EP3689561B1 - Device for processing flat objects - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device with tool modules for processing, in particular for cutting, flat objects such as sheets of paper, cardboard or plastic foils.

From [1], US5787780A A device with displaceably mounted tool modules is known, by means of which sheets of paper transported in the device can be perforated or cut in the transport direction.

From [2], US2008258379A1 and [3] US2018079097A1 , which forms the basis for the preamble of claim 1, devices for processing sheets of paper are known which have a plurality of processing modules which can be individually detached from the device and which include tool modules which are used for processing the sheets of paper.

[3] discloses processing modules with tool modules for cutting sheets of paper, which have an upper housing part for holding an upper rotary blade and a lower housing part for holding a lower rotary blade. The upper and lower housing parts of the tool modules are detachably connected to one another by a connecting plate. The rotary blades are mounted on one side in such a way that their cutting edges interact peripherally and can divide a sheet of paper guided through between the housing parts. Two bearing shafts are passed through the upper housing part and a drive shaft is passed through the lower housing part and the lower rotary blade. The lower rotary blade is therefore driven and, in use, causes the upper rotary blade to rotate. To change the tool modules, the processing module in question is removed from the device. Subsequently, screws are loosened from bearing elements on the machining module, so that the two bearing shafts and the drive shaft can be removed from the machining module and neither pushed in, in order to remove and reinsert the tool modules, which are held manually during this process. When inserting the bearing shafts and the drive shaft, the tool modules must be held in the appropriate positions while the drive shaft and the two adjusting shafts are pushed in. The bearing elements are then screwed back together and the processing module is reinstalled. The process of replacing the tool modules therefore involves numerous work steps that require technical knowledge, skill and a relatively large amount of time.

The tool modules can be moved to any position along the bearing shafts and the drive shaft by means of a threaded shaft. For this purpose, the housing of the tool module encloses a threaded wheel in the form of a fork, which is penetrated by the threaded shaft and which can be rotated automatically by means of a drive motor, and can therefore be displaced along the threaded shaft together with the tool module. The tool module must therefore be equipped with a drive motor and fed with electrical energy so that automatic displacement is possible. The automated tool modules are therefore designed to be relatively complex. It should also be noted that in order to replace the automated tool modules, the threaded shank must also be loosened and reassembled, which increases the effort accordingly.

It should be noted that the cutting processes in the devices according to [1], [2] and [3] are carried out at a high rate, which requires precise guidance of the paper sheets in order to achieve the desired cutting quality. In the device from [3], it is provided that the connecting plate, which connects the upper and lower housing parts of the tool modules to one another, is loosened in order to move the two housing parts against one another so that the rotary blades can optimally interact. This adjustment must be carried out precisely and may have to be repeated several times if the desired cutting quality is not achieved. The adjustment of all tool modules can take a considerable amount of time.

The EP0922543A2 discloses a slitting and creasing machine with creasing and slitting stations and with guide rails on which tool carriers assigned to one another in pairs and provided with tools are mounted so that they can be displaced horizontally and transversely to the transport direction by means of guide blocks.

The EP0354515A1 discloses a slitting and creasing machine with tools that work together in pairs, the upper and lower rows of which are each assigned a drive shaft and an adjusting spindle, the tools being attached to tool bodies which are slidably guided in the machine frame by means of guide rails and can be coupled to the adjusting spindles via controllable couplings.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of creating an improved device with tool modules for processing, in particular for cutting, flat objects.

The device should have a simple design, require little maintenance and be able to be configured and operated with little effort.

The disassembly and assembly of the tool modules should be easy to carry out with little effort. Maintenance work or changes to the configuration of the device for carrying out different machining processes should be able to be carried out quickly and easily with just a few work steps.

The individual steps for uninstalling and installing the tool modules should be possible sequentially in a simple manner through selective access to the device. Simultaneous access to multiple parts of the device, which usually causes difficulties and requires special skill should be avoided when performing maintenance work or changing the configuration of the device.

The device should make it possible to guide and process the flat objects with high precision and high quality. The cuts should be made precisely, while the flat objects are treated gently. A high processing quality should be achieved without having to carry out adjustments beforehand.

This object is achieved with a device according to claim 1. Advantageous configurations of the invention are specified in further claims.

1. a) das mit nur einer oder mit einer unteren und einer oberen drehbar gelagerten Antriebswelle lösbar gekoppelt ist,
2. b) das entlang der einen oder der unteren und der oberen Antriebswelle verschiebbar gelagert ist, und
3. c) das zur Bearbeitung der flächigen Objekte mit Werkzeugteilen ausgerüstet ist, von denen wenigstens eines von der einen oder der unteren oder der oberen Antriebswelle antreibbar ist.

The device, which is used for processing flat objects such as sheets of paper, cardboard, foils, plastic foils and the like, comprises a transport system with several rotatably mounted transport rollers, by means of which the flat objects can be transported in the transport direction, and at least one detachably mounted tool module,

1. a) which is detachably coupled to only one or to a lower and an upper rotatably mounted drive shaft,
2. b) which is slidably mounted along the one or the lower and the upper drive shaft, and
3. c) which is equipped for processing the flat objects with tool parts, at least one of which can be driven by one or the lower or the upper drive shaft.

According to the invention, the tool module is placed on a tool carrier which can be displaced parallel to one or parallel to the lower and the upper drive shaft by means of a rotatably mounted adjusting shaft, and which has at least one holding element which serves to detachably hold the tool module.

One or the lower and upper drive shaft can thus be detached from the coupled tool module or from several tool modules coupled thereto, while the tool module or the tool modules are held by the associated tool carrier (see Fig Figure 2b ). Since the setting shafts are connected to the tool carriers, the tool modules can be changed without removing the setting shafts. The tool modules can therefore be released by the at least one drive shaft or the lower and the upper drive shaft can be pulled out of the device. The drive shafts can be pulled out of the device from the front, for example, without the tool modules held by the tool carriers having to be held in some other way, for example with one hand.

In preferred configurations it is provided that one or the lower and the upper drive shaft is rotatably and displaceably held in a front bearing plate at the front and in a rear bearing plate at the rear. The one or the lower and the upper drive shaft are preferably provided with a locking piece at the front, which can be detachably coupled to a locking part held by the front bearing plate. During the operation of the device, the rotatably mounted drive shafts are therefore held in an axially non-displaceable manner.

After loosening the locking part, the drive shafts can be easily pulled out of the device at the front and the tool modules can be loosened in this way. Opening a cover of the housing of the device provides access to the tool modules that have been detached from the drive shafts. The tool modules can now be easily grasped, detached from the tool carriers and, e.g. after maintenance work has been carried out or reconfiguration, reinserted on the tool carriers. After the tool modules have been put back on, the drive shafts can be pushed back into the device and coupled with the newly inserted tool modules. Again, this process is easy to carry out. If the drive shafts are guided axially, this can be achieved by simple axial displacement.

Tool modules can therefore be exchanged sequentially in just a few steps by selectively accessing individual parts of the device. It is not necessary to access several parts of the device at the same time, e.g. holding the tool modules while the drive shafts are being pulled out or pushed in.

After the drive shafts have been inserted, the position of the tool modules can be adjusted by actuating the setting shafts or motors connected to the setting shafts, as a result of which the tool carriers and the tool modules held therewith can be automatically displaced to the desired positions in order to fulfill the intended tasks there.

The tool carriers make it possible to stabilize the tool modules so that the flat objects can be processed with greater precision. For optimal guidance of the tool modules, the tool carrier comprises, in a preferred embodiment, a carriage part that can be displaced along a guide rail that is aligned parallel to the control shaft and parallel to one or the lower and the upper drive shaft. The carriage part is supported on the guide rail and/or connected to the guide rail in a form-fitting manner. The carriage part preferably has a receiving channel on the side facing the guide rail, into which the guide rail can be inserted. The receiving channel and the guide rail preferably have cross sections that correspond to one another and that engage in one another in a form-fitting manner. For example, the guide rail has a T-shaped cross section which is positively held within the receiving channel. When changing the tool modules, the tool carrier is therefore kept stable. When the tool modules are in operation, they are supported by the tool carrier so that the machining processes, in particular cutting processes, can be carried out precisely.

The tool carrier can have any holding elements by means of which the tool modules can be held reliably, preferably without play. For example, the tool carrier has a collar into which a base provided on the underside of the tool module can be inserted. In addition or as an alternative, latching elements can be provided which allow the tool modules to latch in the tool carriers and to be released again by applying force. For example, the base can be surrounded by an elastic ring which can engage in a circumferential groove or in groove elements on the inside of the collar. Magnetic elements are preferably provided on the tool module and on the associated tool carrier, which attract one another. The tool carrier can be provided with at least one permanent magnet, for example, which interacts with ferromagnetic or paramagnetic elements of the tool module. Alternatively, the permanent magnet can also be connected to the tool module. Furthermore, the tool module and the tool carrier can each be provided with a permanent magnet, but this involves somewhat more effort. The holding elements are preferably used in combination. The mechanical holding elements are preferably used for form-fitting lateral holding and for supporting the tool module, while the at least one magnetic holding element ensures that the tool modules can only be lifted vertically with a corresponding expenditure of force.

In preferred embodiments, the tooling module includes a lower module portion having a lower tooling portion releasably coupled to the lower drive shaft, and an upper module portion having an upper tooling portion releasably coupled to the upper drive shaft. The lower tool part and the upper tool part preferably have identical diameters, which are selected in such a way that the lower tool part can act on the flat object from below and the upper tool part can act on it from above.

The flat object, e.g. a sheet of paper, is processed with the greatest precision if the flat object is aligned in one plane. However, due to the effect of the tool parts on the flat object, this can be deformed, so that the quality of the processing of the flat object is impaired. To avoid such problems, the invention provides that the lower tool module has at least one lower guide wheel that is detachably coupled to the lower drive shaft, and that the upper tool module has at least one upper guide wheel that is detachably coupled to the upper drive shaft. Furthermore, it is provided that the lower and the upper guide wheel preferably have identical diameters, which are selected in such a way that the lower guide wheel can act on the flat object from below and the upper guide wheel can act on it from above. Since the guide wheels are only shifted by a small distance of e.g. 5 mm to 25 mm in relation to the tool parts, it is ensured that the flat object is guided in one plane in the area of the tool parts. The flat object held in one plane can therefore be processed with maximum precision.

For the precise arrangement and alignment of the tool parts and/or the guide wheels or guide rollers, the lower module part preferably has at least one lower rotary body which holds the lower tool part and/or the lower guide wheel and which has a lower drive channel, within which the lower drive shaft is positively but is held axially displaceable. The upper module part preferably has at least one upper rotary body which holds the upper tool part and/or the upper guide wheel and which has an upper drive channel within which the upper drive shaft is held in a form-fit but axially displaceable manner. The, for example, ring-shaped tool parts can therefore be adapted to the rotary body, which in turn interacts with the associated drive shaft in a form-fitting manner. In this way Tool parts that are usually made of high-quality materials can have simpler and smaller dimensions.

Various types of processing can be carried out on flat objects using the device according to the invention. Flat objects can be grooved, perforated or cut. Differently configured tool modules can be used here, so that different machining processes can be optionally combined.

The device according to the invention can be designed and used particularly advantageously for cutting flat objects. In this case, the lower and the upper tool part are designed as rotating blades or rotating blades. The rotary blades have peripheral cutting edges that can act on the flat objects from above and below. The cutting edges preferably overlap, so that the flat object can be completely severed. It is also possible that only one of the blades penetrates the transport plane along which the flat objects are transported. The rotary blades can be designed identically and have identical functions. However, the blades can be of any design, so that cutting processes and shearing processes can be carried out. Both tool parts or both rotary blades are preferably driven directly. However, one of the tool parts can also be used as an idler.

The precise and stable design of the tool modules is also of particular importance for the precise processing of the flat objects. In a preferred embodiment, the tool module has casing with a central shell, which has a lower central shell part provided with a lower central opening and an upper central shell part provided with an upper central opening. The central shell parts are connected to one another in one piece by a connecting web. In the transport direction, the connecting web adjoins a working channel on the inlet side, into which the lower tool part arranged in the lower central opening and the upper tool part arranged in the upper central opening project peripherally. On the outlet side, the connecting web adjoins a first outlet channel on its underside and a second outlet channel on its upper side. Flat objects that are transported in the transport direction through an input channel into the tool module are cut open in the working channel and separated into two object parts, of which the first object part through the first output channel and the second object part through be routed away through the second output channel. The one-piece connection of the two central shell parts results in a precise arrangement of the tool parts and the guide rollers. The flat objects can be precisely processed without prior adjustments being necessary. Due to the one-piece construction of the central shell part, it can be machined with little effort, without further assembly work being required afterwards. The lower and the upper central shell part, on the other hand, can also be manufactured separately and connected to one another in a detachable manner by mechanical elements. For high-precision devices, on the other hand, central shell parts that are manufactured in one piece are preferred.

In the work processes, separated object parts can be further processed or removed. A part of the object that forms the edge of a flat object is usually not processed further, but is removed as waste. Usually such waste is carried away down into a bin which is emptied from time to time.

The tool modules must therefore be designed accordingly depending on the work process or work purpose. Therefore, tool modules that are used to cut the edge portions and tool modules that are used to make longitudinal cuts are conventionally provided. A conventional cutting device is therefore ordered with a large number of tool modules, each of which has a specific purpose and which are used selectively. This is associated with a corresponding expense for the manufacture, procurement and storage of the numerous tool modules.

To avoid these disadvantages, the invention provides that the lower central shell part has a lower receiving space in which a lower guide shell is fastened, and that the upper central shell part has an upper receiving space in which an upper guide shell is arranged. Furthermore, it is provided that the lower guide shell and the upper guide shell delimit the first exit channel through which a part of the object is led away or further. The central shell part can therefore be equipped with a lower and an upper guide shell as desired, which delimit a desired outlet channel. A tool module can therefore be converted within a few minutes by exchanging the guide shells. The user of the device therefore does not have to keep a large number of tool modules ready, but can use his Adapt tool modules to a current machining process within a short time by exchanging the guide shell.

The number of tool modules used depends on the number of longitudinal cuts that are to be inserted into a flat object. A first and a second tool module are preferably coupled to the one or to the lower and upper drive shaft and are each detachably held by an associated first or second tool carrier. The tool carriers are in turn each coupled to an associated, preferably lower or upper control shaft. For example, two tool modules are provided, by means of which an edge can be cut away from the flat object on both sides. A plurality of processing stages are preferably arranged one behind the other in the transport direction, each of which has one or two tool modules which are designed or equipped according to the work process and are coupled to at least one drive shaft. Identical groups of tool modules, tool carriers, drive shafts, adjusting shafts and guide rails can thus be used in the various processing stages, but these are individually equipped and/or set and/or configured and/or operated in order to fulfill the functions assigned to the relevant processing stages.

As mentioned, the tool modules process the planar module, in particular in the longitudinal direction. Subsequent to the processing stages in which longitudinal cuts are made in the flat object, at least one processing stage is therefore preferably provided in which the flat object or the separated object parts are processed in the transverse direction or transversally, e.g. cut, grooved or folded.

In a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the one or the lower and the upper drive shaft, which are preferably coupled to one another by gears, are coupled to the transport rollers of the transport system, so that the one or the lower and the upper drive shaft and the transport rollers rotate synchronously with one another . The transport rollers and the drive shafts of each processing stage are preferably coupled to one another by gear wheels, one of the gear wheels of each processing stage preferably being connected to a drive roller which is coupled to a drive belt. Instead of a central drive belt, local drive motors can also be provided, but this causes more effort.

To drive each adjusting shaft, which is preferably connected to the associated tool carrier as a spiral shaft or threaded rod, a servomotor is preferably provided, by means of which the associated tool carrier moves along the coupled adjusting shaft and thus the tool module held by the tool carrier along the associated one or lower and upper Drive shaft is movable. The tool modules can therefore be positioned as desired by individually actuating the servomotors.

The device preferably comprises a control unit, by means of which the work processes can be controlled, the servomotors can be actuated and the tool modules can be positioned, and the drive motors of the transport system can be activated or controlled. Sensors are preferably assigned to the tool modules, by means of which the respective equipping of the device can be identified and taken into account when carrying out the work processes.

Fig. 1

eine erfindungsgemässe Vorrichtung 1 zur Bearbeitung flächiger Objekte 9 umfassend ein Transportsystem 4 mit mehreren drehbar gelagerten Transportrollen 41, 42, mittels denen die flächigen Objekte 9 in Transportrichtung transportierbar sind, und mehrere Werkzeugmodule 2, die in unterschiedlichen Bearbeitungsstufen L1, L2, L3 zur Bearbeitung der flächigen Objekte 9 vorgesehen sind;

Fig. 2a

die Vorrichtung 1 von Fig. 1 geschnitten entlang Linie A--A mit Blick auf die Ausgangsseite der dritten Bearbeitungsstufe L3, in der zwei Werkzeugmodule 2 mit einer unteren und einer oberen Antriebswelle 28, 29, die drehbar und verschiebbar gelagert und durch ein Verschlussteil 55 in Position gehalten sind, gekoppelt sind und die je von zugehörigen Werkzeugträgern 3 gehalten sind, die entlang einer gemeinsamen Führungsschiene 37 verschiebbar sind;

Fig. 2b

die Vorrichtung 1 von Fig. 2a mit gelöstem Verschlussteil 55, herausgezogenen unteren und oberen Antriebswellen 28, 29 und einem aus dem zugehörigen Werkzeugträger 3 entnommenen Werkzeugmodul 2;

Fig. 2c

den von oben gezeigten Werkzeugträger 3 von Fig. 2b, aus dem eines der Werkzeugmodule 2 entnommen wurde;

Fig. 3

die Bearbeitungsstufen L1, L2, L3 und eine anschliessende Schneidevorrichtung T mit Blick auf das Transportsystem 4, das an der Rückseite der Vorrichtung 1 von Fig. 1 vorgesehen ist;

Fig. 4

eine der Bearbeitungsstufen L1 mit geschnittenen Transportrollen 41, 42; mit einem ersten Werkzeugmodul 2 in Explosionsdarstellung; mit einem zweiten Werkzeugmodul 2 in Schnittdarstellung und mit den zugehörigen Werkzeugträgern 3, die von zwei Stellwellen 38, 39 durchlaufen und je mittels einer der Stellwellen 38, 39 verschiebbar sind;

Fig. 5a

eines der Werkzeugmodule 2 der ersten Bearbeitungsstufe L1 von Fig. 1, das eine Verschalung 7 mit einer Zentralschale 71 umfasst;

Fig. 5b

das Werkzeugmodul 2 von Fig. 5a nach Entfernung der Zentralschale 71;

Fig. 6a

eines der Werkzeugmodule 2 der zweiten oder dritten Bearbeitungsstufe L2, L3 von Fig. 1, das eine Verschalung 7 mit einer Zentralschale 71 gemäss Fig. 5a umfasst;

Fig. 6b

das Werkzeugmodul 2 von Fig. 6a nach Entfernung der Zentralschale 71;

Fig. 7a

die Zentralschale 71 von Fig. 5a oder Fig. 6a in räumlicher Darstellung eingangsseitig betrachtet mit einem zugewandten Eingangskanal 251, in den flächige Objekte 9 einführbar sind; und

Fig. 7b

die Zentralschale 71 von Fig. 7a ausgangsseitig betrachtet mit zugewandten Ausgangskanälen 253 und 254, aus denen auf getrennte Schnittelemente 91, 92 bzw. 93, 94 weggeführt werden.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to drawings. It shows:

1

a device 1 according to the invention for processing flat objects 9, comprising a transport system 4 with a plurality of rotatably mounted transport rollers 41, 42, by means of which the flat objects 9 can be transported in the transport direction, and a plurality of tool modules 2, which are used in different processing stages L1, L2, L3 for processing the flat objects 9 are provided;

Figure 2a

the device 1 of 1 Sectioned along line A--A looking towards the exit side of the third processing stage L3, in which two tool modules 2 are coupled with a lower and an upper drive shaft 28, 29, which are rotatably and slidably mounted and held in position by a locking part 55 and each held by associated tool carriers 3 slidable along a common guide rail 37;

Figure 2b

the device 1 of Figure 2a with the closure part 55 released, the lower and upper drive shafts 28, 29 pulled out and a tool module 2 removed from the associated tool carrier 3;

Figure 2c

the tool carrier 3 shown from above Figure 2b , from which one of the tool modules 2 was removed;

3

the processing stages L1, L2, L3 and a subsequent cutting device T with a view of the transport system 4, which is at the back of the device 1 of 1 is provided;

4

one of the processing stages L1 with cut transport rollers 41, 42; with a first tool module 2 in an exploded view; with a second tool module 2 in a sectional view and with the associated tool carriers 3, which are traversed by two control shafts 38, 39 and are each displaceable by means of one of the control shafts 38, 39;

Figure 5a

one of the tool modules 2 of the first processing stage L1 of 1 , which comprises a formwork 7 with a central shell 71;

Figure 5b

the tool module 2 from Figure 5a after removal of the central shell 71;

Figure 6a

one of the tool modules 2 of the second or third processing stage L2, L3 of 1 , Which according to a casing 7 with a central shell 71 Figure 5a includes;

Figure 6b

the tool module 2 from Figure 6a after removal of the central shell 71;

Figure 7a

the central shell 71 of Figure 5a or Figure 6a viewed in three-dimensional representation on the input side with a facing input channel 251 into which flat objects 9 can be inserted; and

Figure 7b

the central shell 71 of Figure 7a viewed on the output side with facing output channels 253 and 254, from which separate cutting elements 91, 92 and 93, 94 are led away.

1 shows a device 1 according to the invention for processing flat objects 9, in particular sheets of paper, cardboard, plastic foils and the like. The flat objects 9 are assigned to the device 1 supplied on the input side, transported by means of a transport system 4, processed in four processing stages L1, L2, L3, T and, after processing, are stored in an orderly manner on a tray 15, separated by separating plates 151, 152.

The housing 100 of the device 1, shown only schematically, preferably comprises doors or windows that can be opened by sliding devices or hinges in order to be able to access the relevant parts of the device 1 for operation, configuration and/or maintenance . It should preferably be possible to access the side shown and the processing stages L1, L2, L3 from above.

In this preferred embodiment of the device 1, each of the processing stages L1, L2, L3 comprises two tool modules 2, which are equipped with interacting tool parts 211, 221 (see 4 ) are equipped and by means of drive shafts 28, 29 can be driven. The tool modules 2 of each processing stage L1, L2, L3 can be adjusted by means of adjusting shafts 38, 39 (see Figure 2a ) along the drive shafts 28, 29 displaceable. The setting shafts 38, 39 can be driven by means of setting motors 61, 62 and setting belts 611, 621 (see Figure 2a and 3 ).

The device 1 comprises a transport system 4 (see 3 ) with a plurality of rotatably mounted transport rollers 41, 42, which are arranged in pairs and by means of which the flat objects 9 can be transported in the transport direction. The transport rollers 41, 42 are driven by a main motor 45, which drives a central belt 40 via a transmission belt 49 and a gear 44. In the preferred embodiment, the central belt 40 not only drives the transport rollers 41, 42, but also the drive shafts 28, 29.

Tool modules 2 that are provided for cutting flat objects are described below by way of example. Likewise, tool modules 2 can be provided, by means of which the flat objects are grooved or perforated or processed in some other way.

on the inside 1 shown flat objects 9, a sheet of paper, lines are drawn along which the sheet of paper 9 is to be cut in the longitudinal direction and in the transverse direction. It can be seen that six longitudinal cuts S1, ... and several transverse cuts Q1 are to be made in order to cut out rectangles or cards K4 and place them in tray 15 between the partition plates 151, 152. Paper strips can remain between the rectangles or cards K4 and on the edge of the paper sheet 9, which are to be removed as waste. This waste is preferably carried away downwards and collected in a container which is arranged below the device 1, for example in the housing 100.

Depending on the cuts to be made, it is therefore possible for cut elements 91, 92 that have been cut off to be taken to the next processing stage L2; L3, T are continued or led away downwards. The cutting elements 91, 92 can be deflected by slides or, advantageously, by the tool modules 2 themselves.

The user can decide how the flat object 9 is to be processed. The device 1 is to be configured depending on the selected work process. For this purpose, the device 1 is to be equipped with corresponding tool modules 2, 2A, which are then moved to the positions at which a cut is to be made by driving the adjusting shafts 38, 39 in each processing stage L1, L2, L3. The processing stages L1, L2, L3 are to be equipped with the required number of tool modules 2 in accordance with the specified cutting pattern. One or two tool modules 2 can be used in the device shown. If further tool modules 2 are to be used, a corresponding number of additional control shafts is required.

It is described below that tool modules 2 according to the invention can be configured so that the separate cutting elements 91, 92 can be moved to the next processing stage L2; L3, T or down.

It is shown as an example that the tool module 2A executes the longitudinal cut S1, which separates the cutting elements 91, 92 from one another. The cutting element 91 is the severed edge of the paper sheet 9 which is to be guided away downwards. The cutting element 92 is a longitudinal strip which in the fourth processing stage T is divided into individual cards.

The fourth processing stage T is thus used to make transverse cuts, in particular to separate the front and back edges of the sheet of paper 9 and to separate the longitudinal strips into individual cards K4. The cutting line Q1 is an example shown, along which the rear edge of paper sheet 9 is severed.

A control unit 8 is provided for monitoring and controlling the processes, taking into account the current configuration of the device 1 . Sensors 81 are used to check which tool modules 2 are being used. The test can be optical, magnetic or electromagnetic. A test program provides for the tool modules 2 to be moved to the side up to the sensors 81 and identified there. As soon as the configuration of the device 1 with the equipping of the tool modules 2 has been determined, the tool modules 2 are moved to the appropriate positions, at which the longitudinal cuts are to be made, in accordance with the instructions selected by the user. For this purpose, the servomotors 61, 62 are actuated by the control unit 8. The transport system 4 with the main motor 45 is then activated. For the correct execution of the longitudinal cuts and cross sections, further sensors are preferably provided, by means of which the position of the sheet of paper 9 is recognized and the processing stages L1, L2, L3, T are controlled accordingly.

The processing stages L1, L2, L3, T are held by a frame or chassis 10 of the device 1, which has a front mounting plate 11 and a rear mounting plate 12, which are connected to one another by cross braces 13.

Figure 2a shows the device 1 of FIG 1 cut along line AA with a view of the output side of the third processing stage L3, which is constructed essentially the same as the first two processing stages L1, L2. The processing stages L1, L2, L3 are preferably interchangeable, but can be configured and adjusted differently to perform the required processing in each stage.

The processing stage L3 has a front bearing plate 51 and a rear bearing plate 52, between which a lower and an upper drive shaft 28, 29; a lower and an upper adjusting shaft 38, 39; and lower and upper conveyor rollers 41, 42 are rotatably supported. The lower and upper drive shafts 28, 29 are each held in a drive shaft bearing 280, 290 on both sides. The lower and upper control shafts 38, 39 are each mounted in a control shaft bearing 380, 390 on both sides. Furthermore is between the front and rear bearing plates 51, 52 a guide rail 37 is held in a stable manner.

How 3 1, the lower and upper drive shafts 28, 29 of each processing stage L1, L2, L3 are coupled to each other on the rear side of the device 1 by upper and lower shaft gears 281, 291. The lower shaft gear 281 is coupled through an intermediate gear 282 to a lower roller gear 411 which is non-rotatably coupled to the lower conveyor roller 41 on the one hand and non-rotatably to a drive roller 410 driven by the central belt 40 on the other hand.

3 FIG. 12 also shows that the lower adjusting shaft 38 of each processing stage L1, L2, L3 is coupled to the lower adjusting motor 61 on the rear side via a lower adjusting belt 611. The upper control shaft 39 is coupled to the upper control motor on the front side via an upper control belt 621 .

Furthermore, it is shown that the fourth processing stage T can be driven by means of an auxiliary belt 400 .

Figure 2a FIG. 12 further shows that the two tool modules 2 each have a lower module part 21 through which the lower drive shaft 28 penetrates, and an upper module part 22 through which the upper drive shaft 29 penetrates. It is shown that the asymmetrical tool modules 2 are directed towards one another and can therefore be assembled as desired.

Figure 5b shows that a lower tool part or a lower rotary blade 211 is arranged in the lower module part 21 and an upper tool part or an upper rotary blade 221 is arranged in the upper module part 22 . The lower tool part 211 is held by a lower rotary body 215 and the upper tool part 225 is held by an upper rotary body 225 . The lower rotary body 215 has a lower drive channel 2150 running along its axis of rotation, through which the lower drive shaft 28 passes. The upper rotary body 225 has an upper drive channel 2250 running along its axis of rotation, through which the upper drive shaft 29 passes. In this preferred embodiment, both tool parts 211, 221 of the tool modules 2 are driven directly. In simpler configurations according to the invention, however, only one drive shaft can be provided which directly only drives the first tool part and optionally indirectly the second tool part drives, which works as a follower. In both configurations, the invention can be implemented with all the advantages.

Figure 2a shows further that each of the tool modules 2 is seated on a tool carrier 3 and is detachably held by it. The tool carriers 3 are held in a form-fitting manner by the guide rail 7 and can be displaced axially along it. Furthermore, the tool carriers 3 are each penetrated by the two adjusting shafts 38, 39, which are designed as spindles or threaded rods. The first tool carrier 3 is coupled to the lower control shaft 38 by a screw thread and the second tool carrier 3 is coupled to the upper control shaft 39 by a screw thread. The two tool carriers 3 are coupled by rotating the upper or lower control shaft 38; 39 individually displaceable along the guide rail 37.

The upper and lower drive shafts 28, 29 can be pulled out of the device 1 while the tool modules 2 rest on the associated tool carriers 3. For this purpose, a locking part 55 is released by rotating a locking element 56 and pushed aside and thereby by a lower locking piece 289, which is provided on the front of the lower drive shaft 28, and by an upper locking piece 299, which is provided on the front of the upper drive shaft 29 , solved. The locking of the upper and lower drive shafts 28, 29 is thereby canceled so that they can be pulled out of the device 1 axially.

Figure 2b shows the device 1 of FIG Figure 2a with the closure part 55 released, the lower and upper drive shafts 28, 29 pulled out and a tool module 2 removed from the associated tool carrier 3. The removed tool module 2 can be replaced or reconfigured and serviced and reinserted into the tool carrier 3. The second tool module 2 remains held in the tool carrier 3 . The tool modules 2 are preferably held stably in the tool carriers 3 in such a way that they remain stably held in position when the two drive shafts 28, 29 are pulled out. The user can therefore pull out the drive shafts 28, 29 in a first step and only individually remove, reconfigure, repair or clean the tool modules 2 in a second step and then use them again. The upper and lower drive shafts 28, 29 are preferably guided axially, so that they can be pushed back into the device 1 axially and can be coupled with the tool modules 2 again without further effort. Finally, the closure part 55 is again pushed against the closure pieces 281 , 291 and fixed by means of the locking element 56 . The newly inserted tool modules 2 are then moved into the intended positions by means of the adjusting shafts 38, 39.

The steps for removing the tool modules 2 are denoted by A, B and C. At step A (see Figure 2a ) the locking part 55 is released. At step B (see Figure 2b ) the drive shafts 28, 29 are pulled out and at step C (see Figure 2b ) the tool module 2 is removed from the tool carrier 3.

Figure 2c shows the tool carrier 3 of Figure 2b , from which one of the tool modules 2 was removed. In this exemplary embodiment, the tool carrier 3 comprises a carriage 31 which is positively connected to the guide rail 37 and can be displaced along it. For this purpose, the carriage has a receiving channel 310, the cross section of which is adapted to the cross section of the guide rail 37 (see e.g Figure 5a ). The receiving channel 310 and the guide rail 37 each have a T-shaped cross section. The carriage 31 is therefore held by the guide rail 37 with virtually no play and can be displaced along it. A receiving part 32 is screwed to the carriage 31 and has a holding space 30 for receiving the associated tool module 2 on the upper side. Figure 2b shows that the removed tool module 2 has a base 710 that can be inserted into the holding space 30 and held there by mechanical holding elements 325 and a magnetic holding element 35 . The mechanical retaining elements 325 form a collar which prevents the base 710 from being displaced laterally. Furthermore, a magnet 35 is sunk into the receiving part, which interacts with the ferromagnetic or paramagnetic base 710 and holds it in the holding space 30, so that the tool module 2 can only be released under the action of vertical force. The mechanical and magnetic holding means 325, 35 prevent the tool module 2 from becoming detached from the tool carrier 3 when the lower and upper drive shafts 28, 29 are pulled out.

Figure 2c FIG. 12 further shows that the receiving part 32 has a lower coupling channel 321, through which the lower control shaft 38 is guided, and an upper coupling channel 322, through which the upper control shaft 39 is guided. A thread is provided in one of the coupling channels 321, 322, which interacts with the corresponding control shaft 38 or 39.

3 shows the processing stages L1, L2, L3 and a subsequent cutting device T with a view of the transport system 4 already described, which is on the back of the device 1 of FIG 1 is provided. It is shown that the central belt 40 of the transport system 4 synchronously drives the conveyor rollers 41, 42 arranged in pairs of all processing stages L1, L2, L3, T and the drive shafts 28, 29 of the processing stages L1, L2, L3. At each of the processing stages L1, L2, L3, the central belt 40 drives a drive roller 410 which is arranged coaxially with and connected to a lower roller gear 411 of the lower conveyor roller 41. The lower roller gear 411 drives on the one hand an upper roller gear 421 of the upper conveyor roller 42 and on the other hand an intermediate gear 282 which drives the lower shaft gear 281 of the lower drive shaft 28, which in turn is coupled to the upper shaft gear 291 of the upper drive shaft 29. The fourth processing module T, which has a cutting knife M, by means of which transversal cuts are made, is driven by an auxiliary belt 400 and by an auxiliary motor (not shown), which is controlled by the control unit 8.

4 shows part of the processing stage L1 with sectioned transport rollers 41, 42, with a first tool module 2 in an exploded view, with a second tool module 2 in a sectional view and with the associated tool carriers 3, which are traversed by two control shafts 38, 39 and each by means of one of the control shafts 38 , 39 are displaceable.

Each of the tool modules 2 has a five-part casing 7 with a central shell 71, which can be connected or screwed to a lower bearing shell 72 and an upper bearing shell 73 on one side and to a lower guide shell 74 and an upper guide shell 75 on the other side.

Like this in 4 and Figure 7a shown, the central shell 7 has a lower central shell part 711 with a lower central opening 7110, which is adjoined on one side by a lower bearing ring 7113 and on the other side by a lower receiving space 7111, and an upper central shell part 712 with an upper central opening 7120, to which on an upper bearing ring 7123 on one side and an upper receiving space 7112 on the other side. The lower central shell part 711 is also provided on its underside with the base 710 which can be inserted into the holding space 30 of the associated tool carrier 3 .

The lower and upper bearing shells 72, 73 are screwed to one side of the central shell 71. The lower guide shell 74, which has a lower bearing opening 740, is inserted into the lower receiving space 7111 and screwed tight. The upper guide shell 75, which has an upper bearing opening 750, is inserted into the upper receiving space 7121 and screwed tight. The lower guide shell 74 and the upper guide shell 75 delimit an exit channel which can be designed as desired by appropriate design of the guide shell 74, 75 and e.g. runs approximately straight or downwards. Depending on requirements, a lower and an upper guide shell 74, 75 can therefore be connected to the central shell 71, which delimit an exit channel required for the planned machining process.

the inside 4 A section through the second tool module 2 running parallel to the drive shafts 28 , 29 shows that the lower tool part 211 is placed on a lower rotary body 215 and the upper tool part 221 is placed on an upper rotary body 225 . The lower rotating body 215 with the lower tool part 211 is arranged in the lower central opening 7110 of the lower central shell part 711 and on one side with a ball bearing 23 in the lower bearing ring 7113 of the lower central shell part 711 (see Figure 7a ) and mounted on the other side with a ball bearing 23 in the bearing opening 740 of the lower guide shell 74. The upper rotating body 225 with the upper tool part 221 is arranged in the upper central opening 7120 of the upper central shell part 712 and on one side with a ball bearing 23 in the upper bearing ring 7123 of the upper central shell part 712 (see Figure 7a ) and mounted on the other side with a ball bearing 23 in the bearing opening 750 of the upper guide shell 75. The lower guide wheel 212 is mounted on the one hand by a ball bearing 23 in a bearing opening of the lower bearing shell 72 and on the other hand by means of the ball bearing 23 in the lower bearing ring 7113 of the lower central shell part 711. The body of the lower guide wheel 212 and the lower rotary body 215 are overlapped at this point. The upper guide wheel 222 is on the one hand by a ball bearing 23 in a bearing opening of the upper bearing shell 73 and on the other hand by means of the ball bearing 23 in the upper bearing ring 7123 of the upper Central shell part 712 stored. The body of the upper guide wheel 222 and the upper rotary body 225 overlap at this point.

Therefore, the lower die 211 and the lower guide wheel 212 and the upper die 221 and the upper guide wheel 222 are stably connected to each other and arranged close to each other. The flat object 9 is guided stably in one plane by the guide wheels 212, 222 and can thus be machined precisely by the adjacent tool parts 211, 221.

Figure 5a shows one of the tool modules 2 of the first processing stage L1 of 1 from the exit side. The tool module 2 has a casing 7 with a central shell 71 with reference to Figure 7a has already been partially described. The upper and lower bearing shells 72, 73 have been removed in order to expose the guide wheels 212, 222, which are each connected to a bearing element 23 on both sides. On the other side, the upper and lower guide shells 74, 75 are used, which delimit a first outlet channel 253. On the other side, a second outlet channel 254 is provided between the lower central shell part 711 and the upper central shell part. The lower and the upper central shell part 711, 712 are connected to one another in one piece only by a connecting web 715. This connecting web 715 connects to the first outlet channel 253 on its underside and to the second outlet channel on the upper side. On the inlet side, in front of the connecting web 715, a working channel is provided, into which the lower tool part 211 and the upper tool part 221 protrude peripherally. The flat object 9 supplied on the input side is divided into a first cutting element 91 and a second cutting element 92 in the working channel 252 before it reaches the connecting web 715 . The first cutting element 91 is led away under the connecting web 715 downwards through the first outlet channel 253 . The second cutting element 92 is carried on via the connecting web 715 through the second outlet channel 254 and is further processed in further processing stages L2, L3, T. It should be noted that the first and second exit channels 253, 254 partially overlap so that there is sufficient space for the cutting elements 91, 92 to be transported.

The tool module 2 is placed on a tool carrier 3 which includes the carriage 31 with the receiving channel 310 and the receiving part 32 .

Figure 5b shows the tool module 2 of Figure 5a after removal of the central shell 71 with a view of the entrance side. It can be seen that the tool parts 211, 221 slightly overlap one another in the working channel 252, so that supplied flat objects 9 can be supplied to the output channels 253, 254 completely separated. In Figure 5b shows that the course of the first outlet channel 253 is exclusively dependent on the shape of the lower and upper guide plates 74, 75. Guide plates 74, 75 can therefore be provided for different first outlet channels 253 and connected to the central shell 71 as required.

Figure 6a shows one of the tool modules 2 of the second or third processing stage L2, L3 of FIG 1 , Which according to a casing 7 with a central shell 71 Figure 5a includes. The central shell 71 is equipped with a lower guide shell 74 and an upper guide shell 75, which delimit a first outlet channel 253, which has a different course than the outlet channel 253 of the tool module 2 in FIG Figure 5a . A flat object 9 is divided by this tool module 2 into two cutting elements 93, 94, both of which are conveyed straight ahead to the next processing stage L3 or T. The first outlet channel 253 is again below the connecting web 715 and the second outlet channel 254 is above the connecting web 715. The cutting elements 93, 94 are thus released from the tool module 2 with a slight difference in height, which corresponds to the thickness of the connecting web 715, and then continue at the same height promoted.

Figure 6b shows the tool module 2 of Figure 6a after removal of the central shell 71 from the input side. It is shown that the first guide channel 253 runs slightly downwards, so that the separated cutting element 93 passes under the connecting web 715 to the next processing stage L3; T can be performed.

Figure 7a shows the already described central shell 71 of FIG Figure 5a or Figure 6a in spatial representation with facing input channel 251. By equipping the central shell 71 with the guide shell 74, 75 from Figure 5b or Figure 6b the central shell 71 or the relevant tool module 2 can be configured for use in the first, second or third processing stage L1, L2, L3.

It is shown that the input channel 251 connects to the working channel 252, which in turn connects to the connecting web 715, the separates the first exit channel 253 from the second exit channel 254 . Various courses of the first output channel 253, 253' are shown symbolically.

Figure 7b shows the central shell 71 of Figure 7a viewed on the output side with facing first and second output channels 253 and 254, which overlap slightly in the area of the connecting bridge 715. Behind the connecting web 715 is the working channel 252, in which the tool parts 211, 221 can engage.

Reference list:

1

device, cutting device

10

frame

100

Housing

11

front mounting plate

12

rear mounting plate

13

cross braces

15

filing

151, 152

divider plates

2

tool module

2A

first tool module

21

lower module part

211

lower tool part, lower rotary blade

212

lower guide wheel, lower guide roller

215

lower body of revolution

2150

lower drive channel

22

upper module part

221

upper tool part, upper rotary blade

222

upper guide wheel, upper guide roller

225

upper body of revolution

23

Bearing elements, ball bearings

2250

upper drive channel

251

input channel

252

working channel

253

first output channel

254

second output channel

28

lower driveshaft

280

lower driveshaft bearing

281

lower shaft gear

282

intermediate gear

289

lower locking piece

29

upper driveshaft

290

upper driveshaft bearing

291

upper shaft gear

299

upper locking piece

3

tool carrier

30

holding room

31

slide part

310

recording channel

32

recording part

321

lower coupling channel

322

upper coupling channel

325

mechanical retaining element, collar

35

magnetic holding element

37

guide rail

38

lower control shaft

380

lower setting shaft bearing

39

upper control shaft

390

upper control shaft bearing

4

transport system

40

central belt

400

Auxiliary belt for the fourth processing stage T

41

lower conveyor roller

410

drive roller

411

lower roller gear

412

upper roller gear

42

upper conveyor roller

44

transmission

45

main engine

47

Drive belt for the fourth processing stage

48

Drive belt for the first three processing stages

49

transmission belt

51

front bearing plates

52

rear bearing plates

55

locking part

56

locking element

61

first servomotors

611

first adjustment straps

62

second servomotors

621

second adjusting strap

7

formwork

71

central shell

710

base part

711

lower part of the central shell

7110

lower central opening

7111

lower recording room

7113

lower bearing ring

712

upper part of the central shell

7120

upper central opening

7121

upper recording room

7123

upper bearing ring

715

connecting bar

716

lower intake opening

717

upper receiving opening

72

lower bearing shell

720

lower wheel chamber

73

upper bearing shell

730

upper wheel chamber

74

lower guide shell

740

lower bearing opening

750

upper bearing opening

75

upper guide shell

8th

control unit

81

sensor

9

Flat object, e.g. sheet of paper, cardboard, plastic film

91

first cutting element

92

second cutting element

L1

first processing stage for longitudinal cuts

L2

second processing stage for longitudinal cuts

L3

third processing stage for longitudinal cuts

M

Knife

T

fourth processing stage for transversal cuts

Claims (15)

1. Device (1) for processing flat objects (9) comprising a transport system (4) with several rotatably mounted conveyor rollers (41, 42), with which the flat objects (9) are transportable in the transport direction, and at least one releasably mounted tool module (2),

   a) which is releasably coupled to only one drive shaft (28; 29) or to a lower and an upper rotatably mounted drive shaft (28, 29);

   b) which is supported displaceable along the only one drive shaft (28; 29) or the lower and the upper drive shaft (28; 29); and

   c) which is equipped with tool parts (211, 221) for processing the flat objects (9), of which tool parts (211, 221) at least one is drivable by the lower or the upper drive shaft (28; 29);

   characterised in that the tool module (2) is supported on a tool carrier (3) which is displaceable by means of a rotatably mounted setting shaft (38; 39) in parallel to the only one drive shaft (28; 29) or in parallel to the lower and the upper drive shafts (28; 29), and which tool carrier (3) has at least one holding element (325; 35) which serves for releasably holding the tool module (2).
2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the tool carrier (3) has a slide part (31) which is displaceable along a guide rail (37) that is aligned in parallel to the setting shaft (38; 39) and in parallel to the only one drive shaft (28; 29) or the lower and the upper drive shaft (28; 29), and which tool carrier (3) is supported on the guide rail (37) or form-fittingly connected to the guide rail (37).
3. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the at least one holding element (325; 35) is a mechanical holding element (325) or a magnetic holding element (35) or that at least one mechanical holding element (325) and at least one magnetic holding element (35) are provided.
4. Device (1) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that the tool module (2) comprises a lower module part (21) with a lower tool part (211) releasably coupled to the lower drive shaft (28), and an upper module part (22) with an upper tool part (221) releasably coupled to the upper drive shaft (29), and that the lower tool part (211) and the upper tool part (212) preferably have identical diameters which are selected such that the lower tool part (211) can act on the flat object (9) from below and the upper tool part (221) can act on the flat object (9) from above.
5. Device (1) according to claim 4, characterised in that the lower tool module (21) has a lower guide wheel (212) releasably coupled to the lower drive shaft (28), and that the upper tool module (22) has an upper guide wheel (222) releasably coupled to the upper drive shaft (29), and that the lower and the upper guide wheel (212, 222) have diameters which are selected in such a way that the lower guide wheel (212) can act on the flat object (9) from below and the upper guide wheel (222) can act on the flat object (9) from above.
6. Device (1) according to one of the claims 1 - 5, characterised in that the lower module part (21) has at least one lower rotation body (215), which holds the lower tool part (211) and/or the lower guide wheel (212) and which has a lower drive channel (2150), within which the lower drive shaft (28) is form-fittingly engaged, but is held axially displaceably and/or that the upper module part (22) has at least one upper rotation body (225), which holds the upper tool part (221) and/or the upper guide wheel (222), and which has an upper drive channel (2250), within which the upper drive shaft (29) is held form-fittingly but axially displaceably.
7. Device (1) according to one of the claims 1 - 6, characterised in that the lower tool part (211) and the upper tool part (221) are rotary blades.
8. Device (1) according to claim 7, characterised in that the tool module (2) comprises a casing (7) with a central shell (71), which comprises a lower central shell part (711) provided with a lower central opening (7110) and an upper central shell part (712) provided with a upper central opening (7120), which are connected to one another in one piece by a connecting bridge (715), which in the transport direction on the input side adjoins a working channel (252), into which the lower tool part (211) arranged in the lower central opening (7110) and the upper tool part (221) arranged in the upper central opening (7120) project peripherally, and which, in the transport direction, on the output side adjoins on its underside a lower output channel (253) and on its upper side an upper output channel (254).
9. Device (1) according to claim 8, characterised in that the lower central shell part (711) has a lower receiving chamber (7111), in which a lower guide shell (74) is mounted, and that the upper central shell part (712) has an upper receiving chamber (7121), in which an upper guide shell (75) is mounted, and that the lower guide shell (74) and the upper guide shell (75) delimit the lower output channel (253).
10. Device (1) according to one of the claims 1 - 9, characterised in that a first and a second tool module (2) are coupled to the only one or the lower and upper drive shaft (28; 29) and are each releasably held by an associated first and second tool carrier (3), respectively, and in that the first tool carrier (3) is coupled to a lower setting shaft (38) and the second tool carrier (3) is coupled to an upper setting shaft (39) by threaded elements.
11. Device (1) according to one of the claims 1 - 10, characterised in that the one or the lower and the upper drive shaft (28, 29) is rotatably and displaceably held at the front in a front bearing plate (51) and at the rear in a rear bearing plate (52), and in that the one or the lower and the upper drive shaft (28, 29) comprises at the front a locking piece (289; 299) which is releasably coupled to a locking part (55) held by the front bearing plate (51).
12. Device (1) according to one of the claims 1 - 11, characterised in that the one or the lower and the upper drive shafts (28, 29), which are preferably coupled to each other by toothed wheels (281, 291), are preferably coupled to the transport rollers (41, 42) of the transport system (4) by a common drive belt (40), so that the one or the lower and the upper drive shafts (28, 29) and the transport rollers (41, 42) rotate synchronously with each other.
13. Device (1) according to one of the claims 1 - 11, characterised in that for each setting shaft (38; 39), which is preferably connected as a spiral shaft or threaded rod to the associated tool carrier (3), is coupled to a setting motor (61; 62), by means of which the associated tool carrier (3) is displaceable along the coupled setting shaft (38; 39) and the tool module (2) which is held by the tool carrier (3) is displaceable along the associated one or lower and upper drive shafts (28, 29).
14. Device (1) according to one of the claims 1 - 13, characterised in that several processing stages (L1, L2, L3) are arranged one behind the other in the transport direction, each comprising one or two tool modules (2) which are designed or equipped according to the operation in the related processing stage (L1; L2; L3).
15. Device (1) according to one of the claims 1 - 14, characterised in that a control unit (8) is provided by means of which the transport system (4) and the setting motors (61; 62) are controllable and in that the control unit (8) is connected to sensors (81) by means of which the installed tool modules (2) can be identified.

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