EP3288764B1 - Method and apparatus for the overlapping arrangement of sheets between consecutive processing stations - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for arranging sheets in a scaled position according to claim 1 and a device for arranging sheets in a scaled position according to claim 9.

Through the US 3 198 046 A It is known to stack shingled sheets to be transported along a transport path by blowing air under the rear end of a previous sheet and pushing a subsequent sheet under the raised rear end of the previous sheet. Through the DE 10 2004 007 404 A1 A method and a device for guiding sheets to a sheet-processing machine are known, the adhesive force between two sheets consecutive in a shingled stream being reduced by lifting the sheet trailing edge of the first sheet.

Through the DE 10 2009 048 928 A1 An inkjet printer for printing on sheet-shaped substrates is known, the printer having the following components: a) a printing unit transport device with at least one rotating printing unit transport belt with openings guided over rollers and a suction chamber device arranged under the printing unit transport belt, the printing unit transport belt or the printing unit transport belts being an independent drive device has or have, which impresses or impresses a speed on the conveyor belt or conveyor belts, b) an ink jet printing device arranged above the approximately horizontally guided upper drum of the printing unit transport belt, c) a transport device arranged upstream of the printing unit transport device in the transport direction of the printing sheets / substrates at least one revolving belt, the conveyor belt or the conveyor belts having an independent drive device which impresses or impress a speed on the conveyor belt or the conveyor belts, the ratio of the speed of the printing unit conveyor belt or the printing unit conveyor belts of the printing unit transport device to that The speed of the conveyor belt or the conveyor belts of the transport device arranged upstream of the printing unit transport device is selected such that the printing sheets or substrates for all sheet formats intended for the inkjet printer are abutting or with a small distance of up to 10 mm on the printing unit conveyor belt or printing unit conveyor belts to lie on come.

Through the EP 0 615 941 A1 There is known an apparatus and method for continuously passing individual sheets of corrugated cardboard through an anilox section and a punching section while maintaining the alignment of each sheet in each processing section.

Through the DE 100 47 040 A1 A modular printing press system for printing sheets is known, consisting of a first printing press designed in a satellite design with a central first impression cylinder and at least four printing devices assigned to it, a second printing press, and a coupling device for coupling the printing presses to one another for their inline operation, with one Non-impact printer is assigned to a transport device of the printing press system that transports the sheets. The transport device for transporting the sheets z. B. formed along a linear transport path. The transport device has z. B. at least one pliers gripper, which rests on the side to be printed by the non-impact printer of a sheet held in the pliers gripper and, owing to its ultra-flat design when the sheet is transported past the non-impact printer, collision-free by a narrow one formed by this and the sheet Gap is feasible.

Through the DE 101 41 589 B4 A method for operating a sheet processing machine is known in which the sheets are shifted in the transport direction and treated in several processing stations, the speed of displacement of the sheets being adjustable independently of one another, the speed of the respective sheet being adapted to the processing step to be carried out in the respective processing station and the speed of the sheet is different in at least two of the processing stations. The

The processing power of the individual processing stations can be the same during a certain period of time, or the processing power of a first processing station is greater or less than the processing power of an upstream or downstream second processing station during a certain period.

Through the WO 02/48012 A2 Devices for aligning sheets are known which can be fed to the device offset from a scaly device in a scale-like manner and, after aligning the front edge and a side edge of the sheet, can be transferred to a downstream device. By means of an alignment cylinder, on the circumference of which a sheet can be brought into contact at least in sections, the front edge of the sheet can be aligned fluently by front marks arranged on the circumference of the alignment cylinder. At least one recess is provided on the circumference of the alignment cylinder, the arc being able to be fixed in a frictionally locking manner at least in sections on the circumference of the alignment cylinder by applying a negative pressure in the recess, so that drive forces can be frictionally transmitted from the alignment cylinder to the arc in the contact area. The offset of a side edge of the sheet relative to a predetermined target orientation can be determined with a measuring device. By using a transverse adjustment device, a side edge of the sheet can be aligned depending on the measurement result of the measuring device. Acceleration and / or speed and / or angle of rotation of the drive motor for the rotary drive of the alignment cylinder can be controlled or regulated according to predetermined movement laws, in particular depending on the angle of rotation of the alignment cylinder.

Through the EP 2 516 168 B1 an apparatus for holding and supporting a printing substrate for a printing press is known, comprising a conveyor which has an endless mat which is formed from a plurality of hollow boxes which extend transversely and have a flat outside and has drive means of the mat and guide means of the boxes, such that the flat outer sides on the Boxes running on a flat longitudinal path form a flat upper surface for holding the printing substrate, the boxes having a plurality of outer openings in their outside and at least one inner passage in their inside opposite to their outside; and a suction device adapted to cooperate with the inner passages of the boxes running on a longitudinal suction area corresponding to at least a portion of the flat longitudinal distance to create suction through the outer openings of the boxes located on the longitudinal suction area to run.

The invention has for its object to provide a method and an apparatus for arranging sheets in a shingled position, which or which is suitable for use in a machine arrangement for the production of packaging.

The object is achieved by the features of claims 1 and 9. The respective dependent claims relate to advantageous refinements and / or developments of the solution found.

The advantages that can be achieved with the invention are, in particular, that the proposed method is suitable for use in a machine arrangement for the production of packaging materials. It is preferably used in a hybrid sheet-processing machine arrangement, preferably in a hybrid printing machine, which has the high productivity of a conventional, e.g. B. in an offset printing process or in a flexographic printing process or in a screen printing process printing device or a coating device, in particular a varnishing unit variable in combination with at least one flexible printable printing, z. B. uses as an inkjet printer designed non-impact printing device, both the conventional printing device or the coating device and the non-impact printing device in one running Production can be used inline with the optimum working speed for them. Such a hybrid machine arrangement is particularly suitable for the production of packaging materials, e.g. B. of sheets for the production of folding boxes is very advantageous because the strengths of each of the printing devices are used, which leads to flexible and economical production of the packaging. In particular, flexurally rigid printed sheets can be printed in a non-impact printing device advantageously in a flat state and in a horizontal position. The length of a linear transport device can be transferred to a different number of printing units or printing stations (color separations) and (intermediate) dryer configurations, e.g. B. for water-based or UV-curing inks or inks than would be the case with a rotary transport device via cylinder. With a linear transport device, when using sheets of variable format lengths, a constant sheet gap between sheets that are transported at immediately spaced intervals can be realized more easily. On the other hand, transporting printed sheets by means of rotary bodies, in particular cylinders and gripper bars or gripper carriages, each with a transfer of the sheets in the gripper closing to a next processing station, as is known from sheet-fed offset printing presses, ensures the highest possible register accuracy. With linear sheet transport z. B. using suction belt conveyors, this register accuracy is usually not yet achieved. Further advantages can be seen from the explanations below.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are described in more detail below.

Fig. 1

ein Blockschaltbild zur Darstellung von verschiedenen Produktionslinien;

Fig. 2

eine erste Maschinenanordnung mit mehreren verschiedenen Bearbeitungsstationen;

Fig. 3 bis 8

weitere Maschinenanordnungen jeweils mit mehreren verschiedenen Bearbeitungsstationen;

Fig. 9

die Maschinenanordnung der Fig. 8 jeweils in einer Draufsicht und in einer Seitenansicht;

Fig. 10

eine mehrteilige Transporteinrichtung;

Fig. 11

eine vergrößerte Darstellung eines ersten Ausschnitts aus der Fig. 10;

Fig. 12

eine vergrößerte Darstellung eines zweiten Ausschnitts aus der Fig. 10;

Fig. 13

eine schematische Darstellung einer Transportvorrichtung zum sequentiellen Transport einzelner bogenförmiger Substrate;

Fig. 14

eine Draufsicht auf eine einzelne Blas-Sog-Düse;

Fig. 15

eine Draufsicht auf eine Transportvorrichtung gemäß den Fig. 11 oder Fig. 13;

Fig. 16

eine Seitenansicht zu der in der Fig. 15 dargestellten Transportvorrichtung;

Fig. 17

einen Ausschnitt aus der Darstellung eines Kettenförderers;

Fig. 18

eine Draufsicht auf die in der Fig. 15 gezeigte Anordnung;

Fig. 19

eine weitere perspektivische Darstellung des in den Fig. 15 und 16 gezeigten Kettenförderers;

Fig. 20

eine weitere Ausführung der Transportvorrichtung anhand einer Ausschnittsvergrößerung aus der Fig. 11;

Fig. 21

eine Draufsicht auf die Transportvorrichtung der Fig. 20;

Fig. 22

ein im Diagonalregister auszurichtendes bogenförmiges Substrat;

Fig. 23

eine Seitenansicht einer Transportvorrichtung mit einem Schwinghebel aufweisenden mechanischen Koppelelement;

Fig. 24

eine Draufsicht der in der Fig. 23 dargestellten Transportvorrichtung;

Fig. 25

eine Seitenansicht einer Transportvorrichtung mit einem Räderkoppelgetriebe aufweisenden mechanischen Koppelelement;

Fig. 26

eine Draufsicht der in der Fig. 25 dargestellten Transportvorrichtung;

Fig. 27

eine Maschinenanordnung zum beidseitigen sequentiellen Bearbeiten mehrerer bogenförmiger Substrate;

Fig. 28

eine weitere Maschinenanordnung zum beidseitigen sequentiellen Bearbeiten mehrerer bogenförmiger Substrate;

Fig. 29

noch eine weitere Maschinenanordnung zum beidseitigen sequentiellen Bearbeiten mehrerer bogenförmiger Substrate;

Fig. 30

eine Unterschuppungseinrichtung;

Fig. 31

eine Ausschnittsvergrößerung aus der Fig. 30.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a block diagram showing various production lines;

Fig. 2

a first machine arrangement with several different processing stations;

3 to 8

further machine arrangements each with several different processing stations;

Fig. 9

the machine arrangement of the Fig. 8 each in a top view and in a side view;

Fig. 10

a multi-part transport device;

Fig. 11

an enlarged view of a first section of the Fig. 10 ;

Fig. 12

an enlarged view of a second section of the Fig. 10 ;

Fig. 13

is a schematic representation of a transport device for the sequential transport of individual sheet substrates;

Fig. 14

a plan view of a single blowing suction nozzle;

Fig. 15

a plan view of a transport device according to the Fig. 11 or Fig. 13 ;

Fig. 16

a side view to that in the Fig. 15 illustrated transport device;

Fig. 17

a section of the representation of a chain conveyor;

Fig. 18

a top view of the in the Fig. 15 arrangement shown;

Fig. 19

a further perspective view of the in the Fig. 15 and 16 chain conveyor shown;

Fig. 20

a further embodiment of the transport device based on an enlarged detail from the Fig. 11 ;

Fig. 21

a plan view of the transport device of the Fig. 20 ;

Fig. 22

an arcuate substrate to be aligned in the diagonal register;

Fig. 23

a side view of a transport device with a rocker arm having mechanical coupling element;

Fig. 24

a top view of the in the Fig. 23 illustrated transport device;

Fig. 25

a side view of a transport device with a gear coupling mechanical coupling element;

Fig. 26

a top view of the in the Fig. 25 illustrated transport device;

Fig. 27

a machine arrangement for double-sided sequential processing of multiple sheet substrates;

Fig. 28

a further machine arrangement for sequential processing of two sheet-like substrates on both sides;

Fig. 29

yet another machine arrangement for sequential processing of a plurality of sheet-like substrates on both sides;

Fig. 30

a shingling device;

Fig. 31

an enlargement from the Fig. 30 ,

Fig. 1 illustrates in a block diagram different production lines, each with a machine arrangement with several in particular different processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 for processing at least one sheet-shaped substrate, in particular a printing material, preferably a sheet-shaped sheet, in particular a rectangular sheet, in short a sheet, wherein this at least one substrate is designed to be rigid or flexible depending on the material, material thickness and / or grammage. Each of these processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 each as a z. B. formed independently functional module, whereby a module is to be understood as a generally independently manufactured or at least one assembled machine unit or functional assembly. Each of the processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 is therefore preferably manufactured independently and is in a preferred embodiment, for. B. individually testable in its respective function. The machine arrangement in question, each of which is selected and selected from at least three different sheet processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 is formed, each embodies a specific production line. Each of the production lines shown, each with a specific machine arrangement with several processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 is embodied in each case in particular for the production of a packaging means formed from the printing material, preferably from the printed sheet. The packaging materials to be manufactured are e.g. B. each a folding box, which are each made from printed sheets. The various production lines are therefore especially designed for the production of different packaging materials. The Processing of the printing material required during a specific production inline, ie the processing stations 01 involved in the specific production; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 are when the printing material passes through the respective processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 machine arrangement in succession and matched to one another in an orderly sequence, without intermediate storage for the printing material, ie the processed sheets, being provided during the production carried out with the respective machine arrangement.

All in the Fig. 1 The production lines shown have in common that they each cooperate with a processing station 06 which has at least one non-impact printing device 06, preferably several, e.g. B. four, five, six or seven, in particular each individually controlled non-impact printing devices 06, these non-impact printing devices 06 are preferably arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T of the printing material and are designed such that they each at least almost the printing material can print in its full width, directed transversely to the transport direction T. A non-impact printing device 06 uses a printing process without a fixed printing form and can, in principle, print from print to printing material, e.g. B. each sheet of this printing device 06 just fed with a different from the previous print image print image. The respective non-impact printing device 06 is in each case implemented in particular by at least one inkjet printer or by at least one laser printer. Inkjet printers are matrix printers, in which a print image is produced by the targeted firing or deflection of small ink droplets, the inkjet printer being used either as a device with a continuous ink jet (CIJ) or as a single device dropping ink drops (Drop On Demand = DOD) is formed. Laser printers generate the respective print image in an electrophotography process. The non-impact printing device 06 is, for. B. also referred to as a digital printing press.

In the following it is assumed as an example that in the respective machine arrangement with several processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 each as a printing material a sequence of in particular rigid sheets z. B. is processed from a paper, from a single-layer or multi-layer cardboard or from a cardboard in particular to a packaging material. The substrates paper, cardboard and cardboard differ in their respective basis weight, ie the weight in grams for one square meter of this substrate. In general, the aforementioned printing material with a basis weight between 7 g / m ² and 150 g / m ^{2 is} considered paper, between 150 g / m ² and 600 g / m ² as cardboard and with more than 600 g / m ² as cardboard. For the production of folding boxes in particular cartons are used, which have good printability and for subsequent finishing or processing such. B. are suitable for painting and punching. These cartons are z. B. wood-free, slightly wood-containing, wood-containing or waste paper. In their structure, multi-layer cartons have a top layer, an insert and a backing on the back. From their surface quality, cartons are e.g. B. uncoated, pigmented, coated or cast coated. A format of the sheet is e.g. B. in the range between 340 mm x 480 mm and 740 mm x 1060 mm, with the format information usually the first number indicating a length in the transport direction T of the sheet and the second number an orthogonal to the transport direction T width of the sheet.

In the block diagram of the Fig. 1 each runs with several of the processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 producible production line essentially from right to left, each of the two processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 interconnecting directional arrows each indicate a transport path to be traversed by the printing material and the associated transport direction T in order to be transferred from a processing station 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 to the next processing station selected in the machine arrangement intended for the respective production 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 to arrive. Each production begins with sheets provided in the processing station 01, the processing station 01 as an feeder 01, e.g. B. is designed as a sheet feeder 01 or as a magazine feeder 01. A sheet feeder 01 usually takes a z. B. on a pallet stacked stack of sheets, whereas a magazine feeder 01 has several compartments, in each of which sheets, in particular stacks of z. B. different types of sheets or sheets of different formats are inserted or at least insertable. The investor 01 z. B. by means of a suction head 41, the stacked sheets and guides them in a sequence of sheets separated from one another or in a shingled stream of the next processing station 02; 03; 04; 06 to. The next processing station 02; 03; 04 is e.g. B. as a primer application device 02 or as a cold foil application device 03 or as an offset printing device 04 or as a flexographic printing device 04. The next processing station 06 can also z. B. the at least one non-impact printing device 06. The offset printing device 04 is preferably designed as a sheet-fed offset printing press, in particular as a sheet-fed printing press with a plurality of printing units 86 in a row design. The offset printing device 04 provides the sheets with at least one static, that is to say unchangeable during the printing process due to the bond to the printing form used, whereas the non-impact printing device 06 provides the sheets with at least one changing or at least changing printing image.

If the processing station 03 closest to the feeder 01 is the cold film application device 03, the sheet is subsequently subsequently transported from there to the processing station 04 designed as an offset printing device 04. In the cold film application device 03, a metallized lacquer layer detached from a carrier film is transferred to the printing material. By overprinting this lacquer layer z. B. with an offset printing device 04 different metal effects can be achieved. The cold foil application device 03 is advantageously z. B. in the offset printing device 04 integrally formed by two additional printing units 87; 88 are provided in the offset printing device 04. In the first printing unit 87 in the transport direction T of the printing material 87, a special adhesive is applied to the printing material, ie the respective sheet, using a standard printing form. A printing unit 88, which is second in the transport direction T of the printing material, is equipped with a film transfer device having the lacquer layer to be transferred. The film carrying the lacquer layer is guided from an unwinding station into a printing nip between a transfer cylinder and a printing cylinder interacting with this transfer cylinder and brought into contact with the printing material. The paint layer is colored by an aluminum layer and a protective lacquer layer, the coloring of which influences the color impression. By adhesion of an adhesive layer with the printed adhesive layer, the transfer layers adhere to the substrate. The carrier film is then wound up again. After the cold foil transfer, overprinting with conventional printing inks as well as with UV and hybrid inks is possible inline, in particular in the offset printing device 04, in order to produce different metallic colors.

A z. B. particularly absorbent and / or to be prepared for printing with a non-impact printing device 06 printing material is z. B. trained as a primer application device 02 next processing station 02 to at least one surface of this substrate before printing or painting with a z. B. to coat, in particular seal, water-based primer. The priming represents a primer or first coating of the printing material, in particular to improve or enable adhesion of a printing ink or ink to be applied to the printing material afterwards. The primer application device 02 is e.g. B. in connection with a printing unit 86 of a rotary printing press and z. B. a cooperating with a system printing cylinder 119 printing unit cylinder 82 with an applied to this printing unit cylinder 82 or at least adjustable applicator roller 83 preferably in the form an anilox roller 83 and at least one doctor blade 84 extending in the axial direction of the application roller 83, in particular a chamber doctor blade system 84 ( 3 to 5 . 8th . 27 . 28 ). The primer is applied by means of the primer application device 02 either over the entire surface or only at certain, ie predetermined points, ie partially on the printing material. The substrate processed in the primer application device 02, e.g. B. sheet, is the next processing station z. B. an offset printing device 04 and / or z. B. a non-impact printing device 06 supplied.

The z. B. designed as a flexographic printing device 04 processing station 04 executed flexographic printing is a direct high-pressure process in which the raised areas of the printing form are image-bearing, which is often used for printing on packaging materials made of paper, cardboard or cardboard, from metallized film or from a plastic such as, for , B. PE, PET, PVC, PS, PP, PC is used. Low-viscosity printing inks and flexible printing plates made of photopolymer or rubber are used in flexographic printing. In general, a flexographic printing device 04 contains a) an anilox roller, via which the printing form is inked, b) a printing cylinder, also called a form cylinder, on which the printing form is attached, and c) an impression cylinder, which guides the printing material.

The processing station 04, which is designed as a flexographic printing device 04 or as an offset printing device 04 and in each case prints the sheets with at least one static print image, preferably has a plurality of, eg. B. at least four printing units 86, each printing unit 86 preferably printing a different printing ink, so that the substrate during passage through the flexographic printing device 04 or the offset printing device 04 each in multi-color, z. B. is printed in a four-color print. The colors yellow, magenta, cyan and black are used in particular as printing inks. In an alternative embodiment of the printing device 04 to the flexographic printing process or offset printing process, the processing station 04 printing the sheets with at least one static print image is one in one Screen printing process printing device 04 is formed.

After processing the printing material in the at least one non-impact printing device 06, this printing material is z. B. a processing station 07 designed as an intermediate dryer 07, this intermediate dryer 07 as a printing substrate in question z. B. is formed by radiation with infrared or ultraviolet radiation drying, the type of radiation is particularly dependent on whether the printing ink or ink applied to the substrate is water-based or UV-curing. After the intermediate drying the substrate is z. B. a processing station 08 designed as a painting device 08. The coating device 08 carries z. B. a dispersion varnish, wherein dispersion varnishes consist essentially of water and binders (resins), with surfactants stabilizing these dispersions. A coating device 08 which applies a dispersion coating to the printing material consists either of an anilox roller, a chamber doctor blade and an application roller (comparable to a flexographic printing unit) or of an immersion and application roller. By means of a printing form, preferably based on photopolymerization z. B. applied flat and / or partial paint. Special rubber coating plates can also be used for full-surface painting. In the transport path of the substrate after the coating device 08 z. B. arranged as a dryer 09 processing station 09, which dryer 09 is designed as a printing substrate in question by irradiation with infrared radiation or by hot air. If the machine arrangement in question has a number of dryers 07; 09, the dryer with the reference symbol 09 is preferably the last of these several dryers 07; 09, wherein the intermediate dryer (s) 07 and the (final) dryer 09 are structurally the same or can be designed differently. If the dryer 09 is supplied with a printing material drying by means of ultraviolet radiation, that is to say a printing material on which a printing ink curing by UV radiation or Ink or a UV-curing lacquer, e.g. B. a gloss varnish is applied, this dryer 09 is equipped with an ultraviolet radiation generating radiation source. With dispersion varnishes, more intensive gloss and matt effects can be achieved compared to classic oil printing varnish. Special optical effects can be achieved with effect pigments in the paint. The primer application device 02, the cold foil application device 03 and the painting device 08 can be referred to as coating device 02; 03; 08 can be summarized.

After drying, the substrate is z. B. fed to a processing station 11 which carries out a mechanical further processing on the printing material, for. B. by punching, creasing and / or separating parts, in particular breaking out benefits from their respective composite in the preferably printed sheet. Each of the aforementioned further processing operations is carried out in or by a processing unit 46. The mechanical further processing is preferably carried out in cooperation with a cylinder transporting the respective sheet. Then or directly from the dryer 09, the printing material arrives at a delivery 12, which is in each of the in the Fig. 1 shown, each by a certain arrangement of processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 embodied production lines each form the last processing station 12. In the delivery 12, the previously processed sheet z. B. preferably stacked on a pallet.

As in the 2 to 9 shown, the previously mentioned sequence of the processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 can only be modified as an example and depending on the print product to be produced.

1. 1. Bogenanleger 01; Primerauftrageinrichtung 02; Non-Impact-Druckeinrichtung 06; Zwischentrockner 07 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle für Dispersionslack; Lackiereinrichtung 08; Trockner 09 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle oder Heißluft; Auslage 12
2. 2. Bogenanleger 01; Primerauftrageinrichtung 02; Non-Impact-Druckeinrichtung 06; Trockner 09 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle oder Heißluft; Auslage 12
3. 3. Bogenanleger 01; Primerauftrageinrichtung 02; Non-Impact-Druckeinrichtung 06; Zwischentrockner 07 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle; Lackiereinrichtung 08 für Dispersionslack und UV-härtendem Lack; Trockner 09 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle oder Heißluft und mit UV-Strahlungsquelle; Auslage 12
4. 4. Bogenanleger 01; Kaltfolienauftrageinrichtung 03; Offset-Druckeinrichtung 04; Non-Impact-Druckeinrichtung 06; Trockner 09 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle oder Heißluft; Auslage 12
5. 5. Bogenanleger 01; Primerauftrageinrichtung 02; Non-Impact-Druckeinrichtung 06; Zwischentrockner 07 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle für Dispersionslack; Lackiereinrichtung 08; Trockner 09 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle oder Heißluft; mechanische Weiterverarbeitungseinrichtung 11; Auslage 12
6. 6. Bogenanleger 01; Offset-Druckeinrichtung 04; Non-Impact-Druckeinrichtung 06; Zwischentrockner 07 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle; mechanische Weiterverarbeitungseinrichtung 11; Auslage 12
7. 7. Bogenanleger 01; Non-Impact-Druckeinrichtung 06; Trockner 09 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle oder Heißluft; Auslage 12
8. 8. Bogenanleger 01; Non-Impact-Druckeinrichtung 06; Zwischentrockner 07 mit UV-Strahlungsquelle; Trockner 09 mit UV-Strahlungsquelle; Auslage 12
9. 9. Bogenanleger 01; Non-Impact-Druckeinrichtung 06; Zwischentrockner 07 mit UV-Strahlungsquelle; Trockner 09 mit UV-Strahlungsquelle; mechanische Weiterverarbeitungseinrichtung 11; Auslage 12
10. 10. Bogenanleger 01; Non-Impact-Druckeinrichtung 06; Zwischentrockner 07 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle; Offset-Druckeinrichtung 04; Lackiereinrichtung 08; Trockner 09 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle oder Heißluft; Auslage 12
11. 11. Magazinanleger 01; Primerauftrageinrichtung 02; Non-Impact-Druckeinrichtung 06; Zwischentrockner 07 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle; Lackiereinrichtung 08; Trockner 09 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle oder Heißluft; Auslage 12
12. 12. Magazinanleger 01; Primerauftrageinrichtung 02; Non-Impact-Druckeinrichtung 06; Zwischentrockner 07 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle; Trockner 09 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle oder Heißluft; mechanische Weiterverarbeitungseinrichtung 11; Auslage 12
13. 13. Magazinanleger 01; Non-Impact-Druckeinrichtung 06; Zwischentrockner 07 mit UV-Strahlungsquelle; Lackiereinrichtung 08; Trockner 09 mit UV-Strahlungsquelle; Auslage 12.

In the Fig. 1 Production lines illustrated by way of example and used in particular for the production of packaging materials each have a machine arrangement with a selection from the set of those mentioned above Processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 on. For example, the following production lines are formed or at least can be formed:

1. 1. Sheet feeder 01; Primer application device 02; Non-impact printing device 06; Intermediate dryer 07 with IR radiation source for dispersion varnish; Painting device 08; Dryer 09 with IR radiation source or hot air; Display 12
2. 2. Sheet feeder 01; Primer application device 02; Non-impact printing device 06; Dryer 09 with IR radiation source or hot air; Display 12
3. 3. Sheet feeder 01; Primer application device 02; Non-impact printing device 06; Intermediate dryer 07 with IR radiation source; Varnishing device 08 for dispersion varnish and UV-curing varnish; Dryer 09 with IR radiation source or hot air and with UV radiation source; Display 12
4. 4. Sheet feeder 01; Cold foil application device 03; Offset printing device 04; Non-impact printing device 06; Dryer 09 with IR radiation source or hot air; Display 12
5. 5. Sheet feeder 01; Primer application device 02; Non-impact printing device 06; Intermediate dryer 07 with IR radiation source for dispersion varnish; Painting device 08; Dryer 09 with IR radiation source or hot air; mechanical further processing device 11; Display 12
6. 6. sheet feeder 01; Offset printing device 04; Non-impact printing device 06; Intermediate dryer 07 with IR radiation source; mechanical further processing device 11; Display 12
7. 7. Sheet feeder 01; Non-impact printing device 06; Dryer 09 with IR radiation source or hot air; Display 12
8. 8. Sheet feeder 01; Non-impact printing device 06; Intermediate dryer 07 with UV radiation source; Dryer 09 with UV radiation source; Display 12
9. 9. Sheet feeder 01; Non-impact printing device 06; Intermediate dryer 07 with UV radiation source; Dryer 09 with UV radiation source; mechanical further processing device 11; Display 12
10. 10. Sheet feeder 01; Non-impact printing device 06; Intermediate dryer 07 with IR radiation source; Offset printing device 04; Painting device 08; Dryer 09 with IR radiation source or hot air; Display 12
11. 11. magazine feeder 01; Primer application device 02; Non-impact printing device 06; Intermediate dryer 07 with IR radiation source; Painting device 08; Dryer 09 with IR radiation source or hot air; Display 12
12. 12. magazine feeder 01; Primer application device 02; Non-impact printing device 06; Intermediate dryer 07 with IR radiation source; Dryer 09 with IR radiation source or hot air; mechanical further processing device 11; Display 12
13. 13. magazine feeder 01; Non-impact printing device 06; Intermediate dryer 07 with UV radiation source; Painting device 08; Dryer 09 with UV radiation source; Display 12.

At least one of the processing stations 01; interacting with the at least one non-impact printing device 06; 02; 03; 04; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 selected for participation in the processing of the sheets in each case depending on whether the printing ink to be applied to the respective sheet in particular with the non-impact printing device 06 is designed as a water-based printing ink or as an ink or as an ink or ink curing by ultraviolet radiation is. The respective machine arrangement is thus designed to print the sheets in each case with a water-based printing ink or with a printing ink curing by ultraviolet radiation.

More, i. V. m. the Fig. 27 and 28 machine arrangements explained in more detail with a selection from the set of processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 see z. B. production lines that essentially have the following processing stations: sheet feeder 01; first primer application device 02; first dryer 121; first non-impact printing device 06; second dryer 122; second primer applicator 126; third dryer 123; second non-impact printing device 127; fourth dryer 124; Display 12.

An advantageous machine arrangement mentioned here by way of example has a plurality of processing stations for processing sheets, with the sheet having a plurality of processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 are arranged one after the other for inline processing of these sheets, at least one of these processing stations 06 being designed as a non-impact printing device 06, a first processing station 01 arranged upstream of the sheet of the non-impact printing device 06 in the transport direction T as a sheet feeder 01 or is designed as a magazine feeder 01, wherein a processing station 08 arranged between the first processing station 01 and the non-impact printing device 06 is designed as a first coating device 08 each applying a varnish, with the first coating device 08 and the non Impact printing device 06, a first dryer 07 is arranged, a first conveyor belt 17 being arranged to transport the sheets from the first dryer 07 to the non-impact printing device 06, with the sheet after the non-impact printing device 06 in the transport direction T being a second Dryer 07 is arranged, one e A device for transferring the sheets coming from the non-impact printing device 06 to a second coating device 08 is provided, the second coating device 08 being followed by a third dryer 09, the sheet in the transport direction T after the third dryer 09 being a delivery 12 for the bow is arranged. A mechanical further processing device 11 can also be arranged between the third dryer 09 and the delivery 12. Furthermore, the sheet is in front of the non-impact printing device 06 z. B. a cold foil applying coating device 03 is arranged. The non-impact printing device 06 preferably has a plurality of individually controlled ink jet printers along the transport path of the sheets. In the area of action of the non-impact printing device 06, the sheets are preferably each guided horizontally flat on a transport device 22, the transport device 22 at least in the area of action of the non-impact printing device 06 for the sheets each having a linear transport path or one has curved transport path, wherein the curved transport path is formed by a concave or convex curved line lying in a vertical plane with a radius in a range between 1 m and 10 m. In the transport direction T the sheet is in front of the non-impact printing device 06 z. B. a transfer device is arranged, the transfer device aligns the sheets at least in their axial register and / or circumferential register in register with respect to the printing position of the non-impact printing device 06, the transfer device z. B. has a suction drum 32 holding the respective sheet by means of suction air. This machine arrangement is designed to print the sheets in particular in each case with a water-based printing ink or with a printing ink which cures by means of ultraviolet radiation. This machine arrangement is in particular designed to produce different packaging materials. The device for transferring the sheets coming from the non-impact printing device 06 to the second coating device 08 is e.g. B. formed as a vibrating gripper 19 and a cooperating with the vibrating gripper 19 transfer drum 31.

Fig. 2 shows an example of a machine arrangement with several processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 according to the aforementioned production line No. 6. Sheets are in a sheet feeder 01 z. B. picked up individually with a suction head 41 from a stack and successively in a cycle of z. B. 10,000 pieces per hour to an offset printing device 04 with z. B. four printing units 86 arranged in a row. For transferring the sheets from one to the next of the printing units 86 arranged in a row, a rotary body, in particular a cylinder, preferably a transfer drum 43, is provided, which is arranged between two immediately adjacent printing units 86. The offset printing device 04 takes over the sheet fed from the sheet feeder 01 z. B. with a first vibrating gripper 13 and passes the sheets to a first transfer drum 14 of the offset printing device 04, the sheets then being guided in the offset printing device 04 in a gripper closure from one to the next printing unit 86. In the Offset printing device 04 prints the sheets at least on one side. In the presence of a turning device, the sheets can also be printed on both sides in the offset printing device 04, that is to say in perfecting. After passing through the z. B. designed as an offset printing device 04 processing station 04, the relevant preferably four-color printed sheet is transferred by means of a first gripper system 16, in particular a first chain conveyor 16 and at least a first conveyor belt 17 to a non-impact printing device 06, the first gripper system 16 and the first conveyor belt 17 cooperate in the transfer of the sheets to the non-impact printing device 06, in such a way that the first gripper system 16 delivers the sheets to the first conveyor belt 17, the transfer of the sheets to the non-impact printing device 06 from the first conveyor belt 17. The non-impact printing device 06 preferably has several, for. B. five linearly arranged in a row, in particular individually controlled inkjet printers. This is followed by drying of the sheets provided in the offset printing device 04 with at least one static print image and in the non-impact printing device 06 with at least one changing or at least variable print image in a dryer 07 or intermediate dryer 07, preferably with an IR radiation source , Then again, the sheets in a mechanical processing device 11 z. B. further processed by punching and / or creasing and / or breaking out benefits from the respective sheet. Ultimately, the sheets and / or the benefits released from the sheets are collected in a display 12, in particular stacked. In the area of action of the first gripper system 16 or the first chain conveyor 16, a delivery 12, in particular a multi-stack delivery, can be provided along the transport path provided for the sheets. Likewise, in the transport direction T the sheet is z. B. after the mechanical processing device 11, a multi-stack delivery.

Those picked up from a stack in feeder 01, in particular in sheet feeder 01 Sheets are transported spaced apart from one another by the offset printing device 04 at a first transport speed. The sheets transferred from the offset printing device 04 to the non-impact printing device 06 are transported in this non-impact printing device 06 at a second transport speed, the second transport speed valid in the non-impact printing device 06 generally being lower than the first transport speed valid in the offset printing device 04. To adapt the first transport speed valid in the offset printing device 04 to the generally lower second transport speed valid in the non-impact printing device 06, e.g. B. the gap between directly successive arcs, ie the distance between z. B. results from a gripper channel width for the sheets transported in the gripper closure by the offset printing device 04, preferably reduced when transferring these sheets from the offset printing device 04 to the non-impact printing device 06, such a reduction in distance based on their original distance z. B. is in the range between 1% and 98%. Directly consecutive sheets are thus also transported at a distance from one another in the non-impact printing device 06, however, with a generally smaller sheet gap or with a smaller distance than in the offset printing device 04 and consequently also with a lower second transport speed. This second transport speed is preferably maintained when sheets printed in the non-impact printing device 06 are first sent to an intermediate dryer 07 or dryer 09 and from there z. B. by means of a feed table 18 to a mechanical processing device 11 further to the delivery 12. However, the sheets can also be brought from their second transport speed to a third transport speed if, for. B. requires the mechanical processing device 11, the third transport speed is usually higher than the second transport speed and z. B. again corresponds to the first transport speed, which is particularly valid in the offset printing device 04. In the mechanical processing device 11 z. B. a second vibrating gripper 19th provided which picks up the sheets coming from the intermediate dryer 07 or dryer 09 from the feed table 18 and z. B. passes to a arranged in the mechanical processing device 11 second transfer drum 31, after which the sheet z. B. can be transported by means of a gripper closure through the area of the mechanical further processing device 11. Also in the field of mechanical, e.g. B. a plurality of processing units 46 further processing device 11 is provided for transferring the sheets from one to the next of the processing units 46 arranged in a row, a rotary body, in particular a cylinder, preferably a transfer drum 44, which is arranged between two adjacent processing units 46. One of the processing units 46 is e.g. B. as a punching machine, another processing plant 46 z. B. formed as a creasing. The processing unit 46 concerned is preferably designed to carry out the mechanical further processing of the sheets in cooperation with a cylinder transporting the respective sheet. After their mechanical processing, the sheets and / or benefits separated from them are z. B. transported by means of a second chain conveyor 21 to the display 12 and collected there, preferably stacked.

The sheets are fed from the outlet of the offset printing device 04 at least to the outlet of the intermediate dryer 07 or dryer 09, preferably to the beginning of the mechanical further processing device 11, each by means of a multi-part assembly, that is to say a plurality of assemblies arranged in succession in the transport direction T of the sheets, in particular transport units 22 transported, wherein the transport device 22 transports the sheets with their respective length directed in the transport direction T at least in the effective range of the non-impact printing device 06 arranged between the offset printing device 04 and the intermediate dryer 07 or dryer 09 along a linear transport path, preferably lying horizontally flat , The linear transport path and the horizontally flat transport are preferably also when transporting the sheets through the Non-impact printing device 06 downstream intermediate dryer 07 or dryer 09 continued. If required, an intermediate dryer 07 or a dryer 09 can also be arranged between the offset printing device 04 and the non-impact printing device 06.

In the 3 to 8 are further machine arrangements each with several processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 is shown by way of example and schematically, the respective reference symbols denoting the processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; Designate 12 and others of their respective units.

In the Fig. 3 is a machine arrangement with the following processing stations 01 arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T of the printing material; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 shown: sheet feeder 01; Primer application device 02 or painting device 08; Intermediate dryer 07; Non-impact printing device 06; Intermediate dryer 07; Painting device 08; Dryer 09; Display 12.

In the Fig. 4 is a machine arrangement with the following processing stations 01 arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T of the printing material; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 shown: sheet feeder 01; Primer application device 02; Intermediate dryer 07; Non-impact printing device 06; Dryer 09; Display 12.

In the Fig. 5 is a machine arrangement with the following processing stations 01 arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T of the printing material; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 shown: sheet feeder 01; Primer application device 02; Intermediate dryer 07; Non-impact printing device 06; Intermediate dryer 07; Painting device 08; Intermediate dryer 07; Painting device 08; Dryer 09; Display 12.

In the Fig. 6 is a machine arrangement with the following processing stations 01 arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T of the printing material; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 shown: sheet feeder 01; a first offset printing device 04; Cold foil application device 03; four further offset printing devices 04 in series; Intermediate dryer 07; Non-impact printing device 06; Intermediate dryer 07; Non-impact printing device 06; Dryer 09; Display 12.

In the Fig. 7 is a machine arrangement shown on the basis of its length in an offset with the following processing stations 01 arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T of the printing material; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 shown: sheet feeder 01; a first offset printing device 04; Cold foil application device 03; four further offset printing devices 04 in series; Intermediate dryer 07; Non-impact printing device 06; Intermediate dryer 07; Painting device 08; Dryer 09; two mechanical processing devices 11 in series; Display 12.

In the Fig. 8 is a machine arrangement with the following processing stations 01 arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T of the printing material; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 shown: magazine feeder 01; Primer application device 02; Intermediate dryer 07; Non-impact printing device 06; Intermediate dryer 07; Painting device 08; Dryer 09; Display 12. The Fig. 9 shows exactly this machine arrangement in a top view and in a side view.

Fig. 10 shows again in more detail the aforementioned multi-part transport device 22, which is preferably for use in a machine arrangement with a plurality of processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 is provided for processing sheets. At the exit of the z. B. designed as an offset printing device 04 processing station 04, a gripper system 16, in particular a first chain conveyor 16 having at least one rotating chain is provided, which along its at least one revolving chain, preferably equidistantly spaced, has a plurality of gripper bars or preferably a plurality of gripper carriages 23, each of the sheets to be transported preferably being held at one of the gripper carriages 23 at its front edge in the transport direction T, that is to say at its front edge, and along the one defined by the chain path Transport route is transported. The gripper carriages 23 are each provided with controlled or at least controllable holding means 79 ( Fig. 15 ), especially with grippers z. B. each in the form of a clamping device controllable with regard to the clamping device it exerts. The distance between gripper car 23 successive in the transport direction T of the sheet is z. B. in the range between 700 mm and 1,000 mm. The at least one chain of the first chain conveyor 16 rotates in a semicircular manner in each case on a chain wheel 24 arranged at the output of the offset printing device 04. An area in which the first chain conveyor 16 sheets from a z. B. trained as an offset printing device 04 processing station 04 forms a transfer area of this first chain conveyor 16, whereas an area in which the first chain conveyor 16 sheets z. B. to another transport device, in particular for transport to a non-impact printing device 06 designed processing station 06, forms a transfer area of this first chain conveyor 16. A first sprocket 81 arranged in the takeover area of the first chain conveyor 16 is preferably designed as a drive wheel that sets the at least one chain in motion, whereas the second sprocket 24 arranged at the output of the offset printing device 04, in particular in the transfer area of the first chain conveyor 16, is preferably designed as the at least one a chain deflecting deflection wheel is formed. In an area that extends approximately over an elongated length of a sheet, below the at least one sprocket 24 arranged at the output of the offset printing device 04, in particular below the second sprocket 24 arranged in the transfer area of the first chain conveyor 16, there is at least one suction chamber 26 for holding one one of the gripper carriages 23 transported, ie brought about, the sheet arranged. A plurality of individually controlled or at least controllable suction chambers 26 are preferably arranged there in the transport direction T of the sheet. As indicated by the reference to the other transport device mentioned above, in this area below the at least one sprocket 24 arranged at the output of the offset printing device 04, for. B. at least one in the transport direction T of the sheet first circulating conveyor belt 17 for receiving and for the further transport of a sheet taken off from the first chain conveyor 16, the sheet taken over by this first conveyor belt 17 each preferably further in the direction of the non-impact printing device 06 is transported.

In the effective range of the non-impact printing device 06 arranged between the offset printing device 04 and the intermediate dryer 07 or dryer 09, a second rotating conveyor belt 27 is preferably provided, on which the sheets are transported one after the other, preferably lying horizontally flat, along a linear transport path. The transfer device is in particular arranged between the first conveyor belt 17 and the second conveyor belt 27. Also in the area of action of the intermediate dryer 07 or dryer 09, a third circulating conveyor belt 28 is preferably provided, on which the sheets taken over from the non-impact printing device 06 are transported one after the other, preferably lying horizontally flat, along a linear transport path. The third conveyor belt 28 transfers the sheet transported through the intermediate dryer 07 or dryer 09 to the feed table 18, from where the sheets are preferably successively transported to the mechanical further processing device 11. The first conveyor belt 17, the second conveyor belt 27 and the third conveyor belt 28 preferably transport the sheets in the same z. B. horizontal, in particular designed as a flat surface transport plane 29. The transport device 22 for transporting sheets in a machine arrangement, each with sheet processing processing stations thus comprises at least three transport units, namely the first gripper system 16 or the first chain conveyor 16, the first conveyor belt 17 and the second conveyor belt 27. In this case, the first chain conveyor 16 and the first conveyor belt 17 are arranged cooperatively for transferring a sequence of sheets from a first processing station to a second processing station, which is preferably immediately following in the transport direction T of the sheets of the first processing station , The sequence of sheets is transferred from the first conveyor belt 17 to the second conveyor belt 27 belonging to the next processing station. A third conveyor belt 28 is preferably also provided, the sequence of sheets being transferred from the second conveyor belt 27 to the third conveyor belt 28 belonging to a third processing station, which is preferably immediately following in the transport direction T of the sheets of the second processing station. In the event that the respective transport path of the first transport belt 17 and / or the second transport belt 27 or possibly the third transport belt 28 are each not linear and / or not horizontally aligned, the transport belts 17; 27; 28 of the transport device 22, the sheets each along a curved transport path, in particular along a concave or convex curved line lying in a vertical plane with a radius of at least 1 m, preferably with a radius in the range between 2 m and 10 m, in particular with a Radius in the range between 3 m and 5 m. The conveyor belts 17; 27; 28 are preferably each formed as a suction belt conveyor, ie as a transport belt each with at least one suction chamber 26 each sucking the respective sheet during its transport. In the conveyor belts 17; 27; 28 with a plurality of suction chambers 26 along the transport path provided for the sheets, these suction chambers 26 can preferably be controlled individually and / or preferably independently of one another with regard to the action of their respective suction air. A plurality of individually controlled non-impact printing devices 06 are preferably arranged along the curved transport path, with the plurality of non-impact printing devices 06 e.g. B. are each formed as an inkjet printer. The conveyor belts 17; 27; 28 of the transport device 22 are each z. B. from several parallel single bands, which are arranged next to one another orthogonally to the transport path provided for the sheets and thus each run longitudinally to the transport path provided for the sheets. Under a conveyor belt 17; 27; 28, in contrast to the gripper system 16, a gripperless transport device is to be understood in each case, the relevant conveyor belt 17; 27; 28 is designed to run continuously between at least two deflection devices.

Fig. 11 shows in an enlarged detail again some details of the already based on the Fig. 10 Transport device 22 described. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, a transfer device, preferably with a suction drum 32, is arranged in the area of the transfer of the sheets from the first conveyor belt 17 to the second conveyor belt 27 orthogonal to the transport direction T of the sheets. The suction drum 32 preferably consists of several, for. B. six suction rings 76 arranged parallel to each other on a common shaft 89. In a preferred embodiment of the suction drum 32, their suction rings 76 are individually acted upon by suction air or at least acted upon, which has the advantage that an effective width of this suction drum directed in the axial direction of the suction drum 32 32 In particular, depending on the format used, the sheet can be adjusted or adjusted as required. The suction drum 32 preferably has on its circumference at least one stop 34 projecting into the transport plane 29 of the sheet, a stop surface of the stop 34 in question extending axially to the suction drum 32 and preferably vertically to the preferably horizontal transport plane 29. The suction drum 32 either has a stop 34 which is continuous in its axial direction or preferably two stops 34 which are spaced apart from one another in its axial direction. So that the same suction drum 32 can be used for sheets of several different format widths, in the case of a suction drum 32 having a plurality of suction rings 76, at least one stop 34 is preferably arranged on each suction ring 76. The suction drum 32 is rotatably and axially movable. The suction drum 32 has a first drive for its circumferential movement and one second drive for their axial movement, the circumferential movement and the axial movement being controlled independently of one another by a control unit. The circumferential movement and / or the axial movement of the suction drum 32 are controlled by the control unit as a function of a position signal which is generated by a first sensor 33 upstream of the suction drum 32 in the transport direction T of the sheet by detecting the position of the sheet reaching the suction drum 32 next and to the control unit. The suction drum 32 has the task of aligning the sheets fed to it in register and feeding these sheets in their respectively aligned state to a further processing station, in particular the non-impact printing device 06, so that the sheets can be processed further there. In the preferred embodiment, the suction drum 32 thus directs the respective sheet to be fed to the effective range of the non-impact printing device 06, for. B. by the at least one in the transport plane 29 of the sheet in question stop 34 and / or by an axial displacement of this sheet holding the suction drum 32 in register relative to the printing position of the non-impact printing device 06 from. A sheet gripped by the suction drum 32, preferably by means of suction air, that is to say by means of a negative pressure, is aligned laterally to its transport direction T, in particular, by the axial movement of this suction drum 32 controlled as a function of the position signal generated by the first sensor 33. The suction drum 32 grips an aligned sheet, in particular by clocked suction air, ie the suction air is z. B. in certain, preferably on the transport speed and / or position of the sheet dependent angular positions of the suction drum 32 quickly switched on and off by the control unit. An alignment of the front edge of the sheet in question in the transport plane 29 to the transport direction T is preferably achieved by an impact of this edge against the at least one stop 34 of the suction drum 32. Optional is e.g. B. at least one side stop is also provided in the transfer device against which a sheet to be aligned is pushed with an edge running parallel to its transport direction T. The first sensor 33 is e.g. B. as an optical sensor formed, in particular as a line sensor, preferably as a CCD line sensor. In order to generate the position signal, the first sensor 33 preferably detects an edge of the sheet in question extending along the transport direction T of the sheet or marks arranged on the sheet, the marks being arranged in the print image of this sheet or outside the relevant print image. A second sensor 36, which is preferably upstream of the first sensor 33 in the transport direction T of the sheet and is preferably also connected to the control unit, detects e.g. B. the front edge and possibly also the number of sheets transported from the first conveyor belt 17 to the second conveyor belt 27. The second sensor 36 preferably detects an edge of the respective sheet leading in the transport direction T of the sheet and is primarily used for sheet arrival control. The second sensor 36 is e.g. B. designed as an optical sensor, in particular as a reflex sensor or as a light sensor. In cooperation with the suction drum 32 z. B. at least one in the direction of the effective range of the non-impact printing device 06, ie in the direction of the second conveyor belt 27, preferably linear, in particular along the transport path of the sheet extending guide member 37, the guide member 37 in question with the outer surface of the suction drum 32 forms a gusset, in which the sheets coming from the first conveyor belt 17 are inserted. In the area of the first conveyor belt 17 and possibly also in the area of the second conveyor belt 27, z. B. one or more preferably each z. B. provided by the control unit controllable suction chambers 26. The suction chambers 26 are optionally part of the transport device 22. Including at least one suction chamber 26 of the first conveyor belt 17, in a preferred embodiment, the lateral alignment of the sheet takes place by axially displacing the suction drum 32, in particular after aligning the sheet in question on the at least one stop 34 and switching off the suction air in the last suction chamber 26 in the transport direction T of the sheet in question. This lateral alignment of the sheet is temporally superimposed on the rotational movement of the suction drum 32. So that the one of the suction drum 32 rests on another Processing stations 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 sheets to be transferred in this transfer device at no time. The suction drum 32 accordingly straightens the sheets, at least in their axial register and / or in their circumferential register, relative to a processing position of the processing station 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 out.

In the case of a machine arrangement with a plurality of processing stations for processing sheets, the sheet in the transport direction T having a plurality of processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 are arranged one after the other for inline processing of these sheets, at least one of these processing stations 06 being designed as a non-impact printing device 06, the first processing station 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 z. B. a first alignment device is arranged upstream of the sheet in the transport direction T, this first alignment device holding the sheets in register at least in their axial register and / or in their circumferential register relative to a processing position of the first processing station 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 aligns. Also in the transport direction T, the sheet between the non-impact printing device 06 and a processing station 01; 02; 03; 04; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 z. B. a further alignment device is arranged, this further alignment device holding the sheets in register at least in their axial register and / or in their circumferential register relative to a processing position of the processing station 01; 02; 03; 04; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 aligns.

The suction drum 32 arranged in particular in the transfer device is z. B. also used to adapt the sheets to be transferred from the offset printing device 04 to the non-impact printing device 06 in their respective transport speeds. Since the second transport speed valid in the non-impact printing device 06 is generally lower than the first transport speed valid in the offset printing device 04, the suction drum 32 brakes it successively in each case at the first transport speed of the sheet fed from the offset printing device 04, in each case by an impact from the front edge thereof to the at least one stop 34, straightens the sheet that is sucked in when necessary, ie when a corresponding position signal of the first sensor indicates a need for correction 33 at least laterally by an axial movement of the suction drum 32 holding the relevant sheet and then accelerates or decelerates the gripped sheet by rotating this suction drum 32 to the second transport speed required in the non-impact printing device 06. B. when reaching the second transport speed of the suction drum 32 and the suction drum 32 is then brought into its rotationally and / or axially required operating position for gripping a next sheet. The suction drum 32 thus rotates z. B. preferably non-uniform in each of its revolutions. A position information required from the front edge of the sheet for the rotational position control of the suction drum 32 provides a z. B. arranged on a chain wheel 24 rotary encoder 47 or alternatively a rotary encoder of the offset printing device 04, in particular the printing press.

As already mentioned, provision is made for the machine arrangements described above, each of which has a plurality of processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 for processing sheets and for transporting these sheets have at least one transport device for processing sheets of different formats, ie of different lengths and / or widths. Therefore, the usually rectangular arch z. B. in their respective length, this length extending in the transport direction T of this arc. In order to use a processing station 02; designed in particular as a non-impact printing device 06; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12, the sheets are fed sequentially, not to reduce the productivity of the respective machine arrangement with comparatively shorter sheets, ie with sheets of smaller format compared to otherwise larger-sized sheets processed in this machine arrangement, becomes a method proposed with the following procedural steps:
Method for operating a plurality of sheets of a processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 sequentially feeding transport device, in which for processing by the same processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 sheets of different lengths each extending in the transport direction T of these sheets are used, the processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 sheets to be fed in succession are each transported by the transport device at a distance, the transport device imprinting a transport speed on the sheets to be transported, the distance between sheets immediately following one another for sheets of different lengths each extending in the transport direction T of this sheet by a change the transport speed to be impressed on the relevant sheet by the transport device is kept constant, the transport speed of the sheet following in the transport direction T being changed in relation to the transport speed of the immediately preceding sheet. The processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 sheets to be fed in succession to reach and / or to maintain a sheet from the processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 to be achieved high productivity of the transport device preferably transported at a minimum, but usually non-zero distance. The distance between consecutive sheets in the transport direction T, ie between the rear edge of the preceding sheet extending transversely to the transport direction T and the front edge of the immediately following sheet extending transversely to the transport direction T, is z. B. in the range between 0.5 mm and 50 mm, preferably less than 10 mm. If a sheet of shorter length in the processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 is to be processed after a sheet of greater length, the sheet of shorter length is accelerated by the transport device by increasing its transport speed. An arc is reversed greater length of the transport device is slowed down by a reduction in its transport speed when the longer length sheet in the processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 is to be processed after a sheet of shorter length. As processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12, a non-impact printing device 06 is preferably used, the productivity of which is usually greatest when the sheets to be printed by it are fed consecutively at a constant minimum distance regardless of their respective format. If in the machine arrangement concerned the non-impact printing device 06 a z. B. arranged as an offset printing device 04 processing station 04, printed sheets are fed in the offset printing device 04 regardless of their respective format with the production speed of this offset printing device 04 corresponding transport speed of the transport device, these sheets of the offset -Printer device 04 predetermined transport speed during its transport with the transport device to the transport speed corresponding to a processing speed of the non-impact printing device 06. If these sheets are to be fed to the non-impact printing device 06 at a constant distance from one another regardless of their respective format, sheets of greater length will be slowed down less than shorter sheets, but a reduction in their respective transport speed will be necessary in any case because the processing speed of the non-impact printing device 06 is generally lower than the production speed of the offset printing device 04.

The respective sheet is preferably each non-positively z. B. held by suction air. The transport speed of the respective sheet is preferably determined by suction rings 76 of a suction drum 32 acting on it or by at least one endlessly rotating suction belt 52; 78 stamped. In the preferred embodiment, the transport speed to be impressed on the sheet in question is preferably electronic Control unit set, the control unit making the adjustment of the transport speed, in particular to maintain the constant distance between successive sheets in a control loop, as previously described for. B. i. V. m. the rotational position control of the suction drum 32 has been described or z. B. i. V. m. a control device to be explained in more detail below and connected to this control device, for. B. optical sensors 33; 36 will be described.

If with the machine arrangements described above, each of several processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 for processing sheets and for transporting these sheets have at least two transport devices, limp sheets are transported and processed, d. H. Arches of low bending stiffness, in particular thin arches, which cannot transmit any shear forces, so that shear forces acting on such an arch set this arch in waves, it is difficult to convey such arches to the processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 in a for this processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 provided target position.

A method is therefore provided for the sequential feeding of a plurality of sheets to a processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 proposed, in which one of the processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 in the transport direction T of the sheet upstream of the first transport device the sheets of the processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 each feeds at a first transport speed in a pushing movement, the first transport device providing the respective one of the processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 feed sheet during the pushing movement each with at least one holding element, the relevant one of the processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 sheets fed from this processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 assigned second transport device and in the seized Condition is transported at a second transport speed, wherein the first transport speed of the first transport device is lower than the second transport speed of the second transport device, wherein the relevant holding element of the first transport device to the processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 only releases the feed sheet after the second transport device has transferred it to the processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 fed sheets and has started to transport this sheet. As processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12, a non-impact printing device 06 is preferably used. The sheets are transported in the first transport device and / or in the second transport device in each case in particular in the same transport plane 29. As the first transport device, for. B. uses a first, in particular endlessly circulating conveyor belt 17 and / or as a second transport device a second, in particular endlessly circulating conveyor belt 27, these conveyor belts 17; 27 z. B. are each formed as a suction belt. In an alternative embodiment of the holding elements, these are each designed as a suction ring 76 of a suction drum 32. On the respective processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 sheet to be supplied, a holding force is exerted by the relevant holding element of the first transport device, this holding force being greater, at least for a short time, than a tensile force exerted on this sheet and exerted by the second transport device. The first transport device holds the respective one of the processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 feeding sheet with the at least one holding element each preferably by a frictional connection, for. B. by suction air. The proposed method means that the processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 sheets to be supplied are subjected to a tensile stress and thereby tightened despite the pushing movement carried out by the first transport device. The sheets are preferably each checked after their respective actual position in the transport plane 29 and in the event of a deviation of the actual position from one for the sheet in question in the processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 intended position after a transferred position correction carried out in the intended target position to the second transport device.

Fig. 12 shows in an enlarged detail from the Fig. 10 the transfer of the sheets on the feed table 18, in particular from the third conveyor belt 28 in the area of action of the intermediate dryer 07 or dryer 09 to the area of action of the mechanical further processing device 11. B. at least a fourth conveyor belt 38, which is preferably inclined at an acute angle ϕ to the preferably horizontal transport plane 29. Also in connection with the fourth conveyor belt 38. B. a third sensor 39 is provided, each of which generates a position signal from the sheet transported with the fourth conveyor belt 38 and passes it to the control unit. It can e.g. For example, it can be provided that a sheet to be fed to the mechanical further processing device 11 is brought by the second vibrating gripper 19 and the second transfer drum 31 from the second transport speed to the third transport speed, which means that the sheet in question is in particular controlled by the rotation of the control unit second transfer drum 31 is accelerated. In the area of the fourth conveyor belt 38, for. B. one or more preferably controllable suction chambers 42 are provided. In a preferred embodiment, the sheet z. B. to mechanical processing device 11 a shingling of these sheets instead. In this case, a sheet transported by the fourth conveyor belt 38 is raised in its rear region by means of clocked blown air and decelerated by the fourth conveyor belt 38 in connection with the suction chamber 42. A subsequent sheet is then drawn from the faster running front belt conveyor 48 under the previous sheet.

Preferably at the transfer device of the sheet z. B. for mechanical further processing device 11 is accordingly a method for arranging sheets in a scaled position in a between a first processing station 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 and a second processing station 01; following the sheet in the transport direction T of the first processing station; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 arranged transfer device, in which the sheets to be shed from the first processing station 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 are transported one after the other in a transport plane 29 one after the other to the transfer device, in each of which one rear edge in the transport direction T of the edge of the first processing station 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 coming sheets are lifted exclusively by blowing air relative to the transport plane 29 and a subsequent sheet is pushed under the rear edge of the previous sheet. The blown air acts with at least 50% of its intensity preferably in the direction of a normal standing in the transport plane 29 against gravity. It is advantageously provided that further blowing air against the transport direction T of the sheet is essentially tangential at an acute angle formed with the transport plane 29 in the range of z. B. 0 ° to 45 ° from above, ie on the surface facing away from the transport plane 29 of the sheet is blown onto the sheet to be transported to the transfer device. In this case, the further blowing air directed against the transport direction T of the sheet emerges from a converging acute angle in the region of z. B. 0 ° to 45 ° forming guide surface, in particular nozzles for the exit of the blown air are arranged in the guide surface. The blowing air acting counter to gravity in the direction of the transport plane 29 is preferably clocked by the control unit. The of the first processing station 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 to the subsequent second processing station 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 sheets to be transported are each held in the transport plane 29 by means of suction air acting preferably in the front half of the sheets in the transport direction T. In this case, the data from the first processing station 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 to the subsequent second processing station 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 sheets to be transported in the transport plane 29 are preferably clocked by the control unit. In the preferred embodiment, the control unit makes an orthogonal to Transport direction T of the arc directed range of action of the blowing air acting against gravity in the direction of the transport plane 29 and / or a range of action of the further blowing air directed against the transport direction T of the curve and / or an effect range for that of the first processing station 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 to the subsequent second processing station 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 to be transported in the transport plane 29 suction air holding each set depending on an orthogonal to the transport direction T of the sheet directed width of the sheet. The setting of the respective effective range of the blowing air acting counter to gravity in the direction of the transport plane 29 and of the further blowing air directed counter to the transport direction T of the sheet and for that of the first processing station 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 to the subsequent second processing station 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 sheets to be transported in the transport plane 29 holding suction air mechanically or electrically coupled, z. B. coupled in terms of transmission technology by means of a single adjusting device. This adjustment device is used by the control unit z. B. automatically depending on the format of the first processing station 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 to the subsequent second processing station 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 sheets to be transported controlled.

To scale under the arched substrates, in particular the arch 51, which is preferably designed as a printing arch, is in the region, ie in the working region, in particular in one of the machine arrangements described above ( 1 to 9 ) arranged transfer device on which the sheets 51 in particular from an offset, flexo or non-impact printing device 04; 06 coming z. B. to the mechanical further processing device 11, a device for shingling sheets 51 is arranged, which is also referred to below as shingling device 132. Several sheets 51 of the shingling device 132 are successively individually, ie spaced apart, fed on a feed table 134, the feed table 134 z. B. as the in the transport direction T of the sheet 51 in front of the delivery 12 of the sheet 51 arranged feed table 18 ( Fig. 12 ) is formed, the feed table 18, the sheet 51 z. B. by means of the conveyor belt 38 of the shingling device 132 one after the other and / or wherein the shingled by the shingling device 132 sheet 51 from the feed table 18 z. B. by means of a rocking gripper 19 z. B. transferred to a transfer drum 31. The feed table 134 has e.g. B. a suction chamber 42 or in the transport direction T of the sheet 51 one behind the other several in particular individually and independently switchable in their respective pressure on suction chambers 42, as z. B. in the Fig. 12 is shown.

The shingling device 132 is shown in FIGS 30 and 31 shown as an example. The undercut device 132 has above the feed table 134 a box-shaped housing, which extends preferably over the entire width b51 of the sheets 51, the so-called blow box 133, with the blow box 133 on the side facing the feed table 134 in the transport direction T of the feeder individually fed to the undercut device 132 Sheet 51 a plurality of blow nozzles 136; 137 are arranged. In the preferred embodiment, in the transport direction T, the sheet 51 is one behind the other and in each case transversely to the transport direction T, the sheet 51 is at least two rows of several blowing nozzles 136; 137, ie rows of blowing nozzles arranged. A respective blowing direction of the blowing nozzles 136; 137 is directed essentially parallel to the feed table 134 against the transport direction T of the sheet 51 and into the 30 and 31 indicated by arrows. The respective blowing direction of the blowing nozzles 136; 137 is e.g. B. by at least one channeling the flow of the blowing air, in each case on the relevant blowing nozzle 136; 137 arranged and / or molded guide surface 144 fixed. The respective guide surface 144 is on the feed table 18; 134 facing side of the blow box 133 z. B. formed as a protruding from this blow box 133 ramp. One from the respective blowing nozzles 136; 137 Blowing air flowing out is preferably through adjustable valves 138; 139 e.g. B. controlled in time and / or in intensity, the valves 138; 139 e.g. B. are controlled by a preferably digital processing a program control unit 61. The valves 138; 139 are e.g. B. switched by the control unit 61, in particular in one cycle, a cycle duration and / or a cycle frequency preferably being set as a function of the feed of the sheet 51 supplied to the under-shedding device 132.

In the transport direction T, the sheet 51 is in a region between the feed table 18; 134 and the feed table 18; 134 facing side of the blow box 133 in front of the first blow nozzle 136 or the first row of blow nozzles, a partition plate 141 is arranged, the partition plate 141 being the leading edge of a sheet 51 which prevents the blow air from at least one of the blow nozzles 136; 137 directly follows raised sheet 51, against the blow nozzles 136; Shields 137 induced suction. That of at least one of the blow nozzles 136; 137 or rows of blowing nozzles from the feed table 18; 134 raised sheet 51 channels the from the at least one blowing nozzle 136; 137 flowing blow air and directs this blow air over the surface of the bulkhead plate 141 facing the blow box 133. The bulkhead plate 141 preferably has a concave curvature at its end in the blowing direction, this curvature of the blow air being one from the feed table 18; 134 facing away, that is directed away flow direction. Through the bulkhead plate 141, the front edge of the sheet 51 remains, which one of the blowing air from at least one of the blowing nozzles 136; 137 directly follows raised sheet 51 until it is unaffected until the raised sheet 51, through its own movement progress or feed directed in the direction of transport T, exposes with its rear end the blowing nozzle 136 or blowing nozzle row first reached by this sheet 51. In order to prevent the leading edge of the sheet 51 which is exposed to the blowing air from at least one of the blowing nozzles 136; 137 raised sheet 51 immediately follows, premature due to the action of the blowing nozzle exposed from the rear end of the preceding sheet 51 136; 137 or blowing nozzle row is raised, the blowing air of the relevant blowing nozzle 136; 137 or blowing nozzle row by means of the respectively associated valve 138; 139 depending on the progress of the movement or feed of the feed table 18; 134 raised, one between the bulkhead plate 141 and the feed table 18; 134 located arc 51 immediately preceding arc 51 turned off. One of the blow nozzles 136; 137 or rows of blowing nozzles raised sheet 51 is due to the suction effect caused by the respective blowing air (Venturi effect) above the feed table 18; 134 into a certain, e.g. B. by a distance from the feed table 18; 134 facing side of the blow box 133, the measured suspension height SH is raised, the suspension height SH being dependent on the intensity of the respective blowing air and / or on the mass of the sheet 51 in question and / or on the transport speed of the sheet 51 in question. To prevent sheets 51 z. B. large mass and / or high transport speed during their transport over the feed table 18; 134 vibrates and begins to flutter is in the area between the feed table 18; 134 and the feed table 18; 134 facing side of the blow box 133 preferably a support sheet 142 supporting the raised sheet 51 is provided, the z. B. at an acute angle to that of the feed table 18; 134 facing side of the blow box 133 arranged support plate 142 z. B. is in the form of an air-permeable lattice. The sheet 51 raised by the suction of the blown air and placed against the support plate 142 is guided there in a quiet movement, ie without fluttering, in its transport direction T along this support plate 142. In the feed table 18; 134, at least in one area opposite the blow box 133, there are preferably a plurality of holes 143 or openings through which air flows in under the currently raised sheet 51 for pressure compensation. These holes 143 are e.g. B. circular with a diameter d143 in the range of a few millimeters.

Fig. 13 shows schematically in a simplified representation and an example of a transport device for the sequential transport of individual sheet-like substrates, these substrates each preferably being designed as a sheet 51, in particular a printed sheet. This transport device is preferably between two successive processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 of a machine processing sheets 51, one of these processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12, e.g. B. the second processing station T in the transport direction T of the sheet 51 in question is designed in particular as a non-impact printing device 06, preferably as at least one inkjet printing device. The based on the Fig. 13 Transport device described is as a sheet 51 transporting assembly z. B. formed within one of the previously described production lines and corresponds e.g. B. with the previously described conveyor belt with the item number 17 or 27.

The based on the Fig. 13 Described transport device for the sequential transport of individual arcuate substrates has at least one endlessly rotating suction belt 52, the at least one suction belt 52 z. B. is arranged between at least two spaced-apart deflection rollers 53. The at least one suction belt 52 has in the in the Fig. 13 by means of an arrow indicated the transport direction T of the sheet 51 one behind the other two surface areas of different design, the surface 56 being closed by one of these surface areas and the surface 57 being perforated by the other of these surface areas. These two surface areas alternate along the circumference of the suction belt 52, ie they are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction of the suction belt 52 in question and thus in the transport direction T of the sheet 51. During transport, the sheet 51 to be transported is partly lying flat on the closed surface 56 of the suction belt 52 in question and partly on the perforated surface 07 of the same suction belt 52. In the transport direction T of the sheet 51 to be transported with the at least one suction belt 52, at least two suction chambers 58; 59 arranged, the at least one suction belt 52 relative to these at least two with reference to the transport device, suction chambers 58; 59 is moved. The at least one suction belt 52 slides z. B. over a preferably table-shaped surface 69 of at least one of these suction chambers 58; 59. The first suction chamber 58 in the transport direction T of the sheet 51 to be transported is arranged in the region of a load strand 54 of the suction belt 52 in question, whereas the second suction chamber 59 in the transport direction T of the sheet 51 to be transported is either also in the region of the load strand 54 of the suction belt 52 in question the first suction chamber 58 in the transport direction T of the sheet 51 to be transported, or else in the transport direction T of the sheet 51 to be transported after the area of the load strand 54 of the suction belt 52 in question, that is to say the suction belt 52 in question in the transport direction T of the sheet 51 to be transported , A strand is a free, non-lying section of a running, preferably endlessly revolving tension member, the tension member z. B. is designed as a chain, rope, belt or belt, in particular toothed belt. If the traction element is designed as a chain, the at least one chain is z. B. guided in a chain rail. The load strand is the side of the pulling element that is pulled and tight, whereas an empty strand is the loose, undrawn and sagging strand.

In the Fig. 13 the first variant for the arrangement of the second suction chamber 59 is shown by way of example. In this case, the first suction chamber 58 in the transport direction T of the sheet 51 generally has a much larger, in particular at least twice as large volume as the second suction chamber 59 in the transport direction T of the sheet 51 Transport direction T of the sheet 51 to be transported first suction chamber 58, the negative pressure prevailing permanently and a vacuum prevailing in the transport direction T of the sheet 51 in question, the vacuum chamber 59 is clocked, ie this negative pressure is alternately switched on or off for an adjustable duration. The suction chamber 59, which is second in the transport direction T of the sheet 51, is therefore of comparatively small volume in order, in view of the transport speed applicable to the sheet 51, of in particular several thousand, e.g. B. 10,000 to 18,000 sheets 51 per hour build up a vacuum faster and with respect to the pressure build-up and pressure reduction in the second suction chamber 59 to be able to achieve a higher cycle rate. During its transport, this sheet 51 is sucked onto the at least one circumferential suction belt 52 when the perforated surface 57 of the suction belt 52 in question has at least one of the suction chambers 58; 59 is in operative connection. In a very advantageous embodiment of this transport device, a clocking of the negative pressure of the second suction chamber 59 in the transport direction T of the sheet 51 is synchronized with a sweep of the perforated surface 57 of the relevant suction belt 52 covered by the sheet 51 to be transported.

A rotational speed v of the relevant suction belt 52 is set by the preferably digital control unit 61 executing a program with a drive 62 which sets this suction belt 52 in motion. This control unit 61 preferably also controls or regulates the aforementioned synchronization of the negative pressure in the second suction chamber 59 in the transport direction T of the sheet 51 by sweeping over the perforated surface 57 of this suction tape 52 covered by the sheet 51. B. by means of a valve 67. The preferably controllable valve 67 is, for. B. arranged in a line that the second suction chamber 59 with a z. B. from the control unit 61 controlled pump (not shown). The drive 62, which is preferably designed as an electric motor, acts, for. B. on at least one of the deflecting rollers 53. The drive 62 which sets the rotational speed v of the suction belt 52 in question is preferably controlled by the control unit 61. The control unit 61 preferably sets a discontinuous circulation speed v of the suction belt 52 in question, ie, due to the regulation of the drive 62, the rotation speed v of the suction belt 52 in question is accelerated or decelerated in phases, in deviation from an otherwise uniform speed.

At least one register mark 63 is arranged in each case at at least one position of the relevant suction belt 52. In connection with the transport device, a sensor 54 which detects the relevant register mark 53 is provided and connected to the control unit 61. The circulation speed v of the suction belt 52 in question is controlled by the control unit 61, preferably as a function of a z. B. determined by the control unit 61 between a with an actual circulation speed corresponding from the sensor 64 generated first signal s1 and a with a target circulation speed corresponding second signal s2. The second signal s2, which indicates the target rotational speed of the relevant rotating suction belt 52, is e.g. B. tapped from a (not shown) parent machine control. The sensor 64 which detects the relevant register mark 63 is arranged in particular in the region of an empty run 66 of the relevant suction belt 52. The sensor 64 which detects the relevant register mark 63 is designed as a the relevant register mark 63 z. B. optically or inductively or capacitively or electromagnetically or with ultrasound sensing sensor 64. The register mark 63 corresponds to the respective design of the sensor 64 z. B. as an applied to the suction belt 52 optical signal surface or as a magnetic stripe on the suction belt 52 or as a recess or perforation in the suction belt 52 or as an arranged in the suction belt 52 signaling body. A point in time at which the control unit 61 regulates the rotational speed v of the suction belt 52 in question is preferably synchronized with the sweeping over of the perforated surface 57 of the suction belt 52 covered by the sheet 51 to be transported.

In a further variant, the transport device for the sequential transport of individual sheet-like substrates or sheets 51 has at least one stationary suction chamber 58; 59 with a surface 69 which is preferably table-shaped in the region of the load strand 54, a preferably only one in particular at least End-to-end perforated suction belt 52, which is perforated in sections, is arranged to move, in particular to slide, over this surface 69 during transport of the arcuate substrate in question, ie preferably an arc 51, the relevant suction chamber 58; 59 in the area of the load strand 54 of the suction belt 52 is covered by the table-shaped surface 69. This table-shaped surface 69 is, for. B. realized by a table plate. This suction belt 52, which holds the sheet 51 in question during its transport, is arranged in particular centrally with respect to the width b51 of the sheet 51 oriented orthogonally to the transport direction T and / or also centrally with respect to a width b69 of the table-shaped surface 69 oriented orthogonally to the transport direction T. , A width b52 of the suction belt 52 oriented orthogonally to the transport direction T is smaller than the width b51 of the relevant sheet 51 to be transported orthogonal to the transport direction T and also smaller than the width b69 of the table-shaped surface 69 oriented orthogonal to the transport direction T. The orthogonal width b52 of the suction belt 52 directed towards the transport direction T is z. B. only 5% to 50% of the width b51 of the sheet 51 oriented orthogonally to the transport direction T and / or of the width b69 of the table-shaped surface 69 oriented orthogonally to the transport direction T, so that the sheet 51 in question does not cover the entire surface, in particular not during its transport rests on the suction belt 52 with its two side regions extending orthogonally to the transport direction T.

In order to transport the sheet 51 in question with as little friction as possible via the at least one suction chamber 58; 59 to cover table-shaped surface 69, at least two blow-suction nozzles 68 are arranged in at least two of the areas of table-shaped surface 69 that are not covered by suction tape 52. An air flow emerging from the respective blowing / suction nozzle 68 is, for. B. in its intensity (ie in the pressure and / or in the flow rate) and / or duration preferably controlled or at least controllable, the relevant blowing-suction nozzle 68 allowing air to flow against the underside of the relevant sheet 51 during transport, thereby causing a Air cushion between the underside of the relevant sheet 51 to be transported and the table-shaped surface 69 is constructed or at least can be constructed. In the preferred embodiment, the blow-suction nozzles 68 are each designed as a Venturi nozzle, the Venturi nozzle sucking in a side region of the relevant sheet 51 to be transported by a negative pressure in the direction of the table-shaped surface 69. The blow-suction nozzles 68 are preferably each arranged in the table-shaped surface 69. An exemplary embodiment of the blow-suction nozzles 68 is shown in FIG Fig. 14 in a plan view with two corresponding side views, the blow-suction nozzle 68 shown z. B. is in the form of a slot nozzle, an opening 49 of this slot nozzle preferably as a cross-section z. B. rectangular section of a preferably cylindrical or conical lateral surface is formed, wherein a length I49 in or parallel to the table-shaped surface 69 of this section is at least three times, preferably ten times greater than its height h49 perpendicular to the table-shaped surface 69, whereby the length I49 of this opening 49 in the preferred embodiment extends along an arc of an inner circumferential line of an annulus. For example, the height h49 is approximately 1 mm and the length I49 of this opening 49 formed along an arc line is more than 10 mm. An air flow LS emerging from the relevant blow-suction nozzles 68 is preferably in a particular by a shape of a z. B. directed ramp-shaped guide surface certain direction, this guide surface z. B. is formed by an outwardly widening portion of the aforementioned circular ring. A blowing direction B of the blowing-suction nozzles 68 is preferably inclined in the transport direction T of the sheet 51 to be transported at an angle α in the range from 30 ° to 60 °, preferably at an angle α of 45 ° directed outside, as exemplified in the Fig. 15 is indicated by directional arrows. In the preferred embodiment, the at least one suction chamber 58; 59 covering table-shaped surface 69 each several, in particular two z. B. each parallel aligned rows of blow-suction nozzles 68 to each orthogonal to Transport direction T facing side of the suction belt 52 is arranged, wherein the blow-suction nozzles 68 are evenly or unevenly spaced apart from each other in order to generate a symmetrical or asymmetrical flow profile for the air flowing out of the blow-suction nozzles 68. The blow-suction nozzles 68 are e.g. B. in a sheet 51 each from a chain conveyor 16 taking over transport device 17, in particular in a transfer area below the at least one sprocket 24 of the chain conveyor 16 and before a further transport device in the transport direction T of the sheet 51 to be transported, z. B. a suction drum 32 ( Fig. 11 ). A preferred arrangement of the blow-suction nozzles 68 in the table-shaped surface 69 with respect to a position of a gripper carriage 23 moved by the chain conveyor 16 is shown in FIG Fig. 15 and 16 , wherein this position is in particular the one at which the gripper carriage 23 in question delivers or transfers a sheet 51 transported by it to the suction belt 52 for further transport.

The transport device for the sequential transport of individual sheet-shaped substrates, which has the central suction belt 52 and blow-suction nozzles 68 in the edge area, can advantageously be used when the sheets 51 to be transported are surface-coated and these surface-coated sheets 51 are still in their moist state by the transport device described above z. B. can be removed from a chain conveyor 16. The proposed solution not only saves further suction belts 78 to be arranged parallel to the centrally arranged suction belt 52, but also avoids those problems which would have to be solved by synchronizing these further suction belts 78 to the centrally arranged suction belt 52.

Moreover, with the blow-suction nozzles 68 it is achieved that a front edge of the sheets 51 after their respective release by the gripper carriage 23 in question from the level of a gripper impact level to a level of floating, ie a few millimeters above of the table-shaped surface 69 and that the respective front edge of the sheet 51 in question, which is released by the gripper, remains at the level of the table-shaped surface 69. Without the blow-suction nozzles 68 there is a high speed of z. B. more than 10,000 pieces per hour transported sheet 51 the risk that the respective released or in the case of scaly transported sheet 51 freely pushed leading edge of the sheet 51 in question experiences a lift by an air wedge and lifts again. In addition, in the case of limp sheets 51 or substrates in which only limited internal transverse forces are transmitted from the center belt to the outer edge regions of the substrate in question, these outer edge regions are supported in their respective conveying components by the air friction caused by the air flow LS.

Fig. 17 shows a section of a perspective view of a chain conveyor 16. This chain conveyor 16 is, for. B. in a machine arrangement with several processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 each arranged for processing arcuate substrates 51, preferably at the rear end in the transport direction T of the arcuate substrates 51 guided through the machine arrangement of a processing station 02 designed as a primer application device 02 or as an offset printing device 04; 04, the chain conveyor 16 in the previous processing station 02; 04 processed sheet-shaped substrates 51 individually in a sequential transport to a next processing station 06, this next processing station 06 z. B. is designed as a non-impact printing device 06, wherein the in the previous processing station 02; 04 processed arcuate substrates 51 in the next processing station 06 to be subjected to further processing or to be subjected. The offset printing device 04 is preferably designed as a sheet-fed offset printing machine and / or the non-impact printing device 06 z. B. formed as at least one inkjet printing device. In such a machine arrangement, there is the problem that in the previous z. B. as an offset printing device 04 trained processing station 02; 04 machined arcuate substrates 51 of the z. B. trained as a non-impact printing device 06 next processing station 06 for register-based further processing with high positional precision, which cannot be accomplished with a conventional chain conveyor 16 due to necessary chain play and possible fluctuations in the elongation of the at least one chain. With this machine arrangement z. B. one of the Fig. 1 described production lines realized.

In the case of a chain conveyor 16, the arcuate substrates 51 are each transported individually with a gripper carriage 23 moving along a movement path ( Fig. 10 and 11 ), the respective gripper carriage 23 generally being guided along two spaced-apart chain tracks 77 running parallel to one another along its movement path. The relevant substrate 51 to be transported is held in particular on an edge extending longitudinally to the relevant gripper carriage 23, ie on the front edge of this substrate 51, by at least one holding means 79 arranged on this gripper carriage 23, ie on the at least one gripper. The gripper carriage 23 in question is in the takeover area arranged at a specific position of its movement path, in which the gripper carriage 23 in question receives the respective substrate 51 to be transported, and / or in the transfer area arranged at a specific position in its movement path, in which the gripper carriage concerned 23 delivers the substrate 51 transported in each case in particular to the other transport device, e.g. B. is guided by at least one guide element 71 arranged between the spaced chain tracks 77 along the movement path of the gripper carriage 23 in question, the other transport device interacting with the chain conveyor 16 being designed in particular as a conveyor belt 17 ( Fig. 11 ). In order to stabilize the gripper carriage 23 moving along its path of movement transversely to this path of movement, it is proposed that the respective at least one guide element 71 in the takeover area or in the transfer area in each case to be arranged in a stationary manner between the spaced chain tracks 77 and to fix the gripper carriage 23, which is guided along the spaced chain tracks 77, transversely to the movement path by means of the relevant guide element 71. This fixation is preferably carried out by the fact that on the respective gripper carriages 23 there are two rollers 72; 73 having a pair of rollers is arranged, the guide element 71 in question at least in the takeover area or in the transfer area in each case through a gap between the respective running surfaces of the two rollers 72; 73 of the relevant pair of rollers is guided. The at least one guide element 71 is preferably designed as a rigid rail and / or has a wedge-shaped run 74. The relevant guide element 71 is, for. B. integrally formed and extends z. B. from the transfer area to the transfer area of the chain conveyor 16. The respective running surfaces of the rollers 72; 73 of the relevant roller pair roll z. B. on both sides of the relevant z. B. formed as a rail guide element 71 from ( 17 to 19 ). In particular, endless conveyor chains are arranged along the chain tracks 77, wherein these conveyor chains are each driven by at least one chain wheel 81. The sprocket 24 preferably located at one end of the chain conveyor 16 either in the take-over area or in the transfer area; 81 of the one chain track 77 and the chain wheel 24 arranged at the same end of the chain conveyor 16 in the same area; 81 of the other chain track 77 are preferably rigidly connected to one another by a common shaft 89. The guide element 71 in question, in cooperation with the pair of rollers, fixes the respective gripper carriage 23, which is guided along the spaced chain tracks 77, laterally, ie blocks its degree of freedom directed transversely to the movement path. The lateral positioning of the substrates 51 is improved in that both in the transfer area, in which the substrates 51 are each taken over by one of the gripper carriages 23, and in the transfer area, in which the substrates 51 transported by the chain conveyor 16 from the respective gripper carriage 23 to the transfer belt 17 are handed over to the the respective gripper carriage 23 is aligned by a guide element 71 ( Fig. 10 ). These guide elements 71 are either designed as two separate guide elements 71 that are separate from one another or as a single-piece guide element 71.

In conjunction with the machine arrangements described above, the following method can advantageously be used for operating a single sheet-like substrate 51 of a processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 carry out sequentially feeding transport device in which, by means of a control device cooperating with the transport device, each substrate 51 is reached before it reaches the processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 whose actual position in the transport plane 29 is determined automatically and automatically with a for the substrate 51 in question in this processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 intended target position is compared. In the event of a deviation of the actual position from the desired position, the substrate 51 in question is aligned by a transport element of the transport device controlled by the control device in such a way that the substrate 51 in question is reached before it reaches the processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 its in this processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 intended position occupies. In a very advantageous embodiment variant, the substrate 51 in question is aligned solely by the transport element in the transport plane 29 both in the transport direction T and transversely thereto and about a pivot point lying in the transport plane 29. This means that in this embodiment variant, mechanical stops in particular are not involved in the alignment of the substrate 51 in question for the operation of the transport device. The processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12, to which the relevant substrate 51 is fed and aligned with respect to its desired position, is preferably designed as a non-impact printing device. The substrate 51 in question is preferably non-positively by the transport element, for. B. held by suction or by clamping and in this operating state held by the transport element with regard to the substrate 51 in the processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 provided target position aligned. A suction drum 32 or a suction belt 52; 78 used. The transport element transports each of the substrates 51 individually. The control device z. B. the control unit and at least one of the connected z. B. optical sensors 33; 36, the sensors 33; 36 with regard to the detection of the actual position of the substrate 51 z. B. are designed as a side edge sensor and / or as a leading edge sensor. The target position, with respect to which the substrate 51 in question is to be aligned, is or is stored in the control unit and / or z. B. preferably stored changeable by a program. The transport element is driven by a first drive moving the relevant substrate 51 in its transport direction T and by a second drive moving the relevant substrate 51 transversely to its transport direction T and by a third drive rotating the relevant substrate 51 about the pivot point lying in the transport plane 29 , these z. B. each as a motor, in particular as a preferably electric servomotor designed drives each controlled by the control device, that is, by the control unit. The transport element is driven by its three drives in particular simultaneously. The substrate 51 in question is moved by the transport device at a transport speed of the processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 supplied and preferably aligned while maintaining this transport speed in the event of a deviation of the actual position from the target position. In the event that the transport element as a suction belt 52; 78 is formed, corresponds to the transport speed at which the relevant substrate 51 corresponds to the processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 is supplied, for. B. the rotational speed v of this suction belt 52; 78th

An exemplary embodiment for carrying out the aforementioned method for operating a single sheet-like substrate 51 of a processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 sequentially feeding transport device is in the Fig. 20 and 21 shown, a suction drum 32 being used as the transport element in this example. Fig. 20 shows an enlarged detail from the Fig. 11 , but in this further embodiment of the transport device in contrast to the execution of the transport device according to the Fig. 11 a stop 34 formed on the suction drum 32 is not provided. Individually transported substrates 51, in particular sheets, are first conveyed to the suction drum 32 by a suction belt 78 arranged in the transport direction T of the suction drum 32 and from the suction drum 32 to a further conveyor belt 27, this conveyor belt 27 conveying the substrate 51 in question, in particular a non-impact -Printer device 06 feeds. The substrate 51 held by the suction drum 32 by means of suction air is locked by this suction drum 32 alone in the transport plane 29 both in the transport direction T and transversely thereto and about a pivot point lying in the transport plane 29 with respect to that in the non-impact printing device 06 for the substrate 51 in question. For this purpose, the suction drum 32 has a first drive 91 for its circumferential movement and a second drive 92 for its axial movement and a third drive 93 for a pivoting movement of the axis of rotation 96 of the suction drum 32 which is executed or at least executable about an axis of rotation 94 perpendicular to the transport plane 29, whereby these three drives 91; 92; 93 each z. B. are designed as a preferably electric servomotor. The suction drum 32 is with its first drive 91 z. B. stored in a first frame 97, this first frame 97 in turn z. B. is arranged rotatably on a swivel 98 arranged in the machine center M, the swivel 98 being connected to a second frame 99. The rotary movement or pivoting movement of the axis of rotation 96 of the suction drum 32, which is carried out about the axis of rotation 94 perpendicular to the transport plane 29, takes place by means of the third drive 93, which acts on the first frame 97 when it is actuated, away from the machine center M, and in this way has a diagonal orientation of the substrate 51 held by the suction drum 32. The second frame 99 carrying the first frame 97 is in turn arranged in or on a third frame 101, the second frame 99 in or on the third frame 101 is movable, in particular displaceable, when the second drive 92 is actuated transversely to the transport direction T of the substrate 51 in question. For this purpose, the second frame 99 in or on the third frame 101 in a z. B. prism-shaped guide element 102 guided linearly. Fig. 21 shows the in the Fig. 20 Transport device shown again in a plan view, the orientation of the substrate 51 in each case carried out or at least executable with the suction drum 32 in its transport direction T as well as transversely thereto and by an angle of rotation lying in the transport plane 29 each indicated by a double arrow.

Another method for operating a device for transporting sheet-like substrates 51 likewise uses a transport element which conveys the substrate 51 in question in its transport plane 29, the transport element transporting the substrate 51 in question to a processing station 02 downstream of the transport element in the transport direction T of the substrate 51 concerned; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 feeds in register, this processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 z. B. is designed as a non-impact printing device 06. A suction drum 32 with a plurality of suction rings 76 arranged axially next to one another, each designed as a holding element, or an arrangement of a plurality of suction belts 52, each running along the transport direction T of the substrate 51 in question and arranged transversely to the transport direction T of the substrate 51 in question, is preferably used as the transport element; 78 used. The transport element for transporting the substrate 51 in question therefore always uses a plurality of holding elements which are spaced apart from one another transversely to its transport direction T, the substrate 51 in question being held non-positively by at least two of these holding elements in each case up to an output position related to the transport plane 29. The respective output positions of all the holding elements holding the substrate 51 in question in a non-positive manner are located on the same straight line 103. The transport element becomes a diagonal register of the relevant one Substrate 51 set. The diagonal register of the substrate 51 in question is set by adjusting an angle of rotation β of this straight line 103 about an axis of rotation 94 perpendicular to the transport plane 29, the angle of rotation β of this straight line 103 corresponding to the diagonal register of the relevant substrate 51 to be set by an actuation triggered by a control unit of a single mechanical coupling element acting simultaneously on all holding elements holding the relevant substrate 51 non-positively, whereby the respective output position of at least one of the holding elements holding the relevant substrate non-positively is changed by the mechanical coupling element acting on the respective holding element. The holding elements holding the relevant substrate 51 in a force-locking manner impress the respective substrate 51 with a transport speed which differs from holding element to holding element, the transport speed impressed on the respective substrate 51 by the respective holding element depending on the driven position set for the respective holding element. As a mechanical coupling element, for. B. uses a linear gear member with rocker arms and / or with wheel coupling gears, with each of the substrate 51 holding force-locking holding elements is assigned either a rocker arm or a wheel coupling gear.

The proposed method for operating a device for transporting sheet-shaped substrates has the advantage that to set the diagonal register in the transport device, the transport element in question is not inclined and therefore a z. B. already set side register and / or axial register of the substrate in question cannot be negatively influenced by the setting of the diagonal register. Rather, between the holding elements of the transport element involved in the setting of the diagonal register, a differential speed dependent on the respective position of the respective holding element is set by actuating a single actuator, whereby the substrate in question is aligned in accordance with the desired diagonal register becomes. The use of only a single actuator for adjusting the diagonal register has the advantage that it is not necessary to coordinate or adapt to different actuators, each acting on one of the holding elements, which eliminates a source of error and enables very precise adjustment of the diagonal register ,

In a preferred embodiment of this method, the processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 substrate 51 to be fed in register, before it reaches the transport element, determines its actual position in its transport plane 29 and with one for the substrate 51 in question in the processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 provided target position compared, wherein in the event of a deviation of the actual position from the target position, the control unit controls a drive 93 adjusting the mechanical coupling element in such a way that the substrate 51 in question, when the respective output positions of all holding elements holding the substrate in question non-positively, reach its position in the processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 takes the intended position with respect to the diagonal register.

An exemplary embodiment for carrying out the last-mentioned method for operating a device for transporting sheet-shaped substrates 51 will now be described with reference to FIG Figures 22 to 26 explained. Fig. 22 shows a plan view of an arcuate substrate 51, in particular an arc 51, with a width b51 directed transversely to its transport direction T. Transversely to its transport direction T are also several, for. B. five holding elements z. B. arranged in the form of juxtaposed suction rings 76 of a suction drum 32, these holding elements holding the substrate 51 in question in the transport plane 29 in a force-locking manner, in particular by a vacuum. One of these several holding elements is e.g. B. arranged in the machine center M, in the example shown two further holding elements are arranged on the right and left of the machine center M. On the in The transport direction T of the substrate 51 in question on the left-hand side is one of the holding elements closer to the machine center M at a distance aS11 and one further from the machine center M of the holding elements is arranged at a distance aS12 and on the right-hand side in the transport direction T of the substrate 51 in question is one of the machine center M closer to the holding elements at a distance aS21 and one further from the machine center M of the holding elements at a distance aS22. The respective rotation planes of all the holding elements holding the substrate 51 in a force-locking manner are each arranged parallel to one another and in each case along the transport direction T of the substrate 51 in question. The substrate 51 in question is non-positively held when it is transported by at least two of these holding elements up to an output position related to the transport plane 29, the respective output positions of all the holding elements holding the substrate 51 in question non-positively being located on the same straight line 103. In the actual position of the substrate 51 in question, the respective output positions of all holding elements holding this substrate 51 in a force-locking manner are in the present example with the reference symbols P11; P12; P21; P22 designates, whereas in the desired position of the substrate 51 in question, the respective output positions of all holding elements holding this substrate 51 non-positively in the present example with the reference symbols S11; S12; S21; S22 are designated. In order to set the diagonal register of the substrate 51 in question and thereby bring the substrate 51 in question from its actual position into its desired position at least with respect to its angular position, the substrate 51 in question is rotated by an angle of rotation β about an axis of rotation 94 which is perpendicular to the transport plane 29, which is done thereby that the straight line 103 is rotated by this angle of rotation β, which in turn takes place in that the respective output position of at least one of the holding elements holding the substrate 51 non-positively is changed by the mechanical coupling element acting on the holding element in question. The angle of rotation β is usually in the range of only a few degrees, e.g. B. between greater than zero and less than 30 °, in particular less than 10 °. The axis of rotation 94 which is perpendicular to the transport plane 29 is preferably arranged in the machine center M. In this case, the driven position of the holding element arranged in the machine center M remains unchanged, whereas in each case the mechanical coupling element acting jointly on the relevant holding elements in each case means the driven positions of the relevant holding elements arranged on the right of the machine center M in relation to their respective rotational speed v are each set in advance and the output positions of the holding elements in question, which are arranged on the left from the machine center M, are set in each case with respect to their rotational speed v. The holding elements holding the substrate 51 in a force-fitting manner and set to their respective rotational speed v imprint the respective substrate 51 with a transport speed which differs from holding element to holding element during the execution of the position correction, the transport speed impressed by the respective holding element on the substrate 51 in question depending on the output position S11 set for the respective holding element, that is to say corresponding to the desired position of the substrate 51 concerned; S12; S21; S22 is dependent.

The Fig. 23 and 24 show an embodiment of the mechanical coupling element z. B. in the form of a linear gear link with rocker arms. The Fig. 25 and 26 show an embodiment of the mechanical coupling element z. B. in the form of a linear transmission link with gear coupling. In this case, all of the holding elements holding the relevant substrate 51 in a force-locking manner are in each case either according to the Fig. 23 and 24 a rocker arm or according to the Fig. 25 and 26 a wheel coupling gear assigned. Similar to that in the Fig. 20 the arrangement shown is in the 23 to 26 shown suction drum 32 z. B. stored in a first frame 97, this first frame 97 in turn z. B. is arranged rotatably on a swivel 98 arranged in the machine center M, the swivel 98 being connected to a second frame 99. The second frame 99 carrying the first frame 97 is in turn arranged in or on a third frame 101. In the in the 23 to 26 shown embodiments the first frame 97 forms the mechanical coupling element acting on the holding elements in question, the drive 93, which is designed in particular as a preferably electric servomotor, being provided for executing the rotary movement of the mechanical coupling element about the axis of rotation 94 which is perpendicular to the transport plane 29. When actuated by the control unit, the drive 93 preferably acts via a joint 104 on the first frame 97 forming the mechanical coupling element. The second frame 99 has at least two diametrically opposed frame walls 106, in which frame walls 106 one parallel to the suction drum 32 extending drive shaft 107 z. B. is rotatably supported at both ends. A plurality of rocker arms 108 are preferably arranged on the drive shaft 107, each of these rocker arms 108 each belonging to one of the z. B. is formed as a suction ring 76 holding elements in an operative connection. The respective rocker arms 108 are each connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the drive shaft 107, so that the drive shaft 107 for the respective rocker arms 108 each form a hinge point fixed to the frame. Each of the relevant rocker arms 108 thus acts driven by the drive shaft 107, possibly via a drive pinion 113 with one of its ends, for. B. its upper end on one of the holding elements. On the other hand, each of these rocker arms 108 is at its other ends, e.g. B. its lower end each preferably on both ends at further z. B. formed as a ball joint 111; 112 mounted coupler 109 connected to the first frame 97 such that an angle position of the rocker arms 108 connected to the drive shaft 107 can be set or at least adjusted with the drive 93.

The variant according to the Fig. 25 and 26 is the variant according to Fig. 23 and 24 very similar, so that the same components are provided with the same reference numerals. The variant according to the Fig. 25 and 26 differs from the variant according to Fig. 23 and 24 in that a pair of coupling wheels 114 is provided, which is coupled to one another via a wheel coupling 116, wherein a drive pinion 117 generates a torque in the coupling wheel pair 114 initiates and an output pinion 118 transmits the torque introduced into the pair of coupling wheels 114 to the relevant holding element for setting its angular position. The pair of coupling wheels 114 together with the drive pinion 117 and the output pinion 118 form a wheel coupling gear.

Fig. 27 shows a further machine arrangement with several usually different processing stations for sequential processing of several sheet-like substrates. The flat substrates, each having a front and a back, are z. B. gripped by a suction head 41 and individually by means of a vibrating gripper 13 to a transfer drum 14 and from there to a rotating contact pressure cylinder 119, this contact pressure cylinder 119 on its outer surface in each case at least one of these substrates or also several, for. B. receives two or three substrates arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction. Each of the substrates to be transported is on the outer surface of the system pressure cylinder 119 by means of at least one z. B. held as a gripper holding element. In particular, limp and / or thin substrates with a thickness of z. B. up to 0.1 mm or a maximum of 0.2 mm z. B. can also be held by suction air on the lateral surface of the contact pressure cylinder 119, with such a substrate resting on the lateral surface of the contact pressure cylinder 119, in particular on the edges of this substrate, for. B. is supported by blowing air directed in particular radially onto the lateral surface of the contact pressure cylinder 119. On the system pressure cylinder 119 is in the direction of rotation, which in the Fig. 27 is indicated by an arrow indicating the direction of rotation, starting from the transfer drum 14 attached to this contact pressure cylinder 119, first a first primer application device 02 for priming the front side and this first primer application device 02 subsequently employed a second primer application device 126 for priming the rear side of the same sheet-shaped substrate, the second primer application device 126 Back of the substrate in question z. B. indirectly primed, in particular by a retransmission of this second primer application device 126 onto the lateral surface of the contact pressure cylinder 119 applied primer from this lateral surface to the back of the substrate in question. The front and / or back of the substrate in question can be primed over the entire surface or over part of the surface, as required. The contact pressure cylinder 119 transfers a substrate primed on both sides to a first, in particular endlessly rotating, transport device having at least one traction element, e.g. B. to a first chain conveyor 16, the first chain conveyor 16 transports this substrate to a first non-impact printing device 06, this first non-impact printing device 06 at least partially printing on the front of the substrate in question. The first non-impact printing device 06 transmits the substrate printed on the front side to a second, in particular endlessly rotating transport device having at least one traction element, e.g. B. to a second chain conveyor 21, this second chain conveyor 21 the substrate in question z. B. in the area of its first sprocket 81 ( Fig. 10 ) records. For example, in the area of the second sprocket 24 of this second chain conveyor 21, a second non-impact printing device 127 is arranged, this second non-impact printing device 127 at least partially printing on the back of the relevant previously printed substrate. The first non-impact printing device 06 and the second non-impact printing device 127 are thus arranged one after the other in the transport direction T of the respective arcuate substrate at different positions of the transport path of the substrate in question. The relevant substrate now printed on both sides is then z. B. placed on a stack in a display 12.

The in the Fig. 27 or 28 shown machine arrangement processing the relevant substrate on both sides has in each case several, preferably four dryers 121; 122; 123; 124, namely a first dryer 121 for drying the primer applied to the front of the relevant substrate and a second dryer 122 for drying the primer applied to the rear of the relevant substrate. In addition, there is a third dryer 123 for drying the relevant substrate printed on the front side with the first non-impact printing device 06 and a fourth Dryer 124 is provided for drying the relevant substrate printed on the back with the second non-impact printing device 127. The z. B. structurally constructed dryer 121; 122; 123; 124 are the relevant substrate z. B. drying by radiation with infrared or ultraviolet radiation, the type of radiation depends in particular on whether the printing ink or ink applied to the substrate in question is water-based or UV-curing. The transport direction T of the relevant substrate transported by the machine arrangement is in the Fig. 27 each indicated by arrows. The first non-impact printing device 06 and the second non-impact printing device 127 are each z. B. formed as at least one inkjet printing device. A third transport device 128 is arranged in the area of action of the first non-impact printing device 06, which takes over the relevant substrate primed on both sides from the first transport device having at least one pulling element, transports it to the second transport device having at least one pulling element and delivers it to this second transport device. The third transport device 128 transporting the relevant substrate in the area of action of the first non-impact printing device 06 is e.g. B. as a transport cylinder ( Fig. 27 ) or as a particularly endless conveyor belt ( Fig. 28 ), in the case of the transport cylinder, the preferably a plurality of inkjet printing devices of the first non-impact printing device 06 are each arranged radially to this transport cylinder and, in the case of the transport belt, the preferably a plurality of inkjet printing devices of the first non-impact printing device 06, in particular horizontally next to one another in parallel this conveyor belt are arranged. The conveyor belt is e.g. B. as a suction belt 52 with at least one suction chamber 58; 59 trained ( Fig. 13 ).

The third transport device 128 transporting the relevant substrate in the area of action of the first non-impact printing device 06 and the second transport device having at least one pulling element transporting the substrate in question in the area of action of the second non-impact printing device 127 preferably each have a single drive 129; 131, these individual drives 129; 131 each z. B. are designed as a preferably electrically driven motor which is regulated or at least controllable in its respective speed and / or angular position, by means of which individual drives 129; 131 the printing of the substrate in question is synchronized on the front side by the first non-impact printing device 06 and on the rear side thereof by the second non-impact printing device 127 or at least can be synchronized.

In a preferred embodiment, the first dryer 121 for drying the primer applied to the front of the substrate in question, for. B. in the area of the system pressure cylinder 119 ( Fig. 27 ) or in the area of a strand, in particular the load strand of the first transport device having at least one pulling element ( Fig. 28 ) arranged. The second dryer 122 for drying the primer applied to the back of the substrate in question is preferably arranged in the region of a run, in particular the load run of the first transport device having at least one pulling element. The third dryer 123 for drying the relevant substrate printed on the front side with the first non-impact printing device 06 is e.g. B. in the region of the strand in the transport direction T of the substrate of the second non-impact printing device 127 upstream, in particular load strand of the second transport device having at least one pulling element, or in the region of the third transport device 128, which in turn is within the effective range of the first non Impact printing device 06 is located and cooperates with this. The fourth dryer 124 for drying the relevant substrate printed on the back with the second non-impact printing device 127 is e.g. B. in the region of the downstream substrate in the transport direction T of the relevant substrate of the second non-impact printing device 127, the second at least one pulling device having transport device. If one of the dryers 121; 122; 123; 124 is arranged in a run from one of the transport devices, one determines Length of its drying section a minimum length of the strand in question.

The substrates from the contact pressure cylinder 119, the first transport device having at least one pulling element and the substrates in the effective range of the second non-impact printing device 127, the second transport device having at least one pulling element, each transport the substrates by means of gripper carriages 23, these gripper carriages 23 each in a preferably fixed, in particular, an equidistant distance from one another, these gripper carriages 23 each having controlled or at least controllable holding means 79 ( Fig. 15 ) are equipped to hold a substrate, in particular with grippers. Each of these gripper carriages 23 is moved in the transport direction T of the substrate in question by the relevant at least one traction element of the transport device in question. The gripper carriage 23 are in the transport direction T of the substrate in question, for. B. each driven by a precision drive, the precision drive in question z. B. is in the form of a linear drive system, the precision drive in question the gripper carriage 23 in question and thus the relevant gripper carriage 23 in question non-positively held substrate with an accuracy of less than ± 1 mm, preferably less than ± 0.5 mm, in particular of less than ± 0.1 mm on a along the transport path z. B. with regard to one of the non-impact printing devices 06; 127 predetermined position positioned.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the relevant transport device having gripper carts 23, a plurality of belts are preferably arranged between immediately successive gripper carts 23 at least along the transport direction T of the substrate in question, the substrate in question held by the relevant gripper car 23 to stabilize it at least in part during its transport rests on these tapes, which are preferably arranged parallel to one another. In this case, 23 are arranged between successive gripper carriages Belts are arranged in a spring-loaded manner along the transport direction T of the substrate in question or are made of an elastic material.

In a further preferred embodiment, the gripper carriages 23 are each arranged to stabilize their respective path of movement by at least one longitudinally to the path of movement of the gripper carriage 23 concerned, at least in the area of action of the first non-impact printing device 06 and / or in the area of action of the second non-impact printing device 127 Guide element 71 guided ( 17 to 19 ). In addition, to form a register-containing and / or register-based guide, in particular or at least in the area of action of the first non-impact printing device 06 and / or in the area of action of the second non-impact printing device 127, z. B. a catch mechanism for the gripper carriage 23 in question, this catch mechanism z. B. has at least one fork moved in the transport direction T of the substrate in question or at least movable, the gripper carriage 23 in question z. B. held at its two transversely to the transport direction T of the gripper carriage 23 in the respective fork and through this in particular in its path of movement is guided and / or held in register. Furthermore, for register-containing and / or register-oriented alignment of the substrate in question, in particular or at least in or immediately before the area of action of the first non-impact printing device 06 and / or in or immediately before the area of action of the second non-impact printing device 127, z. B. an adjusting device, in particular a lateral positioning device is provided. The substrate in question is, for. B. with the aid of sensors 33 sensing this substrate; 36 aligned and / or registered, such as i. V. m. the Fig. 11 described.

The in the Fig. 27 or 28 The machine arrangement shown can also be described as a machine arrangement for the sequential processing of a plurality of sheet substrates each having a front side and a rear side, a first Non-impact printing device 06 and a second non-impact printing device 127 as well as a first primer application device 02 and a second primer application device 126 are provided, with the first primer application device 02 priming the front and the second primer application device 126 priming the rear in each case with respect to the same arcuate substrate with respect to this substrate, the first non-impact printing device 06 is arranged to print the front side primed by the first primer application device 02 and the second non-impact printing device 127 is arranged to print the back side primed by the second primer application device 126. Here are a first dryer 121 for drying the primer applied to the front of the substrate in question in the transport direction T of the substrate in front of the first non-impact printing device 06 and a second dryer 122 for drying the primer applied on the back of the substrate in question in the transport direction T of the relevant substrate in front of the second non-impact printing device 127 and a third dryer 123 for drying the relevant substrate printed on the front side with the first non-impact printing device 06 in the transport direction T of the relevant substrate after the first non-impact printing device 06 and a fourth dryer 124 is provided for drying the relevant substrate printed on the rear side with the second non-impact printing device 127 in the transport direction T of the relevant substrate after the second non-impact printing device 127. The second primer application device 126 can be arranged in the transport direction T of the substrate in question either before or after the second non-impact printing device 127. The first dryer 121 for drying the primer applied to the front of the relevant substrate and / or the second dryer 122 for drying the primer applied on the rear of the relevant substrate and / or the third dryer 123 for drying the relevant with the first non-impact -Printer device 06 substrate printed on the front and / or the fourth dryer 124 for drying the relevant substrate printed on the back with the second non-impact printing device 127 are each, for. B. as a the relevant primed and / or printed substrate is formed by hot air and / or by drying with radiation with infrared or ultraviolet radiation drying, wherein the primed and / or printed substrate in question is dried by radiation with infrared or ultraviolet radiation; 122; 123; 124 is preferably designed as an LED dryer, that is, as a dryer using semiconductor diodes. In addition, at least one transport device transporting the substrate in question is provided, this transport device being designed as a transport cylinder or as a revolving transport belt or as a chain conveyor. In this case, the at least one transport device transporting the substrate in question has at least one holding element, the at least one holding element being designed to hold the substrate in question by means of a force fit or by means of a form fit.

The Fig. 29 shows yet another advantageous machine arrangement for sequential processing of a plurality of sheet substrates each having a front side and a back side. This machine arrangement, which is preferably designed as a printing press, in particular as a sheet-fed printing press, has at least a first printing cylinder and a second printing cylinder. At least one first non-impact printing device 06, which prints the front of the substrate in question, and in the direction of rotation of the first printing cylinder after the first non-impact printing device 06, are printed on the circumference of the first printing cylinder Front of the substrate drying dryer 123 and at least on the circumference of the second printing cylinder at least one second non-impact printing device 127 printing the back of the substrate in question and in the direction of rotation of the second printing cylinder after the second non-impact printing device 127 one of the second non Impact printing device 127 printed rear side of the substrate drying dryer 124 arranged. The first non-impact printing device 06 and the second non-impact printing device 127 are e.g. B. each as at least one inkjet printing device educated. For example, the first non-impact printing device 06 and / or the second non-impact printing device 127 each print several, e.g. B. four printing inks, in particular the printing inks yellow, magenta, cyan and black, with each of these printing inks with respect to the relevant non-impact printing device 06; 127 each preferably a specific inkjet printing device is provided.

In the machine arrangement according to the Fig. 29 the first printing cylinder and the second printing cylinder are arranged to form a common nip, the first printing cylinder directly transferring the relevant front-printed and dried substrate to the second printing cylinder in this common nip. In the preferred embodiment of this machine arrangement, a first primer applicator 02 and a second primer applicator 126 are also provided, the first primer applicator 02 priming the front and the second primer applicator 126 priming the rear in each case with respect to the same arcuate substrate, the first non with respect to this substrate Impact printing device 06 printing the front side primed by the first primer application device 02 and the second non-impact printing device 127 printing the rear side priming by the second primer application device 126. The first primer application device 02 and the second primer application device 126 each have, for. B. a system pressure cylinder 119, these two system pressure cylinders 119 are arranged forming a common nip, the system having the first primer application device 02 system pressure cylinder 119 in this common nip directly transferring the substrate in question to the system system having the second primer application device 126. Here, the system printing cylinder 119 having the second primer application device 126 and the first printing cylinder having the first non-impact printing device 06 are arranged to form a common nip, the system printing cylinder 119 having the second primer application device 126 directly contacting the substrate in question with the first non-impact Printing device 06 having the first pressure cylinder passes.

On the circumference of the system printing cylinder 119 having the first primer application device 02, i. d. R. immediately after the first primer application device 02 z. For example, a dryer 121 drying the front side of the substrate in question primed by this first primer application device 02 and / or on the circumference of the system printing cylinder 119 having the second primer application device 126 is i. d. R. immediately after the second primer application device 126 z. B. a dryer 122, which is primed by this second primer application device 126 of the substrate in question. The dryer 121 for drying the primer applied to the front of the substrate in question and / or the dryer 122 for drying the primer applied to the rear of the substrate in question and / or the dryer 123 for drying the one with the first non Impact printing device 06 substrate printed on the front and / or the dryer 124 for drying the relevant substrate printed on the back with the second non-impact printing device 127 each as a substrate that has been primed and / or printed by hot air and / or by irradiation with infrared or ultraviolet radiation drying dryer. In a particularly preferred embodiment the dryer 121 drying the primed and / or printed substrate in question by irradiation with infrared or ultraviolet radiation; 122; 123; 124 formed as an LED dryer, i. H. as a dryer which generates the infrared or ultraviolet radiation in each case by means of semiconductor diodes.

Furthermore, in the machine arrangement according to the Fig. 29 the first pressure cylinder and the second pressure cylinder and the contact pressure cylinder 119 having the first primer application device 02 and the contact pressure cylinder 119 having the second primer application device 126 are each preferably connected to one another in a single drive train formed from gear wheels, ie in a gear train and in their respective rotation jointly driven by a single drive, which drive is preferably designed as an in particular speed-controlled and / or position-controlled electric motor. The first printing cylinder and the second printing cylinder and the system printing cylinder 119 having the first primer application device 02 and the system printing cylinder 119 having the second primer application device 126 are each, for. B. multi-sized, that is, several, z. B. two or three or four substrates are arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction or at least can be arranged. Each of the substrates to be transported is attached to the lateral surface of the first printing cylinder and / or the second printing cylinder and / or the system printing cylinder 119 having the first primer application device 02 and / or the system printing cylinder 119 having the second primer application device 126 by means of at least one z. B. designed as a gripper holding element non-positively and / or positively. In particular, limp and / or thin substrates with a thickness of z. B. up to 0.1 mm or a maximum of 0.2 mm can be non-positive z. B. be held by suction air on the outer surface of the cylinder in question, with such a substrate resting on the outer surface of the cylinder in question, in particular on the edges of this substrate, for. B. is supported by blowing air directed in particular radially onto the lateral surface of the cylinder in question.

The relevant substrate printed on both sides is then preferably transported by means of a transport device z. B. transported to a display 12 and stored there in the display 12 on a stack. The transport device adjoining the second pressure cylinder is e.g. B. formed as a chain conveyor, the substrate in question is preferably dried on both sides by at least one dryer 09 during its transport through this transport device before it is deposited in the delivery 12. In some production lines it can be intended that the relevant one from the first non-impact printing device 06 on the front and / or from the second non-impact printing device 127 substrate printed on one side or on both sides with further printing inks, in particular special colors, and / or z. B. to refine by a paint application. In this latter case, at least one further, for example the following, is connected to the second printing cylinder in front of the transport device transporting the substrate in question to the delivery 12. B. a third pressure cylinder or preferably at least one further from a third pressure cylinder and a fourth pressure cylinder formed pair of cylinders, on which at least one further z. B. third and / or fourth impression cylinder similar to the first impression cylinder and / or the second impression cylinder each another printing device, in particular another non-impact printing device, or at least one painting device 08 each optionally arranged with a further dryer. All of these printing cylinders lined up in the machine arrangement in question then form a continuous transport path for the substrate in question, this substrate then being transferred from one printing cylinder to the next. The substrate in question can be processed on both sides, in particular can be printed, without the need for a turning device for this substrate in this machine arrangement. The proposed machine arrangement is therefore very compact and inexpensive.

The in the Fig. 29 machine arrangement shown is particularly advantageous i. V. m. UV curing printing inks e.g. B. usable in packaging printing for food or cosmetics.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

01

Processing station; investors; Sheet feeder; magazine investors

02

Processing station; Primer applicator

03

Processing station; Cold foil application device

04

Processing station; Offset printing device; Flexo printing device

05

-

06

Processing station; Non-impact printing device

07

Processing station; intermediate dryer

08

Processing station; painting equipment

09

Processing station; dryer

10

-

11

Processing station; mechanical processing device

12

Processing station; display

13

first vibratory gripper

14

first transfer drum

15

-

16

Gripper system; first chain conveyor

17

first conveyor belt

18

feed table

19

second rocking gripper

20

-

21

second chain conveyor

22

transport means

23

gripper carriages

24

Sprocket

25

-

26

suction chamber

27

second conveyor belt

28

third conveyor belt

29

transport plane

30

-

31

second transfer drum

32

suction drum

33

first sensor

34

attack

35

-

36

second sensor

37

guide element

38

fourth conveyor belt

39

third sensor

40

-

41

suction head

42

suction chamber

43

transfer drum

44

transfer drum

45

-

46

Cutting

47

Rotary encoder

48

belt conveyors

49

opening

50

-

51

Arc; substratum

52

suction belt

53

deflecting

54

load strand

55

-

56

closed surface

57

perforated surface

58

suction chamber

59

suction chamber

60

-

61

control unit

62

drive

63

registration mark

64

sensor

65

-

66

loose side

67

Valve

68

Blow-suction nozzle

69

area

70

-

71

guide element

72

role

73

role

74

start

75

-

76

suction ring

77

chain conveyor

78

suction belt

79

holding means

80

-

81

Sprocket

82

Printing cylinders

83

Roller; anilox roller

84

doctor; Chambered doctor blade system

85

-

86

printing unit

87

printing unit

88

printing unit

89

wave

90

-

91

drive

92

drive

93

drive

94

axis of rotation

95

-

96

axis of rotation

97

frame

98

swivel

99

frame

100

-

101

frame

102

guide element

103

Just

104

joint

105

-

106

frame wall

107

drive shaft

108

rocker

109

paddock

110

-

111

joint

112

joint

113

pinion

114

Koppel pair of wheels

115

-

116

wheel coupling

117

pinion

118

output pinion

119

System pressure cylinder

120

-

121

dryer

122

dryer

123

dryer

124

dryer

125

-

126

Primer applicator

127

Non-impact printing device

128

transport device

129

individual drive

130

-

131

individual drive

132

Unterschuppungseinrichtung

133

blow box

134

feed

135

-

136

blow nozzle

137

blow nozzle

138

Valve

139

Valve

140

-

141

Schott sheet

142

gusset

143

hole

144

baffle

AS11

distance

AS12

distance

AS21

distance

AS22

distance

b51

width

b52

width

b69

width

B

blowing direction

D143

diameter

h49

height

l49

length

LS

airflow

M

machine center

P11

output position

P12

output position

P21

output position

P22

output position

s1

first signal

s2

second signal

S11

output position

S12

output position

S21

output position

S22

output position

SH

flying height

T

transport direction

v

velocity of circulation

α

angle

β

angle

φ

angle

Claims (15)

1. A method for the overlapping arrangement of sheets in a transfer device arranged between a first processing station (01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12) and a subsequent second processing station (01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12) in the transport direction (T) of the sheets of the first processing station (01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12), in which the sheets to be overlapped from the first processing station (01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12) are transported in a transport plane (29) in each case lying individually in succession to the transfer device, in which in each case a rear edge in the transport direction (T) of the sheets coming from the first processing station (01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12) is raised relative to the transport plane (29) solely by blown air and a subsequent sheet is slipped under the rear edge of the respective preceding sheet, characterized in that further blown air is blown against the transport direction (T) of the sheets under an acute angle formed with the transport plane (29) from above onto the sheets to be transported to the transfer device, wherein an effective width directed orthogonally to the transport direction (T) of the sheets of the blown air acting in the direction of the transport plane (29) against gravity and an effective width of the further blown air directed against the transport direction (T) of the sheets are each set depending on a width of the sheet directed orthogonally to the transport direction (T) of the sheets.
2. The method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the further blown air directed against the transport direction (T) of the sheets passes out of a guide surface forming an acute angle converging with the transport plane (29) of the sheets.
3. The method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the blown air acting against gravity in the direction of the transport plane (29) is clocked.
4. The method according to Claim 1 or 2 or 3, characterized in that the sheet to be transported from the first processing station (01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12) to the subsequent second processing station (02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12) is in each case held in the transport plane (29) by means of suction air.
5. The method according to Claim 4, characterized in that the suction air holding the sheet to be transported from the first processing station (01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12) to the subsequent second processing station (02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12) in the transport plane (29) is clocked and/or that an effective width for the suction air holding the sheet to be transported from the first processing station (01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12) to the subsequent second processing station (02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12) in the transport plane (29) is set depending on a width of the sheet directed orthogonally to the transport direction (T) of the sheets.
6. The method according to Claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5, characterized in that the sheets are positioned individually at a distance from one other are transported through the first processing station (04) at a first transport speed, wherein sheets passed from the first processing station (04) to a second processing station (06) are transported at a second transport speed in this second processing station (06), wherein the applicable second transport speed in the second processing station (06) is lower than the applicable first transport speed in the first processing station (04).
7. The method according to Claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6, characterized in that a suction drum (32) is used as a transfer device in order to adapt the sheets to be transferred from the first processing station (04) to the second processing station (06) in their respective transport speed.
8. The method according to Claim 7, characterized in that the sheets supplied from the first processing station (04) in sequence to the suction drum (32) in each case at the first transport speed are each braked by means of an impact from their front edge at at least one stop (34) formed on a circumference of the suction drum (32).
9. A method for the overlapping arrangement of sheets in a transfer device arranged between a first processing station (01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12) and a subsequent second processing station (01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12) in the transport direction (T) of the sheets of the first processing station (01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12), wherein a transport belt (38) transporting the sheets to be overlapped is provided, wherein the transport belt (38) transports the sheets to be overlapped in a transport plane (29) from the first processing station (01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12) in each case lying individually in succession to the transfer device, wherein jets are provided for the discharge of the blown air, wherein the jets are arranged in each case raising a rear edge in the transport direction (T) of the sheets coming from the first processing station (01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12) relative to the transport plane (29)solely by blown air and slipping a subsequent sheet under the rear edge of the respective preceding sheet, characterized in that a guide surface (144) with further jets (136, 137) arranged therein is provided, wherein these further jets blow further blown air against the transport direction (T) of the sheets under an acute angle formed with the transport plane (29) from above onto the sheets to be transported to the transfer device, wherein an effective width directed orthogonally to the transport direction (T) of the sheets of the blown air acting in the direction of the transport plane (29) against gravity and an effective width of the further blown air directed against the transport direction (T) of the sheets are each set depending on a width of the sheet directed orthogonally to the transport direction (T) of the sheets.
10. The device according to Claim 9, characterized in that the guide surface, from whose jets the further blown air directed against gravity in the transport direction (T) of the sheets passes out, forms with the transport plane (29) a converging acute angle.
11. The device according to Claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the blown air acting against gravity in the direction of the transport plane (29) is clocked by a control unit.
12. The device according to Claim 9, 10 or 11, characterized in that the sheet to be transported from the first processing station (01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12) to the subsequent second processing station (02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12) is in each case held in the transport plane (29) by means of suction air.
13. The device according to Claim 12, characterized in that the suction air holding the sheet to be transported from the first processing station (01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12) to the subsequent second processing station (02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12) in the transport plane (29) is clocked by a control unit and/or that an effective width for the suction air holding the sheet to be transported from the first processing station (01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12) to the subsequent second processing station (02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12) in the transport plane (29) is set by the control unit depending on a width of the sheet directed orthogonally to the transport direction (T) of the sheets.
14. The device according to Claim 9 or 10 or 11 or 12 or 13, characterized in that the transfer device has a suction drum (32).
15. The device according to Claim 14, characterized in that the suction drum (32) has at least one stop (34) on its circumference, wherein the sheets supplied from the first processing station (04) in sequence to the suction drum (32) in each case at the first transport speed are each braked by means of an impact from their front edge at at least one stop (34).

Images