EP3543015B1 - Machine arrangement having a printing unit for sequentially processing of sheet-type substrates - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a machine arrangement for the sequential processing of sheet-shaped substrates according to claim 1.

through the U.S. 2013/307893 A1 there is known a digital printing apparatus comprising: a sheet feeder which feeds sheets one by one at a predetermined period of time; an impression cylinder having gripper devices and bearing surfaces, each of the gripper devices gripping and holding a leading end of the sheet fed by the sheet feeding device or the trailing end of the sheet fed over the feeding device with the trailing end being guided , and wherein each of the supporting surfaces is provided corresponding to the gripper devices and supports the sheet; and wherein the impression cylinder conveys the sheet while the leading end or the trailing end is held by one of the gripper devices; an ink jet nozzle section that ejects a droplet of ink onto the sheet fed via the impression cylinder and prints on the sheet; a sheet delivery device that discharges the sheet after an end of printing through the ink jet nozzle area; Conveyor devices comprising a plurality of gripper devices, including a turning gripper device that grips and holds a trailing end of the sheet, convey the single-sided printed sheet picked up by the impression cylinder in a double-sided printing mode while following the sheet through gripper changes the plural gripper devices and feed the sheet, which is turned over via inverting a front/back face of the sheet by the reversing gripper device in the process of conveying, to the impression cylinder, an upstream sheet conveying device that picks up the sheet from the sheet -feed device transfers to the gripper devices of the impression cylinder; and a controller; whereby the pressure cylinder through a triple diameter cylinder is implemented with three pairs of gripper devices and bearing surfaces.

through the WO 2004/013704 A1 discloses a digital printing machine for direct contactless sheet-fed printing with a digital printing unit that is format-free in the circumferential direction, with a transport device downstream of the digital printing unit, the transport device having grippers holding sheets on its circumference, the transport device preferably having a plurality of transport cylinders and/or transport belts and/or impression cylinders .

through the EP 2 540 513 A1 a machine arrangement for the sequential processing of a plurality of sheet-shaped substrates, each having a front side and a back side, is known, having a first printing cylinder and a second printing cylinder, with at least one first non-impact printing device printing the front side of the substrate in question on the circumference of the first printing cylinder and in Direction of rotation of the first printing cylinder after the first non-impact printing device, a dryer that dries the front side of the substrate in question printed by the first non-impact printing device is arranged, with at least one second non-printing cylinder on the circumference of the second printing cylinder Impact printing device and, in the direction of rotation of the second printing cylinder, downstream of the second non-impact printing device, a dryer that dries the reverse side of the substrate in question printed by the second non-impact printing device are arranged, with the first printing cylinder directly adjoining the substrate in question that has been printed and dried on the front side hands over the second pressure cylinder.

through the EP 1 440 351 B1 is a digital printing machine for direct, contactless sheet printing, known, with an elastically related transport device on which a printing material is transported, the transport device having at least one gripper for holding the sheet on the circumference of the transport device and/or with a stop for positioning the front edge of the sheet, and with a format-variable digital printing unit in the circumferential direction of the transport device, with the distance between the highest point of the gripper and/or stop and the surface of the printing material to be printed being smaller during the printing process than the distance between the surface of the printing material to be printed and the digital print unit, with the highest point of the gripper and/or stop protruding beyond the surface of the unrelated transport device.

through the DE 10 2015 211 637 A1 a device for transporting sheets through a printing unit with an inkjet printing cylinder and at least one transfer drum is known, with each sheet being held on an inkjet printing cylinder and being transferred by leading edge transfer from an upstream transfer drum, with a tensioning roller for the crease-free position of the sheet the inkjet printing cylinder is provided.

through the DE 103 12 870 A1 a digital printing press for sheetfed printing is known, with a digital printing unit that is format-free in the circumferential direction, an intermediate cylinder downstream of the digital printing unit, which is at least partially covered with an elastic material, and an impression cylinder downstream of the intermediate cylinder, the impression cylinder having sheet-holding grippers and the intermediate cylinder at its Scope has the gripper-receiving recesses.

through the DE 10 2014 010 904 B3 a device for printing sheet-like printing materials on both sides is known, with the printing material being guided through more than 360° on an impression cylinder, the printing material with the verso side again entering the effective area of an ink application unit, from which the printing material on an upstream impression cylinder is already on the Straight printing side was printed, the inking unit can preferably be pivoted between two downstream impression cylinders, wherein the pivotable inking unit z. B. is an inkjet printhead.

through the DE 10 2009 000 518 A1 a sheet-fed printing machine is known, with a feeder for feeding printed sheets to be printed into the sheet-fed printing machine, with at least one printing unit and/or coating unit for printing the printed sheets with a static print image that is identical for all printed sheets, with a delivery for ejecting printed sheets from the sheet-fed printing machine, and with at least one printing formeless printing device integrated in the sheetfed printing press for printing the printed sheets with a particularly dynamic, changeable print image, with the or each printing formeless printing device in the sheetfed printing press being controllably integrated as a function of process parameters or operating parameters or order parameters or quality parameters.

through the DE 10 2009 002 580 A1 a printing press, in particular a sheet-fed offset printing press, is known, wherein a sheet delivery base module is arranged downstream of a plurality of base modules arranged in a row, each configured as a printing unit or coating unit, the sheet delivery base module having a printing cylinder that guides the sheet material, with the sheet delivery base module being on the circumference of the printing cylinder an inkjet device for marking the printing material is arranged.

The DE 200 06 513 U1 relates to a sheet-fed rotary printing machine with a sheet feeder, a sheet feeder and a plurality of basic modules which are arranged between the sheet feeder and the sheet feeder and are identical in their basic structure, which have a sheet guiding cylinder and a sheet conveying device and which can be equipped with a printing unit, a varnishing unit or a drying unit, with between the in the sheet conveying direction last base module and the sheet delivery, a multifunction module is arranged with a sheet conveyor and a sheet guiding cylinder, wherein the multifunction module is prepared for the cultivation of several different additional devices, the multifunction module z. B. is equipped for the cultivation of an inkjet marking.

Through the post-released DE 10 2016 207 398 B3 , the US 2009/0284561 A1 , the U.S. 2009/0244237 A1 and the U.S. 2011/0205321 A1 a machine arrangement for the sequential processing of sheet-like substrates is known in each case, with the respective machine arrangement having a plurality of different processing stations, with at least one of the processing stations having a non-impact printing device that prints the substrates, the processing station in question having the non-impact printing device has a printing cylinder, the respective non-impact printing device being arranged in each case on the circumference of the printing cylinder.

through the U.S. 7,909,454 B2 discloses a printing press for sequential printing of sheet-shaped substrates, with an inkjet printing device being arranged on the circumference of a printing cylinder, with a feed cylinder being arranged directly in front of the printing cylinder, with both the printing cylinder and the feed cylinder each having grippers for holding substrates to be printed.

through the EP 2 610 064 A1 an ink jet recording apparatus is known, comprising a) a conveying device having a moving suction surface for conveying a cut paper medium by sucking the medium to the suction surface, and having suction holes uniformly arranged in the regions of the suction surface; and b) a recording head that forms an image by ejecting ink by an ink jet method onto a surface of the medium conveyed by the conveying device.

through the JP 2015 63 398 A there is known an ink jet recording apparatus having a transport cylinder formed as a suction drum.

through the EP 2 752 380 A1 a conveying device and image forming device is known, the conveying device having a drum with a plurality of suction fields.

The invention is based on the object of creating a machine arrangement for the sequential processing of a plurality of sheet-shaped substrates.

The object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claim 1. The respective dependent claims show advantageous refinements and/or developments of the solution found.

The advantages that can be achieved with the invention are evident from the following explanations.

Moreover, the solution described can be used in a hybrid machine arrangement that processes sheet-shaped substrates, 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 coating unit variably in combination with at least one flexibly printing variable print images, z. B. trained as an inkjet printer non-impact printing device uses, whereby both the conventional printing device or the coating device as well as the non-impact printing device are used inline in a running production, each with the optimal working speed for them. Such a hybrid machine arrangement is particularly suitable for the production of packaging materials, e.g. B. sheets for the production of folding boxes very advantageous because each of the strengths of each of the printing devices are used, which leads to a flexible and economical production of the packaging. A transport of sheet-shaped substrates by means of rotary bodies, in particular cylinders and gripper bars or gripper carriages, each with a transfer of the sheet-shaped substrates in each case in the gripper closure to a subsequent processing station, as is known from sheet-fed offset printing machines, ensures the highest possible register accuracy.

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

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

Fig. 10

eine Maschinenanordnung mit unterschiedlich langen Substratführungseinheiten;

Fig. 11 bis 13

Maschinenanordnungen mit einem Druckzylinder und einer Transfertrommel verschiedenen Formats;

Fig. 14

eine Detaildarstellung eines Druckzylinders und einer Transfertrommel;

Fig. 15

einen Druckzylinder;

Fig. 16

eine erste perspektivische Darstellung eines Ausschnitts aus dem Druckzylinder;

Fig. 17

eine zweite perspektivische Darstellung eines Ausschnitts aus dem Druckzylinder;

Fig. 18

den Druckzylinder im Zusammenwirken mit einer Transfertrommel;

Fig. 19

in einer perspektivischen Darstellung einen Kammsauger mit einem Leitblech.

Show it:

1

a block diagram showing different production lines;

2

a first machine arrangement with several different processing stations;

Figures 3 to 8

further machine arrangements each with several different processing stations;

9

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

10

a machine arrangement with substrate guide units of different lengths;

Figures 11 to 13

Machine arrangements with a printing cylinder and a transfer drum of different format;

14

a detailed representation of a pressure cylinder and a transfer drum;

15

a pressure cylinder;

16

a first perspective view of a section of the printing cylinder;

17

a second perspective view of a section of the printing cylinder;

18

the impression cylinder in cooperation with a false drum;

19

in a perspective view a comb suction device with a guide plate.

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 are implemented or at least can be implemented for processing at least one sheet-shaped substrate, in particular a printing material, preferably a particularly rectangular printing sheet, in short a sheet, with this at least one substrate being designed to be rigid or limp depending on the material, material thickness and/or grammage. Usually used in a production line during a specific production several sheets one after the other, i.e. a sequence of sheets, each using the same processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 edited. Each of these processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 each as a z. B. independently functional module is formed, whereby a module is to be understood as meaning a machine unit or functional assembly that is usually produced independently or at least one that is mounted on its own in its own frame. The modules lined up in a row in the machine arrangement subdivide this machine arrangement into individual units, with adjacent modules essentially having a vertical joint surface at their joint. 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 z. B. individually testable in its respective function. The machine arrangement in question, which, depending on a specific production, is made up of a selection and combination of at least three different 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 of which has a specific machine arrangement with a plurality of 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 material formed from the printing material, preferably from the printed sheet. The packaging to be produced are z. B. each a folding box, which are each made of printed sheets. The various production lines are therefore designed in particular for the production of different packaging materials. The processing of the printing material required during a specific production takes place inline, ie the processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12, the processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 having machine assembly in an ordered sequence successively and in a coordinated manner, 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 1 The production lines illustrated have in common that they each work together with a processing station 06, which has at least one non-impact printing device 06, preferably several, e.g. g. four, five, six, seven or more, in particular individually controlled, non-impact printing units 06, with these non-impact printing units 06 preferably being arranged one behind the other in transport direction T of the printing substrate and being designed in such a way that they press the printing substrate in each case print or at least be able to print at least almost in its entire width directed transversely to the transport direction T. A non-impact printing unit 06 uses a printing process without a fixed printing forme and can in principle change the printing material, e.g. B. print the sheet just fed to this printing unit 06 with a print image that differs from the previous print image. The respective non-impact printing device 06 is implemented in particular by at least one inkjet printer or by at least one laser printer. Inkjet printers are dot matrix printers in which a print image is created by the targeted firing or deflection of small ink droplets, with the inkjet printer being available either as a device with a continuous ink jet (Continuous Ink Jet = CIJ) or as a device that shoots a single drop of ink (Drop On Demand = DOD) is trained. Laser printers generate the respective print image using an electrophotographic process. A machine arrangement that processes a printing material and has at least one non-impact printing unit 06 is used, e.g. B. also referred to as a digital printing machine.

In the following, it is assumed by way of example that in the respective machine arrangement with a plurality of processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 as a substrate, in each case a sequence of, in particular, rigid sheets, e.g. B. from a paper, from a single-layer or multi-layer cardboard or from a cardboard is processed in particular to a packaging material. The printing materials paper, cardboard and cardboard differ in their respective grammage, ie the weight in grams for one square meter of this printing material. In general, the aforementioned printing material with a basis weight of 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. Cardboard or paperboard, in particular, is used to produce folding boxes, each of which has good printability and is suitable for subsequent finishing or processing such as B. are suitable for painting and punching. These cartons or cardboard are z. B. wood-free, slightly woody, woody or waste paper. In their structure, multi-layer cardboard or paperboard, z. B. corrugated cardboard, each with a top layer, an insert and a backing on a pad. From their surface texture, cartons or cardboard z. B. uncoated, pigmented, coated or cast coated. A format of the sheet is z. B. in the range between 340 mm × 480 mm and 740 mm × 1060 mm, with the format information usually the first number indicates a length in the transport direction T of the sheets and the second number indicates a width of the sheets orthogonal to the transport direction T.

In the block diagram of 1 each runs with several of the processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 production line with reference to the transport direction T of the printing material essentially from right to left, with each of the two processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 connecting directional arrows each indicate a transport path to be traversed by the printing material and the associated transport direction T in order to move from a processing station 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 to the next processing station 01 selected in the machine arrangement intended for the respective production; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 to arrive. Each production begins with sheets provided in the processing station 01, with the processing station 01 being a Feeder 01, e.g. B. as a sheet feeder 01 or as a magazine feeder 01. A sheet feeder 01 usually takes a z. e.g. stacks of sheets stacked on a pallet, whereas a magazine feeder 01 has a plurality of compartments into which sheets, in particular stacks of e.g. B. various sheets or sheets of different formats are inserted or at least can be inserted. The investor 01 isolated 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 an imbricated stream to the next processing station 02 in the specific production run; 03; 04; 06 to. The next processing station 02; 03; 04 is e.g. g. as a primer application unit 02 or as a cold foil application unit 03 or as an offset printing unit 04 or as a flexo printing unit 04. The next processing station 06 can also directly z. B. the at least one non-impact printing unit 06. Offset printing unit 04 is preferably embodied 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 unit 04 prints the sheets with at least one static print image, i.e. one that does not change during the printing process due to the fact that it is tied to the printing form used, whereas the non-impact printing unit 06 prints the sheets with at least one print image that changes in content or at least changes.

If the processing station 03 closest to the feeder 01 is the cold foil application device 03, the sheet is then generally transported from there to the processing station 04 designed as an offset printing device 04. In the cold foil application device 03, a metalized coating layer that has been detached from a carrier foil is transferred to the printing material. By overprinting this layer of paint z. A wide variety of metal effects can be achieved, e.g. with an offset printing unit 04. The cold foil application device 03 is advantageously z. B. integrated in the offset printing device 04 by two additional printing units 87; 88 are provided in the offset printing unit 04. Im in transport direction T des In the first printing unit 87 to be printed, a special adhesive is applied to the printing material, ie to the respective sheet, using a standard printing forme. A second printing unit 88 in the direction of transport 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 gap between a transfer cylinder and a pressure cylinder cooperating with this transfer cylinder and brought into contact with the printing material. An aluminum layer and a protective lacquer layer, the coloring of which influences the color impression, provide the color in the lacquer layer. The transfer layers adhere to the substrate by adhesion of an adhesive layer to the printed adhesive layer. The carrier film is then wound up again. After the cold foil transfer, overprinting with conventional, e.g. B. water-based inks as well as UV and hybrid inks to create different metallic shades.

a z. B. particularly absorbent and / or to be prepared for printing with a non-impact printing unit 06 printing material, the feeder 01 a z. g. as a primer application device 02, to the next processing station 02, in order to prepare at least one surface of this printing substrate before it is printed or coated with a paint, e.g. B. to coat water-based primer, especially to seal. Priming represents a primer or initial coating of the printing material, in particular in order to improve adhesion of a printing ink or ink to be applied to the printing material or to enable it in the first place. For this z. B. applied a white paint to the substrate. The primer application device 02 is z. B. formed in connection with a printing unit 86 of a rotary printing machine and has z. B. a printing unit cylinder 82 that interacts with an impression cylinder 119 and has an applicator roller 83 that is or at least can be positioned on this printing unit cylinder 82, preferably in the form of an anilox roller 83, and at least one doctor blade 84 that extends in the axial direction of the applicator roller 83, in particular a chamber doctor blade system 84 ( Figures 3 to 5 , 8th , 9 ). The primer is applied to the printing material either over the entire surface or only at certain, ie previously defined, points, ie partially, by means of the primer application device 02. The substrate processed in primer application device 02, e.g. B. sheet is the next processing station z. B. an offset printing unit 04 and / or z. B. fed to a non-impact printing device 06.

The one z. Flexographic printing carried out, e.g. as a flexographic printing unit 04, is a direct letterpress process in which the raised areas of the printing form bear the image . B. PE, PET, PVC, PS, PP, PC is used. Flexographic printing uses low-viscosity inks and flexible printing plates made of photopolymer or rubber. In general, a flexographic printing unit 04 includes a) an anilox roller, which is used to ink the printing forme, b) an impression cylinder, also known as a forme cylinder, to which the printing forme is attached, and c) an impression cylinder that guides the printing material.

Processing station 04, which is embodied as a flexographic printing unit 04 or as an offset printing unit 04 and prints at least one static print image on each of the sheets, preferably has a plurality of, e.g. B. at least four printing units 86, with each printing unit 86 preferably printing a different printing color, so that the printing material is multicolored, e.g. B. is printed in a four-color printing. The color shades yellow, magenta, cyan and black in particular are used as printing inks. In an alternative embodiment of the printing unit 04 to the flexographic or offset printing method, the processing station 04 that prints at least one static print image on each sheet is embodied as a printing unit 04 that prints using a screen printing method.

After the printing material has been processed in the at least one non-impact printing unit 06, this printing material is g. to a processing station 07 embodied as a dryer 07, in particular as an intermediate dryer 07, with this intermediate dryer 07 serving as a substrate for the printing material in question, e.g. B. is formed drying by hot air and / or by irradiation with infrared or ultraviolet radiation, wherein a dryer drying by ultraviolet radiation z. B. is designed as an LED dryer, the type of radiation is dependent in particular on whether the printing ink or ink applied to the substrate is water-based or UV-curing. After intermediate drying, the printing material is z. B. fed to a processing station 08 embodied as a painting unit 08. Coating unit 08 preferably carries a z. B. transparent or white or colored dispersion paint, with dispersion paints consist essentially of water and binders (resins), with surfactants stabilizing these dispersions. A coating unit 08 that applies a dispersion coating to the printing material consists either of an anilox roller, a chamber doctor blade and an application roller (similar to a flexographic printing unit) or of a pan and application roller. By means of a printing form, preferably based on photopolymerization, z. B. flat and / or partial coatings applied. Special paint plates made of rubber can also be used for full-surface paintwork. Downstream of the coating unit 08, e.g. g. a processing station 09 embodied as a dryer 09, with this dryer 09 being embodied as drying the printing material in question with hot air and/or by irradiation with infrared or ultraviolet radiation. B. is designed as an LED dryer. If the machine arrangement in question has several dryers 07; 09, the dryer with reference number 09 is preferably the last of these several dryers 07; 09, wherein the intermediate dryer or dryers 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 that dries by ultraviolet radiation, ie a printing material on which a printing ink or ink that hardens with UV radiation or a varnish that hardens with UV radiation, e.g. B. a gloss paint is applied, this dryer 09 is equipped with a radiation source that generates ultraviolet radiation. With dispersion varnishes, more intense gloss and matt effects can be achieved compared to classic oil-based varnish. Special optical effects can be achieved with effect pigments in the paint. The primer application unit 02, the cold foil application unit 03 and the painting unit 08 can be classified under the term coating unit 02; 03; 08 are summarized.

After the last drying along its transport path, the printing material is z. B. a processing station 11, which carries out mechanical processing on the printing material, e.g. B. by punching, grooving and / or separating parts, in particular breaking out benefits from their respective composite in the preferably printed sheet. Each of the aforementioned further processing 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. After that or directly from the last dryer 09 in the transport path of the printing material, the printing material reaches a delivery 12, which is in each of the in the 1 illustrated, each by a specific 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 display 12, the previously processed sheets z. B. preferably stacked on a pallet.

As in the Figures 2 to 8 shown is the previously mentioned order of the processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 only as an example and depending on what is to be produced in each case Print product modifiable.

1. 1. Bogenanleger 01; Primerauftrageinrichtung 02; Non-Impact-Druckeinrichtung 06; Zwischentrockner 07 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle für Dispersionslack; Lackiereinrichtung 08; Trockner 09 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle und/oder Heißluft; Auslage 12
2. 2. Bogenanleger 01; Primerauftrageinrichtung 02; Non-Impact-Druckeinrichtung 06; Trockner 09 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle und/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 Heißluft und/oder IR-Strahlungsquelle oder UV-Strahlungsquelle; Auslage 12
4. 4. Bogenanleger 01; Kaltfolienauftrageinrichtung 03; Offset-Druckeinrichtung 04; Non-Impact-Druckeinrichtung 06; Trockner 09 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle und/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 Heißluft und/oder IR-Strahlungsquelle; 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 Heißluft und/oder IR-Strahlungsquelle; 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 Heißluft und/oder IR-Strahlungsquelle; Auslage 12
11. 11. Magazinanleger 01; Primerauftrageinrichtung 02; Non-Impact-Druckeinrichtung 06; Zwischentrockner 07 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle; Lackiereinrichtung 08; Trockner 09 mit Heißluft und/oder IR-Strahlungsquelle; Auslage 12
12. 12. Magazinanleger 01; Primerauftrageinrichtung 02; Non-Impact-Druckeinrichtung 06; Zwischentrockner 07 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle; Trockner 09 mit Heißluft und/oder IR-Strahlungsquelle; 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 1 Production lines shown as examples and used in particular for the production of packaging materials each have a machine arrangement with a selection from the set of the aforementioned processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 on. For example, the following production lines have been formed or can at least 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 paint; painting device 08; dryer 09 with IR radiation source and/or hot air; display 12
2. 2nd sheet feeder 01; primer application device 02; non-impact printing device 06; dryer 09 with IR radiation source and/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; Painting device 08 for dispersion paint and UV-curing paint; dryer 09 with hot air and/or IR radiation source or 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 and/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 paint; painting device 08; dryer 09 with hot air and/or IR radiation source; 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 hot air and/or IR radiation source; 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 hot air and/or IR radiation source; 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 hot air and/or IR radiation source; 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 hot air and/or IR radiation source; 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; 02; 03; 04; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 for participating in the processing of the sheets is selected depending on whether the printing ink to be applied to the sheet in question, in particular with the non-impact printing unit 06, is a water-based printing ink or ink or a printing ink or ink that is cured by ultraviolet radiation is. The respective machine arrangement is thus designed to print the sheets with a water-based printing ink or with a printing ink that hardens by means of ultraviolet radiation.

An advantageous machine arrangement mentioned here as an example has several processing stations for processing sheets, with the transport direction T of the Arch several processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 are arranged one after the other for the inline processing of these sheets, with at least one of these processing stations 06 being configured as a non-impact printing unit 06, with a first processing station 01 upstream of the non-impact printing unit 06 in the transport direction T of the sheets being a sheet feeder 01 or is embodied as a magazine feeder 01, with a processing station 08 located between the first processing station 01 and the non-impact printing unit 06 being embodied as a first coating unit 08 that applies varnish to each sheet, with the first coating unit 08 and the non -impact printing unit 06, a first dryer 07 is arranged, with a first transport cylinder arrangement having at least one transport cylinder 39 being arranged to transport the sheets from the first dryer 07 to the non-impact printing unit 06, with the sheets being transported in direction T after the non-impact A second dryer 07 is provided in printing unit 06, with a device for transferring the sheets coming from non-impact printing unit 06 to a second coating unit 08 being provided, with a third dryer 09 being arranged downstream of second coating unit 08, with the Sheets After the third dryer 09, a delivery 12 for the sheets is arranged. A mechanical further processing device 11 can also be arranged between the third dryer 09 and the delivery 12. Furthermore, in the transport direction T, the sheet is positioned upstream of the non-impact printing unit 06, e.g. B. a coating device 03 applying a cold foil is arranged. The non-impact printing unit 06 preferably has a plurality of individually controlled inkjet printers along the transport path of the sheets. In the effective area of the non-impact printing unit 06, the sheets are preferably each guided lying flat on a transport device, with the transport device having a curved transport path for the sheets at least in the effective area of the non-impact printing unit 06, with the transport device in the effective area of the non -Impact printing device 06 is designed as a multi-sized printing cylinder 22. In the transport direction T the sheet is in front the non-impact printing unit 06 e.g. B. arranged a transfer device, wherein the transfer device z. B. in each case at least in its axial register and/or circumferential register relative to the printing position of the non-impact printing unit 06, with the transfer unit e.g. B. has a suction drum holding the respective sheet by means of suction air. This machine arrangement is designed to print the sheets in particular with a water-based printing ink or with a printing ink that cures by ultraviolet radiation. This machine arrangement is designed in particular to produce different packaging means. The device for transferring the sheets coming from the non-impact printing unit 06 to the second coating unit 08 is e.g. B. as a at least one transport cylinder 39 having second transport cylinder arrangement.

2 shows an example of a machine arrangement with a plurality of processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 according to the aforementioned production line no. 6. Sheets are fed into a sheet feeder 01, e.g. B. with a suction head 41 picked up individually from a stack and successively at a rate of z. B. 10,000 pieces per hour z. B. to an offset printing device 04 with z. B. four printing units 86 arranged in a row. A rotary body, in particular a cylinder, preferably a transfer drum 43 is provided for transferring the sheets from one of the printing units 86 arranged in a row to the next, which is arranged between two directly adjacent printing units 86 in each case. Offset printing unit 04 accepts the sheets fed to it by sheet feeder 01, e.g. B. with a swing gripper 13 and forwards the sheet to a z. B. single-sized transfer drum 14 of offset printing unit 04, i.e. transporting only a single substrate around its circumference, with the sheets then being guided in offset printing unit 04 in a gripper closure from one printing unit 86 to the next. The sheets are printed on at least one side in offset printing unit 04. In the presence of one arranged between the printing devices 04 turning device 23, the sheets in the offset printing device 04 can also be printed on both sides, ie recto and verso. After passing through the z. g. as an offset printing unit 04, the sheet in question, which is preferably printed in four colors, is transferred to at least one non-impact printing unit 06 by means of the first transport cylinder arrangement. The non-impact printing device 06 preferably has several, e.g. B. five linearly arranged in a row, each individually controlled inkjet printer, the z. B. in the inks cyan, magenta, yellow and / or black and preferably additionally at least one customer-specific ink such. B. Print orange and/or green and/or violet. The sheets provided with at least one static print image in the offset printing unit 04 and with at least one changing or at least variable print image in the non-impact printing unit 06 are then dried in a dryer 07 or intermediate dryer 07, preferably with hot air and/or with an IR radiation source. Again after that, the sheets are processed in a mechanical further processing device 11, e.g. B. further processed by punching and / or grooving and / or breaking out benefits from the respective sheet. Ultimately, the sheets and/or copies detached from the sheets are collected in a delivery 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-pile delivery, can be provided in each case along the transport path provided for the sheets. Likewise, in the transport direction T of the sheet z. B. arranged after the mechanical further processing device 11 a multi-pile delivery. How from the 2 As can be seen, each of the processing stations 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11 each have at least one transport cylinder 39 or other sheet-guiding cylinder 22; 38; 43; 44, the relevant transport cylinder 39 or other sheet-guiding cylinder 22; 38; 43; 44 is formed in each case in multiple sizes, preferably at least twice in size. As in the Figures 2 to 13 shown is at least one printing cylinder 22 arranged in the processing station 06 that has the non-impact printing unit 06; 38 at least three times the size, preferably four times the size. The coating device 02; 08, ie in particular the primer application unit 02 and/or the varnishing unit 08, each preferably has a double-sized transport cylinder 39 or other sheet-guiding cylinder 43; 44 on. With the exception of the printing cylinder 22; 38 all other transport cylinders 39 or other sheet-guiding cylinders 43; 44, for example, the same size, in particular twice as large.

The sheets picked up from a stack in feeder 01, in particular in sheet feeder 01, are separated from one another individually, e.g. B. by the z. B. offset printing unit 04 formed upstream of the non-impact printing unit 06 processing station 02; 03; 04 transported at a first transport speed. The z. B. processing station 02 designed as an offset printing device 04; 03; 04 sheets transferred to the non-impact printing unit 06 are transported in this non-impact printing unit 06 at a second transport speed. g. the first transport speed applicable in the offset printing unit 04. To adapt the z. g. in the offset printing unit 04, to the generally lower second transport speed that applies in the non-impact printing unit 06, e.g. B. the arc gap between directly consecutive sheets, ie the distance z. B. due to a gripper channel width for the gripper circuit z. g. sheets transported by the offset printing unit 04, when these sheets are transferred, e.g. B. from the offset printing unit 04 to the non-impact printing unit 06 preferably reduced, with such a distance reduction based on their original distance z. B. is in the range between 1% and 98%. Sheets that follow one another in direct succession are thus also transported at a distance from one another in non-impact printing unit 06, but with a generally smaller sheet gap or at a smaller distance than e.g. B. in the offset printing unit 04 and consequently also with a lower second transport speed. This second transport speed is preferably maintained if sheets printed in non-impact printing unit 06 are first sent to an intermediate dryer 07 or dryer 09 and from there, e.g. B. by means of a feed table to a mechanical further processing device 11 further to the delivery 12 are transported. However, the sheets can also be brought from their second transport speed to a third transport speed if the e.g. B. as a mechanical further processing device 11 designed processing station 08; 09; 11 requires, the third transport speed is usually higher than the second transport speed and z. B. again corresponds to the first transport speed applicable in offset printing unit 04 in particular. Before the mechanical further processing device 11 z. B. the second transport cylinder arrangement is provided, which picks up the sheets coming from the intermediate dryer 07 or dryer 09 and transports them to the mechanical further processing unit 11. Also in the field of mechanical, in series z. B. further processing device 11 having several processing units 46, a rotary body, in particular a cylinder, preferably a transfer drum 44 is provided for transferring the sheets from one of the processing units 46 arranged in a row to the next, which is arranged between two adjacent processing units 46. One of the processing units 46 is z. B. as a stamping plant, in particular as a rotary stamping plant, another processing plant 46 z. B. designed as a creasing mechanism. The processing unit 46 in question is the mechanical further processing of the sheets, preferably in cooperation with a cylinder transporting the respective sheet executive trained. After their further mechanical processing, the sheets and/or benefits separated from them, e.g. B. transported by a chain conveyor 21 to the display 12 and collected there, preferably stacked.

The sheets are from the output of z. g. as an offset printing unit 04, upstream of the non-impact printing unit 06 processing station 02; 03; 04 at least up to the outlet of the intermediate dryer 07 or dryer 09, preferably up to the beginning of the z. B. as a mechanical processing device 11 formed processing station 08; 09; 11 each by means of a multi-part, d. H. consisting of a plurality of subassemblies, in particular transport units, arranged one after the other in the transport direction T of the sheets, the transport device preferably having a plurality of transport cylinders 39 of multiple sizes. If required, an intermediate dryer 07 or a dryer 09 can also be arranged between the offset printing unit 04 and the non-impact printing unit 06.

The 2 is also inferred that the respective axes of rotation of processing cylinders such. g. the printing cylinder 22 or the respective cylinders of the primer application device 02, the painting device 08 or a dryer 07, and a transport cylinder arranged immediately downstream or immediately upstream of one of these processing cylinders in the transport direction T of the substrates. Thus, a straight line running through the axis of rotation of a processing cylinder and the axis of rotation of a transport cylinder or a transfer drum arranged immediately downstream forms an acute angle a1 with a horizontal line, and/or a straight line running through the axis of rotation of a processing cylinder and the axis of rotation of a transport cylinder or a transfer drum arranged immediately upstream a horizontal an acute angle α2 in the range between 15 ° and 30 °, preferably between 20 ° and 25 °, in particular 22.5 °, the horizontal z. B. each through the axis of rotation of the concerned Transport cylinder or through the axis of rotation of the transfer drum in question. The angle α1 directed to the downstream transport cylinder or to the downstream transfer drum is z. B. in the range between once and twice the angle α2 directed to the upstream transport cylinder, preferably between 1.3 times and 1.7 times, in particular it is 1.5 times the angle α2 directed to the upstream transport cylinder .

In the Figures 3 to 8 are further machine arrangements each with several processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 as an example and shown schematically, with the respective reference symbols denoting the previously explained processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 and further denote their respective aggregates.

In the 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 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 figure 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 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 additional offset printing units 04 in series construction; intermediate dryer 07; non-impact printing device 06; intermediate dryer 07; non-impact printing device 06; dryer 09; display 12

In the 7 is a machine arrangement shown offset due to its length 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 additional offset printing units 04 in series construction; intermediate dryer 07; non-impact printing device 06; intermediate dryer 07; painting device 08; dryer 09; two mechanical further processing devices 11 in series construction; display 12

In the 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

As already mentioned, it is provided that the machine arrangements described above, which each have a plurality of processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 have at least one transport device for processing sheets and for transporting these sheets, for processing sheets of different formats, ie of different lengths and/or widths. Therefore they differ usually rectangular arch z. B. in their respective lengths, this length extending in the transport direction T of these sheets. When using a processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12, to which several sheets are fed sequentially, not to reduce the productivity of the respective machine arrangement with comparatively shorter sheets, i.e. with sheets of smaller format compared to otherwise larger-format sheets processed in this machine arrangement, a method with the following method steps is proposed:
Method for operating multiple 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, with the processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 sheets to be fed in succession are each transported at a distance by the transport device, with the transport device impressing a transport speed on the sheets to be transported in each case, with the distance existing between directly consecutive sheets for sheets of different lengths, each extending in the transport direction T of these sheets, by a change the transport speed to be applied by the transport device to the relevant sheet 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 relevant processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 sheets to be fed in one after the other in order to reach and/or maintain one of the processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 to be achieved high productivity of the transport device preferably transported in each case at a minimum distance, but usually different from zero. The distance between the transport direction T successive sheets, ie between the transverse to Transport direction T extending rear edge of the preceding sheet and extending transversely to the transport direction T front edge of the immediately following sheet 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 relevant 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. Conversely, a sheet of greater length is slowed down by the transport device by reducing its transport speed if the sheet of greater length is in the relevant processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 is to be processed after an arc of shorter length. As processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12, a non-impact printing unit 06 is preferably used, which is generally most productive when the sheets it is to print on are fed to it consecutively at a constant minimum distance, regardless of their format. If, in the relevant machine arrangement of the non-impact printing unit 06, a z. B. upstream processing station 04 configured as an offset printing unit 04, sheets printed in offset printing unit 04 are fed to the transport device, regardless of their respective format, at a transport speed corresponding to a production speed of this offset printing unit 04, with these sheets being separated from the offset -printing unit 04 is to be adapted to the transport speed corresponding to a processing speed of the non-impact printing unit 06 during its transport with the transport device. If these sheets are also to be fed to the non-impact printing unit 06 at a constant distance from one another, regardless of their respective format, longer sheets will be slowed down less than shorter sheets, but in any case a reduction in their transport speed will be necessary because the processing speed of non-impact printing unit 06 is generally lower than the production speed of offset printing unit 04.

The respective sheet is during its transport from one to the next processing station 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 and/or also within these processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 in each case from the respective transport device having several transport cylinders one behind the other in the transport direction T of the sheets, preferably in each case in a non-positive and/or positive manner by means of holding means, e.g. B. held by suction and / or by grippers.

In a preferred embodiment, the transport speed to be impressed on the relevant sheet is of a z. B. preferably electronic control unit arranged at a control station of the machine arrangement, the control unit being able to set the transport speed, in particular to maintain the constant distance between successive sheets, e.g. B. carries out in a control loop. It is Z. B. provided that the mechanical further processing device 11 to be fed sheet by the swing gripper 19 and the z. B. single-sized transfer drum 31 is brought from the second transport speed to the third transport speed, which means that the sheet in question is accelerated in particular by the rotation of the transfer drum 31 controlled by the control unit.

9 shows an example of a machine arrangement with a plurality of processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12, wherein the processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 are arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T of the substrates. The lined-up processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 are each designed as an independently functioning module, with each of the modules forming a machine unit mounted in its own frame. In the preferred embodiment, those modules that serve as a coating device 02; 03; 08 (ie primer application device 02, cold foil application device 03 or painting device 08) or as a dryer 07; 09 or as a printing device 04; 06 or as a mechanical further processing device 11, each have a substrate guiding unit 24 and a substrate processing unit 26. The substrate guide unit 24 has to transport the substrates z. B. a transport cylinder arrangement with one or more transport cylinders 39 or one or more transfer drums 43; 44, the transport cylinders 39 or transfer drums 43; 44 are multi-sized, preferably double-sized or triple-sized. Depending on the type of processing station 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 e.g. B. the actual coating device 02; 03; 08 or the dryer 07; 09 or at least one printing unit 86; 87; 88 of the printing device 04; 06 or at least one processing unit 46 of the mechanical further processing device 11. The substrate guiding unit 24 and the substrate processing unit 26 each have a substantially horizontal joining surface at their joint and form, so to speak, a substructure module 24 and a superstructure module 26.

The one in the 9 The machine arrangement shown is a machine arrangement for recto and verso printing and, starting from a sheet feeder 01 or magazine feeder 01, has stacked substrates, e.g. B. with a suction head 41 gripping feeder 01 and a downstream rocking gripper 13 with a transfer drum 14 in the transport direction T of the substrates (sheets) one behind the other a coating device 02; 03; 08, in particular in the form of a first primer application device 02 and then a first dryer 07. The substrates that have been pretreated on the front side in this way are then fed to a first non-impact printing unit 06, which prints on the front side of the substrates and has a first impression cylinder 22, with this first impression cylinder 22 preferably being three or four times the size, which means that this first impression cylinder 22 is Scope has at least as many holding elements that three or four substrates are arranged or at least can be arranged one behind the other around its circumference, each held by a force fit and/or by a form fit. As a rule, each substrate to be held on the circumference of the printing cylinder 22 is assigned at least one holding means or holding element, with those holding elements which are assigned to different substrates being operable independently of one another, ie separately from one another. Holding elements designed as grippers are arranged in particular in a channel that is open on the outer surface of the pressure cylinder 22 in question, with the respective channel extending axially on the outer surface of the pressure cylinder 22 in question. That means at z. B. four substrates that can be arranged along the circumference of the printing cylinder 22 in question, that the printing cylinder 22 in question has four channels, with at least one holding element being arranged in each channel. In a channel z. B. at least two holding elements can also be arranged, one of these holding elements holding a rear edge in transport direction T of the substrates of a first of these substrates and another of these holding elements holding a front edge in transport direction T of the substrates of one of the first substrates on the circumference of the printing cylinder in question 22 immediately following second substrate holds. A plurality of inkjet printing devices are preferably arranged one after the other along part of the circumference of the first printing cylinder 22, with a radial distance between an ink outlet opening of the relevant inkjet printing device and an upper side of the substrate held on the lateral surface of the relevant rotating printing cylinder 22 when it passes the relevant inkjet printing device preferably being only a few millimeters , In particular, is only about 1 mm. In the preferred embodiment, the first non-impact printing device 06 is followed by a substrate guide unit 24 designed purely as a transport module without any further substrate processing unit 26. This transport module is also arranged in its own frame. This substrate guide unit 24 allows the formation of a sufficiently wide transverse gallery in this machine arrangement, which in turn z. e.g. for maintenance and/or repair work, accessibility to the first non-impact printing device 06 is improved. In another Alternatively or additionally, a substrate guide unit 24 embodied purely as a transport module without a further substrate processing unit 26 is arranged upstream of the first non-impact printing unit 06. By arranging the z. B. two double-sized transport cylinders or transfer drums having transport module in the machine arrangement, it is achieved that a horizontal distance a between the lateral surface of the pressure cylinder 22 and the double-sized processing cylinder of the next processing station in the transport direction T of the substrates corresponds to at least twice the diameter d of this processing cylinder ( 3 ). A second dryer 09, which dries the printed front side of the substrate, is arranged downstream of the substrate guide unit 24. The second dryer 09 follows z. B. a turning device 23, which makes it possible that the back of the substrates can also be printed in the process. As described above for straight printing, ie for printing the front side, the substrates coming from the turning device 23 are first fed to a second primer application device 02, which treats the back side of the substrates, and then to a third dryer 07. This is followed by a second non-impact printing device 37, which prints on the reverse side of the substrates and has a second printing cylinder 38, with this second printing cylinder 38 in turn being preferably triple or quadruple in size, which means that this second printing cylinder 38 has as many holding means or Holding elements has that three or four substrates are arranged or at least can be arranged one behind the other on its circumference, each held by a force fit and/or by a form fit. Along part of the circumference of the second pressure cylinder 38, ie at its periphery, preferably several, e.g. B. arranged at least four or in particular seven inkjet printing devices, these inkjet printing devices z. B. the inks cyan, magenta, yellow and / or black and z. B. print at least one of the special colors orange and/or green and/or violet. The turning device 23 is therefore arranged in the transport direction T of the substrates between the first non-impact printing unit 06 and the second non-impact printing unit 37. Also after and/or before the second non-impact printing device 37, for the same reason as explained above, a substrate guide unit 24 is preferably arranged in each case without a further substrate processing unit 26. A fourth dryer 09 follows for drying the printed reverse side of the substrates. In the preferred embodiment, a painting device 08 is then provided. The painted substrates are then dried in another dryer 09, with this dryer 09 e.g. B. is arranged in the transport path of a transport device designed as a chain conveyor 21, with this transport device transporting the substrates to a display 12, in particular to a multi-stack display, and laying them out there. In the in the 9 In the machine arrangement shown as an example, the respective substrate guide units 24 each having a transport cylinder arrangement are preferably double-sized apart from the two pressure cylinders 22, so that on the circumference of the respective transport cylinders 39 or transfer drums 43; 44 two substrates are arranged one behind the other or at least can be arranged. The Dryers 07; 09 are e.g. B. designed as a UV dryer or as an IR dryer or as a microwave dryer, optionally in combination with a hot air dryer. The UV dryer and / or IR dryer are z. B. each formed as an LED dryer. A microwave dryer works with microwaves with a frequency in the range of z. B. 2 to 300 GHz, preferably 2.45 to 22.35 GHz. Provision can also be made for at least two of the named drying processes to be used in each case in combination in a dryer.

In the turning device 23, turning generally takes place according to the principle of rear edge turning. The turning device 23 can be designed, for example, as a three-drum turn or as a one-drum turn. Three substrate guide cylinders are arranged in the three-drum turner. In the transport direction T of the substrates, for example, a single-sized or double-sized transfer drum, a preferably double-sized storage drum and a preferably single-sized turning drum are arranged. A single-sized cylinder can while recording a substrate of maximum format on the circumference. For example, a single-sized cylinder has B. in an offset printing unit based on the diameter of a z. B. designed as a plate cylinder forme cylinder has the same diameter, whereas a double-sized cylinder has a double-sized diameter.

The turning drum is in particular equipped with a turning gripper system and the storage drum is then equipped with at least one substrate holding system for each substrate-carrying lateral surface. The substrate holding systems are preferably designed as a gripper system for the front edge of the substrate in the transport direction T. Fixing elements are preferably also provided for the rear area of a substrate, which are preferably each designed as a suction system. The suction systems are preferably connected to adjustable rear casing segments and can be adjusted in the circumferential direction relative to the gripper systems on the front casing segments, so that substrates of the maximum to minimum format can be printed in recto printing mode and/or in recto and verso printing mode in the front and rear area on the Storage drum can be held. Substrate guide elements for guiding the substrates can be arranged below the storage drum and/or turning drum. In a further development, the turning device 23 is assigned a guide blade for guiding the substrate between the storage drum and the turning drum.

10 shows an example of a machine arrangement for the one-sided processing of substrates, in particular for their one-sided printing. The substrates are coming from a feeder 01 by means of a swing gripper 13 z. B. handed single-sized transfer drum 14 and from there via a z. B. only a single transport cylinder 39 or only a single transfer drum 43; 44 to a non-impact printing unit 06 with a triple or quadruple printing cylinder 22, which prints on the front side of the substrate. In order to support the substrates on the lateral surface of the To improve printing cylinder 22, i.e. to help hold down the substrate lying on the lateral surface of printing cylinder 22, in the direction of rotation of printing cylinder 22 upstream of the at least one non-impact printing device 06 arranged on its circumference, e.g. B. a blown air device 27 and / or a pressing element 28 z. B. provided in the form of a smoothing roller or pressing roller, wherein the air blast device 27 and / or the pressing element 28 each extend orthogonally to the transport direction T of the substrates, preferably over their entire width. It follows e.g. B. a substrate guide unit 24 with at least two transport cylinders 39 or transfer drums 43; 44 having transport cylinder assembly. This is followed by a dryer 07 and a painting unit 08. The painted substrates are then dried in another dryer 09, with this dryer 09 e.g. B. is again arranged in the transport path of a transport device designed as a chain conveyor 21, with this transport device transporting the substrates to a display 12 and laying them out there. The substrate guide units 24 have, with the exception of the pressure cylinder 22 z. B. double-sized transport cylinders 39 or transfer drums 43; 44 on. The substrate guide unit 24, which is preferably arranged downstream or also upstream of the non-impact printing unit 06, has at least two transport cylinders 39 or transfer drums 43; 44 having transport cylinder arrangement extends in the transport direction T of the substrates over a length that is at least one and a half times the diameter of the relevant transport cylinder 39 or the relevant transfer drum 43; 44 corresponds.

The Figures 11 to 13 each show an example of a machine arrangement for the one-sided processing of substrates, in particular for their one-sided printing, with e.g. B. a primer application device 02 and a dryer 07 are provided. A non-impact printing device 06, a substrate guide unit 24, a further dryer 07, a coating device 08 and a z. B. in the transport as a a chain conveyor 21 designed transport device arranged dryer 09, wherein this transport device transports the substrates to a delivery 12 and laid out there.

In the machine arrangement 11 is the pressure cylinder 22 z. B. formed quadruple. The quadruple-sized impression cylinder 22 takes over the substrates to be printed from an immediately upstream transfer drum 43, which in the example shown is triple-sized. In the machine arrangement 12 the printing cylinder 22 is also fourfold, but the fourfold large printing cylinder 22 transfers the printed substrates to a triple-sized transfer drum 44 immediately downstream of this printing cylinder 22. 12 12 shows the quadruple-sized impression cylinder 22 with a double-sized transfer drum 43 arranged immediately upstream of this impression cylinder 22. Thus, a multi-sized transfer drum 43 can be arranged immediately upstream of the impression cylinder 22 and a multi-sized transfer drum 44 can be arranged immediately downstream. The lateral surface of the impression cylinder 22 and the lateral surface, in particular, of the transfer drum 43 immediately upstream of this impression cylinder 22 are z. B. set or at least set against each other in such a way that a gap 32 guiding the respective substrate is formed between them, the respective width of this gap 32 preferably being adjusted depending on the respective substrate, in particular its material thickness, i.e. its thickness or grammage, wherein the grammage of the substrate z. in a range between 7 g/m ² and 600 g/m ² . The preferably infinitely variable adjustable width of the gap 32 is z. B. in the range of 0 to 3 mm, in particular 0.1 mm to 1 mm.

In the machine arrangement 13 the pressure cylinder 22 and the transfer drum 43 arranged immediately upstream of this pressure cylinder 22 are each designed in three sizes. The machine arrangements Figures 11 to 13 differ in each case by the format of the pressure cylinder 22 and this pressure cylinder 22 directly upstream or downstream false drum 43; 44. A quadruple-sized impression cylinder 22, as in FIG 12 shown as an example, has a diameter z. B. of about 1,200 mm. a z. B. with this pressure cylinder 22 cooperating double-sized trained transfer drum 43 has a diameter z. B. of about 600 mm. The respective format of printing cylinder 22 and this printing cylinder 22 immediately upstream or downstream transfer drum 43; 44 is determined by the number of fields 51; 52; 53; 54 for arranging in each case at least one substrate and/or the number of in particular in connection with these fields 51; 52; 53; 54 arranged holding elements determined, wherein the holding elements hold the respective substrates in each case by a force fit and/or by a form fit on the circumference of the printing cylinder 22 in question or the transfer drum 43 in question; hold 44 On the circumference of the printing cylinder 22 in question, at a radial distance of preferably only a few millimeters, in particular only about 1 mm, between an ink outlet opening of the inkjet printing device in question and the upper side of the substrate held on the lateral surface of the rotating printing cylinder 22 in question as it passes through the inkjet printing device in question, there are several Inkjet printing facilities and additionally z. B. each have a blown air device 27 and / or a pressing element 28 z. B. arranged in the form of a smoothing roller, wherein the air blast device 27 and / or the pressing element 28 each extend orthogonally to the transport direction T of the substrates, preferably over their entire width. The smoothing roll has z. B. its own rotary drive, z. B. a preferably electric motor that can be controlled or regulated by a control unit, with which a slight slip, ie a speed difference for the rotation of the pressure cylinder 22 in question, is set or at least adjustable. The slip serves to tighten the respective substrate transferred to the printing cylinder 22 .

The in the Figures 2 to 13 illustrated machine arrangements are particularly advantageous i. V. m. UV-curing printing inks e.g. B. used in packaging printing for food or cosmetics or at least usable.

14 is a detailed view of a z. B. quadruple-sized pressure cylinder 22; 38 and one of these pressure cylinders 22; 38 directly upstream of the double-sized transfer drum 43, also referred to as the feed drum or feed cylinder, with this transfer drum 43 having a plurality of, in particular two, e.g. B. eccentrically adjustable cylinder surfaces 29 has. The transfer drum 43 is in turn z in the transport direction T of the substrates. B. at least one z. B. double-sized or triple-sized transfer cylinder 39 is arranged upstream, with a preferably set or at least adjustable gap between the transfer drum 43 and the transfer cylinder 39 arranged immediately upstream of this transfer drum 43, in particular depending on the material thickness of the substrates. Likewise, the pressure cylinder 22; 38 another, in the 14 z. B. double-sized or triple-sized transfer cylinder 39 or a double-sized or triple-sized transfer drum 44 may be arranged immediately downstream. A quadruple-sized impression cylinder 22; 38 has four fields 51; 52; 53; 54, in each of which a substrate is attached to the outer surface of the printing cylinder 22 in question; 38 can be held. Adjacent consecutive fields 51; 52; 53; 54 are each z. B. separated by a channel 62 or by a cylinder pit 62 from each other. The preferably compressible and / or elastic cylinder surfaces 29 of the transfer drum 43 or the complete transfer drum 43 as a whole are z. B. each in a z. B. designed as an eccentric eccentric bearing 31 and thus eccentrically adjustable, in particular remotely adjustable by a control unit. The lateral surface of the pressure cylinder 22; 38 and the transfer drum 43 are z. B. so employed against each other or at least employable that between them of the respective substrate leading gap 32 is formed, the respective width of this gap 32 preferably depending on the material thickness, ie the Thickness or grammage of the respective substrate is set. With the eccentric adjustment of the cylinder surfaces 29 of the transfer drum 43 or the complete transfer drum 43 as a whole, both the gap 32 between the outer surface of the printing cylinder 22; 38 and the lateral surface of the transfer drum 43 as well as the gap between this transfer drum 43 and the transfer cylinder 39 arranged directly upstream of it are set or at least adjustable in particular as a function of the printing material.

A quadruple-sized impression cylinder 22; 38 has a diameter z. B. of about 1,200 mm. A double-sized transfer drum 43 has a diameter z. B. of about 600 mm. Below one of the pressure cylinder 22; 38 upstream or downstream transfer drum 43; 44 there is preferably at least one comb suction device 33 with a guide plate 42 ( 19 ), whereby from the relevant transfer drum 43; 44 transported substrates are transported grazing along this guide plate 42 of the comb suction device 33 . The comb suction device 33 is a transported substrates supporting auxiliary device, in which instead of a substantially closed support for the support of the substrates to be transported, a guide plate 42 is provided, the guide plate 42 - as from the 19 evident - several in particular in an area below the relevant transfer drum 43; 44 field-like arranged suction openings 47 and in its preferably two opposite one another in the circumferential direction of the relevant transfer drum 43; 44 extending edge regions has several to the transport direction T of the substrates to be transported arranged parallel teeth 36, these teeth 36 are formed as a long and pointed extensions of the guide plate 42 having toothing. In addition, the comb suction device 33 has at least one suction device 34 with which substrates to be supported on the guide plate 42 are sucked in the direction of this guide plate 42 by suction air flowing through the suction openings 47 generated by the suction device 34 . If the pressure cylinder 22; 38 in each of its cylinder pits 62 each designed as a gripper holding elements for holding with the pressure cylinder 22 in question; Has 38 to be transported substrates, the z. B. formed in the form of a smoothing roller pressing element 28 either spaced, ie forming a z. B. on the thickness of the substrate adjustable gap to the lateral surface of this pressure cylinder 22; 38 is arranged or the pressing element 28 is under pressure against the lateral surface of this pressure cylinder 22; 38 employed, but has undercuts for a looper passage. Also the z. B. compressible and / or elastic cylinder surfaces 29 of the pressure cylinder 22; 38 directly upstream transfer drum 43 preferably have such undercuts for the passage of the on the lateral surface of the printing cylinder 22; 38 arranged gripper. As an alternative to the respective undercut, the grippers in question can be positioned in their respective cylinder pit 62 under the lateral surface of the printing cylinder 22 in question; 38 are lowered. 14 shows the pressure cylinder 22; 38 with grippers respectively for the leading and the trailing end of each on the lateral surface of this printing cylinder 22; 38 to be held substrate, some grippers in their open, radially over the lateral surface of this pressure cylinder 22; 38 outstanding operating position, others in their closed, in particular flush with the lateral surface of this pressure cylinder 22; 38 final operating position are shown. The pressing element 28 requires the undercuts in order to avoid a collision with grippers that are in their respective open operating position.

The Figures 15 to 18 show an example of a design of the processing cylinder, in particular the pressure cylinder 22; 38 each as a suction cylinder, in particular as a flat suction cylinder. 15 shows the suction cylinder in a sectional view. The pressure cylinder 22 designed as a suction cylinder in this example; 38 is preferably four times the size, which means that it has four fields 51; 52; 53; 54 has, in each of which a substrate to be printed z. B. is held by suction or at least can be held. For this purpose end in a suction cylinder in each of its fields 51; 52; 53; 54 several each extending from its interior to its lateral surface Channels 56 in which, compared to the ambient air pressure, a negative pressure is generated or at least can be generated by a suction device. These channels 56 - also called suction bores - form on the lateral surface of the suction cylinder in the respective field 51; 52; 53; 54 a suction well field. In each field of suction bores, a substrate lying on the outer surface of the suction cylinder is sucked in over a large area and thereby held. The size of the respective suction bore area is z. B. depending on the format of the substrate to be held or at least adjustable.

16 shows a perspective enlarged detail of the suction cylinder 15 , where the z. B. matrix-like arrangement of the channels 56 ending on the lateral surface, ie the respective suction bore field is indicated. At least or only at the leading end of each field 51 in the direction of rotation of the suction cylinder; 52; 53; 54 is a toothing 57 is provided, in particular in connection with the respective teeth of the toothing 57 each z. B. as a suction cup 58 designed holding means is provided, wherein each designed as a suction cup 58 holding means are preferably arranged in the area of the teeth of the toothing 57 and not in the area of the tooth gaps of this toothing 57 . The provided in the teeth of the teeth 57 sucker 58 are z. B. arranged in a single extending in the axial direction of the suction cylinder row. The suckers 58 of the suction cylinder are z. B. shortly before a tangent point formed with a feed drum of this suction cylinder is subjected to suction air. In another embodiment of the suction cylinder, at the leading end of each field 51; 52; 53; 54 provided instead of the local sucker 58 or in addition to these suckers 58 each gripper. A gripper closure formed by one of these grippers of the suction cylinder takes place, for. B. at the tangent point of this suction cylinder with the smoothing roll, ie the gripper closure is performed at this time or in this angular position of the suction cylinder. The direction of rotation of the suction cylinder is indicated by a directional arrow.

17 shows a variant in the design of the outer surface of the suction cylinder in a perspective enlarged detail of the suction cylinder. Instead of in the 16 The lateral surface shown with openings for channels 56 directed into the interior of the suction cylinder are here in particular in the fields 51; 52; 53; 54 webs 59 extending in the circumferential direction are formed, on which a sucked substrate can rest, such a substrate being held on the lateral surface of the suction cylinder by suction air acting between adjacent webs 59 . The suction cylinder can be designed in such a way that an end of each field 51; 52; 53; 54 can be adapted in variable format to a length of the substrate to be held on the lateral surface of the suction cylinder. This length-related adaptability of the respective length of each field 51; 52; 53; 54 each in the circumferential direction of the suction cylinder is in the 16 and 17 each indicated by a double arrow. In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the suction cylinder, at the end of each field 51; 52; 53; 54 each have grippers and/or suckers 58, whereas at the trailing end of each field 51; 52; 53; 54 are arranged respective suction cups 58, with respect to the suction cylinder a rotary angular position of the trailing end of a first field 51; 52; 53; 54 relative to the leading end of the relevant first panel 51; 52; 53; 54 in the direction of rotation of this suction cylinder directly following second field 51; 52; 53; 54 depending on the format of the first field 51; 52; 53; 54 to be held substrate preferably also during an ongoing rotation of this suction cylinder z. B. by a mechanical adjustment of parts of the lateral surface of the suction cylinder is variably adjusted or at least adjustable. Provision can also be made for the suction cylinder to be flat in the area of its minimum format ( 16 ) and has bars 59 in its format-variable area ( 17 ).

18 shows a pressure cylinder 22 designed as a suction cylinder; 38 in cooperation with a transfer drum 43 designed as a feed cylinder, this feed cylinder 43 being immediately upstream of the suction cylinder. The feed cylinder 43 is preferably double-sized so that it can accommodate two substrates one behind the other on its circumference. In another variant, the feed cylinder 43 is three times as large, so that it can accommodate three substrates one behind the other on its circumference. In a preferred embodiment, the ratio of the diameter of the pressure cylinder 22; 38 to the diameter of this pressure cylinder 22; 38 directly upstream feed cylinder 43 is not exactly an integer, but the diameter of the feed cylinder 43 is in the range between 0.1% and 3% smaller than an integer divisor of the diameter of the pressure cylinder 22; 38. For example, the pressure cylinder 22; 38 has a diameter of 1,200 mm and the feed cylinder 43 has a diameter of only 598 mm instead of 600 mm, ie the diameter of the double-sized feed cylinder 43 is smaller than the integer divisor of two in relation to the quadruple-sized impression cylinder 22; 38 with a diameter of 1,200 mm. The feed cylinder 43 has at its periphery, ie on its lateral surface z. B. an elastic elevator, with which he on the lateral surface of the pressure cylinder designed in particular as a suction cylinder 22; 38 rolls, ie employed in a rolling manner or at least can be employed. In an advantageous embodiment, the transfer drum 43 compared to their z. B. double-sized education slightly smaller diameter, so that the occupied with a lift transfer drum 43 on the lateral surface of the pressure cylinder 22; 38 no pressure generated. The feed cylinder 43 holds the substrates z. B. in each case by means of grippers 61. If the suction cylinder is not designed without channels, it also has z. B. in each axially extending on the lateral surface open channels 62 or cylinder pits 62 each have at least one gripper, so-called safety grippers, which are able to hold a substrate if the suction air is disturbed or fails. Both grippers for holding the leading end of the respective substrate and grippers for holding the trailing end of the respective substrate can be provided on the suction cylinder. This gripper of the suction cylinder grab z. B. in the tooth gaps of the toothing 57 formed on the suction cylinder. 18 shows that angular position of the suction cylinder and Feed cylinder 43, in which a substrate can be transferred from the feed cylinder 43 to the suction cylinder. The respective cylinder pits 62 and grippers of the feed cylinder 43 and suction cylinder are synchronized with one another in their respective angular position and operating position for a transfer of a substrate from the feed cylinder 43 to the suction cylinder. The loading of the suction cylinder, ie of its suction cups 58 and/or suction bore fields, each with suction air is z. B. switched depending on a rotational angle position of the suction cylinder or at least switchable. The transfer of a substrate from the feed cylinder 43 to the suction cylinder is thus possible solely by activating the suckers 58, but also in connection with the grippers, both those of the feed cylinder 43 and those of the suction cylinder. In a further embodiment variant, it is provided that the feed cylinder 43 or the transfer drum is also designed as a storage drum or as a suction drum, which has comparable features to those previously associated with the pressure cylinder 22; 38, so that each substrate is already stretched from this storage drum or suction drum to the processing cylinder, in particular the pressure cylinder 22; 38 is handed over. Each substrate then reaches its stretched position before it reaches the pressure cylinder 22; 38 is transferred, the stretched position designating that state of the substrate in which its rear edge is fixed with a precise fit in relation to its front edge. Alternatively, the stretched position of the substrate is only produced when the substrate in question is on the lateral surface of the printing cylinder 22; 38 is arranged. The latter design requires reliable, repeatable guidance of the substrate from the feed cylinder 43 to the pressure cylinder 22; 38 ahead, whereas the first embodiment means a gain in time and greater operational reliability, since the substrate is already brought into its stretched position on the feed cylinder 43.

It can be provided that inside one with a pressure cylinder 22; 38 interacting feed cylinder 43 a dryer 07; 09 is arranged, with which transported from the feed cylinder 43, z. B. previously primed substrates are dried.

Such a dryer 07; 09 dries a substrate e.g. B. by irradiation with infrared or UV radiation and / or by hot air.

The non-impact printing devices 06; 37 are each designed as inkjet printing devices in the preferred embodiment of the respective machine arrangement. Such inkjet printing devices each have at least one nozzle bar. At least one nozzle bar preferably extends orthogonally to the intended transport path of the printing material or substrate over a working width of the printing press. The at least one nozzle bar preferably has at least one row of nozzles. Viewed in a transverse direction, the at least one row of nozzles preferably extends over the entire working width of the printing press and/or the width of the barrel of the at least one first central cylinder, i. H. pressure cylinder 22; 38 at regular intervals, for example, nozzle openings, i. H. ink exit openings. The nozzles are preferably distributed over several print heads. A surface of the respective print head surrounding the nozzle openings is preferably called the nozzle surface.

Each nozzle bar preferably has at least one supporting body. The print heads of this nozzle bar are fastened directly or preferably indirectly to the supporting body, for example via positioning devices and/or in particular connecting elements designed as an alignment device. The nozzle bar itself is preferably arranged to be movable relative to a frame of the printing assembly, ie the relevant processing station 06, and/or relative to a rotational axis of a central cylinder of the printing assembly via at least one adjusting device. In a first embodiment, an adjustment path of the adjustment device points exclusively in an adjustment direction which has at least one component in a direction radial to the axis of rotation of the central cylinder and which is more preferably oriented exclusively radial to the axis of rotation of the central cylinder. In a second embodiment of the adjusting device, the adjustment path of the adjusting device has over at least 75%, more preferably at least 90% of its entire length in an adjusting direction, which has at least one component in has a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the central cylinder and which is more preferably oriented exclusively parallel to the axis of rotation of the central cylinder. A small part of the adjustment path then preferably points in a radial direction, in order to avoid damage to the print heads.

The adjusting movement by means of the adjusting device serves, for example, to make print heads accessible for maintenance work and/or cleaning work and/or an individual or group replacement of one or more print heads. In particular, temporary access for a cleaning device to the respective print heads can be created by the adjusting movement by means of the adjusting device.

Several print heads are preferably arranged next to one another in the transverse direction on the at least one nozzle bar, the nozzle surfaces of which have the shape of a rectangle, for example, but more preferably the shape of a trapezium and/or a parallelogram. Since usually such individual printheads are not provided with nozzles up to an edge of their housing, printheads have to be arranged in an overlapping manner with respect to the transverse direction. The at least one row of nozzles is preferably not designed as a single linear row of nozzles, but results from the sum of several individual, more preferably two, rows of nozzles arranged offset from one another in the circumferential direction. Different embodiments are possible for this.

In a first embodiment, for example, at least two and more preferably exactly two rows of print heads extending in the transverse direction are offset from one another in the circumferential direction of the first central cylinder, preferably in such a way that print heads that follow one another in the transverse direction preferably belong alternately to one of the at least two rows of print heads, preferably always alternating a first and a second of two rows of printheads. Two such rows of printheads form a double row of printheads.

In a second embodiment, the print heads have housing shapes that are adapted to one another. For example, a respective nozzle surface of each print head and/or at least one respective surface of the print head delimiting the print head in its ejection direction has a shape deviating from a rectangle, in particular the shape of a preferably symmetrical trapezium and/or a parallelogram. As a result, the nozzle surfaces of adjacent print heads can overlap in relation to the transverse direction and the print heads can nevertheless be arranged directly next to one another in relation to the transverse direction, in particular without being offset from one another in a transport direction T. Such a row of printheads is called, for example, an obliquely overlapping row of printheads.

In particular, at least during printing operation, there are several rows of print heads in the circumferential direction with respect to the at least one first central cylinder, for example at least four double rows and more preferably at least seven double rows of print heads or preferably at least four rows of obliquely overlapping print heads and more preferably at least seven rows of obliquely overlapping print heads one after the other arranged aligned with the at least one first central cylinder.

Each double row of print heads or obliquely overlapping row of print heads is preferably assigned and/or can be assigned a coating agent, in particular a printing ink of a specific color, for example one of the colors black, cyan, yellow and magenta or orange, green, violet or a varnish, for example a clear coat. For example, two double rows of print heads or two obliquely overlapping rows of print heads are assigned to one coating agent. The at least one print head preferably works according to the drop-on-demand method in order to generate drops of coating agent, in which drops of coating agent are generated in a targeted manner as required.

In a regular printing operation, all the print heads are stationary. This ensures that all nozzles are aligned correctly and/or correctly in register over the long term. There are different situations in which, apart from the movement by means of the adjusting device, a defined alignment movement of the print heads is necessary. The respective alignment movement of the print heads preferably takes place by means of at least one positioning device.

At least one positioning device is preferably provided, by means of which at least one print head can be adjusted in its position, in particular in its position relative to other print heads of the printing unit and/or to other print heads that belong to the same nozzle bar and/or in its position with respect to the transverse direction and/or in its location with respect to a pivot axis oriented parallel to its nozzle ejection direction. Several positioning devices are preferably arranged. For example, each print head is assigned its own positioning device. Preferably, however, at least one such positioning device is assigned to several print heads jointly, in particular in such a way that the position of several print heads can be adjusted jointly by means of the joint positioning device assigned to them, in particular in their position relative to the common nozzle bar and/or relative to other print heads that are connected to are arranged in this common nozzle bar and/or in their position with respect to the transverse direction and/or in their position with respect to a pivot axis which is oriented parallel to their nozzle ejection direction.

For example, the at least one positioning device has at least one base body. The at least one print head is preferably arranged on the at least one base body. More preferably, several, in particular at least three and preferably at least four print heads are arranged on the at least one base body. The base body is preferably designed in one piece.

The respective print head on the one hand is connected to the base body on the other hand, for example via at least one connecting element. The at least one connecting element is designed as an alignment device, for example. The respective print head can preferably be aligned individually to the base body by means of the alignment device, in particular manually and/or in its position in relation to the transverse direction and/or in its position in relation to a pivot axis which is oriented parallel to its nozzle ejection direction. In this way, preferably several, in particular at least three and more preferably at least four print heads can be aligned relative to the base body and thus also to one another.

These several, in particular at least three and more preferably at least four print heads and the base body are preferably part of a first assembly. The print heads of the first assembly are, for example, aligned outside of the printing unit relative to the base body and thus also to one another. As a result, they can be aligned with an appropriate tool and/or with the aid of a camera that detects the relative position and/or with particularly good accessibility to the base body and thus also to one another. As a result, a particularly precisely aligned respective first assembly is produced.

The respective nozzle bar is preferably arranged to support several such first assemblies. These several first subassemblies can preferably be adjusted in their respective position relative to the supporting body of this nozzle bar by means of their own positioning devices. Accordingly, several positioning devices are preferably arranged on a supporting body. A plurality of first assemblies are preferably arranged on a support body at least indirectly via the positioning devices, and their position relative to the support body can be adjusted in particular by means of the plurality of positioning devices. For example, the print heads of two obliquely overlapping rows are on a supporting body, at least indirectly via the positioning devices arranged by printheads.

By moving the support body, all of the print heads attached directly or indirectly to it can then be moved, in particular without changing their relative orientation to one another.

In order to determine which print head or which group of print heads has to be moved to what extent and in which direction in order to produce an optimal print result, at least one test print image is preferably printed and examined. Settings for positioning devices are determined from the result, which are then set manually and/or by means of respective positioning drives. The settings of the individual alignment devices are preferably determined and/or set manually, but can alternatively also be determined using at least one test print image.

At least one sensor designed as a first printed image sensor is preferably arranged, in particular at a point along the transport path of the printing material after the first printing unit. The at least one first printed image sensor is designed, for example, as a first line scan camera or as a first area scan camera. The at least one first printed image sensor is designed, for example, as at least one CCD sensor and/or as at least one CMOS sensor. By means of this at least one first print image sensor and a corresponding evaluation unit, for example the higher-level machine controller, all print heads that are and/or act one behind the other in the circumferential direction of the at least one first central cylinder and/or double rows of print heads and/or obliquely overlapping rows of print heads of the first printing unit monitored and / or regulated. In a first embodiment of the at least one print image sensor, only a first print image sensor is arranged, the sensor field of which covers the entire width of the transport path of the printing material. In a second embodiment of the at least one Printed image sensor is only a first printed image sensor arranged, which is designed to be movable in the transverse direction. In a third embodiment of the at least one print image sensor, a plurality of print image sensors are arranged, the respective sensor fields of which each include different areas of the transport path of the printing material with respect to the transverse direction.

A position of pixels formed by drops of coating agent originating from a respective first print head is preferably compared with a position of pixels formed by drops of coating agent originating from a respective second, in the circumferential direction of the at least one first central cylinder and/or originate in the intended transport direction T of the printing material after the respective first print head and/or horizontal print head arranged in the transverse direction to the print head. This is preferably done independently of whether these respective first and second print heads, which are located and/or act one behind the other in the circumferential direction of the at least one first central cylinder, process the same or a different coating agent. Coordination of the positions of the print images originating from different print heads is preferably monitored. If the coating materials are the same, a register-accurate joining of partial images is monitored. A register or color register is monitored for different coating materials. A quality control of the printed image is preferably also carried out using the measured values of the at least one printed image sensor.

At least one setting sensor is preferably arranged. More preferably, at least two setting sensors are arranged. The at least one setting sensor and in particular the at least two setting sensors are used to record data on relative settings of a plurality of, for example at least four, print heads or groups of print heads in relation to one another. The at least one setting sensor or the at least two setting sensors are preferably optical sensors. Such relative settings are, for example, relative geometric ones Positioning of the printheads or groups of printheads and/or relative activation times, in particular droplet ejection times of the printheads and/or groups of printheads. The relative settings are additionally or alternatively, for example, relative settings that relate to at least one color density and/or at least one area coverage and/or at least one point size of generated pixels. In the following, the relative settings are related to geometric positioning and/or control times, in particular drop ejection times. However, the devices and/or processes described also relate to the other relative settings mentioned, insofar as no contradictions arise therefrom.

The at least one setting sensor and in particular the at least two setting sensors are preferably designed at least as position sensors. The at least two setting sensors, in particular position sensors, are designed, for example, as cameras and/or as CCD sensors and/or as a CMOS sensor. The at least two setting sensors, in particular position sensors, are preferably used to directly or indirectly detect a relative position and/or activation of at least two print heads and/or groups of print heads in relation to one another. For preferred indirect detection, the at least one setting sensor and in particular the at least two setting sensors are preferably alignable and/or aligned with the printing material and/or aligned and/or alignable with the transport path provided for the transport of printing material and/or on at least one Transmission body aligned and / or arranged alignable.

Preference is given, at least at times, to a respective position of the target area of at least one newly and/or rearranged print head relative to a position of the target area of at least one previously arranged print head and/or at least one newly and/or rearranged group of print heads relative to a position of the Target area at least one previously arranged groups of print heads can be detected. This is preferably done based on a comparison of relative positions of pixels generated by the respective print heads on the printing material using a common setting sensor, in particular a position sensor. These relative positions of the pixels are preferably evaluated by means of an evaluation unit, for example the higher-level machine control.

For example, the already described at least one first printed image sensor is used as at least one setting sensor. However, setting sensors other than the at least one first printed image sensor already described are preferably used, for example setting sensors specialized for this task.

After installation and/or maintenance and/or replacement and/or cleaning of at least one print head and/or at least one group of print heads, a test print is preferably carried out to create at least one test print image, in which the print head to be newly and/or repositioned and/or the new and/or rearranged group of print heads on the one hand and at least one print head serving as a reference or guide print head on the other hand transfer drops of printing ink or ink drops to the printing material or the substrate. The at least one test print image is preferably recorded automatically by means of at least one setting sensor, for example the first print image sensor. If the at least one test print image documents and records a deviation in the actual position of the at least one newly and/or rearranged print head or the corresponding group of print heads from a target position, the position of this print head or this group of print heads is preferably automatically adjusted in the transverse direction and/or with respect to a pivoted position by means of the corresponding positioning device and/or an adjustment of the control of the nozzles of this print head with respect to a control time, in particular a droplet ejection time.

Reference List

01

processing station; investors; sheet feeder; magazine feeder

02

processing station; primer application device

03

processing station; cold foil applicator

04

processing station; offset printing device; Flexo printing device

05

-

06

processing station; Non-impact printing device

07

processing station; intermediate dryer; dryer

08

processing station; painting facility

09

processing station; dryer

10

-

11

processing station; mechanical processing equipment

12

processing station; display

13

swing gripper

14

transfer drum

15

-

16

gripper system; chain conveyor

17

-

18

-

19

-

20

-

21

chain conveyor

22

pressure cylinder

23

turning device

24

substrate guide unit; base module

25

-

26

substrate processing unit; superstructure module

27

air blast device

28

pressing element

29

cylinder surface

30

-

31

eccentric bearing

32

gap

33

comb sucker

34

suction device

35

-

36

tines

37

processing station; Non-impact printing facility

38

pressure cylinder

39

transport cylinder

40

-

41

suction head

42

baffle

43

transfer drum; feeding cylinder

44

false drum

45

-

46

processing plant

47

suction port

48

-

49

-

50

-

51

Field

52

Field

53

Field

54

Field

55

-

56

channel

57

Perforation

58

Mammal

59

web

60

-

61

gripper

62

Channel; cylinder pit

63 to 81

-

82

printing unit cylinder

83

application roller; anilox roller

84

squeegee; chamber doctor blade system

85

-

86

printing unit

87

printing unit

88

printing unit

a

Distance

i.e

diameter

T

transport direction

α1

angle

α2

angle

Claims (13)

1. A machine arrangement for sequential processing of sheet-type substrates, having multiple different processing stations (01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12), wherein several processing stations (01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12) each have a substrate guiding unit (24) and a substrate processing unit (26), wherein at least one of the processing stations (01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12) has as a substrate processing unit (26) respectively at least one non-impact printing unit (06; 37) respectively printing the substrates, wherein the relevant processing station having the at least one non-impact printing unit (06; 37) has a printing cylinder (22; 38), wherein the respective non-impact printing unit (06; 37) is respectively arranged on the circumference of the printing cylinder (22; 38), wherein the respective printing cylinder (22; 38) is respectively designed triple-sized or quadruple-sized, which means that the respective printing cylinder (22; 38) in each case has on its circumference at least so many holding elements that three or four substrates are arranged or at least can be arranged one behind the other on its circumference, each being held in force-fitting and/or form-fitting manner, wherein a transfer drum (43) is respectively arranged upstream of the respective printing cylinder (22; 38) and wherein a transfer drum (44) is respectively arranged directly downstream of the respective printing cylinder (22; 38), wherein the respective printing cylinder (22; 38) respectively has several, in particular two or three or four fields (51; 52; 53; 54) one behind the other on its lateral surface in the circumferential direction respectively for holding one substrate respectively, wherein in each of the fields (51; 52; 53; 54) several channels (56) are arranged endend each extending from the interior of the printing cylinder (22; 38) to the lateral surface thereof, wherein in the channels (56) a negative pressure in comparison to the ambient air pressure is generated or at least can be generated by a suction device, wherein at least or only on one end of each field (51; 52; 53; 54) advancing in the direction of rotation of the printing cylinder (22; 38) in each case at least one suction member (58) or a series of suction members (58) extending in the axial direction of the printing cylinder (22; 38) is provided, wherein several channels (56) in each case ending in one of the fields (51; 52; 53; 54) form a suction air passage field on the lateral surface of this printing cylinder (22; 38) in the respective field (51; 52; 53; 54), characterized in that a size of the respective suction air passage field is set or at least can be set depending on the format of the substrate to be held, wherein the respective transfer drum (43) arranged directly upstream of the relevant printing cylinder (22; 38) is respectively designed double-sized or triple-sized and wherein the respective transfer drum (44) arranged directly downstream of the respective printing cylinder (22; 38) is designed double-sized or triple-sized, wherein the respective double-sized or triple-sized designed transfer drum (43; 44) is designed such that it can receive two or three substrates one behind the other on its respective circumference.
2. The machine arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the respective transfer drum (43) arranged directly upstream of the relevant printing cylinder (22; 38) has in each case an elastic cover on its circumference, with which this transfer drum (43) is positioned or at least can be positioned against the lateral surface of the relevant printing cylinder (22; 38).
3. The machine arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the respective transfer drum (43) arranged directly upstream of the relevant printing cylinder (22; 38) has several cylinder areas (29) that are adjustable in the circumferential direction, wherein the cylinder areas (29) of the respective transfer drums (43) arranged directly upstream of the relevant printing cylinder (22; 38) are in each case mounted position variably.
4. The machine arrangement according to claim 1 or 2 or 3, characterized in that the relevant printing cylinder (22; 38) is in each case designed as a suction cylinder, wherein an application of suction air to the relevant printing cylinder (22; 38) is switched or at least can be switched depending on a rotational angle position of this printing cylinder (22; 38).
5. The machine arrangement according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4, characterized in that with reference to the relevant printing cylinder (22; 38) a rotational angle position of the trailing end of a first field (51; 52; 53; 54) relative to the advancing end of a second field (51; 52; 53; 54) directly following the relevant first field (51; 52; 53; 54) in direction of rotation of this printing cylinder (22; 38) is variably adjustable depending on the format of the substrate to be held in the first field (51; 52; 53; 54).
6. The machine arrangement according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5, characterized in that on one end of each field (51; 52; 53; 54) advancing in the direction of rotation of the printing cylinder (22; 38) in each case at least one gripper and at least one suction member (58) are arranged in each case for holding a substrate.
7. The machine arrangement according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6, characterized in that at least or only on one end of each field (51; 52; 53; 54) advancing in the direction of rotation of the printing cylinder (22; 38) in each case a toothing (57) is provided, wherein in the region of the teeth of the toothing (57) in each case one or more suction members (58) are arranged or wherein in the region of the teeth of the toothing (57) a series of suction members (58) is arranged.
8. The machine arrangement according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7, characterized in that a straight line running through the rotation axis of the printing cylinder (22; 38) of the processing station having the relevant substrate processing unit (26) and through the rotation axis of the transfer drum (44) arranged directly downstream forms an acute angle (α1) to a horizontal, and/or that a straight line running through the rotation axis of the printing cylinder (22; 38) of the processing station having the relevant substrate processing unit (26) and the rotation axis of a transfer drum (43) arranged directly upstream forms an acute angle (α2) to a horizontal, wherein the horizontal runs respectively through the rotation axis of the relevant transfer drum (43; 44).
9. The machine arrangement according to claim 8, characterized in that the angle (α1) directed to the transfer drum (44) arranged downstream lies in the region between the single and the double of the angle (α2) directed to the transfer drum (43) arranged upstream or between the 1.3-fold and the 1.7-fold of the angle (α2) directed to the transfer drum (43) arranged upstream or is the 1.5-fold of the angle (α2) directed to the transfer drum (43) arranged upstream and/or that the angle (α2) directed to the transfer drum (43) arranged upstream lies in the region between 15° and 30° or in the region between 20° and 25° or is 22.5°.
10. The machine arrangement according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9, characterized in that the processing stations (01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12) are each designed as a module, wherein each module is a separately manufactured machine unit or functional assembly, wherein each module is arranged in a separate frame, wherein adjacent modules have an essentially vertical joining surface on their joint and/or that the substrate guiding unit (24) and the substrate processing unit (26) have an essentially horizontal joining surface on their joint.
11. The machine arrangement according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 or 10, characterized in that below the transfer drum (44) arranged directly downstream of the printing cylinder (22; 38) and/or below the transfer drum (43) arranged directly upstream of the printing cylinder (22; 38) is arranged in each case a comb suction appliance (33) with a guide plate (42) for supporting the respective substrates to be transported, wherein these substrates are each transported along a strip-like manner on this guide plate (42) of the relevant comb suction appliance (33), wherein the comb suction appliance (33) has at least one suction device (34), with which substrates to be supported on the guide plate (42) are suctioned in the direction of this guide plate (42), and/or wherein the guide plate (42) of the comb suction appliance (33) has a support with several tines (36) in transport direction (T) of the substrates to be transported arranged parallel to one another for supporting the substrates to be transported.
12. The machine arrangement according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 or 10 or 11, characterized in that a blowing air device (27) and/or a pressing element (28) is or are arranged on the circumference of the relevant printing cylinder (22; 38), wherein the blowing air device (27) and/or the pressing element (28) is or are respectively arranged in the direction of rotation of the relevant printing cylinder (22; 38) upstream of the at least one non-impact printing unit (06; 37) arranged on its circumference.
13. The machine arrangement according to claim 12, characterized in that the pressing element (28) is designed as a smoothing roller, wherein the smoothing roller has its own rotary drive, wherein with the rotary drive of the smoothing roller a speed difference for the rotation of the printing cylinder (22; 38) is set or at least can be set.

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