EP3599104A1 - Installation for discharging printed products of various or different thickness and method for transferring it to an outlet - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (100) which is preferably designed as a saddle stitcher. Depending on the format of the printed product, an adjustable stop (160) acts after a stapling station. The timely takeover when the printed product consisting of one or more folded sheets is conveyed out takes place through a delivery (130), which delivery (130) in its inlet area (790) has a device (700) which is oriented towards the takeover of the printed product being conveyed, which device (700) consists essentially of movable means (720, 730; 721, 731) which can be controlled in accordance with the measured thickness (601) of the printed product (200, 600) being discharged. The device (700) itself preferably has the pair in pairs and on both sides of the Inlet area (790) of the delivery (130), each pair consisting of two substantially vertically extending and spaced-apart swivel arms (720, 730; 721, 731). Each pair of the swivel arms is operatively connected to a double-running cam disc (750), the cam disc (750) spreading these swivel arms by a rotating movement and at the same time changing the distance between the infeed rollers (760n, 770n) that are operatively connected to the swivel arms, this depends on the respectively measured thickness (601) of the printed product being fed out.

Description

Technical field

The present invention is based on the fundamental digitization, which is increasingly also affecting the printing industry. With the topic "Industry 4.0" in the printing industry the terms such as "Print 4.0" or "Web to Print" connected, which want to point out production machines, by means of which a run size = 1 can be processed without loss of quality. So that such production machines can meet these requirements, it is necessary that there are communication flows to higher-level systems that continuously provide the necessary control / regulation data. This must be based on the fact that these production machines are designed in such a way that the necessary settings “on-the-fly” must apply to every production cycle.

The present invention therefore relates to a system, preferably in the form of a saddle stitcher, which essentially consists of a transport chain which is roof-shaped in the upper region, along which one or more printed products, preferably in the form of folded sheets, can be transported astride, and preferably as a brochure to be stapled in an intermediate stapling station, according to the preamble of claim 1. This mode of transport can also be used on non-stapled, assembled printed products, which may also be in the form of a combination of folded sheets. These folding sheets are generally transported along the transport chain designed as a collecting chain to a stop point, and these folding sheets are then passed on from there via at least one feed device, also called a “delivery”, to a cutting apparatus in which the folded sheets or. the assembled brochure can be cut to size.

On the one hand, the invention pursues the synchronous transfer of a printed product to the delivery, which is also regulated to the different thicknesses of such a printed product at the same time, so that both the transfer and further transport of the printed product is individually tailored.

definition list

• Falzbogen (Bogen): Ein Falzbogen, Teilprodukt des Druckbogens (beidseitig bedrucktes Papier) bestehend aus mehreren Bogenteilen.
• Broschüre: Druckerzeugnis bestehend aus mindestens einem oder mehreren Falzbogen.
• Heftklammer: Bestehend aus Draht, welcher in einem ersten Schritt diese Form erlangt
  
  , und dass durch die Broschüre gestossen und anschliessend umgebogen wird
  
  .
• Heftkopf: Schneidet und positioniert den Heftdraht und formt den Heftdraht zu einer Heftklammer.
• Heftvorgang: Vorgang bei dem mindestens eine Heftklammer durch die Broschüre gestossen und am anderen Ende geschlossen wird.
• Heftschlitten: Teil der Heftstation, auf welchem die Heftköpfe montiert sind.
• Heftstation: Heftet ein Produkt mittels einer Heftklammer, während der Heftschlitten sich im Gleichlauf mit der Transportkette, befindet.
• Produkt: Besteht aus mindestens einem Falzbogen, der zu einer Broschüre konfektioniert wird.
• Dickenvariabel: Aufnahme von Broschüren und / oder Bogenteile mit unterschiedlichen Dicken.
• Schneidapparat: Schneidsystem, welches über ein Vordermesser und zwei Seitenmesser verfügt und den Schnittprozess bestehend aus Frontschnitt und Kopf-Fussschnitt als Folgeschnitt ausführt.
• Sammelhefter: In einem Sammelhefter werden, meist mehrere Falzbogen auf einer Transportkette gesammelt, in der Heftstation geheftet und im Schneidapparat auf drei Seiten geschnitten.
• Sammelkette: Die Sammelkette besitzt eine Führungseinrichtung, deren oberer Abschnitt schneideförmig ausgebildet ist und deren Gratlinie die Transport- und Heftlinie festlegt, und eine im Wesentlichen dachförmige Auflage, auf der die Bogenteile rittlings transportiert werden.
• Auslage: Maschinenkomponente, welche die Produkte nach der Heftstation, in die Zuführung zum Schneidapparat, transportiert. In der Auslage findet ein Transport-Richtungswechsel um 90° statt, in Abhängigkeit des Standortes des Schneidapparates, nach vorne oder hinten.
• Produkt-Zuführung: Transportband, welches Produkte nach der Auslage in den Schneideapparat überführt. Das Transportband weist mechanische Anschläge auf, welche taktsynchron sich mit dem Schneideapparat bewegen.
• Auswurfphase, auswerfen: Mittels einer Vorrichtung, genannt Auswerfer, wird das Produkt soweit von der Sammelkette angehoben bis es von den Transportbändern in der Auslage erfasst und in derselben weitertransportiert wird.
• On-the-fly: Änderungen z.B. von Einstellungen, Positionen von Vorrichtungen etc. während des Betriebs möglich.
• MIS: In Zusammenhang mit dem Begriff "Industrie 4.0" sind in der Druckindustrie Begriffe wie z.B. "Finishing 4.0", "Print 4.0" oder "Web to Print" bekannt. Grundsätzlich ist die digitale Transformation vom IT-Bereich und Produktionstechnologie gemeint. Um diese Aufgaben zu lösen sind Management-Information-Systeme erforderlich.

Here are the most important terms used in the registration:

• Folded sheet (sheet): A folded sheet, partial product of the printed sheet (paper printed on both sides) consisting of several sheet parts.
• Brochure: Printed product consisting of at least one or more folded sheets.
• Staple: Consisting of wire, which takes on this form in a first step
  
  , and that the brochure is pushed through and then bent over
  
  ,
• Stapling head: cuts and positions the stapling wire and forms the stapling wire into a staple.
• Stapling process : Process in which at least one staple is pushed through the brochure and closed at the other end.
• Stapling carriage: part of the stapling station on which the stapling heads are mounted.
• Stapling station: Staples a product using a staple while the staple carriage is in synchronization with the transport chain.
• Product: Consists of at least one folded sheet, which is assembled into a brochure.
• Thickness variable: inclusion of brochures and / or sheet parts with different thicknesses.
• Cutting device : Cutting system, which has a front knife and two side knives and carries out the cutting process consisting of front cut and head-foot cut as a follow-up cut.
• Saddle stitcher: In a saddle stitcher, usually several folded sheets are collected on a transport chain, stapled in the stapling station and cut on three sides in the cutter.
• Collection chain: The collection chain has a guide device, the upper section of which is cut-shaped and the ridge line defines the transport and stitching line, and an essentially roof-shaped support on which the sheet parts are transported astride.
• Delivery: machine component that transports the products to the feeder to the cutting device after the stapling station. A change of transport direction by 90 ° takes place in the delivery, depending on the location of the cutting device, forwards or backwards.
• Product infeed: Conveyor belt which transfers products to the cutting device after delivery. The conveyor belt has mechanical stops, which move isochronously with the cutting apparatus.
• Ejection phase, eject: Using a device called an ejector, the product is lifted from the collection chain until it is picked up by the conveyor belts in the delivery and transported further in the same.
• On-the-fly: Changes eg settings, positions of devices etc. possible during operation.
• MIS: In connection with the term "Industry 4.0", terms such as "Finishing 4.0", "Print 4.0" or "Web to Print" are known in the printing industry. Basically, the digital transformation is meant by the IT area and production technology. Management information systems are required to solve these tasks.

State of the art

With existing solutions, there is no thickness adjustment for the printed products. The product thickness is absorbed by flexible belts in the sense of a cushion. The disadvantage is that the takeover position initiated by the delivery changes with different product thicknesses. As a result, a thicker printed product is detected earlier and compared to a narrower printed product later. This in turn changes the horizontal position in the direction of the collecting chain depending on the thickness of the printed product.

Another solution that has become known is that a first infeed roller is fixed in position, while a second infeed roller can be moved in and out via a swivel arm, which in itself enables rudimentary adaptation to the respective printed product thickness. In the case of traffic jams or other accidents, the only flexibility here is that the second roll can be fully opened during on-the-fly operation. The disadvantage of this solution is that the center of the inlet wedge shifts. This means that its middle is not always the middle of the collection chain, resp. of the ejector sword. As a result, the ejector sword that is operatively connected to the delivery must be able to be in the horizontal position (perpendicular to the direction of the collecting chain). This in turn results in the further disadvantage that the front and back of the printed product cannot simultaneously engage in the conveyor belts of the delivery.

Out US4164159 A A system has become known in which the transfer arrangement 26 ( Fig. 3 ) contains a lifting sword 36, which from a retracted position ( Fig. 5 ) within the saddle 18 in an extended position ( Fig. 3 ) is moved. When the lifting sword moves up to the extended position, like this in Figure 3 shown, it lifts the folded edge portion a printed product 40 up into a nip 42 formed between a plurality of cylindrical feed rollers 44 and a plurality of rotatable roller segments 46 (see Figures 2 and 3 ). These roller segments 46 cooperate with the feed roller 44 to exert a clamping force on the opposite sides of the printed product, to then grip it firmly and move it up to a second nip 50 which is between a plurality of pressure rollers 52 and the feed rollers 44 is trained. The pinch rollers 52 and the feed rollers 44 operate to apply a clamping force to the opposite sides of the signature to grip the printed product as it moves up from the saddle 18.

Presentation of the invention

1. 1) Positionierung: Das Druckprodukt wird eindeutig in einer horizontalen Position, in Bezug auf die Transportrichtung (Sammelkette), definiert.
2. 2) Stoppen des Druckprodukts: Bei einer eventuell immer noch bestehenden kinetischen Energie (Remanenz-Geschwindigkeit) in Transportrichtung wird diese in unmittelbarem Bereich eines Anschlags vollständig neutralisiert.
3. 3) Stabilisation: Das Druckprodukt wird während der von einem unter Auswurfphase in die Auslage stabilisiert, d.h., ein mögliches Verkanten und/oder Kippmoment wird durch die eingenommene Stellung des Anschlags damit aufgefangen resp. unterdrückt.

The invention as a whole seeks to remedy this. The object of the invention, as characterized in the claims, is to meet the following system-specific criteria, which in turn are related to the actual essence of the present invention, namely:

1. 1) Positioning: The printed product is clearly defined in a horizontal position in relation to the transport direction (collection chain).
2. 2) Stopping the printed product: If there is still kinetic energy (retentive speed) in the direction of transport, this is completely neutralized in the immediate area of a stop.
3. 3) Stabilization: The printed product is stabilized during the ejection phase in the delivery, that is, a possible tilting and / or tilting moment is absorbed by the adopted position of the stop resp. suppressed.

The essence of the present invention is now to also base that task, which consists in the feed rollers of the delivery depending the measured thickness of the printed product, as required, also during each production cycle.

1. a) Dass sich die Bewegung der Einlaufrollen symmetrisch verhält;
2. b) Dass die Verstellung so automatisiert wird, dass kein manuelles Eingreifen mehr nötig ist;
3. c) Dass die Steuerung entsprechende Signale an Aktoren absetzt, welche die Einlaufrollen satt an die Dicke des jeweils vorliegenden Druckprodukts einstellt. Diese Aktoren können als Elektromotoren, Servomotoren, hydraulisch oder pneumatisch betriebene Antriebe, etc., ausgebildet sein, wobei die Vorkehrungen zur Erfassung der Dickenvariabilität für jedes einzelne Druckprodukt (Takt zu Takt) umgesetzt werden, und wobei diese Erfassung auch Korrekturen einschliesst, welche «On-the-fly» einfliessen.

So that is achieved

1. a) That the movement of the feed rollers behaves symmetrically;
2. b) That the adjustment is automated so that manual intervention is no longer necessary;
3. c) That the control sends corresponding signals to actuators, which adjusts the infeed rollers to the thickness of the respective printed product. These actuators can be designed as electric motors, servomotors, hydraulically or pneumatically operated drives, etc., the measures for recording the thickness variability being implemented for each individual printed product (cycle to cycle), and this recording also including corrections which “On -the-fly ».

All of the underlying criteria of the task extend to the entire operational speed range of the system, to all format sizes and thicknesses of the printed products, and to the behavior of the respective paper material from which the individual folded sheets are made.

The object of the invention is achieved in that a number of units of this system act interdependently to one another, namely:

The printed products made with a number of folded sheets or the brochure made from them (see definition list) lie on a saddle-shaped collection chain (see definition list) and are transported towards the stop. Between the stapling machine and delivery (see definition list), before reaching the stop, the drivers integrated in the collecting chain, which act on the rear edge of the folded sheets and, in operative connection with the collecting chain, ensure the targeted transport of the folded sheets, so that they then be able to slide under the folded sheet through the progress of the collection chain.

This ensures that the printed product thus formed is no longer carried by the driver in its final transport phase, but solely by the friction or. Indicated by the saddle-shaped collecting chain. persistent force can be transported to the stop. It is also important that the printed product opens up in this final phase due to the kinematics triggered, i.e. between the stapling machine and the delivery, so that the folded driver can pass underneath it without any problems, especially in those cases where the printed product is in use the display operation should experience a delay.

1. a) Formatgrösse der Falzbogen resp. des Druckprodukts;
2. b) Maschinen-Geschwindigkeit(en);
3. c) Mögliche, manuell eingegebene Offsets.

A. Regarding the stop: The first step is to operate with an automated, adjustable stop. This stop is positioned horizontally and preferably parallel to the direction of transport using an electric motor (typically a servo motor). This position is defined by the control profiles implemented in the main control, such a position also being able to be changed accordingly for each differently designed printed product. Such positioning of the stop is dependent on important parameters which are continuously transmitted to the main control, namely at least the following:

1. a) Format size of the folded sheets resp. of the printed product;
2. b) machine speed (s);
3. c) Possible, manually entered offsets.

Furthermore, sensors are installed in the immediate vicinity of this stop, or also integrated therein, which are capable of immediately recognizing a paper jam and triggering relieving measures which also serve to protect the machine. Jam switches, camera systems, photocells, etc. are preferably installed for this purpose. In addition, sensors are also provided, which serve as feedback for the position control of the printed product, preferably in the form of photocells, camera systems, etc.

This stop indicates the final positioning of the folded sheet, respectively. The brochure or the printed product in general has a multiple function, namely that it exercises a certain nominal fixed stop position in relation to the transported printed product as the end location, but not exclusively in the conventional manner as a fixed stop station. This means that the printed product is not transported in a horizontal transport movement to the fixed wall of the stop in order to be braked there completely, but this stop simultaneously fulfills the function of counteracting the front edge of the printed product during the further dynamic transfer into the delivery serve to tilt or tilt the same. With its special design and in operative connection with the controlled transport of the printed product, the stop thus fulfills a double function, which is characterized in the immediate area of the stop by horizontally / vertically superimposed movements of this printed product.

These superimposed movements are to be understood as follows: On the one hand, there is a horizontal movement of the printed product (folded sheet or brochure) specified by the collecting chain, the kinematic energy of which is now not completely and abruptly destroyed by the stop, but rather the printed product becomes shortly before its stop Impingement detected by the locally acting auxiliary means of the delivery and an ejector that is in operative connection and lifted away from the collection chain.

During this time interval, which is tending towards zero, the printed product which is conveyed further in the horizontal direction still has a minimized remanence speed in the horizontal direction, which causes a full final nestling and subsequent sliding of the front edge of the ejected printed product along the wall of the stop. For this reason, this adopted, also dynamically adaptable, positioning of the stop with respect to the print product in each case also depends on the speed.

This sliding along the front edge of a folded sheet or the brochure during the operation due to the dynamics of the transfer of the printed product caused by the delivery ensures that a cannot be excluded It does not tilt, so that it has a perfect format alignment in the subsequent trimming.

Thus, in the final phase of the positioning of the printed product, there is a coordinated, control-dependent interdependency between the horizontal movement of this printed product and its vertical transfer, the stop then, as already explained, has a double function, namely on the one hand to ensure the end position of the brought-in printed product and on the other hand at to prevent this from tilting during vertical movement. The stop then absorbs counter-movements which could lead to a tilting moment acting on the printed product, which could cause the printed product to tilt. These processes are operatively connected to a sword as a component of an ejector arranged on the underside of the collecting chain, which components are discussed in more detail below.

1. a) Bei der Jobeinrichtung wird der Anschlag, in Abhängigkeit verschiedener Parameter wie Formatgrösse, Geschwindigkeit etc., auf die richtige Position gefahren.
2. b) Eine solche Positionseinnahme des Anschlags kann auch während des Ausförderns fortlaufend vorgenommen werden.
3. c) Während des Betriebs wird der Anschlag mit Sensoren (wie Photozellen, Kamerasysteme etc.) überwacht und wenn nötig "On-the-fly" (siehe Definitionsliste) via Steuerung nachjustiert.

The sequence of a cycle is as follows:

1. a) When setting up the job, the stop is moved to the correct position depending on various parameters such as format size, speed, etc.
2. b) Such a position of the stop can also be carried out continuously during the conveying out.
3. c) During operation, the stop is monitored with sensors (such as photocells, camera systems etc.) and readjusted "on-the-fly" (see definition list) via the control if necessary.

The position-related setting of the stop and the continuous monitoring of the process are preferably carried out by stored control profiles, the main control being able to regulate according to adaptive principles. Furthermore, the main controller is also able to provide a predictive / anticipatory control that applies to all units in the system.

1. a) Insbesondere durch den Eigenantrieb (Servomotor) des Anschlags lässt sich für jedes Druckprodukt durch den "On-the-fly" Betrieb die perfekte Einstellung (siehe Definitionsliste) erstellen.
2. b) Die eingenommene operative Position des Anschlags ist im Wesentlichen von dem Format des herangeführten Falzbogens oder der Broschüre und von der Geschwindigkeit der Sammelkette abhängig. Diese eingenommene operative Position des Anschlags lässt sich, wie oben erwähnt, nach abgelegten Steuerungsprofilen steuerbar oder fortlaufend regelbar erstellen.
3. c) Aus fortlaufenden Rückmeldungen von Sensoren wie Photozellen, Kamerasysteme, etc., lässt sich die Position des Anschlags, darüber hinaus, im "On-the-fly"-Betrieb, fortlaufend verstellen.
4. d) Der Anschlag nimmt Gegenbewegungen des Druckprodukts auf, welche zu einem Kippmoment desselben führen könnten, womit sichergestellt wird, dass sich der Falzbogen, die Broschüre, oder das Druckprodukt allgemein, während des durch die Auslage durchgeführten Ausförderns eine maximierte formatabhängige und gezielte Lage einnehmen kann.
5. e) Der Anschlag definiert grundsätzlich die horizontale Endposition des Produkts hinsichtlich des durch die Auslage injizierten Ausförderns (auch Auswerfens genannt), wobei diese Position immer streng danach gerichtet ist, dass unabhängig der Formatgrösse (Minimum/Maximum-Format) des Falzbogens das Ausfördern immer ein mittiges Auswerfen gegenüber den operierenden Hilfsmitteln der Auslage, in unserem Fall vorzugsweise durch Transportbänder gebildet, sicherstellt.
6. f) Der Anschlag ist direkt oder indirekt zusätzlich mit entsprechenden Sensoren ausgestattet, welche auf Staukontrolle ausgerichtet sind, eine solche frühzeitig erkennen und durch interponierende regelnde Eingriffe auch entgegenwirken können, womit eine Beschädigung der Anlage verhindert oder die Zeit zur Pannenbehebung nachhaltig reduziert werden kann.

The advantages of such an attack are the following:

1. a) In particular through the self-propulsion (servo motor) of the stop, the perfect setting (see definition list) can be created for each printed product through the "on-the-fly" operation.
2. b) The operative position of the stop essentially depends on the format of the folded sheet or brochure and on the speed of the collecting chain. As mentioned above, this operational position of the stop can be created in a controllable or continuously adjustable manner according to stored control profiles.
3. c) From continuous feedback from sensors such as photocells, camera systems, etc., the position of the stop can also be continuously adjusted in "on-the-fly" operation.
4. d) The stop absorbs counter-movements of the printed product, which could lead to a tilting moment of the same, thereby ensuring that the folded sheet, the brochure, or the printed product in general, can assume a maximized, format-dependent and targeted position during the conveying through the delivery ,
5. e) The stop basically defines the horizontal end position of the product with regard to the discharge injected through the delivery (also known as ejecting), whereby this position is always strictly directed to the fact that regardless of the size (minimum / maximum format) of the folded sheet, the discharge is always on central ejection relative to the operating aids of the delivery, in our case preferably formed by conveyor belts.
6. f) The stop is also directly or indirectly equipped with appropriate sensors, which are geared towards congestion control, recognize it at an early stage and can also counteract it by interposing regulating interventions, thus preventing damage to the system or reducing the time to repair the breakdown sustainably.

• Phase I.: Zunächst verharrt das vorzugsweise direkt oder indirekt motorbetriebene Schwert unterhalb der Auslage in einer neutralen Position ("Pos. Null"). Hier wartet das Schwert als Bestandteil des Auswerfers auf das Eintreffen des Befehls, "Trigger", zur Auslösung der Bewegungskinematik. Der Auswerfer startet sonach seine Bewegung an der "Trigger"-Position, um das Druckprodukt möglichst gleichbleibend in die Auslage zu schieben. Dieser Auslösepunkt ist von dem Produktformat, von der Geschwindigkeit der Sammelkette, und einer allfälligen manuellen Korrektur abhängig, insoweit als eine definierte oder laufend frei definierbare Geschwindigkeitsschwelle über- oder unterschritten wird, dazu führt, ob die nachfolgenden Phase II. oder III. eingeleitet werden.
• Phase II.: Oberhalb der Geschwindigkeitsschwelle richtet sich die Geschwindigkeit des Auswerfers an jene der Sammelkette, respektive der zu der Auslage gehörenden Transportbänder der Auslage. D.h., wird die Geschwindigkeit der Sammelkette erhöht, bewegt sich der Auswerfer (das Schwert) entsprechende schneller nach oben. Bei Reduktion der Geschwindigkeit der Sammelkette bewegt sicher der Auswerfer entsprechend langsamer.
• Phase III.: Unterhalb der Geschwindigkeitsschwelle ist das Bewegungsprofil gleichbleibend. Damit wird eine Mindestgeschwindigkeit des Auswerfers definiert, um die Übergabe des Druckprodukts an die Transportbänder der Auslage sicherzustellen.

B. Concerning ejectors: A second unit relates to an ejector, which is used to carry out the folded sheet / brochure, generally the printed product, using a sword integrated there according to the following criteria:

• Phase I .: First of all, the sword, which is preferably directly or indirectly motor-operated, remains in a neutral position below the delivery (“position zero”). Here, the sword, as part of the ejector, waits for the "trigger" command to trigger the movement kinematics. The ejector then starts its movement at the "trigger" position in order to push the printed product into the delivery as consistently as possible. This trigger point depends on the product format, the speed of the collection chain, and any manual correction, insofar as a defined or continuously freely definable speed threshold is exceeded or undershot, leads to whether the subsequent phase II. Or III. be initiated.
• Phase II .: Above the speed threshold, the speed of the ejector is directed towards that of the collection chain or the conveyor belts belonging to the delivery. Ie, if the speed of the collection chain is increased, the ejector (the sword) moves up faster accordingly. If the speed of the collecting chain is reduced, the ejector will move correspondingly slower.
• Phase III .: The movement profile remains constant below the speed threshold. This defines a minimum speed of the ejector to ensure the transfer of the printed product to the conveyor belts of the delivery.

1. a) Zum einen bewegt sich der Auswerfer bis zu einem Punkt, der als "Pos. Oben" bezeichnet wird. Diese "Pos. Oben" ist der obere Umkehrpunkt des Schwerts, von hier aus wird mit einer definierten oder laufend frei definierbaren Geschwindigkeit die Position, "Pos. Unten", angefahren.
2. b) "Pos. Unten" ist der untere Umkehrpunkt des Schwerts, von hier aus wird mit einer definierten oder laufend frei definierbaren Geschwindigkeit die Position 'Pos Null' angefahren.

As far as the ejector movements are concerned, the following positions can be distinguished:

1. a) On the one hand, the ejector moves to a point that is referred to as "Pos. Above". This "Pos. Above" is the upper reversal point of the sword, from here the position, "Pos. Below", is approached at a defined or continuously freely definable speed.
2. b) "Pos. Bottom" is the lower reversal point of the sword, from here the position 'Pos Zero' is approached at a defined or continuously freely definable speed.

The sword then takes on three fixed positions as part of the ejector, which are either predefined positions or continuously freely defined become. Ie, "Pos. Abben" is the highest position of the sword, and it forms, as it were, its turning point, at which the transfer of the folded sheet to the conveyor belts of the delivery is completed. "Pos. Bottom" is the lowest position of the sword as a reversal point; the sword dips down to this position so as not to collide with the subsequent printed product on the collection chain. "Pos. Zero" represents the neutral position from which the sword comes into operation for the next printed product.

1. a) Es wird mit einem dynamischen, variablen Auswerfzeitpunkt gearbeitet;
2. b) Das dynamisch veränderbare Profil wird durch die Hauptsteuerung fortlaufend berechnet oder durch vorgegebene Tabellen eingegeben, wobei diese Werte entweder durch abgelegte Steuerungsprofile oder Algorithmen für eine dynamische Steuerung/Regelung abgestützt sind;
3. c) Es greift fortlaufend eine auf optischen Messungen abgestützt Regelung ein, welche unmittelbar zu gezielten Korrekturen oder prädiktiven Steuerungen führt;
4. d) Das Auswurf-Profil kann darüber hinaus durch "On-the-fly"-Dynamik veränderbar gestaltet werden;
5. e) Die Steuerung/Regelung des ganzen Prozesses über alle involvierten Aggregate geschieht fortlaufend durch die Ermittlung von Dicken und Format der Druckbogen (Falzbogen) sowie durch die fortlaufend ermittelten Geschwindigkeiten der Transportkette (Sammelkette);
6. f) Nach Bedarf lässt sich ein frei wählbares Profil implementieren, das völlig unabhängig anderer Parameter, wie z.B. Sammelkettengeschwindigkeit oder Auslage-Transportbändergeschwindigkeit, betrieben wird;
7. g) Start-/Stopprampen verhalten sich frei programmierbar, situativ anpass- und regulierbar;
8. h) Die involvierten Aggregate der Anlage lassen zu, dass sie auf nicht-lineare Bewegungsabläufe umprogrammiert werden können.

The advantages of the operation of the sword and ejector described here, which also form an integral part of the subject matter of the invention, can essentially be explained as follows:

1. a) A dynamic, variable ejection time is used;
2. b) The dynamically changeable profile is continuously calculated by the main controller or entered using predefined tables, these values being supported either by stored control profiles or algorithms for dynamic control / regulation;
3. c) A control based on optical measurements continuously intervenes, which leads directly to targeted corrections or predictive controls;
4. d) The ejection profile can also be made changeable by "on-the-fly"dynamics;
5. e) The control of the entire process across all the units involved takes place continuously by determining the thickness and format of the printed sheets (folded sheets) and by the continuously determined speeds of the transport chain (collecting chain);
6. f) If required, a freely selectable profile can be implemented, which is operated completely independently of other parameters, such as collection chain speed or delivery conveyor belt speed;
7. g) Start / stop ramps are freely programmable, can be adjusted and regulated according to the situation;
8. h) The units involved in the system allow them to be reprogrammed for non-linear movements.

C. Regulating device according to the thickness of the printed product: According to the invention, the delivery is expanded with a device which has a mechanism which also adjusts itself to the thickness of the printed product being conveyed at each cycle.

The starting point here is the detection of the thickness of the delivered, i.e. the printed product to be discharged. The control is set up in such a way that this thickness can potentially or actually vary or be different with each production cycle. Accordingly, those differences in thickness within a job that are relevant for the recording of the printed products by the delivery are also recorded continuously. A predetermined tolerance is taken into account by the control. The range of thicknesses can advantageously be managed by an MIS (see definition list), whereby the thickness of the printed product can also be calculated by the number of folded sheets and their thickness.

If a direct thickness measurement of the printed product is carried out, it is advantageous if such a thickness measurement takes place before stapling or, if need be, is already fixed there. The detection of the thickness of the printed product is therefore based on the original when it comes to a symmetrical detection of the respectively measured thickness of the printed product on the one hand against the center of the collecting chain and on the other hand against the center of the sword belonging to the ejector.

The essential aspect according to the invention thus relates to the symmetrical alignment of the thickness of the printed product on the one hand with respect to the center of the collecting chain and on the other hand with respect to the center of the ejector sword belonging to the ejector. This adjustment takes place continuously and is preferably accomplished by an electric motor, typically a servo motor, by means of which the symmetrical adjustment with respect to the measured thickness of the printed product takes place. This is done by operating two symmetrically mounted swivel arms on both sides of the delivery area of the delivery, whereby each pair of swivel arms is positioned in relation to the print product to be detected via a "double cam" when it comes to opening a print product according to the measured thickness create.

This cam disk is rotated through a toothed belt gear by a certain angle, so that the cam disk takes up the opening due to the new angular position, which is the cause of a certain opening dimension. The swivel arms arranged in pairs run parallel to one another in the vertical state in the normal state, and they have a bearing opposite the inlet area of the delivery, which is formed on abutting rollers, in such a way that they spread out angularly from above to detect the thickness of the printed product being conveyed out arises at the bottom, ie, these roles belonging to the two swivel arms fulfill the function of a hinge point, these roles being unwound to one another when spreading in a fixed manner. The spread for detecting the thickness of the printed product being conveyed can also be achieved in such a way that the swivel arms operating in pairs can now open parallel to one another; For reasons of stability, this then presupposes that both ends of the swivel arms are preferably braced with one spring element each.

The set opening of the swivel arms to one another, which are supplemented by the integrated infeed rollers on the printed product side, is predetermined by a corresponding rotation of the cited cam, these swivel arms taking a stabilized position in that a spring is arranged at the end in the area of the infeed rollers, the force of which is also exerted on the Cam works. This creates that the respective print product-related opening of the swivel arms is stabilized in such a way that the opening of the swivel arms forms the free distance between the swivel rollers, which fully corresponds to the measured thickness of the printed product, with this exact setting being implemented by the spring force Non-positive effect on the recorded printed product after the ejector has been ejected. It should be taken into account that this lush free width between the infeed rollers, which also operate in combination over the entire infeed area of the delivery, in relation to the effective thickness of the respective printed product must not lead to a potential excessive frictional connection when the printed product is being recorded, because otherwise the flowing detection could even occur of the printed product through the infeed rollers during the ejection process from the ejector.

Another kinematics according to the invention when the printed product is grasped by the feed rollers mentioned is that the swivel arms can spread over the effective thickness of the printed product at every cycle, and the frictional connection to the printed product is then exerted by the spring, the path of which takes place through the position assumed the cam is limited. Thus, the detection of the printed product from the ejection process could no longer be achieved by overcoming a full adjustment with regard to the free width of the feed rollers to one another, but rather by a laterally applied spring force.

A closed cam should preferably be dispensed with, so that e.g. in the event of a jam, the swivel arms could still deflect. Furthermore, the system should be equipped with optical sensors, such as photocells, camera systems, etc., so that the position of the printed product in the delivery conveyor belts can be recorded at any time and tracked and evaluated on the way to the downstream cutting device. This allows a permanent correction to be made to the position of the feed rollers. The adjustment as such as well as its degree can basically be carried out in “on-the-fly” mode, whereby only the speed of the collection chain could be at best.

Order data from the MIS (see list of definitions) or from your own order data system usually include: the format data of the individual folded sheets, as well as format data of the print product, such as cut width and length, as well as extensive all other data that is mandatory or situational for a specific one Order are necessary. As already mentioned, the control can also calculate the thickness of the respective printed product from the data of the individual folded sheets. The main controller is also loaded with those algorithms with which all production-relevant values of the system can be recorded. In particular, this main control is able to calculate those values which are drawn for the control of the free width of the feed rollers to one another; this is preferably done by a servo motor, which acts mechanically on the cam disc (s).

Accordingly, order data from an MIS (see definition list) or from your own data system preferably lead to the activation of stored control profiles, which in particular record the format data of the individual folded sheets, that of the brochure, such as cut width and length and other data that are necessary for the qualitative implementation of the order are required. The main control preferably also contains algorithms which continuously calculate the thickness of the brochures from the production of the individual folded sheets.

When setting up a new job and during the subsequent operation, the infeed of the delivery specified by the infeed rollers is set to the correct free width depending on the thickness of the printed product, and for each product cycle. The setting position of the infeed rollers belonging to the delivery can be monitored by sensors such as photocells, camera systems or similar systems and readjusted in case of deviations in "on-the-fly" mode via control. If a jam is detected, the infeed rollers open as wide as possible; if the monitoring determines that double take-off has taken place, the feed rollers open moderately to compensate for these differences in thickness; if the printed product has differences in thickness from one part to the other of the printed product compared to the folding symmetry, the feed rollers also open appropriately in order to master this new starting position. If an incomplete printed product is recognized, the infeed of the infeed rollers is adjusted according to the value measured by the thickness control. If an incomplete printed product is recognized and there is no thickness measurement available, but the control is connected to an MIS, the value can be calculated based on the values known from the MIS (thickness of the individual folded sheets) and thus the correct width of the inlet (printed product thickness) can be set.

The main advantages of the device described (infeed rollers with associated parts) as part of the delivery can be seen in the fact that the combination of the cam disc and the type of self-propulsion (stepper or servo motor) makes it possible for the adjustment to be made from one production cycle to the next can, whereby of course the time-critical process must be taken into account. The thickness setting is set symmetrically to the center of the collecting chain. This symmetrical thickness setting is carried out independently by two freely supported swivel arms and a double cam disc. In the event of incorrect pulling of folded sheets, the thickness of the printed product can be determined using the thickness measuring device, or if the missing folded sheets are known, the thickness values are obtained from the MIS and the device is used to set the timing precisely. No additional drives or pneumatic cylinders are required, as is the case with known systems. In the event of traffic jams, the inlet can also be fully opened without the need for additional drives or cylinders. With regard to the procedure for asymmetrical thicknesses of the printed product, reference is made to the immediately preceding statements (see [0059]).

In summary, the invention is about a system, which is preferably designed as a saddle stitcher. This essentially consists of a transport chain, which is roof-shaped in the upper area. Along this transport chain, one or more printed products, preferably formed by folded sheets, can be transported astride, collected, and optionally stapled in an intermediate stapling station, a stop adjustable in accordance with the format of the printed product being arranged in the transport direction of the printed product after the optionally operating stapling station along the further course of the transport chain is. The stop in operative connection with interdependently operating means accomplishes a timely and format-stabilized delivery of the printed product. The first means for the timely takeover when the printed product consisting of one or more folded sheets is conveyed out consists of a delivery, the delivery in its inlet area being designed for the first takeover of the exported printed product, which device corresponds to the measured thickness of this printed product is adjustable.

The device itself has two symmetrically mounted, mutually spaced and pair-operated swivel arms on both sides of the inlet of the delivery, the paired spacing of the swivel arms being effected by an intermediate and double-running cam disc, which spreads the swivel arms as a function of the rotating movement implemented measured thickness of the exported printed product. The essentially horizontal swivel arms are on the ends in conjunction with each other over the entire area of the infeed of the delivery is provided with infeed rollers which manage the acquisition and further transport of the printed product being conveyed out. The operating infeed rollers are also operatively connected via the swivel arms to a spring element, by means of which the infeed rollers are clamped to one another within the range specified by the cam disk as a function of the thickness of the printed product being conveyed out. This spreading of the swivel arms is therefore dependent on the thickness of the printed product being fed out, the feed rollers exerting a force fit on the printed product through the spring element.

The spread for recording the thickness of the printed product is carried out through an angular opening from top to bottom, i.e., the two rollers belonging to the swivel arms act as a hinge point, which, when spread, are unwound to one another by a certain amount of angle. The spread for detecting the thickness of the printed product being conveyed can also be achieved in such a way that the swivel arms operating in pairs can also open parallel to one another; For reasons of stability, this then presupposes that both ends of the swivel arms are preferably braced with one spring element each.

The device itself is provided with an assembly (not shown in any more detail) which optionally makes a lateral adjustment of the device depending on the respective thickness of the printed product being conveyed out, in order to bring about an appropriate positioning of the device with respect to the symmetry of the thickness of the printed product being conveyed out. This adaptable adjustment only comes into play when necessary, and it is also controlled in terms of timing, preferably during the kinematics of the swivel arms in order to produce the thickness of the printed product.

The second means for the timely conveying out of the printed product consisting of one or more folded sheets consists of an ejector, the then format-stabilized printed product preferably being fed to a cutting apparatus over the further course of the delivery after it has run in. With this When the printed product is conveyed out, there is a change in direction relative to the transport direction of the transport chain by or approximately 90 °.

The adjustable stop has a stop level directed towards the transport direction of the transport path, which, when it is being conveyed out, performs a coordinated stop and alignment function with respect to the front edge of the printed product consisting of one or more folded sheets, the collating chain being foldable in order to prevent transport-related collisions Transport fingers for conveying the printed product consisting of one or more folded sheets is equipped.

The delivery has a series of secondary conveyor belts which are operatively connected to an ejector arranged on the underside of the ridge of the printed product and accomplish the discharge of this printed product. The ejector is equipped with a protruding sword through which the printed product is fed into the delivery from below.

The interdependent operation of at least the transport chain, stop, delivery, ejector, cutting device is controlled by a main control, the interdependent operation of at least the named units of the installation being operated by stored control profiles and / or by an adaptive and / or predictive control, and wherein the main controller is operatively connected to at least one management information system (MIS).

1. a) In Abhängigkeit der jeweils gemessenen Dicke des ausfördernden Druckprodukts führt die Vorrichtung optional eine laterale Verstellung aus, soweit, dass die Vorrichtung nunmehr eine Positionierung in Relation zu der Dickensymmetrie des ausfördernden Druckprodukts einnimmt;
2. b) In Abhängigkeit der gemessenen Dicke des ausfördernden Druckprodukts werden die Schwenkarme paarweise durch eine Verstellung der zugehörigen doppelverlaufenden Kurvenscheibe gegeneinander gespreizt, insoweit, dass der neue freie Abstand zwischen den endseitig der Schwenkarme angeordneten Einlaufrollen der Dicke des ausfördernden Druckprodukts entspricht;
3. c) Diese durch die doppelverlaufende Kurvenscheibe vorgegebene Stellung der Einlaufrollen zueinander wird durch ein Federelement kraftschlüssig stabilisiert, indem das Federelement indirekt eine Kraft auf die doppelverlaufende Kurvenscheibe ausübt;
4. d) Die Einlaufrollen üben bei der Übernahme des ausfördernden Druckprodukts einen durch die Stellung der doppelverlaufenden Kurvenscheibe gegenüber den Schwenkarmen bedingten Kraftschluss aus, der sich durch Überwindung der Federkraft auf das ausfördernde Druckprodukt erhöht.

The processes for the thickness-dependent recording of the outgoing printed product run as follows:

1. a) Depending on the respectively measured thickness of the printed product to be discharged, the device optionally carries out a lateral adjustment to the extent that the device now assumes a position in relation to the symmetry of the thickness of the printed product to be discharged;
2. b) Depending on the measured thickness of the printing product to be exported, the swivel arms are spread in pairs against one another by adjusting the associated double-running cam disc, to the extent that the new free one Distance between the infeed rollers arranged at the ends of the swivel arms corresponds to the thickness of the printed product being conveyed out;
3. c) This position of the inlet rollers, which is predetermined by the double cam, is positively stabilized by a spring element by the spring element indirectly exerting a force on the double cam;
4. d) When taking over the outgoing printed product, the infeed rollers exert a non-positive connection due to the position of the double-running cam in relation to the swivel arms, which increases by overcoming the spring force on the outgoing printed product.

1. a) In Abhängigkeit der jeweils gemessenen Dicke des ausfördernden Druckprodukts führt die Vorrichtung optional eine laterale Verstellung aus, soweit, dass die Vorrichtung bedarfsmässig nunmehr eine Positionierung in Relation zu der Dickensymmetrie des ausfördernden Druckprodukts einnimmt;
2. b) In Abhängigkeit der festgestellten Dicke des ausfördernden Druckprodukts werden die Schwenkarme paarweise durch eine Verstellung der zugehörigen doppelverlaufenden Kurvenscheibe gegeneinander gespreizt, insoweit, dass der neue freie Abstand zwischen den endseitig der Schwenkarme angeordneten Einlaufrollen der Dicke des ausfördernden Druckprodukts entspricht;
3. c) Diese durch die doppelverlaufende Kurvenscheibe vorgegebene Stellung der Einlaufrollen zueinander wird durch ein Federelement kraftschlüssig stabilisiert, indem das Federelement indirekt eine Kraft auf die doppelverlaufende Kurvenscheibe ausübt;
4. d) Die Einlaufrollen üben bei der Übernahme des ausfördernden Druckprodukts einen durch die Stellung der doppelverlaufenden Kurvenscheibe gegenüber den Schwenkarmen bedingten Kraftschluss aus.
5. e) Nach jedem Takt öffnen die Schwenkarme und mit ihnen auch die Einlaufrollen, um beim nächsten ausfördernden Druckprodukt auf die vorangegangene oder auf eine neue Position zu gehen, dies in Abhängigkeit der gemessenen Dicke des ausfördernden Druckprodukts.

The processes for the thickness-dependent recording of the exported printed product proceed as follows:

1. a) Depending on the respectively measured thickness of the printed product to be conveyed out, the device optionally carries out a lateral adjustment to the extent that the device now, if necessary, assumes a position in relation to the symmetry of the thickness of the printed product to be conveyed out;
2. b) Depending on the determined thickness of the conveying printed product, the swivel arms are spread in pairs against each other by adjusting the associated double-running cam, to the extent that the new free distance between the end rollers of the swivel arms corresponds to the thickness of the conveying printed product;
3. c) This position of the inlet rollers, which is predetermined by the double cam, is positively stabilized by a spring element by the spring element indirectly exerting a force on the double cam;
4. d) When taking over the outgoing printed product, the infeed rollers exert a non-positive connection due to the position of the double-running cam in relation to the swivel arms.
5. e) After each cycle, the swivel arms and with them also the infeed rollers open in order to move to the previous or to a new position for the next outgoing printed product, depending on the measured thickness of the outgoing printed product.

1. a) Durch einen Eigenantrieb lässt sich der Anschlag für jedes Druckprodukt bezogen auf dessen Endstellung in Transportrichtung individuell positionieren;
2. b) Die eingenommene Endposition des Anschlags steht mindestens in Abhängigkeit des Formats des herangeführten Druckprodukts und unter Berücksichtigung der Geschwindigkeit der Transportkette;
3. c) Der Anschlag definiert die horizontale Endposition des Druckprodukts hinsichtlich des durch die operativen Hilfsmittel der Auslage injizierten Ausförderns, wobei die eingenommene Endposition des Anschlags so eingestellt wird, dass das Druckprodukt unabhängig dessen Formatgrösse beim Ausfördern eine mittige Position gegenüber der Anordnung der Hilfsmittel der Auslage einnimmt, wobei die operativen Hilfsmittel der Auslage bestehen aus Transportbändern (131), welche das Druckprodukt zu Beginn falzseitig erfasst und formatkonform weiter transportiert.
4. d) Die einzunehmende operative Endposition des Anschlags wird mindestens durch abgelegte Steuerungsprofile gesteuert oder fortlaufend durch Sensoren, wie Photozellen, Kamerasysteme, geregelt;
5. e) Die eine druckproduktbezogene vordere Wand des Anschlags wirkt stabilisierend gegen einen Kippmoment und/oder Schrägstellung des Druckprodukts während des durch die operativen Hilfsmittel der Auslage durchgeführten Ausförderns.

Der Anschlag ist mit einem Eigenantrieb gekoppelt, wobei der Anschlag für jedes Druckprodukt durch einen "On-the-fly" Betrieb eine punktgenaue Positionierung sicherstellt. Der Anschlag ist direkt der indirekt mit entsprechenden Sensoren ausgestattet, welche auf eine Staukontrolle im Fluss der herangeführten Druckprodukte ansprechen, und solche Informationen werden dann an die Hauptsteuerung weitergeleitet.The operative connection between the stop and the delivery is characterized by the following criteria:

1. a) The stop can be individually positioned for each printed product in relation to its end position in the transport direction by means of a self-drive;
2. b) The end position of the stop assumed is at least dependent on the format of the printed product being brought in and taking into account the speed of the transport chain;
3. c) The stop defines the horizontal end position of the printed product with regard to the outfeed injected by the operational aids of the delivery, the end position of the stop being set so that the printed product, irrespective of its format size, assumes a central position with respect to the arrangement of the aids of the delivery when being conveyed out , wherein the operational aids of the delivery consist of conveyor belts (131), which the printed product initially detects on the fold side and is transported further in accordance with the format.
4. d) The operative end position of the stop to be assumed is controlled at least by stored control profiles or continuously by sensors, such as photocells, camera systems;
5. e) The front wall of the stop, which is related to the printed product, has a stabilizing effect against a tilting moment and / or inclined position of the printed product during the conveying out carried out by the operational aids of the delivery.

The stop is coupled to an in-house drive, the stop ensuring precise positioning for each printed product by means of "on-the-fly" operation. The stop is directly equipped with the corresponding sensors, which respond to a congestion control in the flow of the printed products being brought in, and such information is then forwarded to the main control.

1. a) Ein Schwert als Bestandteil eines unterhalb der Auslage angeordneten und mit vorzugsweise einem eigenen Antrieb ausgestatteten Auswerfers verharrt in einer neutralen Position ("Pos. Null"), bis zum Eintreffen eines von der Hauptsteuerung übermittelten Befehls, der die Auslösung ("Trigger") des Ausförderns einleitet;
2. b) Der Auswerfer startet die Bewegung seiner operativen Teile von dieser "Trigger"-Position aus, um das Druckprodukt gleichbleibend in die Auslage zu überführen, wobei diese Auslösung zeitlich von der Geschwindigkeit der Transportkette, dem Format des Druckprodukts, und einer allfälligen manuellen Korrektur abhängig ist, und wobei die Geschwindigkeit der Transportkette eine definierte oder laufend frei definierbare Geschwindigkeitsschwelle aufweist;
3. c) Oberhalb der Geschwindigkeitsschwelle richtet sich die Geschwindigkeit des Auswerfers an jene der Transportkette und/oder an jene zu der Auslage gehörende Transportbänder, dergestalt, dass bei Zunahme der Geschwindigkeit der Transportkette, erhöht sich die vertikale Bewegung des Auswerfers nach oben, und wobei bei Reduktion der Geschwindigkeit der Transportkette nimmt die vertikale Bewegung des Auswerfers nach oben entsprechend ab;
4. d) Unterhalb der Geschwindigkeitsschwelle ist das Bewegungsprofil des Auswerfers durch eine Mindestgeschwindigkeit gleichbleibend definiert, um die Übergabe des Druckprodukts an die Transportbänder der Auslage sicherzustellen.

The operational processes of the ejector for conveying the printed product are carried out according to the following criteria:

1. a) A sword as part of an ejector arranged below the delivery and preferably equipped with its own drive remains in one neutral position ("pos. zero") until a command transmitted by the main control system arrives, which initiates the triggering of the discharge;
2. b) The ejector starts the movement of its operative parts from this "trigger" position in order to transfer the printed product consistently into the delivery, this release depending on the speed of the transport chain, the format of the printed product, and any manual correction and the speed of the transport chain has a defined or continuously freely definable speed threshold;
3. c) Above the speed threshold, the speed of the ejector is directed to that of the transport chain and / or to those conveyor belts belonging to the delivery, such that as the speed of the transport chain increases, the vertical movement of the ejector increases, and with reduction the vertical movement of the ejector decreases correspondingly to the speed of the transport chain;
4. d) Below the speed threshold, the movement profile of the ejector is consistently defined by a minimum speed in order to ensure the transfer of the printed product to the conveyor belts of the delivery.

The sword belonging to the ejector moves to an upper reversal point (item top) while the printed product is being conveyed out, while the sword moves to a lower reversal point (item bottom) after the conveyance of the printed product has ended and finally the sword moves after the end of the delivery of the printed product to a lower reversal point (pos. below). The sword then assumes a neutral position (item zero) from a lower reversal point (item below).

Brief description of the figures

Figur 1

eine Gesamtansicht eines Sammelhefters, hervorhebend einen Anschlag;

Figur 2

eine Gesamtansicht einer Auslage mit einem angetriebenen Anschlag;

Figur 3

eine Gesamtansicht eines Sammelhefters, mit Steuerung-/Regelungs-Funktionen, hervorhebend den Anschlag;

Figur 4

einen Auswerfer in Wirkverbindung mit einer Auslage;

Figur 5

eine Gesamtansicht eines Sammelhefters, mit Steuerung-/Regelungs-Funktionen, hervorhebend eine regelbare Vorrichtung nach der Dicke des Druckprodukts;

Figur 6

eine Gesamtansicht eines Sammelhefters, hervorhebend die Auslage;

Figur 7

Auslage und Auswerfer zusammengebaut, unter Einschluss der Vorrichtung;

Figur 8

Auslage mit den Bestandteilen der Vorrichtung;

Figur 9

Betriebsweise der Schwenkarme.

The invention will be explained below with reference to the drawing, to which reference is expressly made with regard to all details that are essential to the invention and that are not detailed in the description. All elements which are not essential for the immediate understanding of the invention have been omitted Identical elements have been given the same reference symbols in the different figures. The drawing shows:

Figure 1

an overall view of a saddle stitcher, highlighting a stop;

Figure 2

an overall view of a display with a driven stop;

Figure 3

an overall view of a saddle stitcher, with control functions, highlighting the stop;

Figure 4

an ejector in operative connection with a display;

Figure 5

an overall view of a saddle stitcher, with control functions, highlighting a controllable device according to the thickness of the printed product;

Figure 6

an overall view of a saddle stitcher, highlighting the display;

Figure 7

Delivery and ejector assembled, including the device;

Figure 8

Display with the components of the device;

Figure 9

Operation of the swivel arms.

Ways of Carrying Out the Invention

Figure 1 shows an overall view of a saddle stitcher 100. Essentially, such a saddle stitcher consists of a centrally operating collection chain 110, which the transport of the folded sheets 200 or. the brochure 600 takes over. A Such a collecting chain 110 has a guide device with an upper section which is pointed, that is to say roof-shaped, and whose ridge line defines the transport and stitching line on which the folded sheets 200 are transported astride. The individual folded sheets are made into a brochure in a stitching machine 120. The folded sheets lie on the saddle-shaped collecting chain, and they are transported from this direction to stop 160. Between the stapling machine 120 and a downstream delivery 130, before reaching the stop 160, the drivers integrated in the collecting chain (not shown in the drawing) fold, which act on the trailing edge of the folded sheets and, in operative connection with the collecting chain, ensure the targeted transport of the folded sheets , towards the back so that they can slide under the folded sheet as the collection chain moves.

This ensures that the folded sheets combined into a brochure in the final transport phase are no longer directly affected by the driver, but solely by the friction or the friction indicated by the saddle-shaped collecting chain. persistent force is transported to the stop. The kinematics triggered on the individual folded sheets or in general on the brochure in this final phase is also important, namely that the printed product opens between the stapling machine and the delivery, so that the folded driver can pass underneath the printed product without any problems, this also occurs in those Cases particularly to be borne if this printed product should be delayed during the ejector operation.

The stapling machine itself, which is not shown in detail, and which belongs to the prior art, has a staple made of wire, the wire being bent in a first step onto a downwardly acting U-shape, which is ideally suited for being pushed through the brochure and to be bent afterwards. This process is accomplished by at least one stitching head that cuts and positions the stitching wire and forms it into a staple. The stapling process itself involves pushing at least one staple through the brochure and closing it at the other end. A staple carriage on which the stapling head is mounted also forms part of the stapling machine is, within this stapling station the printed product is stapled by means of the staple already mentioned while the staple carriage is traveling.

The stop 160 with its predetermined stop plane 170 forms the end position of the transport on the collecting chain for the folded sheet 200 or brochure 600 before the printed product mentioned is transferred to the delivery 130, and this is then transferred from here via a product feed 140 to a cutting apparatus 150. This cutting device 150 functions as a cutting system, which preferably has a front knife and two side knives and carries out the cutting process consisting of a front cut and a head / foot cut as a subsequent cut.

The stop 160, which is preferably operated by a servo motor 161, fulfills a multiple function with regard to the final positioning of the brochure 600, namely that this stop per se exercises a fixed stop position in relation to the transported brochure in the very last final state, but not exclusively in the conventional manner as a fixed stop station. This means that the brochure is not transported in a horizontal transport movement to the front wall of the stop in order to be braked there completely, as is the case according to the prior art, but this stop simultaneously fulfills the function of the front edge of the stop in the transport direction To serve the brochure during the further dynamic transfer of the brochure into the delivery as an alignment aid against tilting or tilting of the same. With its special design and in operative connection with the controlled transport of the brochure, the stopper thus fulfills a double function, which is characterized by superimposed horizontal / vertical movements of the brochure in the area of the stopper.

These superimposed movements are to be understood as follows: On the one hand, there is a horizontal movement of the brochure specified by the collection chain, the kinematic energy of which is now not completely and abruptly destroyed by the stop, but the brochure becomes infinitesimal shortly before it hits the stop by the ejector ejected from the collection chain and captured by the locally acting tools of the display.

During this time interval, which is approaching zero, the brochure conveyed in the horizontal direction still has a minimized retentive speed, which causes the end brochure to snuggle smoothly and then slide the front edge of the brochure along the wall of the stop. For this reason, this adopted, also dynamically adaptable, positioning of the stop in relation to the respectively brought-in folding sheet is also dependent on the speed.

This vertically sliding movement of the front edge of the brochure along the wall of the stop during the transfer of the brochure into the delivery ensures that the brochure cannot be tilted, so that the brochure has a perfect format orientation during the subsequent cropping ,

In the final phase of positioning the brochure, there is a coordinated, control-dependent interdependency between the horizontal transport movement of the brochure and its vertical transfer, whereby the stop then, as already explained, performs that double function, namely ensuring the end position of the brochure on the one hand, and on the other to catch possible tilting during the vertical conveying of the same. Accordingly, the stop also takes up counter movements that could lead to a tilting moment of the brochure, which means that it can no longer tilt. These processes are operatively connected to a sword as part of an ejector arranged on the underside of the collecting chain, which will be discussed in more detail below.

Out Figure 2 the delivery 130 emerges in operative connection with the motor-driven 161 stop 160 already explained. This delivery is designed as a machine component that feeds the folded sheet, brochure or generally the printed products into the product feed after the stapling station (see Figure 1 , Item 140) to the cutting device (see Figure 1 , Item 150). In the delivery itself, a transport direction change of preferably 90 ° takes place via the conveyor belts 131, depending on the location of the cutting apparatus. The operating stop 160 basically defines the horizontal end position of the brochure with regard to the conveying out carried out by the delivery, the delivery being operatively connected to an ejector (see Figure 4 ), whereby this position is always strictly based on the fact that regardless of the small format size 202 resp. the large format size 201 of the brochure ensures that it is always ejected centrally relative to the operating aids of the delivery, that is to say the conveyor belts 131 arranged next to one another.

The Figure 3 shows essentially the same saddle stitcher as from Figure 1 , This system is supplemented with essential control systems, the data of which are transmitted to a central control 400, which in turn mutually communicates 401 with an MIS system 410. This controller processes all incoming data from all the units involved in the processing of the print products, including the speed of the collection chain 110, and then ensures the targeted regulation of all units, in particular with regard to the operation of the transport chain, stop, delivery, ejector, depending on the format size of the respective printed product. The flows shown here when collecting the operational data for the controller 400 are not to be understood as numerus clausus. First of all, there is an optical control system 310 in the area of the stop plane 320 of the stop 160, which forwards the information 311 obtained to the controller 400.

This is followed by a continuous interrogation of the ejector 500, the information 501 of which is also forwarded to the controller 400. Furthermore, device 300 carries out the continuous thickness measurement 301 of the folded sheets. The operational data can also be recorded for the stapling machine 120, for example. In addition, the controller 400 is in a reciprocal data flow system 401 with an MIS (Management Information System) 410, which system 410 in connection with the term "Industry 4.0" in the printing industry under the names such as "Finishing 4.0", " Print 4.0 "or" Web to Print "have become known. Basically, this means the digital transformation of the IT area and production technology. To solve these tasks, the MIS System 410 is used in particular.

This data and the continuous monitoring of the process ensure the correct setting and operation of the units participating in the saddle stitcher process. The integral control as such can be maintained by stored control profiles. The main controller is also able to implement regulation based on adaptive principles; Furthermore, the main controller is also able to provide a predictive / anticipatory regulation.

Out Figure 4 an ejector 500 emerges, which is operatively connected to the delivery 130 already described. The operation of this ejector 500 is as follows:

First, a sword 503 remains below the delivery 130 in a neutral position ("position zero"). The sword 503 is waiting here, which is coupled to an ejector plunger 502 and which primarily forms the components of the ejector. The ejector plunger 502 preferably has its own drive, and when the "trigger" command arrives, the movement kinematics are triggered. The ejector 500, viewed as a complete unit, therefore starts its movement at the trigger position in order to generally transfer the printed product as uniformly as possible into the delivery. This "trigger" point mainly depends on the speed of the collection chain, the product format and any manual correction, in such a way that the subsequent phases are initiated, depending on whether a defined or continuously freely definable speed threshold is exceeded or undershot.

Above the speed threshold, the speed of the operative parts 502, 503 of the ejector 500 is directed to that of the collection chain or the conveyor belts belonging to the delivery. This means that if the speed of the collecting chain is increased, the ejector moves up faster accordingly. If the speed of the collecting chain is reduced, the ejector will move correspondingly slower.

The movement profile remains constant below the speed threshold. This defines a minimum speed of the ejector around which Ensure that the folded sheet is handed over to the conveyor belts of the delivery.

As far as the ejector movements are concerned, the following positions can be distinguished:

On the one hand, the ejector moves to a point that is referred to as "Pos. Above". This "Pos. Above" is the upper reversal point of the sword 503, from here the position, "Pos. Below", is approached at a defined or continuously freely definable speed.

"Pos. Bottom" is the lower reversal point of the sword, from here the position 'Pos Zero' is approached at a defined or continuously freely definable speed.

So takes the sword 503 resp. whose plunger 502 of the ejector 500 has three fixed positions, which are either predefined positions, or are continuously freely defined. In other words, "Pos. Abben" is the highest position of the sword, and it forms, as it were, its reversal point at which the transfer of the folded sheet to the conveyor belts of the delivery is completed. "Pos. Bottom" is the lowest position of the sword as a reversal point; the sword dips down to this position so as not to collide with the subsequent folded sheet on the collecting chain. "Pos. Zero" represents the neutral position from which the sword comes into operation on the next folded sheet.

Figure 5 shows essentially the same elements as in Figure 1 , underlining the inventive development by means of a device 700 which can be regulated to the thicknesses of the printed products to be conveyed and which is operated by a motor 800 which acts in a data-linked manner 701 with the main control 400. Otherwise, the explanations below apply Figure 3 ,

Figure 6 essentially shows that Figure 1 , whereby from the Figure 6 the position of the delivery 130 is apparent, which contains the device 700 according to the invention.

Figure 7 shows the assembled delivery 130 and ejector 500, which are operatively connected to each other. More details on the structure of the delivery can be found Figure 2 and their description during the construction of the ejector 500 in Figure 4 and the description of which is presented. From this Figure 6 it can further be seen that the delivery 130 is provided by laterally arranged plates 710, 711, which are used to support the cross shafts 722, 732. These cross shafts span the entire feed area of the delivery. More details go out Figure 8 out.

Figures 8 and 9 show the effective structure of the device 700. The starting point here is the detection of the thickness (601) of the conveying printed product. The control (See Figure 5 ) set up so that this thickness can potentially or actually vary or be different with each production cycle. Accordingly, those differences in thickness within a job that are relevant for the detection of the printed products by the delivery 130 are also recorded continuously. A predetermined tolerance is taken into account by the control. The range of thicknesses can advantageously be managed by an MIS (see definition list), whereby the thickness of the printed product can also be calculated by the number of folded sheets and their thickness.

This device 700 has on both sides of the inlet area 790 of the delivery 130 two symmetrically mounted swivel arms 720, 730; 721, 731, the pairwise spacing of the swivel arms from one another being effected by an intermediate, double-running cam 750, which implements a spreading of the swivel arms as a function of the respectively measured thickness (601) of the printed product being conveyed out. The essentially horizontal swivel arms connected to each other carry infeed rollers 760n, 770n over the entire inlet area 790 of the delivery 130, which accomplish the detection and further transport of the printed product being conveyed, regardless of its format size. The operating infeed rollers 760n, 770n thus cover the entire infeed area of the delivery and are each supported on a connecting shaft 761, 762 between opposite swivel arms, namely 720 to 721 and 730 to 731, which means that the infeed rollers are also indirectly connected to one end of the swivel arm placed spring element 780, in such a way that the inlet rollers have a predetermined spread under spring force with respect to one another within the scope of the cam disk 750, depending on the thickness of the printed product being measured, and thus a non-positive connection is exerted on the printed product to be delivered.

This spreading of the swivel arms 720, 730; 721, 731 takes place on both sides of the operational feed width of the delivery 130, this in each case depending on the thickness of the printed product being discharged, the feed rollers 760n, 770n exerting a force fit on the printed product due to their operative connection with the spring element 780. The Figure 9 shows a pair of swivel arms on one side of the delivery, schematically also other rollers and associated conveyor belts 132 of delivery 130, which together ensure the further transport of the printed product. The individual infeed rollers 760, 770 are shown here.

The spreading for detecting the thickness of the printed product being conveyed takes place in an angular manner from top to bottom, ie, the two rollers 741, 742 belonging to the swivel arms 720, 730 act as the hinge point 740, which, when spreading, unwind to one another by a certain angular amount. The spread for detecting the thickness of the printed product being conveyed can also be achieved in such a way that the swivel arms operating in pairs can also open parallel to one another. Out Figure 9 With reference to the double-running cam 750 shown there, it can be seen which tensioning procedure is preferably used here: Each swivel arm 720, 730 preferably carries an opposing pin 751, 752 on each side in the plane of symmetry of the cam, which is caused by the rotation of the cam cause a force-supported spreading of the swivel arms along the profile.

name list

100

Attachment, saddle stitcher

110

Collection chain, transport chain

120

stapler

130

display

131

Conveyor belts, aids

132

General course of the delivery for further transport of the printed product in general

140

Product feed to the cutting device

150

cutting machine

160

Stop, overall structure of the device

161

Motor, servo motor

170

Product-related attachment level

200

Folded sheets, generally printed product

201

Folded sheet, brochure, large format

202

Folded sheet, brochure, small format

300

thickness gauge

301

Data from the thickness gauge for the control

310

control systems

311

Data from the control systems for the control

320

Stop level of the stop

400

Control, main control

401

Data exchange control / MIS

410

MIS (Management Information Systems)

500

Ejector, ejector device

501

Data from the ejector for the control

502

ejector

503

sword

600

Brochure, general printed product

601

Thickness of the printed product

700

Device, adjustable

710

Side plate for the storage of the cross shaft and swivel arm

711

Side plate for the storage of the cross shaft and swivel arm

720

Swivel arm to the adjacent swivel arm 730

721

Swing arm to the 731 swivel arm

722

cross shaft

730

Swivel arm to the adjacent swivel arm 720

731

Swivel arm to the adjacent swivel arm 720

732

cross shaft

740

General hinge point

741

role

742

role

750

cam

751

Opposed to the kinematics of the cam

752

Opposed to the kinematics of the cam

760

Single infeed roller

760N

Compound of infeed rollers along the infeed area of the delivery

761

Connection shaft for the intake rollers

762

Connection shaft for the intake rollers

770

Single infeed roller

770n

Compound of infeed rollers along the infeed area of the delivery

780

spring element

790

intake area

800

Motor for operating device 700

Claims (32)

System (100) preferably designed as a saddle stitcher, essentially consisting of a transport chain, which is roof-shaped in the upper area, along which one or more printed products, preferably formed by folded sheets, can be transported astride, are collected and optionally stapled in an intermediate stapling station, whereby in Direction of transport of the printed product (200, 600) after the stapling station along the further course of the transport chain (110) is arranged a stop (160) which is adjustable in accordance with the format of the printed product consisting of one or more folded sheets and which corresponds to the location of the discharge of this printed product from the Collection chain coincides, characterized in that the timely takeover of the printed product takes place during the discharge by means of a delivery (130), which delivery (130) in the inlet area (790) has a device (700) formed to take over the discharged printed product, which device tion (700) essentially from movable means (720, 730; 721, 731), which can be controlled in accordance with the measured thickness (601) of the printed product (200, 600) being conveyed out. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the movable means of the device (700) are preferably arranged in pairs and on both sides of the inlet area (790) of the delivery (130), that each pair consists of two substantially vertically extending and spaced-apart swivel arms (720 , 730; 721, 731) exist that each pair of the swivel arms is operatively connected to a double-running cam disc (750), which cam disc (750) spreads these swivel arms by a rotating movement and at the same time changes the distance between them and the swivel arms standing infeed rollers (760n, 770n) to each other depending on the respectively measured thickness (601) of the delivered printed product. System according to claim 2, characterized in that the swivel arms (720, 730; 721, 731) connected to one another at the ends over the entire infeed area (790) of the delivery (130) have a number of adjacent infeed rollers (760n, 770n), which are mounted on connecting shafts (761, 762) stretched between the individual swivel arms, and which accomplish the integral detection and further transport of the printed product being conveyed out. System according to claim 2, characterized in that the spreading of the swivel arms (720, 730; 721, 731) including the inlet rollers (760n, 770n) arranged transversely to the inlet of the delivery for detecting the thickness (601) of the printed product conveyed by an angular one These swivel arms (720, 730; 721, 731) are opened from top to bottom. System according to claim 2, characterized in that the swivel arms (720, 730; 721, 731) including the feed rollers (760n, 770n) arranged transversely to the inlet of the delivery in order to provide the thickness (601) of the printed product conveyed out in operative connection with a spring element (780), by means of which the spreading of the swivel arms to one another, as specified by the cam disc (750), and with them at the same time the corresponding feed rollers are subject to a spring force. System according to claim 2, characterized in that the spreading of the swivel arms (720, 730; 721, 731) under spring force, including the inlet rollers (760n, 770n) arranged transversely to the inlet of the delivery, as a function of the respectively measured thickness (601) of the discharged printed product and that this spring force exerted by a spring element (780) exerts a frictional connection of the feed rollers (760n, 770n) on the discharged printed product. System according to Claim 2, characterized in that the spreading for detecting the thickness (601) of the printed product being carried out takes place in such a way that the swivel arms (720, 730; 721, 731), which operate in pairs, include the inlet rollers (760n) arranged transversely to the inlet of the delivery , 770n) open parallel to each other, and that both ends of the swivel arms are braced to one another with a spring element (780). System according to claim 2, characterized in that in the event of a jam of the conveyed printed products, the swivel arms (720, 730; 721, 731), including the infeed rollers (760n, 770n) arranged transversely to the inlet of the delivery, open to the maximum or quasi-maximum that at a double deduction from folded sheets, the swivel arms (720, 730; 721, 731), including the infeed rollers (760n, 770n) arranged transversely to the infeed of the delivery, open moderately according to the differences in thickness, that the difference in thickness of the printed product conveyed out of the course of the folds causes the swivel arms (720, 730; 721, 731), including the infeed rollers (760n, 770n) arranged transversely to the infeed of the delivery. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the stop in operative connection with mutually interdependent operating means (130, 500) bring about a timed and format-stabilized conveying out of the printed product. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (700) is equipped with a unit which optionally makes a lateral adjustment of the device depending on the measured thickness (601) of the printed product being conveyed out, and an adapting positioning of the device with respect to the thickness symmetry of the exported printed product accomplished. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that a second means, which is in operative connection with the delivery (130), and for the timely conveying out of the printed product consisting of one or more folded sheets consists of an ejector (500). Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the format-stabilized printed product via the stop (160) can preferably be fed to a cutting apparatus (150) after the delivery (130). System according to claim 1, characterized in that when the printed product is conveyed out in the area of the delivery (130) there is a change in direction with respect to the transport direction of the transport chain by or approximately 90 °. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the adjustable stop (160) has a stop plane (170) directed towards the transport direction of the printed product consisting of one or more folded sheets, which plane has a coordinated stop and counter to the front edge of the printed product being conveyed out Alignment function. System according to claim 1, that the transport route is a collecting chain (110), which is equipped with foldable transport fingers for conveying the printed product consisting of one or more folded sheets. System according to claims 1 and 10, characterized in that the delivery (130) has a number of secondary transport belts (131) which are operatively connected to an ejector (500) arranged on the underside of the ridge of the printed product, which transport belts further convey this out Accomplish the printed product. Installation according to claim 16, characterized in that the ejector (500) is equipped with a projecting sword (503), through which the printed product can be conveyed from below and can be conveyed into the delivery (130). Method for operating the system according to one or more of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the interdependent operation of at least the transport chain (110), stop (160), delivery (130), ejector (500), cutting device (150) a main controller (400) is controlled. A method according to claim 18, characterized in that the interdependent operation of at least said units of the system is operated by stored control profiles and / or by an adaptive and / or predictive control. A method according to claim 18, characterized in that the main controller (400) is operatively connected to at least one management information system (410). Method for operating a device according to claim 1, characterized in that the device-related processes for the thickness-dependent detection of the printed product to be conveyed proceed as follows: a) Depending on the respectively measured thickness (601) of the printed product to be discharged, the device optionally carries out a lateral adjustment to the extent that the device now assumes a position in relation to the symmetry of the thickness of the printed product to be discharged; b) Depending on the measured thickness of the printed product to be discharged, the swivel arms are spread in pairs against each other by adjusting an associated double-running cam (750), to the extent that the new free distance between inlet rollers (760n, 770n) arranged at the end of the swivel arms corresponds to the thickness of the printed product to be discharged corresponds; c) This position of the inlet rollers (760n, 770n), which is predetermined by the double cam, is positively stabilized by a spring element (780) by the spring element indirectly exerting a pressing force on the double cam; d) When taking over the printed product to be discharged, the feed rollers exert a non-positive connection on the printed product due to the position of the double cam and in operative connection with the spring element. A method according to claim 21, characterized in that the ultimate frictional connection to the printed product to be discharged is created by the spring force resulting from the spring element. Method for operating a device according to claim 1, characterized in that the device-related processes for the thickness-dependent detection of the printed product to be conveyed proceed as follows: a) Depending on the respectively measured thickness of the printed product to be discharged, the device optionally carries out a lateral adjustment to the extent that the device now assumes a position in relation to the symmetry of the thickness of the printed product to be discharged; b) Depending on the determined thickness of the printed product to be fed out, the swivel arms are spread in pairs against each other by adjusting an associated double-running cam (750), to the extent that the new free distance between inlet rollers (760n, 770n) arranged at the ends of the swivel arms corresponds to the thickness of the printed product to be fed out corresponds; c) This position of the infeed rollers relative to one another, predetermined by the double-running cam, is non-positively stabilized by a spring element (780), in that the spring element indirectly exerts a force on the double-running cam; d) When taking over the printed product to be discharged, the infeed rollers exert a non-positive connection due to the position of the double-running cam in relation to the swivel arms. e) After each cycle, the swivel arms and with them also the infeed rollers open briefly over the specified or total thickness of the printed product to be conveyed out, so that the infeed rollers then move back to the previous or to a new position when the printed product to be conveyed out again, depending on this the present thickness of the printed product to be discharged. Method according to claim 23, characterized in that, if the jammed printed products are jammed, the swivel arms (720, 730; 721, 731) are opened to the maximum or quasi-maximum, including the inlet rollers (760n, 770n) arranged transversely to the inlet of the delivery, that in the case of double pull-off of folded sheets, the swivel arms (720, 730; 721, 731), including the feed rollers (760n, 770n) arranged transversely to the inlet of the delivery, are opened moderately in accordance with the differences in thickness that start from the fold path Differences in thickness of the printed product to be conveyed open the swivel arms (720, 730; 721, 731) moderately, including the infeed rollers (760n, 770n) arranged transversely to the inlet of the delivery. Method for operating a system according to claim 1, characterized in that the operative connection between the stop (160) and the delivery (130) is given according to the following criteria: a) The stop can be individually positioned for each printed product in relation to its end position in the transport direction by means of a self-drive; b) The final position of the stop (160) is at least dependent on the format (201, 202) of the printed product being brought in and taking into account the speed of the transport chain; c) The stop defines the horizontal end position of the printed product with respect to the outfeed injected by operative aids (131) of the delivery (130), the end position of the stop (160) being set so that the printed product, regardless of its format size, is in a central position during the outfeed opposite the arrangement of the aids (131) of the display (130); d) The operative end position of the stop to be assumed is controlled at least by stored control profiles or continuously by sensors, such as photocells, camera systems; e) A printed product-related front wall (170) of the stop (160) has a stabilizing effect against a tilting moment and / or inclined position of the printed product during the conveying out carried out by the operational aids (131) of the delivery (130). A method according to claim 25, characterized in that the stop (160) is coupled to a self-drive, and that the stop ensures precise positioning for each printed product by an "on-the-fly" operation. A method according to claim 25, characterized in that the operational aids of the delivery (130) consist of conveyor belts (131) which at the beginning preferably capture the printed product on both sides of the fold and transport it further in conformity with the format. Method according to claim 25, characterized in that the stop (160) is directly equipped with corresponding sensors which respond to a congestion control or to asymmetrical differences in the thickness of the printed product in the flow of the supplied printed products, and such information is forwarded to the main control. Method for operating a system according to claims 1 and 11, characterized in that the operative process sequences of the ejector (500) for conveying the printed product are carried out according to the following criteria: a) A sword (503) as part of an ejector (500) arranged below the delivery (130) and preferably equipped with its own drive remains in a neutral position ("Pos. zero") until a command transmitted by the main controller arrives , which initiates the triggering of the extraction; b) The ejector (500) starts the movement of its operative parts (502, 503) from this "trigger" position in order to transfer the printed product consistently into the delivery, this triggering being timed by the speed of the transport chain, the format of the Print product, and any manual correction is dependent, and wherein the speed of the transport chain has a defined or continuously freely definable speed threshold; c) Above the speed threshold, the speed of the ejector is directed to that of the transport chain and / or to those conveyor belts belonging to the delivery, such that as the speed of the transport chain increases, the vertical movement of the ejector increases, and at Reducing the speed of the transport chain reduces the vertical movement of the ejector upwards; d) Below the speed threshold, the movement profile of the ejector is defined by a minimum speed to ensure the transfer of the printed product to the conveyor belts (131) of the delivery (130). A method according to claim 29, characterized in that the sword (503) belonging to the ejector (500) moves to an upper reversal point (item top) when the printed product is being conveyed out. A method according to claim 29, characterized in that the sword (503) belonging to the ejector (500) moves to a lower reversal point (item bottom) after the printing product has ended. A method according to claim 29, characterized in that the sword (503) belonging to the ejector (500) assumes the neutral position (item zero) from a lower reversal point (item below).

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