EP3615336B1 - Machining unit for machining the boundary surfaces of at least one body - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a processing machine for processing the interfaces of at least one body according to claim 1.

The term "body" should be understood to mean a three-dimensional object that has a mass and occupies a space. Solids have a fixed shape and can be described by interfaces. The present invention relates primarily to a processing machine for processing bodies with rigid and / or rigid interfaces, preferably round bodies and / or hollow bodies, e.g. B. each with at least partially curved and / or concave or convex arched and / or spherical interfaces, in particular of hollow bodies to be used as a container, the respective processing of these interfaces preferably consists in their decoration, in particular in their printing. Such bodies are z. B. as packaging, in particular as primary packaging for a certain, so previously determined amount of z. B. liquid or pasty or powdery packaged goods are used, the body in question at least partially, preferably completely enclosing the packaged goods. The body to be machined with the machine tool are z. B. each designed as a bottle or as a flacon or as a cup or as a cartridge. The z. B. one-piece or multi-part body are partially or completely z. B. each made of glass or a ceramic or a plastic or a metallic material. Each of these preferably rotationally symmetrical bodies has a lateral surface and a base surface, also known as the bottom, and optionally a top surface. B. a closed or at least closable opening is formed with a closure.

Through the EP 2 995 453 A1 a transport device for objects to be processed in a processing machine and processed there is known, with a first conveyor device and a second conveyor device, a first conveyor path being rigidly predetermined for these objects with respect to the first conveyor device and a second conveyor path with respect to the second conveyor device The transfer position of a transfer device arranged in the second conveying path of the second conveying device is provided for transferring objects from the first conveying device to the second conveying device and from the second conveying device to the first conveying device, the second conveying device having a holding device for holding one of the two conveying devices along the second conveying path having objects to be transported, objects moving along the first conveying path by the first conveying device being continuously moved and the holding device of the second conveying device e n is moved discontinuously along the second conveying path, the objects to be transported each being designed as a hollow body each having a longitudinal axis, the respective longitudinal axis of the objects to be transported being arranged horizontally in the first conveying path and in the second conveying path.

Through the EP 2 100 733 A1 a linear printing machine with exchangeable printing modules for printing hollow bodies is known, comprising: a) a transport device with a drive with which the hollow bodies to be printed are transported through the linear printing machine, b) at least one first printing station and one in the conveying direction of the hollow bodies after the first printing station arranged second printing station, c) at least one drying station for drying the ink on the printed hollow bodies and d) a machine control that controls at least the transport of the hollow bodies through the linear printing machine, e) each of the printing stations is prepared to receive a printing module with its own drive and wherein the printing module can be connected to the machine control via an interface, f) wherein the printing modules use a printing process consisting of screen printing and / or the hollow bodies Flexographic printing and / or offset printing and / or cold stamping and / or hot stamping and / or laser color transfer and / or inkjet printing.

Through the WO 2011/121222 A1 a transport device on a processing machine having a printing unit with a first conveyor device and a second conveyor device is known, the first conveyor device moving articles to be printed made of glass or plastic to the second conveyor device and transferring them to the second conveyor device at a loading station, the second conveyor device z. B. is designed as a turntable or as a conveyor belt and the article to be printed is continuously transported to a printing unit that prints in a screen printing process and then delivers it again to an unloading station.

Through the DE 10 2006 023 349 A1 a device for decorating objects is known, with at least two, each moved by a drive device Transport slides, on each of which a holder is attached, which is designed to carry at least one object, and with at least one decorating station, the holder of at least one transport slide being movably attached to the transport slide perpendicular to the direction of movement of the transport slide and the at least two transport slides at least in sections separate slide tracks are guided.

Through the DE 10 2004 012 078 A1 a device for decorating objects is known, which are carried by slides transported along a transport path through the treatment stations of the device, which includes an input station in which the objects to be printed are inserted into the slide, a removal station in which the printed objects from the Slides are taken out, and at a distance from the transport path at least one separating station in which the stacked objects to be printed are individually removed from a magazine, and at least one collecting station to which the printed objects are fed, and at least one transport element, which the objects in In the direction of the input station or the collecting station, at least one reciprocating first lifting device is arranged in the separating station, which removes the objects individually from the stack, and one the individual objects from the first lifting device Attention-taking over first transport device is provided, which transports the objects in the direction of the input station, and in the removal station above the object carrier located in the same at least one reciprocating second lifting device is arranged and also a second transport device is present, which is the one from the second Lifting device takes over objects removed from the slide and transports them towards the at least one collecting station, the respective at least one lifting device preferably being provided with at least one suction head which can be connected to a vacuum source and which can be brought into contact with the object.

Through the DE 86 29 557 U1 a device for decorating objects is known, which device has at least a first station and at least a second station as well as a holding device by which the objects are carried in the stations, at least one station being provided with at least one device for applying a decoration and the holding device for the objects is provided with holding elements which are attached in pairs and can be reciprocated parallel to their longitudinal axis and which in pairs form at least two holding devices for the objects which are moved intermittently from one station to another station at a distance therefrom in the transport direction , wherein a transport device is provided for the transport of the objects, which has at least one base body which is pivotably arranged in a plane which runs essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the objects carried by the holding elements, and mi t at least one support element is provided which protrudes from the base body in the direction of the holding device and is attached to it pivotably in the pivoting movement of the base body, and the stroke of the base body in the transport direction of the objects and the stroke of the support element in the transport direction become a distance supplement by which the object is moved from a first station, in which it is carried by a holder of the holding device, to a second station located at a distance from the first station, in which it is carried by another holder.

Through the GB 2,378,436 A a system for transferring supports for objects is known which is between a conveyor and a machine, e.g. B. a printer for printing the objects, can be stacked and unstacked. The system comprises a) a mobile transfer table which has two positions which are each suitable for receiving a holder for a stack of objects and which are designed to assume a series of positions, b) first drive means which are suitable for driving the transfer table vertically up and down, and c) a second drive device which is suitable for horizontally pulling the transfer table forwards or backwards and at the same time transferring a holder with objects and an empty holder or the empty transfer table into one position to pull, in which a new bracket is expected.

Through the EP 2 363 288 A1 A device for aligning objects, in particular for preparing a decorating process in a printing machine, is known, comprising a robot device with a gripping arm for gripping and subsequently inserting an object in a holding device which has at least one end face receptacle for holding the object, which is to rest against an end face section of the object inserted in the holding device is formed, as well as a means for setting an aligned state of the object in the holding device, with a camera device which images a section, in particular an end face section, of the object gripped by the gripper arm, an image processing device for detecting the position a predetermined marking on the section of the object, a control device data-connected to the image processing device depending on the position of the detected marking on the paragraph section of the object controls the means for setting an aligned state of the object.

Through the DE 10 2015 220 141 A1 a method and a device for bottom-side labeling of containers are known.

The DE 10 2006 034 060 A1 relates to a method and a device for decorating an uneven surface on a dimensionally stable object, in particular on a beverage can.

Through the KR 10 2005 0 095 383 A is a device for placing a Glass container in a printer for applying an imprint to the glass container in question.

The DE 10 2014 218 313 A1 relates to a transport device for objects to be processed in a processing machine and / or processed there, with a first conveyor device and a second conveyor device, a first conveyor path being rigidly predetermined for these objects with regard to the first conveyor device and a second conveyor path in each case rigidly given with regard to the second conveyor device, whereby a transfer position of a transfer device arranged in the second conveying path of the second conveying device is provided for transferring objects from the first conveying device to the second conveying device and / or from the second conveying device to the first conveying device.

Through the DE 20 2009 019 085 U1 a system for printing containers, such as bottles, is known, with at least one print image on at least one printing machine with at least one print head on which ink outlet nozzles are provided, the printing machine having at least one robot with a robot hand, the system being designed in such a way that the container to be printed is gripped by the robot hand and positioned in front of the at least one print head for printing by the robot hand.

The JP 2007 - 1 131 A relates to a device for printing the bottom of a cylindrical hollow body, in which the bottom of the cylindrical hollow body is printed when the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical hollow body is inclined by 45 ° to the vertical.

Through the DE 103 27 628 A1 is a marking station for the application of mandatory deposit labels on one-way containers such as B. bottles, cans or other packaging known. It is provided that the disposable container in a vertical Orientation can be guided by the marking station and that the marking of the container bottom is carried out from below.

The invention is based on the object of creating a processing machine for processing the interfaces of at least one body.

The object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claim 1.

The dependent claims show advantageous developments and / or refinements of the solution found.

The advantages that can be achieved with the invention consist in particular in the fact that several interfaces of a body can be processed in an ongoing production. Further advantages can be seen from the description below.

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

Fig. 1

eine Bearbeitungsmaschine mit einer Handhabungseinrichtung;

Fig. 2

eine Bearbeitungsmaschine mit zwei Handhabungseinrichtungen;

Fig. 3

eine Bearbeitungsmaschine und eine Transportvorrichtung;

Fig. 4

einen Ausschnitt der in der Fig. 3 dargestellten Bearbeitungsmaschine und Transportvorrichtung;

Fig. 5

eine weitere Teilansicht der in den Fig. 3 und 4 dargestellten Bearbeitungsmaschine und Transportvorrichtung;

Fig. 6

eine Teilansicht einer Übergabeeinrichtung der Transportvorrichtung der Fig. 3 bis 5;

Fig. 7

eine Draufsicht einer zweiten Ausführungsvariante der Transportvorrichtung;

Fig. 8

eine perspektivische Darstellung der Transportvorrichtung der Fig. 7;

Fig. 9

ein Tintenstrahldruckwerk zum Bedrucken eines Körpers mit einer partiell gekrümmten und/oder gewölbten und/oder balligen Mantelfläche;

Fig. 10

einen Ausschnitt aus der Bearbeitungsmaschine gemäß den Fig. 3 bis 8 mit einer Vorrichtung zum Überführen mindestens eines zu bearbeitenden Körpers von einer ersten Bearbeitungsposition in eine zweite Bearbeitungsposition in einer ersten Betriebsstellung;

Fig. 11

einen Ausschnitt aus der Bearbeitungsmaschine gemäß den Fig. 3 bis 8 mit der Vorrichtung gemäß der Fig. 10 in einer zweiten Betriebsstellung.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a processing machine with a handling device;

Fig. 2

a processing machine with two handling devices;

Fig. 3

a processing machine and a transport device;

Fig. 4

a section of the Fig. 3 illustrated processing machine and transport device;

Fig. 5

another partial view of the in the Fig. 3 and 4th illustrated processing machine and transport device;

Fig. 6

a partial view of a transfer device of the transport device of Figures 3 to 5 ;

Fig. 7

a plan view of a second embodiment of the transport device;

Fig. 8

a perspective view of the transport device of Fig. 7 ;

Fig. 9

an inkjet printing unit for printing a body with a partially curved and / or arched and / or convex outer surface;

Fig. 10

a section of the processing machine according to the Figures 3 to 8 with a device for transferring at least one body to be processed from a first processing position to a second processing position in a first operating position;

Fig. 11

a section of the processing machine according to the Figures 3 to 8 with the device according to Fig. 10 in a second operating position.

Fig. 1 shows a highly simplified example of a processing machine with several, z. B. four or six or eight or more in one z. B. cuboid shaped work space 01 each in particular fixedly arranged processing stations 02; 03; 04; 06 for processing bodies 07, preferably round bodies and / or hollow bodies, each with at least one stiff and / or rigid interface, in particular each with a z. B. due to depressions and / or constrictions at least partially curved and / or arched and / or convex lateral surface 54 ( Fig. 9 ). The body to be processed 07 are z. B. by means of a first Conveyor in these z. B. limited by an enclosure working space 01 preferably automatically introduced and after their respective processing z. B. preferably automatically removed again by means of a second conveying device or in this way can at least be introduced into the working space 01 of the processing machine and removed again. The work space 01 is therefore that space within the processing machine in which the individual processing stations 02; 03; 04; 06 are arranged for processing the bodies 07 and in which the processing of the bodies 07 introduced into this space is carried out. The processing stations 02; 03; 04; 06 are within the in the Fig. 1 working space 01 of the processing machine indicated by a border, usually in each case at a z. B. continuously selectable position, this position is preferably set according to your choice for performing a certain machining process. The respective positions of the machining stations 02; 03; 04; 06 are each different from one another and thus spaced from one another. The processing stations 02; 03; 04; 06 are preferably lined up in the transport direction of the bodies 07 to be processed, in particular arranged linearly one behind the other, the transport direction of the bodies 07 to be processed essentially from a transfer station arranged in the area of a transfer of the bodies 07 to be processed from the first conveyor device into the work space 01 to a is directed in the area of a transfer of the machined bodies 07 from the work space 01 to the second conveying device arranged transfer station. The processing stations 02; 03; 04; 06 are preferably arranged in the working space 01 in the same horizontal plane. The processing stations 02; 03; 04; 06 are in the transport direction of the body to be processed 07 z. B. variable in width. Although the processing stations 02; 03; 04; 06 are each generally arranged in a stationary manner in the work space 01 of the processing machine, so they can each be at their respective positions against a different processing station 02; 03; 04; 06 exchanged and / or changed and / or corrected in their respective position within the framework of defined limits if necessary, whereby the processing machine can be used flexibly and / or optimized for various processing processes. Depending on the respective machining process, a different number of machining stations 02; 03; 04; 06 are used. While a certain machining process is being carried out, all in the work space 01 of the machine tool can each be used for a machining station 02; 03; 04; 06 provided positions with a processing station 02; 03; 04; 06 be equipped or occupied, but not all of these processing stations 02; 03; 04; 06 are used, but depending on the requirements of the particular machining process, or is only a selection from the existing machining stations 02; 03; 04; 06 brought into use. And only for these machining stations 02; 03; 04; 06 bodies 07 to be processed are brought.

In one embodiment according to the invention, the processing machine is designed as a printing machine or the processing machine has at least one printing machine, with several processing stations 02; 03; 04; 06 are each designed as a printing unit. At least one of these printing units is z. B. designed such that a body 07 fed to it is printed with it in a printing process without printing form, ie in a digital printing process, or is at least printable, with at least one of these printing units as an inkjet printing unit, in particular as an inkjet printing unit 51 based on the Fig. 9 described construction is formed. Further processing stations 02; 03; 04; 06 can each also be designed as a printing unit, with another processing station 02; 03; 04; 06 z. B. is designed as a laser or as a screen printing process or as a pad printing process or as a printing unit executing a letterpress process.

The processing machine usually processes several, usually a larger amount, e.g. B. several thousand pieces of identical bodies 07, the respective body 07 being processed in the processing process provided for it, in particular on its lateral surface 54. For example, the bodies 07 are each printed with a preferably multicolored print image at least on or on their lateral surface 54. At the z. B. by a selection or other definition intended machining process intended for the body 07 are at least two of the plurality of machining stations 02; 03; 04; 06 involved, whereby it is determined by the respective machining process which of the machining stations 02; 03; 04; 06 and in what order the relevant processing stations 02; 03; 04; 06 process the respective body 07.

The processing machine is preferably designed in such a way that it can be used to execute various selectable or definable machining processes, each of these executable machining processes being carried out by the machining stations 02; 03; 04; 06 and is determined by the order in which they are used. At least one of the processing stations 02; 03; 04; 06 can also be designed as a device that pre-treats or post-treats the respective body 07, e.g. B. as a coating unit or as a dryer for drying a printing ink, in particular as a UV dryer, or as a flame device that heats a body 07 to be processed. The selection or definition of the processing stations 02; 03; 04; 06 is z. B. taken by an input on or in connection with a control device 11. This control device 11 is z. B. designed as an electronic, preferably digital, in particular freely programmable computing unit, in particular with at least one microprocessor. The selection of the processing stations 02; 03; 04; 06 reduces the number of those to be used Processing stations 02; 03; 04; 06 z. B. to a subset of the plurality of handling devices 08 arranged in the same work space 01. The control device 11 is preferably engaged in a data exchange, e.g. B. with a production planning system 21, also referred to as a PPS system for short, with a processing process to be carried out being specified by the production planning system 21 of the control device 11. A PPS system is a computer program or a system made up of computer programs that supports the user in production planning and production control and takes on the associated data management. The aim of a PPS system is the implementation of short lead times, adherence to deadlines, optimal inventory levels and the economic use of resources, ie in the present case the processing machine with its processing stations 02; 03; 04; 06. Since PPS systems are usually not used for direct control of production and production systems such as B. the processing machine with its processing stations 02; 03; 04; 06 are provided, a here z. B. the control device 11 having a production control station is provided in order to control the production units and / or production systems here in the form of the processing stations 02; 03; 04; 06 each to be controlled. The production control station, ie the control device 11, generally receives production orders from the PPS system via an interface, which in turn form target data. The production results achieved form actual data and are z. B. recorded by means of an operating data acquisition device and reported back to the PPS system, the PPS system taking this actual data into account in the next planning run. In this way, a corresponding control loop for production control can be set up.

In order to provide a plurality of bodies 07 to be processed, which are fed to the work space 01 of the processing machine, preferably individually and one after the other, to a processing station 02; 03; 04; 06 to be supplied and from a processing station 02; 03; 04; 06 to be transported to the next, at least one handling device 08 is provided. The The relevant handling device 08 provided for the transport of the body 07 to be processed or processed has at least one z. B. electric or pneumatic drive 09, this at least one drive 09 being controlled or at least controllable by the control device 11. The handling device 08 in question is or is, by means of its at least one drive 09, as a function of control data output by the control device 11 from a first processing station 02; 03; 04; 06 to at least one next processing station 02; 03; 04; 06 along a movement path z. B. moved translationally, the trajectory of the handling device in question 08 z. B. is straight. The movement path of the relevant handling device 08 provided for transporting the body 07 to be processed is z. B. predetermined by at least one, in particular, linear rail system and / or preferably arranged in a vertical transport plane. The handling device 08 in question is preferably designed as a two-axis system that can be moved bidirectionally, ie the handling device 08 in question has two axes of movement that are generally orthogonal to one another. B. from a transfer station of the respective processing station 02 defined by the selected processing process, which is arranged in the area of the transfer of the bodies 07 to be processed from the first conveyor device into the work space 01; 03; 04; 06 and then the processing station 02; 03; 04; 06 processed body 07 from this processing station 02; 03; 04; 06 z. B. to the transfer station arranged in the area of transfer of the machined bodies 07 from the work space 01 to the second conveyor device. The movements executed or at least executable by the relevant handling device 08 in the vertical transport plane are shown in the Figures 1 and 2 each by the z. B. in a Cartesian coordinate system arranged movement directions X and Y indicated. One to processing body 07 is preferably in each case from below, ie from a vertically lower position to the relevant processing station 02; which is arranged at a vertically higher position than the relevant handling device 08; 03; 04; 06, e.g. B. brought up to a digital printing unit or to a screen printing unit or can at least be brought up in this way. The transport of a processed or to be processed body 07 from one to the next processing station 02; 03; 04; 06 preferably takes place below that horizontal plane in which the individual processing stations 02; 03; 04; 06 are arranged in particular in a row.

To increase the mass throughput through this processing machine, ie to increase its output and / or to use the processing stations 02 more economically; 03; 04; 06 several, z. B. at least two or three handling devices 08 are provided ( Fig. 2 ), which are preferably operated at the same time or at least can be operated at the same time along their respective movement paths, these movement paths preferably each running in a transport plane, the transport planes of these handling devices 08 together with the processing stations 02; 03; 04; 06 are arranged in the same work space 01. These several handling devices 08 are z. B. essentially structurally identical, ie equipped with the same assemblies. In order to be able to communicate with one another and with the processing stations 02; 03; 04; 06 to ensure collision-free simultaneous operation of these multiple handling devices 08, it is provided that the respective drives 09 of these simultaneously operated handling devices 08 are each controlled by means of control data provided by the control device 11, in particular output to these drives 09, these control data being the respective handling device 08 can be moved preferably translationally along a movement path, ie a movement of the respective handling device 08 along a certain movement path is predetermined by this control data, several of these in the same working space 01 arranged handling devices 08 movements executed along these movement paths are formed collision-free due to their programming. Freedom from collisions means that a handling device 08 moved in the work space 01 at no time is in the same position as another handling device 08 moved in the same work space 01 or one of the processing stations 02; 03; 04; 06 is arranged. The collision protection of the multiple handling devices 08 arranged in the same work space 01 and operated at the same time is therefore not hardware-related, e.g. B. using sensors connected to and communicating with the control device 11, but by a corresponding drive control, ie by corresponding control data output by the control device 11. The control data for the drives 09 of the respective handling devices 08 are selected in such a way that the handling devices 08 involved in the execution of a specific machining process in the work space 01 do not have the same position at the same point in time. A predictive collision detection and / or collision avoidance is made possible and also implemented by a corresponding programming of the motion sequences stored in the control device 11, ie by corresponding control data. Furthermore, a collision protection implemented by the drive control of the several handling devices 08 arranged in the same working space 01 and operated at the same time has the advantage that the respective movements to be carried out along their trajectory of these several handling devices 08 arranged in the same working space 01 with regard to the mass throughput and / or a low-vibration and / or a quiet execution in its respective running program-technically in each case in particular taking into account the intended, z. B. can be optimized by the production planning system 21 or can be optimized as a function of this machining process and / or are also optimized. Such in the control device 11 preferably automated z. B. targeted using mathematical methods carried out optimization takes into account z. B. a phase shift between cyclically executing movement sequences of different handling devices 08 and / or waiting times and / or acceleration times or braking times within the movement sequences of the handling devices 08 involved in the machining process of the control device 11, each taking into account a phase shift between cyclically executed movement sequences of different handling devices 08 and / or waiting times and / or acceleration times or braking times within these movement sequences of the handling devices 08 involved in the machining process.

Fig. 2 shows an example of a processing machine with several, here z. B. two arranged in the same work space 01 and operated at the same time or at least operable handling devices 08, these two handling devices 08 z. B. arranged in two vertically one above the other and thus spaced from each other horizontal planes and in the respective plane z. B. are horizontally movable bidirectionally along a rail system. These handling devices 08, which are preferably again designed as a two-axis system, each have, for. B. a lifting device with which the body 07 transported by the respective handling device 08 by a vertical movement of the respective processing station 02; 03; 04; 06 is fed or at least can be fed. Of course, the respective handling device 08 is also used to handle a processing station 02; 03; 04; 06 to remove the machined body 07 from there again, e.g. B. by lowering the lifting device, and then in the X direction by a horizontal movement, in particular along a horizontal linear guide z. B. to a next processing station 02; 03; 04; 06 to transport. The lifting device of the respective handling device 08 is thus effective in the Y direction, in particular along a vertical linear guide. The Movements of the respective handling device 08 in the X direction and in the Y direction are either carried out one after the other or can at least be carried out one after the other or, in the preferred embodiment, these movements are carried out simultaneously or can at least be carried out simultaneously. The programming stored in the control device 11 for the movement sequences of these two handling devices 08 sees z. For example, if there is a risk of collision or to avoid a collision, the handling device 08 arranged in the lower of the two levels arranged vertically above one another, ie in particular its lifting device, moves into a safe lower position or is driven based on the control data controlling its at least one drive 09 and so that the path for a horizontal movement of the handling device 08 that crosses the path of movement of the handling device 08 arranged in the lower of the two vertically stacked levels opens up. The respective handling device 08, in particular its lifting device, is z. B. each equipped with a receiving device for the respective body to be processed 07, this receiving device z. B. is designed to be variable in format in order to be adaptable to geometrically differently shaped bodies 07.

In a further embodiment of a processing machine having a plurality of handling devices 08, it is provided that the respective area of action of each of these handling devices 08 does not have any spatial overlap or overlap with the respective area of action of one of the other handling devices 08. The respective areas of action of the handling devices 08 involved in the intended machining process are thus designed to be spatially separated from one another. It is between adjacent handling devices 08 z. B. at least one transfer station is provided, with a processed or to be processed body 07 being transferred from one handling device 08 to the next at the relevant transfer station or at least being transferable.

To further increase the mass throughput by a generic processing machine, i. H. to further increase their output and / or to use the processing stations 02 even more economically; 03; 04; 06, in an advantageous embodiment, a plurality of vertical transport levels are arranged in the processing machine, each parallel to one another and each horizontally spaced from one another, with at least one handling device 08 being arranged in each of these vertical transport levels. The handling devices 08 acting in different vertical transport levels can preferably be operated independently of one another.

The handling device 08 in question is z. B. designed as a robot, in particular an industrial robot, which can be moved in particular along at least one linear guide by the relevant drive 09. The handling device 08 in question causes a material flow in the processing machine through the transport of the bodies 07 to be processed along the processing stations 02; 03; 04; 06. In addition to the transport, the relevant handling device 08 performs the function of the body 07 to be processed in a defined pose and / or orientation at the respective processing station 02; 03; 04; 06 to be made available and / or to be kept there while the particular processing process is being carried out. The relevant handling device 08 exercises its respective functions in a program-controlled manner. The respective handling device 08 is therefore connected at least in terms of data technology to the control device 11, the control device 11 controlling the respective functions of the respective handling device 08.

Processing stations 02; 03; 04; 06 each have at least one proximity switch 12; 13; 14; 16 each with one in the trajectory of the relevant handling device 08 protruding detection area 22; 23; 24; 26 on. A proximity switch 12; 13; 14; 16, which is also referred to as a proximity initiator, is a sensor that detects an approach of an object (here preferably a body 07 and / or the relevant handling device 08 and / or the relevant drive 09 of the respective handling device 08) to this proximity switch 12; 13; 14; 16 reacts, the reaction of this sensor without direct contact between the object and the proximity switch 12; 13; 14; 16, i.e. without contact. Proximity switch 12; 13; 14; 16 are used, for example, to detect the position of objects. The detection or detection of the approach of an object to the proximity switch 12; 13; 14; 16 is z. B. an inductive or capacitive or magnetic or optical or ultrasound-based operating principle. In particular if the relevant processing station 02; 03; 04; 06 in the transport direction of the body to be processed 07 z. B. is designed to be variable in width, ie is preferably continuously variable in their respective width extending in the transport direction of the body 07 to be processed, i. V. with the relevant processing station 02; 03; 04; 06 several proximity switches 12; 13; 14; 16 provided, with reference to the width of this processing station 02; 03; 04; 06 z. B. to mark their beginning or end.

The relevant handling device 08 provided for the transport of the body 07 to be processed has an absolute value encoder 17 indicating the respective position of this handling device 08 with reference to its movement path. An absolute encoder 17 is a length or angle measuring device which is used as a position measuring device. The absolute measured value provided by an absolute value encoder 17 is available without referencing immediately after the absolute value encoder 17 is switched on. An absolute encoder 17 outputs position information or a position value in the form of a digital numerical value. Since this numerical value is unambiguous over the entire resolution range of the absolute value encoder 17, no initial reference travel is required. The determination of the current location information is z. B. a inductive or capacitive or magnetic or optical operating principle.

The at least one proximity switch 12; 13; 14; 16 of the respective processing station 02; 03; 04; 06 and the absolute encoder 17 of the respective handling device 08 are, like the respective drive 09 of the respective handling device 08, each at least for data purposes via a line system 19, e.g. B. via a line system 19 designed as a data bus system, wired or wirelessly connected to the control device 11, the control device 11 i. d. As a rule, a preferably digital storage device 18 has.

In a first operating state of the processing machine, it is provided that the storage device 18 stores the position value specified by the respective absolute value encoder 17 with reference to the movement path of the relevant handling device 08 provided for the transport of the body 07 to be processed, in each case as a function of a specific value for the respective body or bodies 07 is stored when this handling device 08 is in the detection area 22; 23; 24; 26 of the relevant proximity switch 12; 13; 14; 16 of this proximity switch 12; 13; 14; 16 having processing station 02; 03; 04; 06 is located, d. H. is arranged there. This first operating state of the processing machine corresponds to a calibration run or learning phase for the relevant handling device 08 provided for the transport of the body 07 to be processed set up for the relevant machining process. At the end of the learning phase, the processing machine preferably automatically switches to its second operating state or is able to carry out functions of its second operating state.

The relevant drive 09 is in the second operating state of the processing machine of the respective handling device 08 is controlled by the control device 11 in such a way that the respective handling device 08, depending on the particular machining process provided for the respective body (s) 07, stores the positions stored in the storage device 18 in the first operating state of the machine tool with reference to the movement path of this handling device 08 one after the other. This second operating state of the processing machine corresponds to a production phase for this processing machine in which the previously stored and thus learned positions are approached one after the other by the relevant handling device 08 depending on the particular processing process provided for the respective body or bodies 07 and the respective body or bodies 07 in the relevant processing station 02; 03; 04; 06 to be processed.

In order to increase the positioning accuracy for the relevant handling device 08, it is provided that the relevant handling device 08 in the first operating state of the processing machine, ie in the learning phase, each processing station 02; 03; 04; 06, which is required for a specific machining process provided for the respective body 07, starts up several times and that when this handling device 08 is in the detection area 22; 23; 24; 26 of the relevant proximity switch 12; 13; 14; 16 of this proximity switch 12; 13; 14; 16 having processing station 02; 03; 04; 06 is located, the respective position value specified with reference to the movement path of the relevant handling device 08 provided for transporting the body 07 to be processed is stored in the storage device 18. The multiple, e.g. B. twice approaching the same processing station 02; 03; 04; 06 takes place z. B. during a round trip of the relevant handling device 08 along its predetermined path of movement. To determine the position value to be used in the second operating state of the processing machine, ie for use in the production phase of this processing machine, it is provided that the Control device 11 from the for a specific processing station 02; 03; 04; 06 recorded position values a z. B. arithmetic mean value is calculated and then this mean value is used to control the at least one drive 09 of the respective handling device 08 and thereby the respective handling device 08 in the second operating state of the processing machine to the processing station 02; 03; 04; 06 belonging position to be set.

Since it is provided that the storage device 18 stores the position value specified by the respective absolute encoder 17 with reference to the movement path of the relevant handling device 08 provided for the transport of the body 07 to be processed, depending on a specific processing process provided for the respective body 07, the Control device 11 z. B. by comparing the current production with previous same productions check whether the processing stations 02; 03; 04; 06 present and correct, d. H. z. B. are mounted in the correct position in the working area 01 of the processing machine.

In an advantageous development of the solution found, the processing stations 02; 03; 04; 06 each has an automatically readable identifier, e.g. B. an RFID. If a handling device 08 is in the detection area 22; 23; 24; 26 of the relevant proximity switch 12; 13; 14; 16 of this proximity switch 12; 13; 14; 16 having processing station 02; 03; 04; 06 is located, it can be provided that the relevant processing station 02; 03; 04; 06 z. B. identified to the handling device 08 and either directly or via the relevant handling device 08 transmits technical information regarding its function and / or its performance data to the control device 11, so that this technical information is stored in the storage device 18 together with the recorded position value becomes. Such additional technical information provided reads, for example: "Screen printing unit - 240 mm wide" or "Digital printing unit - 80 mm wide - cyan printing ink". The intended processing process can be checked even better on the basis of this additionally provided technical information.

If a plurality of handling devices 08, in particular operating at the same time, are arranged in the processing machine, it is preferably provided that these handling devices 08 z. B. perform a calibration run independently of each other before their respective production phase.

Furthermore, z. For example, it is provided that the control device 11 stores the position values of various processing stations 02; 03; 04; 06 evaluates to the effect that, with reference to a specific machining process provided for the respective body 07, e.g. B. on a display device connected to the control device 11, a recommendation for an optimized positioning of the processing stations 02; 03; 04; 06 outputs in the work area 01 and / or with regard to the sequence of their respective use.

It can be provided that at least one of the processing stations 02; 03; 04; 06 each has a positioning device, the position of the relevant processing station 02; 03; 04; 06 automated by means of the respective positioning device, in particular for the purpose of optimizing performance for a specific machining process, d. H. is set in particular controlled by the control device 11 or is at least adjustable.

One to the in the Figures 1 and 2 Linear printing machine shown as an example, an alternative further embodiment of a processing machine used in the packaging industry for decorating or printing bodies 07, in particular Hollow bodies, is exemplified in the Figures 3 to 8 shown. This further embodiment of the processing machine is also referred to as a rotary indexing table processing machine, in particular as a rotary indexing table printing machine. Such a rotary indexing table machining machine, like the linear printing machine, has a generally enclosed work space 01 in which preferably several machining stations 02; 03; 04; 06 are arranged, with at least one of the processing stations 02; 03; 04; 06 to be processed body 07 with at least two separate conveyor devices 32; 33 having transport device 31 preferably lying in one in the Fig. 3 Transport direction T indicated by a movement arrow one after the other to the relevant processing station 02; 03; 04; 06 are transported to the relevant processing station 02; 03; 04; 06 to be processed individually. At least one of the processing stations 02; 03; 04; 06 designed as a printing unit, at least one of the printing units as a z. B. is formed in an inkjet printing process printing printing unit. In particular, at least one of the printing units is an inkjet printing unit 51 based on FIG Fig. 9 described construction. Other printing units are z. B. as in a screen printing process or in a letterpress process or in an offset printing process printing units or z. B. designed as a pad printing unit or as a transfer printing unit. Furthermore, at least one further of the processing stations 02; 03; 04; 06 z. B. as a printed image control device 34 or as an embossing device or as a hot foil transfer device or as a labeling device or as a painting device or as a device for pretreating the body 07 to be processed, e.g. B. be designed as a cleaning device 36. The processing machine has in its work space 01 z. B. ten or twelve printing units and also at least one drying system 37, preferably several drying systems 37, with z. B. a drying system 37 is assigned to each printing unit. The printing units arranged in the processing machine preferably print inks of different colors, especially customer-specific special colors. In the printing units z. B. thermoplastic printing inks or UV-curing printing inks are printed. If UV-curing printing inks are printed, the drying systems 37 are preferably designed as UV dryers. When using a thermoplastic printing ink in a printing unit printing in a screen printing process, e.g. B. a sieve heater is provided. In an advantageous embodiment of the processing machine, at least one of its processing stations 02; 03; 04; 06 z. B. designed as a cassette insertion device to allow rapid replacement of the relevant processing station 02; 03; 04; 06 in the processing machine and thus a short set-up time. In its preferred embodiment, the processing machine is in terms of the number and / or type of its respective processing stations 02; 03; 04; 06 freely configurable.

The example in the Fig. 4 in one opposite the Fig. 3 enlarged section of the aforementioned processing machine, shown in perspective, has two separate conveyor devices 32; 33, namely a first conveyor device 32 and a second conveyor device 33. The first conveyor device 32 transports z. B. recorded by machine or by the activity of an operator to be processed in the machine body 07 along a z. B. predetermined by a conveyor belt first conveyor path s32 and the second conveyor 33 transports the same body 07 to be processed in the processing machine along a particular self-contained, z. B. predetermined second conveying path s33 by a carousel-like device, the bodies 07 to be processed in the processing machine being moved in a revolving manner along the second conveying path s33. The second conveyor 33 is, for. B. designed as a turntable, the turntable preferably having a plurality of holding devices 39 each for holding one of the bodies 07 to be machined in the processing machine. Thus, in the transport device 31 of the processing machine for the in this processing machine to be processed body 07 two different separate conveying paths s32; s33 each rigidly specified, which differ from one another in their respective transport direction T.

The transport device 31 has at least one transfer device 41 with a transfer position defined in the second conveying path s33 of the second conveying device 33, at which transfer position of the at least one transfer device 41 the bodies 07 to be processed in the processing machine from the first conveying device 32 individually and one after the other to the second Conveying device 33 are transferred or are at least transferable and are also returned to the first conveying device 32 by the second conveying device 33 or are at least capable of being returned. In the in the Fig. 5 The embodiment illustrated by way of example provides that the first conveying path s32 of the first conveying device 32 and the second conveying path s33 of the second conveying device 33 at least at the at least one transfer device 41 in two different levels E32; E33 are arranged, these two levels E32; E33 have a distance a from one another other than zero at least in an action area B of the transfer device 41 having the transfer position. These two levels E32; E33 are preferably arranged parallel to one another. The conveyor routes s32; s33 are preferably arranged vertically one above the other, at least in the action area B of the relevant transfer device 41. If the two conveying paths s32; s33 in two different levels E32; E33 are arranged, they preferably have a common cut surface at least in the respective action area B of the at least one transfer device 41 concerned.

The at least one transfer device 41 of the transport device 31 has in its advantageous embodiment at least one controllable handling device 42, this handling device 42 z. B. acting orthogonally or at an oblique angle, ie at an acute angle deviating from 90 ° to the first conveying path s32 is arranged. The handling device 42 in question is z. B. each in the form of a lifting device 42. With the z. B. each designed as a lifting device 42 handling device 42 is preferably a single body 07 to be processed in the processing machine removed from the first conveying path s32, or it is at least removed there by means of the relevant handling device 42, whereby this Body 07 is then lifted or at least can be lifted into the second conveying path s33 by means of this handling device 42 in order to position the relevant body 07 in the second conveying path s33 at the transfer position provided by the transfer device 41 for transfer by the second conveying device 33. The second conveyor 33 has in its advantageous embodiment at least one controllable holding device 39, the holding device 39 in question, for. B. is designed as a one-sided or multiple-sided, in particular two-sided, the body 07 to be processed in the processing machine gripping device 39, with which gripping device 39 a body 07 lifted into the second conveying path s33 in the processing machine 01 to be processed during its transport along the second Conveying path s33 held or at least durable, in particular grippable. The respective movement of the at least one z. B. designed as a lifting device 42 handling device 42 and the movement of the gripping device 39 from a z. B. electrical, preferably digital, in particular programmable control device 11 or from a pneumatic control device 11 for transferring a body 07 to be processed in the processing machine, coordinated with one another or synchronized with one another. The body 07 gripped by the gripping device 39 of the second conveyor device 33 is transferred with the second conveyor device 33 for its processing to at least one processing station 02; 03; 04; 06 transported by the processing machine or can at least be transported there with the second conveyor device 33. The bodies 07 to be processed in the processing machine are or are preferably individually and z. B. strung together or spaced apart in a continuous Movement transported to the transfer device 41.

The first conveying device 32 has either a first conveying path s32 consisting of a single section C or a first conveying path s32 consisting of two separate sections C and D, the first conveying path s32 preferably being linear. The second conveying device 33 has an in particular self-contained second conveying path s33, the second conveying path s33 z. B. describes a circular path or an oval. At least in the action area B of the transfer device 41 that has the transfer position, the second conveying path s33 describes a segment of a circle. In the case of the second conveying path s33, which describes a closed, arcuate orbit, the one linear section C of the first conveying path s32 is arranged tangentially to the second conveying path s33.

The to be processed in the machine tool, at least partially z. B. cylindrically or conically shaped bodies 07 each have a longitudinal axis l07, their respective longitudinal axis l07 preferably lying in the first plane E32 and / or z. B. is directed orthogonally to the first conveying path s32. A body 07 gripped by the gripping device 39 of the second conveying device 33 is also preferably lying with its longitudinal axis l07 in the second plane E33 and / or z. B. directed orthogonally to the second conveying path s33. In both levels E32; E33, each of the bodies 07 to be processed in the processing machine is preferably transported in the same orientation, in particular lying down. Each of the bodies 07 to be processed in the processing machine is also transferred from the first plane E32 to the second plane E33, preferably with these bodies 07 in a lying position.

The Fig. 7 and 8th show one to the Figures 3 to 6 alternative embodiment of the transport device 31 in particular with regard to the first conveyor device 32, wherein the in the Fig. 7 and 8th illustrated first conveyor 32 has two sections C and D. The section C of the first conveyor 32 is used to supply the in the Processing machine body 07 to be processed starting from the receiving station 38, whereas in section D of the first conveyor device 32 in the processing machine already processed bodies 07 are removed in the direction of a removal station 43 in order to leave the transport device 31 there. In the case of the Fig. 7 and 8th The embodiment of the first conveyor 32 shown here, the bodies 07 to be processed in the processing machine in section C along the first conveyor path s32 in the first plane E32 z. B. brought up to the processing machine and in the first transfer device 41 along the first conveyor path s32 z. B. with a pivoting movement carried out by the relevant handling device 42 with respect to their respective longitudinal axis l07 brought into their horizontal orientation and then as in the preferred embodiment described above with the z. B. designed as a turntable second conveyor 33 in the second plane E33 lying along the second conveyor path s33 to at least one processing station 02; 03; 04; 06 transported to the processing machine. At the second transfer device 41 along the first conveying path s32, the bodies 07 processed in the processing machine are transferred from the second conveying device 33 to the section D of the first conveying device 32, for example. B. with a pivoting movement performed by the relevant handling device 42 with respect to their respective longitudinal axis l07 are brought back into their respective standing orientation. With this in the Fig. 7 and 8th The embodiment shown of the first conveyor 332 is in section C of the first conveyor 32 z. B. a separating device 44 is provided, this separating device 44 in section C of the first conveyor 32 in the direction of the first transfer device 41 transported along the first conveyor path s32 in a row in a touch contact body 07 to be processed in the processing machine by forming a distance k07 between directly successive bodies 07 isolated to these bodies 07 z. B. to make at least better graspable by the relevant handling device 42 of the first transfer device 41. Also in section D of the first conveyor 32 are the Bodies 07 already processed in the processing machine are preferably transported at a distance from one another in the direction of the removal station 43. The Fig. 8 shows the in the Fig. 7 shown transport device 31 and processing machine in a perspective view.

Based on Fig. 5 and 6th now some details of the Fig. 3 and 4th illustrated variant of the transport device 31 on the aforementioned processing machine. In an advantageous embodiment, the z. B. only the section C having first conveyor 32 in its transport direction T in a row in a z. B. at a distance k07 equidistant arrangement on a plurality of moved or at least movable drivers 46 along the first conveying path s32, each of these drivers 46 receiving a single copy of the body 07 to be processed in the processing machine, preferably lying down. The first conveying device 32 transports bodies 07 to be processed one after the other in the processing machine to the transfer device 41 without any physical contact with one another. A single body 07, preferably each with the first conveying device 32, e.g. B. in the first level E32 along the first conveyor path s32 to the transfer device 41 transported body 07 is in the transfer device 41 by means of the relevant z. B. designed as a lifting device 42 handling device 42 z. B. in the direction of a normal in the first level E32 from the first level E32 by a removal from the drivers 46 into the second level E33 of the second conveyor 33 and there in the second level E33 preferably during the in particular opposite to the transport direction T. The movement of the second conveyor 33 directed towards the first conveyor 32 is gripped by the at least one gripping device 39 of this second conveyor 33, at which point the relevant gripping device 39 of the second conveyor 33 at the transfer device 41 overlaps the first conveyor path s32 of the first conveyor 32 is or is positioned. Then the from the relevant Gripping device 39 gripped bodies 07 along the second conveying path s33 to at least one processing station 02; 03; 04; 06 transported to the processing machine. The second conveying device 33 preferably has a plurality of preferably structurally identical holding devices 39, in particular gripping devices 39, which are positioned one after the other in their respective takeover position on the transfer device 41 in accordance with the movement of the second conveying device 33. Each gripping device 39 is e.g. B. designed as a suction pad. Each of the holding devices 39 of the second conveying device 33 can also have a clamping device or a clamping device or be designed as such or as such, the body 07 in question to be processed in the processing machine in each case e.g. B. with its respective end faces between two opposing elements 28; 29 ( Fig. 11 ) clamped the relevant clamping device or the relevant clamping device and z. B. is held by this clamp or is. An advantageous embodiment of the clamping direction or the clamping means provides this or this each z. B. as a preferably horizontally arranged mandrel. After the body 07 to be processed in the processing machine has the preferably self-contained, z. B. has passed through the second conveying path s33 of the second conveying device 33, which runs around like a carousel, the at least one processing station 02; 03; 04; 06 of the processing machine, bodies 07 processed, preferably at the same transfer device 41 as before, are returned to the first conveying device 32 by the gripping device 39 in question, in that the gripping device 39 gripped by it at at least one processing station 02; 03; 04; 06 of the processing machine transferred body 07 in the transfer position to the lifting device 42 and, by lowering this lifting device 42 from the second level E33 to the first level E32, arranges it again on a driver 46 of the first conveyor device 32, whereupon the so deposited on at least one processing station 02; 03; 04; 06 of the processing machine, bodies 07 processed in the transport direction T of the first conveyor device 32 are transported away from an area of the processing machine and at the removal station 43 of the first Conveyor 32 of the transport device 31 is removed. In this embodiment of the transport device 31, the same first conveyor device 32 is used in each case for the supply of the bodies 07 to be processed in the processing machine and for their removal from the processing machine, which is inexpensive. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the first conveying path s32 is arranged in the action area B of the transfer device 41 having the transfer position tangentially to the second conveying path s33. B. is determined by an effective area or a reach of the at least one handling device 42 belonging to the transfer device 41. The first conveyor 32 then preferably has both a receiving station 38 upstream of the processing machine for receiving bodies 07 to be processed in the processing machine and a removal station 43 downstream of the processing machine for removing bodies 07 already processed in the processing machine.

The movement of the bodies 07 moved by the first conveyor 32 along the first conveyor path s32 is preferably continuous, whereas the gripping device 39 of the second conveyor 33 along the second conveyor path s33 is preferably discontinuous, in particular with the movement of the first conveyor 32 moving body 07 synchronized clock moves. The positioning of a body 07 to be processed in the processing machine in the second conveyor path s33 is preferably synchronized with the movement of the second conveyor 33 and / or the positioning of a body 07 processed in the processing machine in the first conveyor path s32 with the movement of the first conveyor 32 With respect to the moving bodies 07, the transport direction T of the first conveyor device 32 and the transport direction T of the second conveyor device 33 are preferably designed in opposite directions to one another. A clock rate for in the processing machine at at least one of its processing stations 02; 03; 04; 06 to be processed body 07 is z. B. in the range of 60 to 200 bodies 07 per minute, preferably at 120 bodies 07 per minute. As an alternative to clocking, the second conveyor device 33 can also execute a continuous movement, which is preferably synchronized with the movement of the first conveyor device 32. Fig. 6 shows a preferably electric drive 47, controlled in particular by the control device 11, of the at least one handling device 42 belonging to the relevant transfer device 41, ie in this example the at least one lifting device 42.

Regardless of the embodiment of the processing machine as a linear printing machine or as a rotary indexing table printing machine or as any other design of a printing machine, in particular in packaging printing with at least one of its processing stations 02; 03; 04; 06 body 07 with a z. B. printed as an inkjet printing unit 51 designed printing unit, these bodies 07 preferably as a round body and / or as a hollow body each with at least one stiff and / or rigid interface, in particular each with a z. B. due to depressions and / or constrictions at least partially curved and / or arched and / or convex lateral surface 54 are formed, the curvature and / or curvature of the printing material surface arranged on or on the lateral surface 54 in the direction of the longitudinal axis l07 of the body 07 and can be designed the same or different in the circumferential direction. The body 07 having the printing material surface can, in its basic form, for. B. be cylindrical or conical, but need not be rotationally symmetrical, but can also have an oval or polygonal cross-sectional area. In addition, along the lateral surface 54 of this body 07 recesses, for. B. be designed as recessed grips, or elevations. In preparation for the printing process, the relevant body 07 is first aligned with its longitudinal axis l07 axially parallel to at least one inkjet print head arranged in the inkjet printing unit 51 and then set in a rotary movement about its longitudinal axis l07. This rotation is in the Fig. 9 indicated by a rotation arrow. Likewise in the Fig. 9 the irregular, at least partially The non-rotationally symmetrical shape of the body 07 is indicated. As also in the Fig. 9 shown schematically, the at least one inkjet print head each has at least one inkjet nozzle 52, usually several in the same plane, preferably next to one another, in particular in a row or in several z. B. parallel rows arranged ink jet nozzles 52, the ink jet nozzles 52 involved in the printing process are each controlled synchronously with the rotation of the body 07 in question and, depending on the respective control signal, eject or shoot ink droplets in the direction of the body 07 in question. Each row of ink jet nozzles 52 preferably extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis l07 of the body 07 to be printed, ie parallel to this longitudinal axis l07. In the case of a plurality of rows of ink jet nozzles 52 arranged parallel to one another in the same ink jet print head, these rows of ink jet nozzles 52 in this ink jet print head are preferably offset from one another in the circumferential direction of the body 07 to be printed. The ink droplets ejected by the respective ink jet nozzles 52 at their respective ink outlet openings 53 have a volume in the range z. B. between 6 picoliters and 42 picoliters, the respective volume of the ink droplets ejected or at least ejectable at the ink outlet opening 53 in the respective area provided by the respective ink jet nozzle 52 by a control device 11, e.g. B. continuously or preferably in several discrete z. B. equidistant levels can be changed and / or set to different values in the course of the printing process. As a result of their respective activation by the control device 11, different inkjet nozzles 52 arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis l07 of the body 07 to be printed as well as various inkjet nozzles 52 arranged offset to one another in the circumferential direction of the body 07 to be printed can each have different volumes of ink droplets in each case in a printing process eject the printing material surface to be printed in particular together. In such a case, the control device 11 has various ink jet nozzles 52 and / or on, which are arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis 107 of the body 07 to be printed different ink jet nozzles 52, which are offset from one another in the circumferential direction of the body 07 to be printed, each set different volumes of ink droplets to be ejected at the respective ink outlet opening 53 in the direction of the printing substrate surface to be printed. A frequency at which ink droplets are successively ejected from an ink jet nozzle 52 is typically in the range of several kilohertz, e.g. B. between 3 kHz and 10 kHz. The respective ink outlet opening 53 of the respective ink jet nozzle 52 is fixed in position, that is to say is arranged within the printing press, but at least in the relevant ink jet printing unit 51 at a position that is unchangeable at least during the printing process. The lateral surface 54 of the relevant body 07, which has at least one printing material surface to be printed with at least one print image, is, however, at least during the printing process due to the rotation of the body 07 about its longitudinal axis l07 along a defined movement path relative to the position of an ink outlet opening 53 of the relevant inkjet nozzle 52 or the respective ink outlet openings 53 of the respective ink jet nozzles 52 moved. This movement path of the printing material surface on or on the lateral surface 54 of the relevant body 07 rotating about its own longitudinal axis 07 is a circular path in the case of an essentially cylindrical or conical body 07.

When printing with an inkjet printer 51, which is preferably in a processing station 02; 03; 04; 06 one previously based on the Figures 1 and 2 described linear printing machine or in a previously based on the Figures 3 to 8 described rotary table printing machine is arranged, the respective print image consists of several individual pixels arranged on the printing material surface, as a rule spaced apart from one another. In order to prevent or at least minimize impairment of the print result, i.e. the quality of the print image due to non-optimal flight of ink droplets, for example caused by air turbulence, a minimum and constant, in particular perpendicular, distance is generally used between the relevant inkjet nozzle 52 or the inkjet nozzles 52 involved in the printing process and the strived for by the relevant body 07 on or on its lateral surface 54 given printing material surface. When printing a body 07 with a z. B. due to depressions and / or constrictions at least partially curved and / or arched and / or spherical outer surface 54, however, the position of the ink outlet opening 53 of the relevant ink jet nozzle 52 points to at least two different pixels of the same print image to be printed on the printing material surface, deviating from conventional operating conditions for an inkjet printing unit 51, in which a printing material surface that is uniformly flat over a printing width of the printed image, ie a flat material is used as the printing material, has a different, in particular vertical, and therefore non-constant distance a1 over the printing width of the printed image; a2; a3 on. In the case of an inkjet printing unit 51 which has a plurality of inkjet nozzles 52 each with an ink outlet opening 53 and in which the respective positions of the respective ink outlet openings 53 of all inkjet nozzles 52 involved in printing the relevant print image are arranged in the same plane, at least two of these positions of the ink outlet openings 53 have a different one, in particular perpendicular distance a1; a2; a3 to the image point to be printed by the respective inkjet nozzle 52 on the printing material surface. As distance a1; a2; a3 is the length of the shortest connecting line between the respective position of the ink outlet opening 53 and the image point to be printed on the printing material surface. An inkjet printing unit 51 has at least one inkjet printhead with z. B. one thousand or more arranged in the same plane ink jet nozzles 52, each millimeter of printhead width z. B. five to fifteen or more inkjet nozzles 52 are arranged. In an inkjet printing unit 51, a plurality of inkjet printheads, preferably each of the same type of construction described above, preferably in the same plane, for. B. be arranged in a row. Like in the Fig. 9 As illustrated by way of example, in a body 07 with an at least partially curved and / or arched and / or convex lateral surface 54, several image points of the print image to be printed on the printing material surface are not in one arranged on the same level. At least two of the distances a1; a2; a3 from the position of the respective ink outlet opening 53 of the respective inkjet nozzles 52 to the respective image points to be printed point z. B. a difference of at least 0.5 mm, more likely of at least 1 mm or more. These differences in the mentioned intervals a1; a2; a3 can lead to a visible reduction in the print quality in a conventional inkjet printer 51. The print width of the print image having a plurality of pixels to be printed on the printing material surface extends parallel to the print head width of the ink jet printing unit 51, which generally has a plurality of ink jet nozzles 52.

In the preferred embodiment, the inkjet printer 51 is connected at least in terms of data technology to a preferably electronic, in particular digital, programmable data processing device 56, the data processing device 56 having a memory device 18 or being connected to a memory device 18, with a value in the memory device 18 in each case for the respective Distance a1; a2; a3 of the respective position of the respective ink outlet opening 53 of the inkjet nozzles 52 involved in printing the relevant print image is stored for the respective pixel to be printed by the relevant inkjet nozzle 52 on the printing substrate surface. Since the geometry of the body to be printed 07 z. B. is known from the production planning system 21, which is preferably connected to the data processing device 56, is in the memory device 18 z. B. stored that with a distance a1 of 1 mm, assumed here as an example as the minimum distance, between the position of the ink outlet opening 53 of the inkjet nozzle 52 involved in printing the relevant print image to the respective image point to be printed by this inkjet nozzle 52 on the printing substrate surface, that of this inkjet nozzle 52 at its ink outlet opening 53 ejected minimum volume of an ink droplet z. B. is or must be at least 6 picoliters so that this ink droplet can reliably reach the printing material surface given by the lateral surface 54 of the body 07 and a discrete one there Image point generated, whereas with a somewhat larger, in this example average distance a2 of z. B. 5 mm ejected by the ink jet nozzle 52 at its ink outlet opening 53 minimum volume of an ink droplet z. B. is or must be at least 24 picoliters in order to produce a print image of good print quality on the surface of the printing material given by the lateral surface 54 of the body 07. If the corresponding distance a3 is even greater and as the assumed maximum distance z. B. 10 mm, then for this distance a3 in the storage device 18 is a minimum volume of an ink droplet of z. B. at least 36 picoliters stored. In the memory device 18 is thus z. B. in a table or in a functional, an assignment of the distance a1; a2; a3 of the respective position of the respective ink outlet opening 53 of the ink jet nozzles 52 involved in printing the respective print image to the respective image point to be printed by the respective ink jet nozzle 52 on the printing substrate for the respectively required minimum volume of an ink droplet ejected by the respective ink jet nozzle 52 at its respective ink outlet opening 53 . These values and / or pairs of values determined by this assignment can be used by the control device 11 controlling the inkjet nozzles 52 of the inkjet printing unit 51.

Thus, in a particularly advantageous embodiment, the inkjet nozzles 52 of the inkjet printing unit 51 involved in printing the relevant print image are controlled by the control device 11 depending on the respective in the memory device 18 for the respective distance a1; a2; a3 of the respective position of the respective ink outlet opening 53 in relation to the respective value stored on the printing material surface to be printed. This control is preferably carried out in that the control device 11 emits a frequency with which ink droplets are ejected from the ink outlet opening 53 of the respective ink jet nozzle 52, and / or a waveform of an electrical signal with which a piezo element of the respective ink jet nozzle 52 is acted upon, in each case in Depending on the respective in the memory device 18 for the respective distance a1; a2; a3 of the respective position of the respective ink outlet opening 53 is or are controlled to the respective value stored on the printing material surface to be printed. As a result, with the control of the inkjet nozzles 52 of the inkjet printing unit 51 involved in printing the relevant print image, the required distance a1; a2; a3 of the respective position of the respective ink outlet opening 53 in relation to the respective pixel to be printed on the printing material surface, depending on the minimum volume of an ink droplet ejected by the respective ink jet nozzle 52 at its respective ink outlet opening 53.

The data processing device 56 preferably has a RIP processor (raster image processor) that rips the image data of the print image to be printed, or it is designed as such. A RIP processor, also known as a raster graphics processor, is special software or a combination of hardware and software that converts specific data from a higher-level page description language, such as PostScript, PDF or PCL, into a raster graphic in order to then use this raster graphic to create a print image on a printing machine to spend. A RIP processor calculates z. B. converts vector graphics into raster graphics of certain resolutions and takes on other tasks such. B. Color management and separation. In this embodiment of the data processing device 56, a RIP process to be carried out by the RIP processor for the respective image points to be printed on the printing material surface is preferably carried out taking into account the respective in the memory device 18 for the respective distance a1; a2; a3 of the respective position of the respective ink outlet opening 53 for the respective image point stored on the printing material surface to be printed. The respective in the storage device 18 for the respective distance a1; a2; a3 of the respective position of the respective ink outlet opening 53 for the respective image point to be printed on the printing material surface stored values in the RIP process to be carried out by the RIP processor for the respective image points to be printed on the printing material surface z. B. before its execution or during its execution taken into account.

In another embodiment of the data processing carried out with the data processing device 56, the different distances a1; a2; a3 of the respective position of the respective ink outlet opening 53 for the respective image point to be printed on the printing material surface is not processed directly in the RIP, but the respective image data are each processed by the RIP at constant intervals a1; a2; a3 processed several times. The various individual results are then converted into an overall result which shows the various distances a1; a2; a3 taken into account. For this purpose, for each distance a1; a2; a3 first created its own profile. The profiles of all these distances a1; a2; a3 are each optimized in such a way that all of these profiles produce the same optical impression for an observer. Then the data processing device 56 processes the data, e.g. B. image data by means of an algorithm taking into account the respective distance a1; a2; a3. This second embodiment can be implemented in a computationally simple manner and is very advantageous, especially when taking color management into account.

Regardless of the embodiment of the processing machine as a linear printing machine or as a rotary indexing table printing machine or as any other type of printing machine, there is a need, particularly in packaging printing, for bodies 07 preferably designed as round bodies and / or hollow bodies not only on their outer surface 54, but also on their base surface 27, to be printed on the bottom. As i. V. m. The Fig. 4 and 5 described, the holding devices 39 each holding a body 07 to be machined in the machine tool each have, for. B. a clamping device or are each designed as a clamping device, the relevant body 07 to be machined in the machine tool in each case z. B. with its respective end faces between two opposing elements 28; 29 of the clamping device in question clamped and z. B. is held or is held by this clamp ( Fig. 10 and 11 ). For execution of the machining process relating to the lateral surface 54 of the body 07, in particular the printing process, the relevant body 07 is first axially parallel with its longitudinal axis 107, preferably in a horizontal orientation, to at least one of the processing stations 02; 03; 04; 06 or printing units, in particular inkjet printing units 51, and then brought into a rotary movement about its longitudinal axis l07, as shown in FIG Fig. 9 is indicated. This type of holding and alignment, including rotation of one of the processing station 02 in question; 03; 04; 06 to be processed body 07 also meets in principle with the respective receiving device of the at least one handling device 08 based on the Fig. 1 and 2 described linear printing machine.

In order to process both the lateral surface 54 of the body 07 and its base surface 27 in the same pass of this body 07 through the processing machine, provision is made for a first processing position to be processed in the processing machine in a first processing position in addition to its lateral surface 54 also on its base surface 27 a preferably horizontal orientation at its respective end faces between two opposing elements 28; 29 of a holding device held body 07 with a gripping device on its lateral surface 54, to release this body 07 from its holding device holding it at the front and to bring it into its preferably vertical orientation in a second processing position by pivoting in the operating state gripped by the gripping device. In a preferred embodiment it is provided that the body to be processed 07 z. B. rotates in its first processing position and / or in its second processing position during the respective machining process about its longitudinal axis l07.

In detail, there is a method for printing bodies 07 each having a jacket surface 54 and a base surface 27, in which these bodies 07 have several processing stations 02; 03; 04; 06 having processing machine processed and in particular printed in which these bodies 07 are printed on their respective lateral surface 54 and on their respective base surface 27 in the same pass, ie during a single pass through the working space 01 of the processing machine. An intermediate storage of the body to be processed 07 or their removal z. B. after printing their respective lateral surface 54 in another, then z. B. the respective base area 27 printing processing machine is thus not required. In the working space 01 of the processing machine, each of the bodies 07 to be printed on its outer surface 54 and on its base 27 is preferably fixed by clamping means during the printing of the outer surface 54 and during the printing of the base 27, at least during the printing of the outer surface 54 in a first z. B. horizontal processing position lying for the body 07 in question at its respective end faces between two opposing elements 28; 29 of a first clamping means and at least during the printing of the base surface 27 in a second processing position different from the first processing position, e.g. B. vertical, standing for the body 07 in question processing position on its lateral surface 54 of a second clamping means different from the first clamping means. The second clamping means grips the relevant body 07 in its first machining position on its lateral surface 54, whereupon the fixation of the body 07 exerted by the first clamping means at the first machining position is preferably automatically released. After releasing the fixation of the relevant body 07 exerted by the first clamping means, this body 07, which is gripped by the second clamping means in its first processing position, is z. B. transferred by a pivoting movement into its second processing position and in this second processing position, the base surface 27 of this body 07 of at least one of the processing stations 02; arranged in the work space 01 of the processing machine; 03; 04; 06 if necessary after an adhesion preparation z. B. by means of a flame or a plasma z. B. printed in a screen printing process or in a digital printing process or in another suitable printing process. If necessary, the color is hardened and / or dried after printing z. B. by means of hot air and / or IR radiation or UV radiation using drying system 37. After these work steps performed in or at the second processing position, the body 07 printed on its base surface 27 is either returned to the first processing position by the second clamping device returned and there z. B. gripped again by the first clamping means or preferably stored in a transport device 31 that transports it further, in particular lying down, ie in a horizontal orientation through the working space 01 of the processing machine. This transport device 31 has at least one conveyor 32; 33 on ( Figures 3 to 8 ), one of which z. B. is designed as a particular carousel-like turntable and thus moves the body 07 to be processed in the processing machine in its working space 01 along a conveying path s33. For further details on the transport of the bodies 07 to be processed in the processing machine, reference is made to the corresponding parts of the description above. As a further alternative to depositing a body 07 processed in or at the second processing position, either one of the respective conveying device 32; 33 separate clipboard or one in connection with the respective conveyor 32; 33 trained shelf can be provided, which in turn each with a further, z. B. third clamping means is equipped, this third clamping means the relevant machined body 07 z. B. by means of a negative pressure exerted on this body 07 in the clipboard or in the shelf at its respective storage location and / or in its respective storage position. This variant comes z. B. then used when the processed body 07 still has wet printing ink and mechanical contact with this body 07 should be avoided at least for a certain time. In a preferred embodiment, the body 07 to be processed in question is in its first processing position at least during the printing of its outer surface 54 and / or in its second processing position at least during the printing of its base surface 27 in each case by means of a z. B. electric drive rotates around its longitudinal axis l07.

Based on Figures 3 to 8 Some features of a rotary indexing table processing machine, in particular a rotary indexing table printing machine, have already been described by way of example. The Fig. 10 and 11 now show an essentially identical section from such a processing machine, with a device for transferring at least one body 07 to be processed, in particular in the work space 01 of this processing machine, from a first processing position to a second processing position different from the first processing position. The Fig. 10 and 11 differ from each other in the respective operating position of this device. Fig. 10 shows one of the bodies 07 to be machined at its respective end faces between two opposing elements 28; 29 of a first clamping device fixed. The device for transferring bodies 07 to be processed from their respective first processing position to their respective second processing position, which is arranged in particular in the work space 01 of the processing machine, has at least one second clamping device, which is designed as a gripping device 57, the body 07 in question at least during its second processing position is gripped by this gripping device 57 on its lateral surface 54. Before the body 07 to be processed is transferred from its first processing position to its second processing position, the fixation of the relevant body 07 exerted by the first clamping means is released automatically, that is, controlled by a control unit ( Fig. 11 ).

The device for transferring at least one body 07 to be processed from its first processing position in each case to its second processing position has a drive 58, e.g. B. by a motor rotatable shaft 59, the respective gripping device 57 each engaging the respective body 07 is firmly connected to this shaft 59. The drive 58 rotating the shaft 59 is controlled by the control unit. The one in question The body 07 grasped by the respective gripping device 57 and released from its fixation is transferred from its first processing position to its second processing position by the rotational movement of the shaft 59 controlled by the control unit. In the preferred embodiment, the relevant body 07 to be processed is oriented horizontally in its first processing position and / or vertically in its second processing position. The rotational movement of the shaft 59 is thus preferably a pivoting movement through 90 °. The shaft 59 extends z. B. along an angle bisector between the horizontal and vertical alignment of the relevant body to be machined 07. In the preferred embodiment, several, z. B. two preferably structurally identical gripping devices 57 are arranged. The pivoting of the shaft 59 and thus the transfer of the relevant body 07 to be machined from its first machining position to its second machining position is in FIG Fig. 11 shown. In its first processing position, the relevant body 07 to be processed is at a processing station 02; 03; 04; 06 of the processing machine is preferably arranged so as to process its outer surface 54 and / or in its second processing position the relevant body 07 to be processed is preferably at the same or at another processing station 02; 03; 04; 06 of this processing machine is preferably arranged so as to process its base area 27.

The two opposing elements 28; 29 having first clamping means is preferably arranged on a transport device 31 which transports the body 07 to be processed in question through the working space 01 of the processing machine, this transport device 31 e.g. B. has a conveyor 33, this conveyor 33 z. B. in a rotary table printing machine as a turntable or in a linear printing machine as a linear means of transport, e.g. B. is designed as a conveyor belt. In this case, bodies 07 to be processed run along a fixed conveying path s33 in the working space 01 of the processing machine, for B. like a carousel. It can therefore be used in a plurality of processing stations 02; 03; 04; 06 having processing machine can be provided that the body 07 to be processed is in its first processing position at a first processing station 02; 03; 04; 06 of this processing machine is arranged to process its outer surface 54 and, after its further transport by the transport device 31, in its second processing position at another processing station 02; 03; 04; 06 of this processing machine its base area 27 is arranged so as to be processed. By means of the described device transferring the respective body 07 to be processed from its first processing position to its second processing position, it is therefore possible to process bodies 07 in the same pass through the working space 01 of the processing machine, both on their respective lateral surface 54 and on their respective base surface 27 to edit, which is very advantageous because it makes the machining process of bodies 07 to be machined at several interfaces very efficient, with at least two interfaces to be machined of the relevant body 07 z. B. are formed substantially at right angles to each other.

List of reference symbols

01

working space

02

Processing station

03

Processing station

04

Processing station

05

-

06

Processing station

07

body

08

Handling device

09

drive

10

-

11

Control device

12th

proximity switch

13th

proximity switch

14th

proximity switch

15th

-

16

proximity switch

17th

Absolute encoder

18th

Storage facility

19th

Piping system

20th

-

21

Production planning system

22nd

Detection area

23

Detection area

24

Detection area

25th

-

26th

Detection area

27

Floor space

28

Element of a clamping device

29

Element of a clamping device

30th

-

31

Transport device

32

Conveyor, first

33

Conveyor, second

34

Print image control device

35

-

36

Cleaning facility

37

Drying system

38

Receiving station

39

Holding device; Gripping device

40

-

41

Transfer device

42

Handling device; Lifting device

43

Removal station

44

Separating device

45

-

46

Carrier

47

drive

48

-

49

-

50

-

51

Inkjet printer

52

Inkjet nozzle

53

Ink outlet

54

Outer surface

55

-

56

Data processing device

57

Gripping device

58

drive

59

wave

a

distance

a1

distance

a2

distance

a3

distance

B.

Action area

C.

section

D.

section

E32

Level, first

E33

Level, second

l07

Longitudinal axis

k07

distance

s32

Conveying path, first

s33

Conveying path, second

T

Transport direction

X

Direction of movement

Y

Direction of movement

Claims (15)

1. A machining unit for machining the boundary surfaces of at least one body (07), wherein the relevant body (07) to be machined respectively has a lateral surface (54) and a base surface (27) as boundary surfaces, wherein the machining unit has at least one machining station (02; 03; 04; 06) and at least one device for transferring the at least one body (07) to be machined from a first machining position into a second machining position, wherein the device for transferring the relevant body (07) from its first machining position into its second machining position arranging the body (07) to be machined at the relevant machining station (02; 03; 04; 06) has at least one gripping device (57) respectively for gripping the relevant body (07), wherein the machining unit has two opposing elements (28; 29) of a clamping means, wherein the relevant body (07) in its first machining position is fixed at each of its end faces between the two opposing elements (28; 29) of the clamping means, characterized in that the gripping device (57) is rigidly connected to a rotatable shaft (59), wherein the shaft (59) rigidly connected to the gripping device (57) is rotated or at least rotatable by a drive (58), wherein a rotational movement of the shaft (59) carried out by the drive (58) is controlled by a control unit, wherein the relevant body (07) gripped by the gripping device (57) released from its fixation can be transferred into its second machining position by the rotational movement of the shaft (59), wherein this body (07) is arranged on the relevant machining station (02; 03; 04; 06) such that in its first machining position its lateral surface (54) is machined, and in its second machining position its base surface (27) is machined.
2. The machining unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the machining unit is configured as a rotary indexing table printing press or as a linear printing press.
3. The machining unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the machining station (02; 03; 04; 06) machining the relevant body (07) on its lateral surface (54) and on its base surface (27) is configured as a printing unit.
4. The machining unit according to claim 3, characterized in that the printing unit is configured as an inkjet printing unit.
5. The machining unit according to claim 1 or 2 or 3, characterized in that a plurality of machining stations (02; 03; 04; 06) each configured as a printing unit are provided, wherein at least one of these printing units is configured as an inkjet printing unit.
6. The machining unit according to claim 5, characterized in that at least one other of these printing units is configured as a printing unit carrying out a screen-printing process or as a printing unit carrying out a pad printing process or as a printing unit carrying out a letterpress printing method.
7. The machining unit according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6, characterized in that the relevant body (07) to be machined is horizontally aligned in its first machining position and/or that the relevant body (07) to be machined is vertically aligned in its second machining position.
8. The machining unit according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7, characterized that the shaft (59) extends longitudinally to a bisector of an angle between a horizontal alignment of the relevant body (07) to be machined and its vertical alignment.
9. The machining unit according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8, characterized in that at least two structurally identical gripping devices (57) are arranged on the shaft (59).
10. The machining unit according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9, characterized in that the at least one machining station (02; 03; 04; 06) machining the relevant body (07) and the at least one device for transferring the relevant body (07) from its first machining position into its second machining position are arranged in a same operating chamber (01) of the machining unit.
11. The machining unit according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 or 10, characterized in that the two opposing elements (28; 29) of the clamping means are arranged on a transport device (31) transporting the body (07) to be machined through the machining unit.
12. The machining unit according to claim 11, characterized in that the relevant body (07) to be machined is arranged on the relevant machining station (02; 03; 04; 06) such that in its first machining position its lateral surface (54) is machined and is arranged on the relevant machining station (02; 03; 04; 06) such that in its second machining position its base surface (27) is machined or that a plurality of machining stations (02; 03; 04; 06) are provided, wherein the body (07) to be machined is arranged in its first machining position on a first machining station (02; 03; 04; 06) of this machining unit machining its lateral surface (54) and after its further transport by the transport device (31) is arranged in its second machining position on another machining station (02; 03; 04; 06) of this machining unit machining its base surface (27).
13. The machining unit according to claim 12, characterized in that the machining stations (02; 03; 04; 06) are arranged on a same horizontal plane and/or that the machining stations (02; 03; 04; 06) are each stationarily arranged in the machining unit.
14. The machining unit according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 or 10 or 11 or 12 or 13, characterized in that the boundary surface of the relevant body (07) on the machining station (02; 03; 04; 06) to be machined is stiff and/or rigid and/or that the body (07) to be machined on the relevant machining station (02; 03; 04; 06) is respectively configured as a round body and/or as a hollow body.
15. The machining unit according to claim 11 or 12 or 13 or 14, characterized in that the transport device (31) has at least one movable handling device (08) on a vertical transport plane, wherein the relevant handling device (08) has two movement axes arranged orthogonally to each other and/or wherein a movement path of the relevant handling device (08) is rectilinear.

Images