprising at least one brochure has the shape of a multiple-piece inserting wheel (120) which is operable according to the following criteria:

   a) during a first 90° rotation of the inserting wheel (120), a foldable rake-like guide (121) performs with respect to the brochure a pivotable movement in such a way that the brochure, after the 90° rotation, lies on the spine (A^R), whereupon the brochure is secured against fanning out and/or falling over;

   b) the rake-like guide (121) is coupled to a clamping assembly (122), by way of which the brochure is clamped briefly in a position, in which it lies on the spine, wherein said clamping assembly (122) being kinematically operable in such a way that the rake-like guide (121) being transferable into a position which is dependent on the brochure thickness;

   c) afterwards, the clamping assembly (122) opens again a little, so that the spine of the brochure, following gravity, is aligned downstream of a stop face (123) within the inserting wheel (120);

   d) afterwards, the clamping assembly (122) closes again, whereupon the brochure has a defined position;

   e) the inserting wheel (120) then rotates further by two steps of in each case 90° per step, as a result of which the brochure is transportable into a position which is now suspended, with respect to the cutting locations (1, 2, 3);

   f) during the said rotary movement, the first rake-like guide (121) and a second guide (124), which is operatively connected thereto, are pivoted away from the brochure, the brochure being held in the region at least of one part of its spine (A^R) by way of the clamping assembly (122), wherein the portion of the brochure released by the guides (121, 124) is suspended vertically downwards solely due to gravity.
7. Device according to either of Claims 5 and 6, characterized in an open state of clamping assembly (122), there are additional means which are drivable from above (125) and/or from the side (126) and by way of which a brief pressing force is exertable directly or indirectly on book blocks or brochures, by way of which brief pressing force securing of the end position of book blocks or brochures is achieved with respect to the stop face (123) or another predetermined position at least in the horizontal direction.
8. Device according to one or more of Claims 1, 5 and 6, characterized in that the infeed apparatus (120), in the region of first cutting operation, is operatively connected with a movable clamping apparatus (130), which is equipped with clamping plates (131, 132) and accepts the printed product from the infeed apparatus (120), whereupon the printed product is fed to the first cutting operation.
9. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the transport unit comprises at least of a support (101) having at least one printed product-related gripper (103), wherein the gripper grips is configured to grip the printed product to be cut on the spine side (A^R) of the printed product, and wherein the following control-assisted translatory movements along a guide section are taken as a basis for the gripper with respect to the cutting locations (1, 2, 3):

   a) accepting the printed product by use of the gripper belonging to the support after termination of the first cutting operation at the first cutting location (1);

   b) transporting the printed product by the same support/gripper to the second cutting location (2), and, after a cutting operation has taken place at the second cutting location,

   c) transporting the same printed product by the same support/gripper to the third cutting location (3) for carrying out the third cutting operation, and, afterwards,

   d) initiating a return of the same support/gripper into the starting position at the first cutting location for a renewed acceptance of a subsequent printed product, once being the first cutting operation has been carried out, thereon at the said first cutting location.
10. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the transport unit comprises substantially two printed product-related supports (101, 102), each having a gripper (103, 104), wherein the grippers are configured to a spine side (A^R) of the printed product to be cut, wherein the two supports/grippers are operatively connected to one another, and wherein the supports/grippers are operable with respect to the cutting location (1, 2, 3) by the following control-assisted translatory movements along a guide section:

    a) the first gripper (103) of the first support (101) accepts the printed product once the first cutting operation has taken place at the first cutting location (1);

    b) the first support then moves with the said printed product to the second cutting location (2), positions the printed product there to carry out the second cutting operation, and subsequently moves back empty to the first cutting location (1), at which the renewed acceptance of a subsequent printed product, which is present already cut at the said cutting location (1), takes places;

    c) in the interim, the second support (102)/gripper (104) accepts the printed product directly after the cutting operation has ended at the second cutting location (2), and transports the printed product to the third cutting location (3), at which the third cutting operation takes place;

    d) afterwards, the second support (102)/gripper (104) returns empty to the second cutting location (2), at which a subsequent printed product is again present already cut, whereupon the second support (102)/gripper (104) again travels with the said printed product to the third cutting location (3), at which the third cutting operation takes place.
11. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the transport unit comprises at least of two, three supports (101/103), which are guided along an inherently closed guide section (301), in that, in the region of the cutting locations (1, 2, 3), each support is loaded in each case individually with at least one printed product for the respective cutting operation, wherein each of the supports, after leaving the third cutting location (3), is returnable unloaded over the remaining course of the closed guide section to the first cutting location (1) such that, before or after the first cutting operation, a subsequent printed product is accepted, and wherein the support with the accepted printed product is successively guidable to a specific clock cycle to the remaining cutting locations (2, 3) to carry out the pending cutting operation.
12. Device according to Claim 11, characterized in that the closed guide section has substantially the shape of an ellipse, a quasi-ellipse, or the shape of a round or quasi-round course.
13. Device according to Claim 11, characterized in that the number of supports circulating along the guide section depends on the clock cycle of the cutting operations and/or depends on the selected return speed of the supports between the third cutting location (3) and the first cutting location (1).
14. Device according to one of Claims 1, 9, 10 and 11, characterized in that all the cutting operations take place at a central cutting location, and wherein movements of side knives and of associated pressing elements take place in a phase-shifted manner with respect to movement of front knives and associated pressing elements in order to prevent a collision between the said elements.
15. Device according to one of Claims 1, 9, 10 and 11, characterized in that the grippers (103, 104) are equipped on the end side with clamping jaws (103a, 103b; 104a, 104b) configured to act on the printed product, wherein at least one targeted lateral offset movement is enabled to be carried out with respect to a pressing surface of at least one local arranged clamping and/or pressing apparatus (103, 104, 130, 160/161, 200, 144) by the gripper loaded with the printed product in a region of at least one of the cutting location (1, 2, 3) before and/or after the cutting operation.
16. Device according to one or more of Claims 1, 9, 10 and 11, characterized in that the respective printed product is grippable by the clamping jaws of the respective gripper (103, 104) symmetrically, quasi-symmetrically, asymmetrically or in a manner maximized with respect to its centre of gravity and/or depending on the portion lengths of the edges to be cut off.
17. Device according to one or more of Claims 1 and 9-16, characterized in that the gripper (103, 104) is configured to carry out a further positioning movement in at least one plane with respect to a stationary pressing surface of a clamping apparatus in at least one 104) cutting location (1, 2, 3) before and/or after the respective cutting operation.
18. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the discharge apparatus (160) is operative at the third cutting location (3), and is operable according to the following criteria:

    a) the discharge apparatus (160) is operable by a wheel operating in multiple parts;

    b) the discharge apparatus has a clamping apparatus (161), which comprises at least a first jaw (163) and at least a second jaw (165), with which jaws a clamping action is exertable on the printed product (A) during the cutting operation;

    c) after the cutting operation, the multiple-part wheel carries out a partial rotation, by which the printed product is transportable into a removing position.
19. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the one cutting apparatus (150 a-c) at each cutting location (1, 2, 3) is operatively connected to, in each case, one stationary or quasi-stationary clamping and/or pressing apparatus (130, 161, 200, 144), with which at least one pressing force is exertable on the printed product to be trimmed, wherein the clamping apparatus has singly-acting or multiply-acting controllable pressing surfaces belonging to at least one clamping jaw, wherein the clamping apparatus is matched to the format size of the printed product, or, during the course of the operation, is adjustable by simultaneous adaptations to the respective format sizes of the printed product.
20. Device according to one or more of Claims 1-19, characterized in that clamping and/or pressing apparatuses (103, 104, 130, 160/161, 200, 144), which are operatively connected to one another and exert force, are provided at each of the cutting location (1, 2, 3), wherein the clamping force of the gripper (103, 104) intended to transport the printed product from one cutting location (1, 2, 3) to the next is smaller compared to first force-exerting clamping apparatuses (130, 160/161, 200), and wherein a clamping force is exertable on the printed product by the first force-exerting clamping apparatuses (130, 160/161, 200), the clamping force being smaller than a second cutting location-related clamping apparatus (144).
21. Device according to Claim 20, characterized in that the cutting location-related clamping apparatus (144) has the form of a pressing bar which presses directly against the printed product, or is matched specifically in terms of the pressing force by a mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic counterforce developing means.
22. Device according to one of Claims 19-21, characterized in that the pressing force, which is producible on the pressing bar (144) belonging to the pressing apparatus to press the printed product in conformity with the cutting operation is directly or quasi-directly operatively connected to a drive, which is also casually configured to introduce the cutting force within the cutting locations (1, 2, 3).
23. Device according to one of Claims 19-21, characterized in that the pressing force, which is producible on the pressing bar (144) belonging to the pressing apparatus to press the printed product in conformity with the cutting operation is produced by an autonomous drive which is disconnected from the drive to produce the cutting force of a cutting knife (150a, 150b, 150c) within the cutting locations (1, 2, 3).
24. Device according to one of Claims 19-23, characterized in that the exertion of force of the cutting knife (150a, 150b, 150c) and of the pressing bar (144) are decoupled from one another in such a way that the pressing force of the pressing bar acting on the printed product is adjustable as follows: starting from a thickness measurement and composition of the printed product, the optimal pressing force on the printed product to be processed is determined continuously, or is retrieved via stored control profiles.
25. Device according to one of Claims 19-23, characterized in that a pressing force in conformity with the cutting operation is exertable on the printed product at least during the operative phase by way of the pressing apparatus which is configured as a pressing bar (144), which force is preferably designed for adapted homogeneous, inhomogeneous, quasi-monotonous, rising, falling, adaptive speed and/or movement profile.
26. Device according to one of Claims 19-23, characterized in that the clamping jaws are equipped with at least one clamping apparatus, which clamping jaws is movable with respect to one another according to the following criteria:

    a) each clamping jaw is operatively directly or indirectly connected to a drive operating for frictional clamping action, wherein the clamping jaws guided by the drives having adjustable and/or predictively regulated lifting and non-positive connection profiles, which are aligned with any shape design of the printed product that is present;

    b) the frictional movement profile carried out by the clamping jaws is configured such that the printed product is grippable symmetrically or quasi-symmetrically with respect to its thickness-related centre line of the printed product;

    c) a clamping force is exertable by the clamping jaws at least during the operative phase, on the printed product by mutually matched uniform, non-uniform or adaptive speed and/or movement profile.
27. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that at each of the cutting locations (1, 2, 3) before, during and after the cutting operation, the following pressing forces are operative on the printed product:

    a) a pressing force on the printed product is exertable by clamping jaws (103a, 103b; 104a, 104b), which belong to the gripper (103, 104) the pressing force being configured to transport the printed product from one cutting location to the next;

    b) a further pressing force on the printed product is exertable by a first clamping apparatus (130, 160/161, 200) acting at each of the cutting locations, the further pressing force being operative stationarily on the printed product in the region of the respective cutting location;

    c) a further pressing force on the printed product is exertable by a second clamping apparatus (144) configured for pressing and acting at each of the cutting locations, and this pressing force being directly operative in the region of the respective cutting location.
28. Device according to Claim 27, characterized in that a first clamping apparatus (130) is operative at the first cutting location (1), wherein a further first clamping apparatus (200) is operative at the second cutting location (2), wherein a further first clamping apparatus (160/161) is operative at the third cutting location (3), and wherein additionally a second clamping apparatus (144) is operative in each case at each cutting locations (1, 2, 3).
29. Device according to Claim 28, characterized in that a first clamping apparatus (200), which is operable at least at the second cutting location (2) comprises of individual pressure bars (200^1-n) arranged vertically or quasi-vertically downstream, wherein the pressure bars are rigidly positioned on the one side of the printed product, while the pressure bars are configured to carry out a frictional pressing movement on the other side of the printed product.
30. Device according to Claim 28, characterized in that a first clamping apparatus (200) which is operable at least at the second cutting location (2) comprises individual pressure bars (200^1-n) arranged vertically or quasi-vertically downstream, and wherein the pressure bars are configured to carry out uniform or quasi-uniform frictional pressing movements directed at the printed product on both sides of the printed product directly or indirectly.
31. Device according to Claim 28, characterized in that a first clamping apparatus (200) which is operable at least at the second cutting location (2) comprises of individual pressure bars (200^1-n) arranged vertically or quasi-vertically downstream, wherein frictional pressing movements are exertable by the pressure bars arranged on both sides of the printed product, the movements of which are configured for symmetry or quasi-symmetry with respect to a centre line of the printed product in term of thickness.
32. Device according to one or more of Claims 28-31, characterized in that, upon a subsequent pressing movement of the pressure bars (200^1-n) on the printed product, a pressing action thereof begins with the first one of the pressure bars in the region of the spine of the printed product, so as to then carry on by the use of the remaining pressure bars approximately into the plane of the edge to be cut.
33. Device according to Claim 32, characterized in that the subsequent activation of the pressure bars starting from the spine of the printed product through to the edge to be cut having the effect that the air caught between signatures of the printed product is pressed continually out.
34. Device according to one of Claims 1-33, characterized in that the cutting operation with respect to the individual formatting edges of the printed product is carried out by an individually operating cutting operation at the respective cutting location (1, 2, 3).
35. Device according to Claim 34, characterized in that at least one cutting operation is operable by a singly-acting cutting knife.

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