DE102023110903A1 - Method for changing a processing order executed on a processing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for changing a processing order carried out on a processing machine, wherein the processing machine has several units, wherein the processing machine has at least one processing unit designed as an application unit and/or at least one processing unit designed as a shaping unit, wherein the method comprises the following steps:
- Processing of a first processing order by the processing machine; Processing of the conversion of the processing machine to adapt at least one unit of the processing machine to a configuration of a directly subsequent processing order, wherein during the conversion a supply of substrate to the at least one processing unit is blocked for only 0 to N substrates, wherein N is a natural number less than or equal to 25, and wherein during the conversion at least one transport device of a transport unit of the processing machine is driven for transporting substrate with at least one speed profile, wherein the speed is greater than zero;
- Start the directly following processing job.

Description

The invention relates to a method for changing a processing order carried out on a processing machine according to the preamble of claim 1.

Various processing units are used in processing machines, particularly for sheets such as corrugated cardboard sheets. The sheets are pressurized with pressure fluid by means of at least one application unit and additionally or alternatively their mass and/or shape and/or contour are changed by at least one shaping device. One possible application method is flexographic printing. Flexographic printing is characterized by a forme cylinder with a flexible printing form. One possible shaping device is usually a punch, in particular a rotary punch. The rotary punch usually has a forme cylinder, also referred to below as a punching cylinder, with a tool and a counter punching cylinder.

Rotary punches usually have punching units with a punching cylinder and a counter punching cylinder. DE 10 2004 058 597 A1 shows, for example, a punch with two rotating processing rollers.

The WO 2020/216521 A1 discloses such a processing machine comprising application units and a shaping unit designed as a rotary punching device.

In order to carry out a new processing order on the processing machine, the processing machine usually has to be converted and/or serviced after a previous processing order has been completed. The operator usually starts a process to be converted manually.

A punching die with punching tools, preferably knives, is arranged on a punching cylinder, which process the substrate during operation and also come into contact with the counter punching cylinder. The counter punching cylinders preferably have elastic and resistant covers or punching pads. When an order changes, which changes the punching pattern to be produced, the punching dies must be exchanged. In order to quickly return the rotary punch to an operational state, changing devices for punching cylinders are used, for example.

The US 2005/0103173 A1 shows a possibility of exchanging punching cylinders, whereby these are adjusted using linear guides.

The invention is based on the object of creating a method for changing a processing order carried out on a processing machine.

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

The processing machine has several units. The processing machine has at least one, preferably at least two, processing units. At least one processing unit of the processing machine is preferably designed as a shaping unit. The processing machine preferably has at least one, preferably at least two, more preferably at least four, for example six, processing units designed as application units. In addition to the at least one application unit, the processing machine preferably has at least one processing unit designed as a shaping unit, preferably as a punching unit, more preferably as a rotary punching device. The at least one application unit, preferably all application units, is preferably arranged in front of the at least one shaping unit in the transport direction of the substrate. At least two processing units of the processing machine therefore preferably carry out different processing processes from one another.

To change the processing order, units of the processing machine are preferably converted. In particular, the processing units of the processing machine are converted and/or maintained to change the processing process. The processing machine is preferably designed as a sheet processing machine for processing sheet-shaped substrates. In particular, the processing units are designed to process sheet-shaped substrates.

A method for changing a machining order carried out on the processing machine comprises several steps.

At least one first processing order is processed by the processing machine. During this first processing order, at least one substrate is further processed with the at least one processing unit, preferably the at least one shaping unit and/or the at least one application unit. preferably the at least one shaping unit and the at least one application unit, the processing machine processes. Preferably, a first product is produced in accordance with the first order. This preferably has at least one printed image and/or at least one punched image.

The first processing order is preferably completed automatically. Changeover preferably begins automatically. This advantageously creates an uninterrupted transition from the first processing operation to changeover. Delays due to necessary inputs by an operator are advantageously avoided.

This is preferably followed by processing the conversion of the processing machine to adapt at least one unit of the processing machine to a configuration of a directly subsequent processing order. Before the conversion, the configuration of the processing machine for the at least one subsequent processing order is preferably loaded and/or set and/or saved in a machine control system. Advantageously, all the information required to adapt the processing machine is therefore available in the machine control system at the start of the conversion and is prepared to carry out the required processes. This advantageously results in an uninterrupted transition between the first processing order and the conversion.

The first processing order is followed by at least one, for example at least two, subsequent processing orders. After the conversion is complete, the immediately subsequent processing order is started. During this immediately subsequent processing order, preferably at least one substrate is processed with the at least one shaping unit. Preferably additionally or alternatively, the at least one substrate is processed with the at least one processing unit designed as an application unit. Preferably, a second product is produced in accordance with the second order. This preferably has at least one printed image and/or at least one punched image.

The advantages that can be achieved are in particular that changeovers between processing orders are made easier. The configuration of the processing machine and the changeover for a subsequent processing order are advantageously carried out in a time-optimized manner. In particular, the configuration for the at least one subsequent processing order, in particular the changeover processes and/or cleaning processes and/or format adjustments required for this, is completed before the changeover required for this, which means that the changeover can advantageously start without interruption after the previous processing order has been completed. The preparation of a subsequent production and/or the implementation of changeover processes required for a change in order are advantageously automated. Advantageously, this means that several changeover processes can overlap with one another, preferably in parallel. The changeover is advantageously accelerated. The downtime of the processing machine is advantageously reduced and the productivity of the processing machine is thus increased. Manual interventions by an operator during the changeover are advantageously reduced. The operator is therefore advantageously already available for other tasks.

The conversion is preferably carried out according to a first type of conversion or according to a second type of conversion. The first type of conversion preferably allows a large number of conversion processes and/or a change of the substrate to be processed to a different format or type. The second type of conversion preferably enables a particularly fast conversion and thus minimizes the conversion time.

Preferably, at least two changeover processes, preferably all changeover processes, are carried out automatically during the changeover and/or in a dependency controlled by the machine control system. This advantageously optimizes the sequence of the changeover processes and in particular reduces the duration of the entire changeover.

In a preferred embodiment, data relating to a substrate to be processed and/or data relating to a product to be achieved in the at least one subsequent processing order are or are stored in the machine control. Preferably, by processing this data and taking into account further machine-related data provided by the machine control, the machine control specifies the configuration of the processing machine for the at least one subsequent processing order and the conversion processes to be carried out for this purpose. This advantageously minimizes input errors by an operator. In particular, in the case of recurring processing orders, the amount of data to be entered by an operator can preferably be minimized in this way.

In a preferred embodiment, the machine control proposes at least one data set comprising at least one configuration of the following processing order and the changeover processes to be carried out for this purpose, which can be adapted or selected by an operator. Advantageously, an operator can adapt the configuration in this way. For example, he can integrate an additional changeover process, such as a cleaning process, or remove a changeover process, for example deselect cleaning if an application fluid remains unchanged, or deselect a wear-related replacement of a tool if its remaining service life is sufficient for the following processing order. Advantageously, each unit of the processing machine is configured by the machine control. More preferably, the configuration of each unit of the processing machine is adaptable or selectable by an operator.

In a preferred embodiment, at least before the respective changeover, for example during processing of the first processing order, the configuration of the at least one directly subsequent processing process and the configuration of at least one further subsequent processing process as well as the at least one changeover process to be carried out are loaded and/or set and/or saved. Advantageously, chains of several processing orders can thus be carried out in a time-optimized manner. Advantageously, the workload on an operator is reduced.

The machine control preferably controls at least two conversion processes. More preferably, these at least two conversion processes run automatically, i.e. preferably without additional operator intervention. This advantageously relieves the operator of some of the workload.

Preferably, at least two changeover processes run at an overlapping time, preferably in parallel. This advantageously reduces the duration of the changeover. These are preferably controlled by the machine control system. Further preferably, at least the changeover processes that run at an overlapping time run automatically during the changeover. At least the changeover processes that run at an overlapping time during the changeover, preferably at least three changeover processes during the changeover, further preferably the changeover processes of at least the processing units, preferably run automatically. Advantageously, the automation relieves the operator of some of the workload.

During the changeover, preferably at least one changeover process of the at least one shaping unit runs overlapping in time, preferably in parallel, with at least one further changeover process of the processing machine. In particular, at least one changeover process takes place in at least two different units of the processing machine, preferably in at least two of the processing units, more preferably in all processing units, overlapping in time, preferably in parallel. For example, a changeover process of the shaping unit represents a time-limiting factor in the changeover. Advantageously, the sequence of the changeover processes is optimized and in particular the duration of the entire changeover is reduced.

The processing machine preferably has at least the at least one shaping unit, the at least one application unit, the at least one substrate feed device and the at least one delivery as units, wherein more preferably during the changeover at least three changeover processes of these components of the processing machine run in an overlapping manner, preferably automatically. This advantageously optimizes the sequence of the changeover processes and in particular reduces the duration of the entire changeover.

In an additional or alternative particularly preferred embodiment, the machine control controls an automated termination of the first processing order, an automated start of the changeover and an automated execution of at least the temporally overlapping changeover processes of the changeover. The workload for an operator during the changeover is advantageously reduced. The changeover is advantageously optimized in terms of the processes.

Preferably, the at least one shaping unit is converted by at least one conversion process. For example, at least one tool and/or at least one forme cylinder is changed. For example, only the tool is changed, for example alternatively the forme cylinder is changed with the tool arranged on it. The forme cylinder is changed, for example, by means of a device for changing the forme cylinders, preferably automatically, or manually by an operator. Preferably, the forme cylinder and/or the counter-punching cylinder is removed from the processing point before a change, preferably parked. The tool of the forme cylinder is preferably changed manually. In particular, in the case of a manual change, the forme cylinder is preferably made accessible to the operator in an automated manner. For example, following a change, a distance between the replaced forme cylinder or the forme cylinder provided with the changed tool and the counter-punching cylinder is preferably adjusted. For example, the distance is also changed to adapt to a format of the substrate.

Preferably, the at least one application unit, preferably designed as a flexo application unit, is converted by at least one conversion process. Preferably, at least one conversion process of the at least one application unit runs automatically and overlaps the at least one conversion process of the at least one shaping unit. This advantageously reduces the duration of the conversion. At least one of the following conversion processes is preferably carried out on the at least one application unit: cleaning an application unit and/or changing a distance between a forme cylinder and an impression cylinder of the at least one application unit and/or changing an application fluid used and/or adjusting an application quantity of an application fluid used and/or changing a forme cylinder of the at least one application unit and/or changing at least one printing form of the at least one application unit and/or changing an anilox roller of the at least one application unit. A print image to be achieved is advantageously adapted to the processing order to be carried out.

For example, during the changeover, in addition to or as an alternative to other changeover processes, the number of processing units processing a substrate, in particular the number of application units, is changed. This advantageously increases the flexibility of the processing machine and thus its possible applications.

Preferably, the at least one substrate feed unit is converted by at least one conversion process. Preferably, the at least one delivery is converted by at least one conversion process. In a preferred embodiment, an adaptation to a format of a substrate to be processed is carried out during at least one conversion process of the substrate feed unit and/or the delivery. For example, at least one of the conversion processes for adaptation to the format is carried out automatically.

Advantageously, when changing the format of the substrates to be processed, at least one conversion process is carried out to adapt to the new format, in particular on the substrate feed unit and/or the delivery but preferably also on at least one processing unit, for example by changing the distance between the cylinders at a processing point or by replacing forme cylinders, tools and/or printing forms.

Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the drawings. Embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are described in more detail below.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung einer Bearbeitungsmaschine mit Auftragaggregaten und Formgebungsaggregat;
• 2 eine Seitenansicht einer Bearbeitungsmaschine in einer bevorzugten Konfiguration mit vier Druckwerken sowie dem Stanzaggregat mit Vorrichtung zum Wechseln;
• 3 eine schematische Darstellung eines Auftragaggregats mit einem Farbauftrag von unten;
• 4 eine schematische Darstellung eines Auftragaggregats mit einem Farbauftrag von oben;
• 5 eine schematische Darstellung der Bogenauslage mit einer Vorrichtung zum Ausschleusen von Bogen sowie einer der Bogenauslage vorgeordneten Separationseinrichtung;
• 6 eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Auftragaggregats aufweisend eine Speichereinrichtung zum Wechsel einer Rasterwalze;
• 7 eine schematische Darstellung eines Formgebungsaggregats aufweisend eine Vorrichtung zum Wechseln der Formzylinder;
• 8 eine schematische Darstellung eines Teils der Bearbeitungsmaschine in bevorzugter Ausführung, wobei das Formgebungsaggregat eine Vorrichtung zum Wechseln der Formzylinder aufweist und aufzeigend die bevorzugte Ausführung, wobei eine Transporteinrichtung in Transportrichtung vor der Bearbeitungsstelle verstellbar ist und wobei ein Transportmittel in Transportrichtung nach der Bearbeitungsstelle schwenkbar ist.

They show:

• 1 a schematic representation of a processing machine with application units and shaping unit;
• 2 a side view of a processing machine in a preferred configuration with four printing units and the punching unit with device for changing;
• 3 a schematic representation of an application unit with paint application from below;
• 4 a schematic representation of an application unit with a paint application from above;
• 5 a schematic representation of the sheet delivery with a device for ejecting sheets and a separation device arranged upstream of the sheet delivery;
• 6 a perspective view of an application unit having a storage device for changing an anilox roller;
• 7 a schematic representation of a forming unit having a device for changing the forme cylinders;
• 8 a schematic representation of a part of the processing machine in a preferred embodiment, wherein the forming unit has a device for changing the forme cylinders and showing the preferred embodiment, wherein a transport device is adjustable in the transport direction in front of the processing point and wherein a transport means is pivotable in the transport direction after the processing point.

A processing machine 01 is preferably designed as a printing machine 01 and/or as a shaping machine 01, in particular a punching machine 01. The printing machine 01 is designed, for example, as a flexographic printing machine 01.

The processing machine 01 is preferably referred to as a printing machine 01 if it has at least one printing unit 614 and/or at least one printing unit 600, in particular regardless of whether it has further units for processing substrate 02. For example, a processing machine 01 designed as a printing machine 01 additionally has at least one further such unit 900, for example at least one shaping unit 900, which is preferably designed as a punching unit 900, more preferably as a punching unit device 900. The processing machine 01 is preferably referred to as a shaping machine 01 if it has at least one shaping unit 914 and/or at least one shaping unit 900, in particular regardless of whether it has further units 600 for processing substrate 02. The processing machine 01 is preferably referred to as a punching machine 01 if it has at least one punching unit 914 and/or at least one punching unit 900 and/or at least one punching device 900, in particular regardless of whether it has further units 600 for processing substrate 02. For example, a processing machine 01 designed as a shaping machine 01 or punching machine 01 additionally has at least one further unit 600 for processing substrate 02, for example at least one printing unit 600 and/or at least one printing unit 614. For example, the processing machine thus has only processing units 600 designed as application units 600 or only processing units 900 designed as shaping units 900 or both at least one processing unit 600; 900 designed as application unit 600 and at least one processing unit 900 designed as shaping unit 900.

Preferably, the processing machine 01 is designed as a sheet processing machine 01, i.e. as a processing machine 01 for processing sheet-shaped substrate 02, also referred to as sheet 02, in particular sheet-shaped printing material 02. For example, the sheet processing machine 01 is designed as a sheet-fed printing machine 01 and/or as a sheet forming machine 01 and/or as a sheet punching machine 01. The processing machine 01 is further preferably designed as a corrugated cardboard sheet processing machine 01, i.e. as a processing machine 01 for processing sheet-shaped substrate 02 or sheets 02 made of corrugated cardboard 02, in particular sheet-shaped printing material 02 made of corrugated cardboard 02. The processing machine 01 is further preferably designed as a sheet-fed printing machine 01, in particular as a corrugated cardboard sheet printing machine 01, i.e. as a printing machine 01 for coating and/or printing sheet-shaped substrate 02 or sheets 02 made of corrugated cardboard 02, in particular sheet-shaped printing material 02 made of corrugated cardboard 02. For example, the printing machine 01 is designed as a printing machine 01 operating according to a printing form-based printing process.

The processing machine 01 is preferably designed to process substrate 02, preferably sheet-shaped substrate 02. The substrate 02 preferably has at least one panel. A panel is preferably that area of the substrate 02 which is designed as a product of the processing machine 01, in particular as an intermediate product for producing an end product, and/or is further processed, for example, into a desired or required end product and/or is designed to be further processed. The desired or required end product, which is preferably produced by further processing the respective panel, is preferably a folding box and/or packaging. Unless an explicit distinction is made, the term sheet-shaped substrate 02, in particular a printing material 02, specifically the sheet 02, is intended to include in principle any substrate 02 that is flat and in sections, i.e. also substrates 02 that are in the form of a panel or plate, i.e. also panels or plates. The sheet-shaped substrate 02 or the sheet 02 defined in this way is made, for example, of paper or cardboard, i.e. as a paper or cardboard sheet, or by sheets 02, panels or possibly plates made of plastic, cardboard, glass or metal. The substrate 02 is more preferably corrugated cardboard 02, in particular corrugated cardboard sheets 02. Preferably, the at least one sheet 02 is designed as corrugated cardboard 02. The thickness of a sheet 02 is preferably understood to mean a dimension orthogonal to a largest area of the sheet 02. This largest area is also referred to as the main area. The thickness of the sheets 02 is, for example, at least 0.1 mm, more preferably at least 0.3 mm and even more preferably at least 0.5 mm. Significantly greater thicknesses are also common, for example at least 4 mm or even 10 mm and more. Corrugated cardboard sheets 02 are comparatively stable and therefore not very flexible. Appropriate adjustments to the processing machine 01 therefore facilitate the processing of sheets 02 of great thickness. For example, the sheet-shaped substrate 02, in particular a sheet 02, has a length of at least 50.0 cm (fifty centimeters), preferably of at least 52.0 cm, more preferably of at least 60.0 cm, more preferably of at least 100.0 cm (one hundred centimeters), preferably of at least 120.0 cm (one hundred twenty centimeters), more preferably of at least 130.0 cm (one hundred thirty centimeters), more preferably of at least 150.0 cm (one hundred and fifty centimeters). For example, the substrate 02 has a maximum length of 200.0 cm, preferably a maximum of 180.0 cm, in particular a maximum of 170.0 cm. The length preferably describes the length of the substrate 02 along the transport direction T within the processing machine 01, i.e. preferably the distance from its leading end to its trailing end. For example, the sheet-shaped substrate 02, in particular a sheet 02, has a width of at least 50.0 cm, preferably of at least 60.0 cm, more preferably of at least 100.0 cm (one hundred centimeters), more preferably of at least 120.0 cm (one hundred and twenty centimeters), more preferably at least 130.0 cm (one hundred and thirty centimeters), more preferably at least 150.0 cm (one hundred and fifty centimeters), even more preferably at least 200 cm (two hundred centimeters), even more preferably at least 250 cm (two hundred and fifty centimeters), even more preferably at least 280 cm (two hundred and eighty centimeters). For example, the maximum width of the substrate 02 is 350.0 cm, in particular 300.0 cm. The width preferably describes the width of the substrate 02 along the working width, i.e. in the transverse direction A, within the processing machine 01.

The respective, preferably at least one, sheet 02 is preferably made of paper or cardboard or carton. According to DIN 6730, paper is a flat material consisting essentially of fibers of mostly plant origin that is formed by dewatering a fiber suspension on a sieve. This creates a fiber felt that is then dried. The surface-related mass of paper is preferably a maximum of 225 g/m ² . According to DIN 6730, cardboard is a flat material consisting essentially of fibers of plant origin that is formed by dewatering a fiber suspension on one or between two sieves. The fiber structure is compressed and dried. Cardboard is preferably made by gluing or pressing cellulose together. Cardboard is preferably designed as solid cardboard or corrugated cardboard 02. Corrugated cardboard 02 is, as used above and below, cardboard made of one or more layers of corrugated paper that is glued to a layer or between several layers of another, preferably smooth, paper or cardboard. The mass per unit area of cardboard is preferably over 225 g/m ² . As used above and below, the term cardboard refers to a paper sheet that is preferably coated on one side, preferably with a mass per unit area of at least 150 g/m ² and a maximum of 600 g/m ² . Cardboard preferably has a high strength relative to paper. A front edge is preferably an edge of the substrate 02 that, along the transport path in the processing machine 01, comes into contact with the respective units 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000, in particular with the processing points 609; 909, as the first edge of the substrate 02. A trailing edge is the last edge of the substrate 02 along the transport path.

The processing machine 01 preferably has several units 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000. An unit is preferably understood to be a group of devices that work together functionally, in particular in order to be able to carry out a preferably self-contained processing process of sheets 02. For example, at least two and preferably at least three and more preferably all of the units 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 are designed as modules 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 or at least each assigned to one such module. A module is understood to mean in particular a respective unit or a structure made up of several units, which preferably has at least one means of transport and/or at least its own controllable and/or adjustable drive and/or is designed as an independently functional module and/or a machine unit or functional assembly manufactured and/or assembled separately. A separate controllable and/or adjustable drive of an unit or module is understood to mean in particular a drive which serves to drive movements of components of this unit or module and/or which serves to transport substrate 02, in particular sheets 02, through this respective unit or module and/or through at least one area of action of this respective unit or module and/or which serves to directly or indirectly drive at least one component of the respective unit or module intended for contact with sheets 02. Preferably, the own controllable and/or adjustable drive of an aggregate or module is designed to drive movements of components of this aggregate or module and/or to effect a transport of substrate 02 and/or to directly or indirectly drive at least one component of the respective aggregate or module intended for contact with sheet 02. These drives of the aggregates 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 of the processing machine 01 are preferably designed as position-controlled electric motors.

Preferably, each unit 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 has at least one drive control and/or at least one drive regulator which is assigned to the respective at least one drive of the respective unit 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000. The drive controls and/or drive regulators of the individual units 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 can preferably be operated individually and independently of one another. More preferably, the drive controls and/or drive regulators of the individual units 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 are connected and/or can be connected in terms of circuitry, in particular by means of at least one BUS system, to one another and/or to a machine control system of the processing machine 01 in such a way that a coordinated control and/or regulation of the drives of several or all units 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 of the processing machine 01 is and/or can be carried out. The individual units 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 and/or in particular modules 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 of the processing machine 01 can therefore be operated and/or operated in a manner that is preferably electronically coordinated with one another, at least with regard to their drives, in particular by means of at least one virtual and/or electronic master axis. Preferably, the master axis, preferably the virtual master axis, specifies a machine cycle. Preferably, the virtual and/or electronic master axis is specified for this purpose, for example by a higher-level machine control of the processing machine 01. Alternatively or additionally, the individual units 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 of the processing machine 01 are and/or can be synchronized with one another, at least with regard to their drives, for example mechanically. Preferably, the individual units 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 of the processing machine 01 are, however, mechanically decoupled from each other, at least with regard to their drives.

The spatial area provided for the transport of substrate 02, which the substrate 02 occupies at least temporarily when it is present, is the transport path. The transport path is preferably defined by at least one device for guiding the substrate 02 in an operating state of the processing machine 01. Unless otherwise described, the units 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 of the processing machine 01 are preferably each characterized in that the section of a transport path provided for transporting sheets 02 defined by the respective unit 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 is at least substantially flat and more preferably completely flat. A substantially flat section of the transport path provided for the transport of sheets 02 is understood to mean a section that has a minimum radius of curvature that is at least 2 meters, more preferably at least 5 meters, even more preferably at least 10 meters, and even more preferably at least 50 meters. A completely flat section has an infinitely large radius of curvature and is thus also substantially flat and thus also has a minimum radius of curvature that is at least 2 meters. Unless otherwise described, the units 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 of the processing machine 01 are preferably each characterized in that the section of the transport path provided for the transport of sheets 02 defined by the respective unit 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 runs at least substantially horizontally and more preferably exclusively horizontally. This transport path preferably extends in a direction T, in particular transport direction T. A substantially horizontal transport path provided for the transport of sheets 02 means in particular that the intended transport path in the entire area of the respective unit 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 exclusively has one or more directions that deviate from at least one horizontal direction by at most 30°, preferably by at most 15° and more preferably by at most 5°.

The direction of the transport path, in particular the transport direction T, is in particular the direction in which the sheets 02 are transported at the point at which the direction is measured. The transport direction T provided in particular for transporting sheets 02 is the direction T which is preferably at least substantially and more preferably completely horizontally oriented and/or which preferably runs from a first unit 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 of the processing machine 01 to a last unit 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 of the processing machine 01, in particular from a sheet feeder unit 100 or a substrate feed device 100 on the one hand to a delivery unit 1000 or a substrate discharge device 1000 on the other hand, and/or which preferably points in a direction in which the sheets 02 are transported apart from vertical movements or vertical components of movements, in particular from a first contact with a unit 300; 600; 700; 900; arranged downstream of the substrate feed device 100. 1000 of the processing machine 01 or first contact with the processing machine 01 up to a last contact with the processing machine 01. Regardless of whether the installation device 300 is an independent unit 300 or module 300 or is part of the substrate feed device 100, the transport direction T is preferably the direction T in which a horizontal component of a direction points which is oriented from the installation device 300 to the substrate delivery device 1000.

A direction A, preferably a transverse direction A, preferably also called axial direction A, is preferably a direction A oriented orthogonal to the transport direction T of the sheets 02 and/or orthogonal to the intended transport path of the sheets 02 through the at least one application unit 600 and/or through the at least one shaping unit 900 and/or through the at least one sheet delivery 1000. The transverse direction A is preferably a horizontally oriented direction A. A working width of the processing machine 01 and/or of the at least one application unit 600 and/or of the at least one shaping unit 900 and/or of the at least one sheet delivery 1000 is preferably a dimension that is preferably orthogonal to the intended transport path of the sheets 02. through the at least one application unit 600 and/or the at least one shaping unit 900 and/or the at least one sheet delivery 1000, more preferably in the transverse direction A. The working width of the processing machine 01 preferably corresponds to a maximum width that a sheet 02 may have in order to still be able to be processed with the processing machine 01, i.e. in particular a maximum sheet width that can be processed with the processing machine 01. The width of a sheet 02 is to be understood in particular as its dimension in the transverse direction A. This is preferably independent of whether this width of the sheet 02 is larger or smaller than an orthogonal horizontal dimension of the sheet 02, which more preferably represents the length of this sheet 02. The working width of the processing machine 01 preferably corresponds to the working width of the at least one application unit 600 and/or the at least one shaping unit 900 and/or the at least one sheet delivery 1000. The working width of the processing machine 01, in particular sheet processing machine 01, is preferably at least 100 cm, more preferably at least 150 cm, even more preferably at least 160 cm, even more preferably at least 200 cm and even more preferably at least 250 cm.

A vertical direction V preferably designates a direction that is arranged parallel to the normal vector of a plane spanned by the transport direction T and the transverse direction A. For example, in the area of the shaping device 900, the vertical direction V is preferably oriented such that it points from the printing material 02 towards a forme cylinder 901 of the shaping device 900.

The processing machine 01 preferably has at least one substrate feed device 100, which is more preferably designed as an aggregate 100, in particular a substrate feed aggregate 100 and/or as a module 100, in particular a substrate feed module 100. In particular in the case of a sheet processing machine 01, the at least one substrate feed device 100 is preferably designed as a sheet feeder 100 and/or sheet feeder aggregate 100 and/or sheet feeder module 100. A sheet 02 to be processed is preferably arranged in a stack within a stacking area of the substrate feed device 100 at the start of a processing job and is conveyed from there through the processing machine 01. The at least one substrate feed aggregate 100 is preferably connected to at least one control unit, which preferably controls at least one element of the substrate feed aggregate 100.

Preferably, the at least one substrate feed device 100 has at least one front stop and/or at least one side stop and/or at least one rear stop in the stacking area, which is more preferably movable towards and away from the at least one substrate 02 of the stack and acts as a straightener. For example, alternatively, at least one of the stops is fixed in its position, for example the front stop. The substrate feed unit 100 preferably has at least one transfer means, preferably suction means, for removing the at least one substrate 02 from the stack, in particular by sucking it in and transporting it away in a sucked state. Preferably, to support the process, in particular to lift at least one edge of an uppermost substrate 02 of the stack, at least one blowing device is provided, which is directed at the stack in the stacking area. Preferably, this air is blown laterally onto the stack, preferably in the area of the uppermost substrates 02 of the stack, for example, a front edge or rear edge or side edge of at least one substrate 02 is thereby lifted and/or loosened from further substrates 02 of the stack. At least one shingle feeder is preferably arranged downstream of the stack area of the substrate feed device 100. This is preferably designed such that a substrate 02 pulled from the stack is transported in a shingled arrangement in the transport direction T. This is preferably achieved by means of at least one conveying means, preferably a conveyor belt and/or transport roller. The substrates 02 are preferably fed to a feed unit 300 in a shingled arrangement or individually.

The processing machine 01 preferably has at least one unit 300, preferably a feed device 300, which is further preferably designed as a feed unit 300 and/or a feed module 300. The at least one feed device 300, also referred to as a system, is designed in a preferred embodiment as a component of the substrate feed device 100. The substrate feed device 100 preferably comprises the feed unit 300. The alignment of the at least one substrate 02 preferably takes place in the feed unit 300. The at least one feed unit 300 preferably has a storage area 166 in which substrates 02, if they are present, are present in the form of at least one stack, the feeder stack 104, or in a shingled arrangement, i.e. overlapping with at least one edge. If the shingled feeder is arranged upstream, a stack of substrate 02, the feeder stack 104, is preferably temporarily formed in the storage area 166. The at least one substrate feed device 100 preferably has in particular its installation unit 300, at least one front stop and/or at least one lateral stop and/or at least one rear stop, which preferably aligns the at least one substrate 02 in the storage area 166. For example, at least one stop is fixed or movable, and can be moved towards the substrate 02 and/or away from the substrate 02. Preferably, the at least one substrate 02 is aligned in the at least one substrate feed device 100, in particular in its installation unit 300, by means of the at least one fixed or movable stop. Preferably, the substrate feed device 100 and/or the installation unit 300 separates the substrates 02 so that the substrates 02 are transported one after the other, preferably at a distance from one another, through the subsequent units 600; 700; 900; 1000 of the processing machine 01.

The at least one substrate feed device 100, preferably the at least one installation unit 300 of the substrate feed device 100, preferably has at least one acceleration means, preferably at least one primary acceleration means and/or at least one secondary acceleration means, for accelerating the substrate 02 to the processing speed. Preferably, at least one acceleration means of the substrate feed unit 100, in particular its installation unit 300, is designed as a primary acceleration means, which pulls an individual substrate 02 out of the storage area 166 and/or accelerates the individual substrate 02 to a processing speed of the processing units 600; 900. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one primary acceleration means is at least one conveyor belt, alternatively for example an oscillating gripper. The substrate 02 is preferably pulled off the stack in the storage area 166, more preferably the bottommost substrate 02 of the feeder stack 104 is pulled off. For example, as an alternative to pulling off the stack, in particular when the storage area 166 is designed to store the substrates 02 in a staggered arrangement without forming a stack, a frontmost substrate 02 of the staggered arrangement is pulled off by the at least one acceleration means. The at least one acceleration means, in particular the at least one primary acceleration means, is preferably connected to a control unit which preferably activates or deactivates the acceleration means and/or which preferably adjusts the speed of the acceleration means. For example, the at least one secondary acceleration means is designed to align a substrate 02 in the circumferential direction, i.e. in the transport direction T, in particular by adjusting the speed of the substrate by accelerating preferably as a function of at least one sensor 164 detecting the substrate 02.

The processing machine 01 has, for example, at least one unit designed as a conditioning device, in particular a conditioning unit, which is further preferably designed as a module, in particular as a conditioning module. Such a conditioning device is designed, for example, as a preparation device or as a post-treatment device. The processing machine 01 preferably has at least one unit designed as a preparation device, in particular a preparation unit, which is further preferably designed as a module, in particular as a preparation module and represents a conditioning device. The processing machine 01 preferably has at least one post-treatment device.

The processing machine 01 has at least one processing unit 600; 900. The at least one processing unit 600; 900 is preferably arranged downstream of the substrate feed unit 100. The processing machine 01 preferably has at least two processing units 600; 900, which preferably carry out different processing processes. At least one processing unit 900 of the processing machine 01 is designed as a shaping unit 900, preferably as a punching unit 900, more preferably as a rotary punching device 900. The processing methods which the at least one shaping unit 900 carries out are, for example, punching, grooving, embossing, perforating and/or breaking out. The at least one shaping unit 900 is preferably designed to carry out at least two of the processing methods. For this purpose, it preferably has at least two different tools.

In a preferred embodiment, the processing machine 01 has at least one, preferably at least two, preferably at least four, processing units 600 designed as an application unit 600. Preferably, at least one processing unit 900 following the at least one application unit 600 is designed as a shaping unit 900, in particular a punching unit 900.

In a preferred embodiment, exactly one shaping device 900, in particular punching device 900 and/or rotary punching device 900, is arranged. In an alternative embodiment, the processing machine 01 has at least two shaping units 900, which are designed to carry out different processing methods. For example, a shaping unit 900 has a punching tool, while another shaping unit has a creasing tool and/or embossing tool and/or stripping tool. For example, the processing machine having several shaping units additionally has no application unit or at least one application unit. If in the foregoing and in the following the at least one shaping unit 900 is described in particular by the design as a punching unit 900, this description is also applicable to other shaping units, such as a creasing unit, embossing unit or stripping unit. The tool is preferably adapted and/or adaptable to the respective processing method to be carried out.

The processing machine 01 has, for example, at least one, preferably at least two, more preferably at least four, more preferably at least six, for example eight, processing units 600 designed as an application unit 600. The at least one application unit 600 is preferably arranged and/or constructed depending on the function and/or application method. The at least one application unit 600 preferably serves to apply at least one respective application fluid or coating agent to the entire surface and/or part of the surface of the sheets 02. An example of an application unit 600 is a printing unit 600 or printing module 600, which in particular serves to apply printing ink and/or ink to the substrate 02, in particular sheets 02. In particular, the at least one application unit 600 is designed to apply application fluid, preferably printing ink and/or ink, for example to the entire surface and/or part of the surface of the sheets 02. In the foregoing and in the following, an optionally arranged priming unit and/or a optionally varnishing unit also count as such an application unit 600 or printing unit 600. Preferably, at least one substrate 02, in particular sheet 02, is printed and/or varnished and/or primed in the at least one front processing unit 600, preferably designed as an application unit 600. The at least one application unit 600 preferably has the at least one applicator unit 614. Preferably, at least a first application unit 600 in the transport direction T is designed as a priming unit. Preferably, at least a last application unit 600 in the transport direction T is designed as a varnishing unit. Preferably, at least one, preferably at least four, application units 600, which are preferably arranged downstream of the priming unit and/or which are arranged upstream of the varnishing unit, are designed as printing units 600. In the case of the presence of the at least one application unit 600, the at least one shaping unit 900 is preferably arranged after the at least one application unit 600, preferably after all application units 600 of the processing machine 01.

In particular, regardless of the function of the application fluid that can be applied with it, application units 600 can preferably be differentiated with regard to their application methods. An example of an application unit 600 is a form-based application unit 600, which in particular has at least one fixed, physical and preferably replaceable printing form. Form-based application units 600 preferably work according to a planographic printing process, in particular offset planographic printing process and/or according to a gravure printing process and/or according to a letterpress process, particularly preferably according to a flexographic printing process. The corresponding application unit 600 is then, for example, a flexographic application unit 600 or flexographic printing unit 600, in particular flexographic application module 600 or flexographic printing module 600.

The at least one application unit 600 preferably has a forme cylinder 602. The forme cylinder 602 is preferably driven by means of a drive M2, preferably a single drive. An impression cylinder 608 is preferably assigned to the forme cylinder 602. The processing point 609, designed as an application point 609, is located between the forme cylinder 602 and the impression cylinder 608. The impression cylinder is driven by means of a drive M1, preferably by means of a single drive or a drive of the printing unit 600, or in an alternative embodiment in addition to the forme cylinder 602 by means of the drive M1 of the forme cylinder 602. The forme cylinder 602 and the impression cylinder 608 are preferably each designed as cylinder 602 and cylinder 608, respectively.

Furthermore, the at least one application unit 600, particularly in the case of a flexographic printing unit 600, preferably has at least one supply roller 603, which is preferably designed as an anilox roller 603. During operation, the forme cylinder 602 is supplied with pressure fluid via the supply roller 603. For this purpose, the supply roller 603 is in contact with a chamber doctor blade 604. The supply roller 603 preferably has a cup structure on its outer surface, in particular on the outer surface of its roller barrel. The supply roller 603 is preferably designed as a cylinder 603. The at least one supply roller 603 is preferably arranged in contact with a forme cylinder 602 and/or can be brought into contact. Application fluid is preferably transferred from the anilox roller 603, which is placed against the forme cylinder 602, to the forme cylinder 602. A supply roller drive M3 designed as a drive M3 of the supply roller 603 is preferably connected and/or connectable to the supply roller 603 via a detachable connection, for example by means of a coupling. This connection is preferably released when the supply roller 603 is to be deposited in a storage device 21. The at least one storage device 21 preferably has at least two, more preferably at least three, even more preferably at least four and even more preferably exactly four storage receptacles 22 for accommodating a supply roller 603 each. In this way, at least one supply roller 603 can always be kept ready near its intended location in case a currently used supply roller 603 is to be replaced. Such a replacement usually takes place, for example, when a subsequent processing job requires a smaller or larger amount of application fluid per area. The storage device 21 preferably has at least one movable transfer device 23, by means of which the at least two storage receptacles 22 can be moved and arranged in different storage positions. The storage device 21 is thus suitable for quickly and easily replacing the anilox roller 603. To change the anilox roller 603, the anilox roller 603 to be replaced is preferably guided from its working position to at least one free storage position of the transfer device 23 and at least one anilox roller 603 to be replaced is moved from its storage position in the transfer device 23 to the working position. This changing process is preferably controlled by means of the machine control system. In particular in conjunction with a device for changing 950 punching cylinders 901; 903, an accelerated job change can be achieved. Both devices therefore make a decisive contribution to accelerated job changes of the processing machine 01. The cylinders 602, 603, 608 are preferably carried by a frame 607.

A preferred first embodiment of the flexo applicator 614 is intended to provide substrate 02, in particular sheet 02 and/or printing material 02, with application fluid from below, for example to print on it. In this preferred first embodiment of the flexo applicator 614, the forme cylinder 602 is preferably arranged below the impression cylinder 608. In an alternative embodiment, the sheets 02 are printed from above. The printing unit 600 is then preferably designed in a mirror-inverted order with structural adjustments. The sheets 02 are preferably punched on the opposite side to the printed image. Printing from below is therefore the preferred embodiment.

The forme cylinder 602 of the at least one application unit 600 is preferably movable relative to the supply roller 603 by means of actuators and/or relative to the counter-pressure cylinder 608 by means of actuators. As a result, a corresponding application point 609 can preferably be adapted to different thicknesses of substrate 02 to be processed.

The at least one printing form of the forme cylinder 602 is preferably adapted to the processing order being carried out. There is therefore a need to change the at least one printing form when changing to another processing order. The printing forme change is preferably automated. The printing forme can be provided with or is provided with a print image. The printing forme can preferably be fastened to the forme cylinder 602 by means of holding means, for example suspension legs of the printing forme in conjunction with spring elements of the cylinder 602, preferably by generating a holding force. For example, the printing forme is suspended and/or clamped in a channel in the outer surface of the cylinder 602. The printing forme is released from the forme cylinder 602 by removing the holding force, for example using a preferably pneumatically actuated actuating means. The at least one application unit 600 preferably has at least one printing forme magazine. The printing forme magazine preferably has at least one receiving device for a printing forme to be changed in and at least one receiving device for a printing forme to be changed out. In order to remove a used printing form and/or to provide a new printing form in the receiving devices, the receiving devices are preferably accessible from the side facing away from the forme cylinder 602 or from a side of the printing form magazines running parallel to the transport direction of the substrate 02.

Preferably, the printing form magazines extend over the entire working width of the processing machine 01 and/or more preferably, the receiving devices are equipped with printing forms over the area of the working width required in the respective processing order. Preferably, the printing form magazine can be positioned on the form cylinder 602, for example by pivoting, which further increases accessibility.

In a working position of the printing form magazine, i.e. when it is positioned against the form cylinder 602, preferably at least one printing form can be exchanged between the receiving devices and the form cylinder 602, preferably by either removing a printing form that is no longer required for executing a print job from the form cylinder 602 and placing it in the receiving device direction or a new printing form is led out of the receiving device and mounted on the forme cylinder 602 for executing the print job. For example, at least one guide plate is provided for guiding the printing forms. A drive means is preferably provided which moves the printing form from the receiving device to the forme cylinder 602 or vice versa. A used printing form is preferably detached from the jacket of the forme cylinder 602 and pulled off the forme cylinder 602 by turning the forme cylinder and transferred to the receiving device. After the used printing form has been removed, a new printing form is preferably released from its receiving device and pulled onto the forme cylinder 602 by means of the drive means and/or by turning the forme cylinder 602 in the opposite direction. The new printing form is then fastened to the forme cylinder 602, preferably by applying the holding force.

It is advantageous if the implementation, in particular the completion of a printing form change, is monitored by sensors. It is advantageous to bring the forme cylinder 602 into a predefined position in terms of side register, e.g. to zero it with respect to the side register, before an exchange of a printing forme between the forme cylinder 602 and the printing forme magazine takes place. As an alternative to adjusting the forme cylinder 602, the printing forme magazine can also be brought laterally into a predefined position relative to the forme cylinder 602 so that the exchange of a printing forme between the printing forme magazine and the forme cylinder 602 can take place in a targeted manner and without lateral offset. Likewise, the printing forme magazines can be controlled in conjunction with the forme cylinders 602 in such a way that a printing forme change can be initiated selectively, preferably from a control station assigned to the processing machine 01 and/or by the machine control. Because the printing form magazines can be prepared for a printing form change during ongoing production of the processing machine 01, the set-up time required for a downtime of the application units 600 is reduced to an extremely short period of time, e.g. less than two minutes, preferably less than ninety seconds, for a complete change of all printing forms of the application units 600 arranged in this processing machine 01. Such a rapid printing form change, even with a larger number of printing forms, significantly increases the economic efficiency of the processing machine 01 due to its extremely short downtime.

For example, the application unit 600 has at least one cleaning device, preferably a washing device, for cleaning, in particular washing, at least one of the cylinders 602; 603; 608. Washing is advantageously carried out with water and/or a cleaning agent tailored to the respective application fluid. In particular, at least one cleaning device can be and/or is positioned on the forme cylinder 602. Preferably, at least one further cleaning device can be and/or is positioned on the supply roller 603. Alternatively, the cleaning device of the forme cylinder 602 can also be used to clean the supply roller 603 and/or the impression cylinder 608, for example by positioning the cylinders 602; 603; 608 against one another during the cleaning process.

In a preferred embodiment, the processing machine 01 has more application units 600 than are required in a normal job. This means that the processing machine 01 has at least two application units 600, wherein one of the application units 600 can be used at least as a redundant application unit 600. Four application units 600 are usually used in multi-color printing. These four application units 600 are preferably printing units 600. In addition, further units 600 designed as paint application units 600 can also be present. More preferably, the processing machine 01 has four further application units 600 for multi-color printing. These four application units 600 can usually be serviced and/or set up while the other units 600 are in operation. These four further application units 600 can be used at least as redundant application units 600. Alternatively, these additional application units 600 can also be used for special printing jobs. For example, special colors and/or varnishes can also be applied using the additional application units 600.

Furthermore, the processing machine 01 has, for example, at least one unit designed as a drying device, in particular a drying unit, which is more preferably designed as a module, in particular as a drying module. Alternatively or additionally, for example, at least one drying device 506 and/or at least one post-drying device is part of at least one unit 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000, preferably designed as a module 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000. For example, at least one application unit 600 has at least one drying device 506 and/or has at least one unit 700 designed as a transport device 710 and/or at least one transport unit 700. The drying device 506 is preferably arranged downstream of the application point 609.

The processing machine 01 has at least one unit 700, in particular at least one transport unit 700, and/or the module 700, in particular the transport module 700. Additionally or alternatively, the processing machine 01 preferably has transport devices 700, for example as components of other units and/or modules. The at least one transport unit 700 is driven by a drive. For example, this drive is mechanically coupled to other units 700, for example other transport units 700. Alternatively, the drive is mechanically decoupled from other units.

The processing machine 01 has at least one shaping device 900, which is further preferably designed as an aggregate 900, in particular a shaping aggregate 900 or punching aggregate 900, and/or as a module 900, in particular as a shaping module 900 or punching module 900 and/or as a punching device 900. The processing machine 01 preferably has at least one shaping aggregate 900 designed as a punching aggregate 900. The at least one shaping device 900 is preferably designed as a rotary punching device 900 and/or preferably has at least one shaping unit 914 or punching unit 914. A shaping device 900 should also be understood to mean an embossing device and/or a creasing device. Preferably, a perforating device is also a form of a punching device 900. The shaping device 900 preferably has at least one form cylinder 901 and at least one counter-punching cylinder 902. The form cylinder 901 is designed as a cylinder 901, preferably as a punching form cylinder 901, in particular a punching cylinder 901. The punching cylinder 901 is preferably driven or can be driven in rotation by a drive. The counter-punching cylinder 902 is designed as a cylinder 902. For example, the counter-punching cylinder 902 is also referred to as the counter-pressure cylinder 902 of the shaping device 900. The counter-punching cylinder 902 is preferably driven or can be driven in rotation by a drive.

For example, to change the forme cylinders 901; 903, in particular punching cylinders 901; 903, a further cylinder 903, in particular punching cylinder 903, is provided. The at least one shaping device 900 preferably has at least one and more preferably exactly one processing point 909 designed as a shaping point 909. The at least one shaping device 900 preferably has the at least one and more preferably exactly one shaping point 909, which is formed by at least and more preferably exactly one forme cylinder 901 designed in particular as a punching forme cylinder 901 on the one hand and at least one counter-pressure cylinder 902 on the other hand. The shaping point 909 is preferably the area in which the respective forme cylinder 901 on the one hand and the respective counter-pressure cylinder 902 on the other hand are closest to each other. The at least one shaping point 909 is preferably designed as at least one punching point 909 and/or as at least one transport means 909 and/or as at least one shaping transport means 909 and/or as at least one punching transport means 909. The shaping device 900, in particular the shaping unit 914, preferably comprises at least one tool, more preferably the at least one forme cylinder 901 comprises at least one tool. For example, the tools of the forme cylinder 901, preferably also referred to as punching tools, have half shells 964 with punching tools arranged thereon, such as punching knives or embossing knives or creasing tools. Preferably, at least one punching form, which is preferably designed as a half shell 964, is fastened to the forme cylinder 901; 903. In a preferred embodiment, the tool of the shaping device 900, in particular of the shaping unit 914, preferably the tool of the forme cylinder 901, is in direct contact with the counter-punching cylinder 902, in particular in the area of the shaping point 909. Preferably, the counter-pressure cylinder 608 and the counter-punching cylinder 902 must run in synchronism, preferably at the same surface speed. The tool is preferably adapted to the processing method, as a punching tool, creasing tool, embossing tool and/or perforating tool. Preferably, the forme cylinder 901 has several tools from different processing methods together. The at least one forme cylinder 901 designed as a punching cylinder 901 has a tool with preferably vertically arranged knives. The knives are preferably arranged discontinuously and differ depending on the punching job. For example, the knives differ in their penetration depth. In particular, no single surface speed can then be specified for the punching cylinder 901. In this case, an average value is preferably used for the calculation. Preferably, at least one starting diameter must be entered in an interface to a control system before starting the machine, for example manually.

The at least one counter-pressure cylinder 902 designed as a counter-punching cylinder 902 preferably has a cover or punching pad. The punching pad is preferably made of a plastic and/or rubber and has slightly elastic properties. The punching pad is preferably made of a plastic such as polyurethane or the like. The punching pad is preferably, for example, easily depressible and can partially deform back. Such a punching pad is usually between 10 mm and 12 mm thick, whereby between 4 and 8 mm can be ground off. At least one grinding cylinder 911 or one grinding roller 911 is arranged or can be adjusted on the counter-punching cylinder. The at least one grinding cylinder 911 has a drive, preferably a direct drive. The grinding cylinder 911 can preferably be adjusted to the counter-punching cylinder 902 by means of actuators.

The punching unit 900 preferably has a suction device 966 for sucking out waste parts or dust. The punching unit 900 preferably has a housing. The housing of the punching unit 900 preferably has at least a first wall and a second wall, which are arranged in the axial direction before and after the transport path of sheet 02. The housing is preferably designed as a frame, for example for holding the cylinders 901; 902; 903 of the punching unit 900.

The processing machine 01 preferably has at least one unit 1000 designed as a substrate delivery device 1000, in particular designed as a delivery 1000, in particular an unit 1000 designed as a sheet delivery 1000, in particular a delivery unit 1000, which is further preferably designed as a module 1000, in particular as a delivery module 1000. The delivery unit 1000 is preferably the last unit 1000 of the processing machine 01. Preferably, at least one stack of the processed substrates 02 is formed in this. The delivery unit 1000 has at least one delivery stack carrier 1003 on which processed substrates 02 can be placed. A substrate 02 is braked along the transport path by at least one transport means, preferably designed as a suction transport means. For example, the speed of the braking is adjusted so that the substrate 02 is brought to a standstill within one machine cycle. By means of at least one pusher, a rear region of the substrate 02, which is preferably arranged closer to the rear edge than to the front edge of the substrate 02, is preferably released from the braking transport means, so that a subsequent substrate 02 can be layered underneath. For example, the at least one pusher rotates or pivots about an axis that is directed transversely to the transport direction T, and with each rotation or pivoting comes into contact with a substrate 02 that is present at that time at the position of the transport path on which the pusher acts and whose rear region is then released by the pusher. The rotation speed of the pusher is preferably adjusted so that the rear region of a substrate 02 is released in each case. At least one release means preferably releases the braked substrate 02 completely from the braking transport means, preferably by pressing downwards, whereby the substrate 02 is preferably deposited on the display stack carrier 1003. In the area of the delivery stack carrier 1003, at least one stop for aligning the deposited substrate 02 is preferably provided, preferably at least one stop for the front edge and/or at least one stop for the rear edge of the substrate 02. For example, lateral stops are also provided. Preferably, at least one diversion delivery 1002 is provided, in which sample sheets and/or substrates 02 of insufficient quality can be deposited and separated from the other substrates 02. The transport path of the substrate 02 can preferably be changed via at least one sheet switch 1001, so that a substrate 02 is guided into the diversion delivery 1002 instead of to the delivery stack carrier 1003.

The processing machine 01 has several sensors. This can be used, for example, to detect the arrival of sheets at certain points on the processing machine 01. Furthermore, the sensors can also be designed as cameras and, for example, inspect the processing result. Such an inspection system is preferably designed as a print image control system 726 for inspecting a print image. Furthermore, such a sensor can be a register control system 728. The print image control system 726 and the register control system 728 are preferably arranged after the application units 600 and preferably inspect the complete print image and/or printed register marks. Furthermore, the processing machine 01 preferably has a punch image control system 916. This is preferably arranged after the punching unit 900. By means of the sensors 726, 728, 916, for example, a sheet 02 can be ejected from the processing machine 01. For this purpose, the processing machine 01 preferably has a sheet switch 1001 and a discharge stack 1002, also called a discharge delivery 1002. In the event of deviations in the printing and/or punching quality, the sheet switch 1001 can be controlled using the signal from the sensors 726, 728, 916 and the sheets can be deflected in the transport path and thus conveyed to the discharge stack 1002. If, on the other hand, the printing quality and/or punching quality is sufficient, the sheet 02 is preferably deposited on a delivery stack carrier 1003 of the sheet delivery 1000. The sheet processing machine 01 also has a plurality of sheet arrival sensors 164; 622; 722; 922. Furthermore, external changes in the printing length and the punching length arise over time. This change can also be detected by the sensors and the cylinders, in particular the forme cylinders 602; 901; 903, then controlled and/or regulated with the signals.

The processing machine 01 has at least one machine control. The machine control is preferably a higher-level control of the processing machine 01, which has at least one control unit. The machine control preferably has at least one central control unit that controls processes of the processing machine 01. The central control unit is preferably coupled to means for controlling individual units 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 and/or coupled to means for controlling individual components, such as a cylinder 602; 603; 608; 901; 902; 903 or device for changing 950 forme cylinders 901, within a unit 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000. The coupling is preferably carried out by means of electrical control lines and/or by means of wireless transmission technology, such as radio or Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, preferably in the radio frequency range or alternatively in the infrared or optical frequency range. In particular, the machine control is accessible and/or displayable to an operator via at least one display means, preferably by means of at least one monitor or display, and/or at at least one control station, which for example has at least one display means. For example, the machine control is additionally or alternatively accessible and/or displayable via at least one mobile terminal, for example a smartphone. The machine control preferably comprises at least one computing unit, for example at least one computer, preferably designed to calculate data and/or to calculate comparisons between data.

Preferably, at least one sensor 164; 622; 722; 726; 728; 922; 916 of the sensors 164; 622; 722; 726; 728; 922; 916 is at least data-wise connected to at least one control unit of the machine control. The machine control, in particular its at least one control unit, preferably evaluates data from the at least one sensor 164; 622; 722; 726; 728; 922; 916. Preferably, a monitoring result of the at least one sensor 164; 622; 722; 726; 728; 922; 916 is displayed on at least one monitor. For example, the at least one sensor 164; 622; 722; 726; 728; 922; 916 by the machine control and/or by access to the machine control by an operator, for example via the at least one control station of the processing machine 01. Preferably, at least one component of the processing machine 01 is controlled depending on the data determined by the at least one sensor 164; 622; 722; 726; 728; 922; 916 by the machine control and/or by access to the machine control by an operator, for example via the at least one control station of the processing machine 01.

The tool of the at least one form cylinder 901 of the shaping unit 900 determines the shaping result achieved by processing a substrate 02. This is also referred to as a punching pattern, for example. Since the tool of the at least one form cylinder 901 of the at least one shaping unit 900 is adapted to a processing order to be carried out, there is a need to change the tool when changing to another processing order.

In a first embodiment, in order to change the tool of the at least one shaping unit 900, the tool is removed from the forme cylinder 901 while the latter is arranged in a punching position or in a position, for example a few millimeters away from the punching position, set away from the counter-punching cylinder 902, preferably a change position. The change is carried out manually by an operator, for example. Access to the forme cylinder 901 must then be guaranteed for the operator during the changeover.

In a second embodiment, in order to change the tool of the at least one shaping unit 900, the at least one form cylinder 901 is exchanged for another form cylinder 903 with a different tool and/or a tool positioned differently along the outer surface. For this purpose, the at least one shaping unit 900 preferably has a device for changing 950 the form cylinders 901; 903, in particular the cylinders 901; 903 designed as punching cylinders 901; 903. A punching cylinder 901, which is in a punching position during operation, can be changed with another punching cylinder 903. The change is preferably automated. The changing device 950 comprises the components of the punching unit 900 that are involved in and/or required for changing the cylinders 901; 903. In particular, the changing device 950 has the at least one punching cylinder 901 and the at least one further punching cylinder 903 for changing with the at least one punching cylinder 901. If punching cylinders 901; 903 or their changing are described above and below, this is preferably to be applied to the respective forme cylinders 901; 903 of the forming unit 900.

Preferably, the device for changing 950 of the forme cylinders 901; 903 has at least one, preferably several, in particular at least two, guides 958; 959. In particular, a Transport system has the guides 958; 959. Preferably, the two guides 958; 959 of the changing device 950 are designed as linear guides 958; 959. Preferably, one guide 959 is designed as a preferably predominantly horizontal guide 959, more preferably with at least one horizontal transport element. Preferably, one guide 958 is designed as a preferably predominantly vertical guide 958, more preferably with at least one vertical transport element 956; 960. Preferably, predominantly here means a larger directional component in the respective horizontal or vertical direction. In another embodiment, the guides 958; 959 can also be curved. If a horizontal guide 959 is mentioned above and below, this formulation preferably also includes the predominantly horizontal guide 959, i.e. a curved guide with a larger directional component in the horizontal direction. If above and below reference is made to a vertical guide 958, this formulation preferably also includes the predominantly vertical guide 958, that is to say a curved guide 958 with a larger directional component in the vertical direction. Preferably, the at least one transport element 956; 960 has at least one receiving area, preferably at least one bowl-shaped receiving area, for the at least one forme cylinder 901; 903. The changing device 950 preferably has a transport system for moving the punching cylinders 901; 903. This preferably comprises transport elements 956; 960, which receive the punching cylinders 901; 903, for example on their cylinder pins, and transport them along the guide paths, that is to say in particular along the at least predominantly horizontal guide 959 and/or along the at least predominantly vertical guide 958, and/or to the different positions. Thus, the transport system preferably comprises the at least one guide 958; 959. Preferably, at least one guide rail 957 is provided, which is more preferably designed as a linear guide, along which the at least one transport element 956; 960 is preferably moved. Preferably, the transport system has the at least one transport element for predominantly horizontal movement of the punching cylinders 901; 903 and preferably the at least one transport element 956; 960 for predominantly vertical movement of the punching cylinders 901; 903. These transport elements 956; 960 are designed, for example, as carriages with holding arms. More preferably, they have a half-shell for holding the punching cylinder 901; 903. Preferably, the half-shell is designed as a contact surface for the punching cylinder 901; 903. Preferably, a respective transport element 956; 960 is arranged on each side of the housing. For example, the predominantly vertical guide 958 has either two transport elements 956; 960 or two transport elements 956; 960 on a common transport device 972. In a particularly simple structural design, the two transport elements 956; 960 of the predominantly vertical guide 958 are arranged together on a common transport device 972, in particular a carrier 972 and/or carriage 972. Then, by moving the transport device 972, both punching cylinders 901; 903 can be moved in a predominantly, more preferably completely, vertical direction V.

The punching cylinders 901; 903 can be arranged in several positions in the changing device 950. In particular, the punching cylinders 901; 903 are moved along the guides 958; 959. During punching, the punching cylinder 901; 903, in particular the respective punching cylinder 901; 903 being used, is arranged in the punching position. It is arranged at the shaping point 909, preferably above the counter-punching cylinder 902. When the processing machine 01 is in operation, the punching knives in the punching position come into contact with the punching lining of the counter-punching cylinder 902. This position of the counter-punching cylinder 902 is referred to as the working position of the counter-punching cylinder 902. The processing point 909 is therefore preferably formed by the punching cylinder 901; 903 arranged in the punching position. 903 and the counter-punching cylinder 902 arranged in the working position. The punching position is thus the same position for both punching cylinders 901; 903. In particular, the processing point 909 for the at least one punching cylinder 901 and for the further punching cylinder 903 is in an identical position. The sheet 02 is preferably processed at the processing point 909 of the punching unit 900 during operation, in particular regardless of which punching cylinder 901; 903 is arranged in the punching position.

For example, the forme cylinder 901 is arranged in a fixed position in the punching position by means of a locking mechanism. To change the forme cylinder 901, the locking mechanism is preferably opened. For example, by opening the locking mechanism, the forme cylinder 901 is transferred from the punching position to a change position in which it is ready for removal. In contrast, the cylinder 903 to be changed is arranged in a fixed position in the punching position by closing the locking mechanism. For example, the other cylinder 903 is transferred from the change position to the punching position by closing the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is thus preferably designed to fix the punching cylinder 901; 903 which is to be arranged in the punching position at the respective time. A drive, for example hydraulic, is preferably used. raulikantrieb, for opening and/or closing the locking mechanism, i.e. preferably for fixing and/or releasing the forme cylinder 901; 903 in the punching position, controlled by means of the machine control.

The change position is preferably located on a direct guide path between the punching position and a maintenance position. The change position is preferably adjusted by a few millimeters from the punching position, preferably by a maximum of 1 cm, preferably by a maximum of 5 mm, more preferably by a maximum of 1 mm, more preferably by a maximum of 0.5 mm, more preferably by a maximum of 0.05 mm. The change position is more preferably spaced from the punching position, in particular in the vertical direction V, and more preferably arranged below the punching position. In a preferred embodiment, the punching cylinder 901; 903 is arranged further away from the shaping point 909 in the change position than in the punching position, preferably adjusted in the direction of the counter-punching cylinder 902, which was preferably previously parked, more preferably adjusted downwards. The change position is preferably arranged above or preferably below the punching position in the vertical direction V. This is particularly the case when the locking mechanism presses the punching cylinder 901 or the further punching cylinder 903 into a position and is then released. Particularly preferably, the locking mechanism is arranged to fix, in particular press, the punching cylinder 901; 903 from the opposite side, in particular from below, against the frame and/or an element fixed to the frame and/or the housing. Particularly preferably, the locking mechanism is arranged to fix and/or press the punching cylinder 901; 903 from below against a contact surface, preferably in the form of a half-shell, in a wall of the housing, in particular the housing wall, or into the frame.

Alternatively, the change position is identical to the punching position, but the locking mechanism is open. In this case, the punching cylinder 901 is preferably transferred from its punching position to its change position exclusively by releasing the locking mechanism.

In a preferred embodiment, the punching cylinder 901; 903 is in the punching position in operative connection with a drive that drives it in rotation. The drive is preferably arranged coaxially to the axis of rotation of the punching cylinder 901; 903 arranged in its punching position. The drive is preferably arranged fixed to the frame and/or the housing on the housing of the punching unit 900, preferably by means of a carrier. The forme cylinder 901; 903 arranged in the punching position is preferably coupled by the machine control to the drive that drives it in rotation, for example by an axial adjustment of at least one component of the drive and/or an activation of a clutch.

In a preferred embodiment, the changing device 950 has the coupling for coupling and/or decoupling the punching cylinders 901; 903 to and/or from the drive for driving one of the punching cylinders 901; 903. The coupling is preferably opened when changing the punching cylinders 901; 903 and thus the punching cylinder 901 is decoupled from its drive. In particular, the coupling couples the punching cylinder 901; 903 arranged in the punching position to the drive or its motor. In the coupled state, the coupling is preferably movable in the axial direction with the punching cylinder 901; 903. For example, the coupling is moved in the axial direction A with the punching cylinder 901; 903 during the register adjustment.

The counter-punching cylinder 902 preferably has its working position and a parked position at a greater distance from the processing point 909 and/or at a greater distance from the forme cylinder 901 arranged in the punching position. For example, an actuator is designed to move the counter-punching cylinder 902 from its working position to the parked position and vice versa. The machine control preferably controls the actuator.

Along the guide path between the punching position and the maintenance position, the guide path preferably changes direction at an extension position, for example starting at the punching position from a substantially horizontal guide 959 to a substantially vertical guide 958. The extension position is preferably spaced from the punching position in or against the transport direction T. The change position is preferably arranged along the guide path between the punching position and the extension position. The punching cylinder 901 can preferably be removed predominantly horizontally from the change position and transferred to the extension position. Predominantly horizontal here means in particular a direction with a predominantly horizontal component. This formulation also includes inclined guides. The punching cylinder 901; 903 can preferably be transferred on the guide 959 designed as a linear guide from the change position to the extension position and/or vice versa. For example, at least one transport element is provided for this purpose, which holds and moves the forme cylinder 901; 903 to be moved. Preferably, the at least one transport element has at least one bowl-shaped receptacle for the at least one forme cylinder 901; 903.

Furthermore, one of the form cylinders 901; 903, in particular punching cylinder 901; 903, is for setting can be arranged and/or is arranged in a maintenance position for cleaning and/or servicing. In this maintenance position, the punching cylinder 901; 903 can be serviced and, for example, prepared for a new processing order. For example, a tool can be exchanged for a new one. This exchange is preferably carried out manually by an operator. Preferably, at least one half-shell 964 to be removed is removed from the forme cylinder 901; 903 with the tool and at least one further half-shell 964 with a new tool or a differently positioned tool is attached to the forme cylinder 901; 903. The maintenance position is preferably arranged in a vertical direction V below the punching position and/or the changing position. More preferably, the punching cylinder 901; 903 is then at a height that is comfortable for an operator. This has the advantage that the punching cylinder 901; 903 can be prepared for the next processing order in a position that is at a height that is easy for an operator to reach. The punching cylinder 901; 903 is also removed from interfering elements and can thus be easily reached from the surrounding sides. The maintenance position is preferably arranged on the vertical guide 958.

Another position in which the forme cylinders 901; 903, in particular punching cylinders 901; 903, can be arranged is a waiting position. One of the punching cylinders 901; 903 can preferably be arranged in the waiting position for guiding the two punching cylinders 901; 903 past each other and/or can be arranged therein and/or is arranged therein and/or will be arranged therein. The waiting position serves for guiding two cylinders 901; 903 past each other and is located at least outside a guide path of a punching cylinder 901. The guide path is the direct transport path between the punching position and the maintenance position. Preferably, one of the punching cylinders 901; 903 is arranged in the waiting position, while the other of the punching cylinders 901; 903 is guided past it. The waiting position is preferably arranged outside a direct guide path between the processing position and the maintenance position of the forme cylinder 901, preferably above or in or opposite to the transport direction T at a distance therefrom. In a preferred embodiment, the waiting position is arranged at a similar height or above the change position and/or the punching position. Furthermore, the waiting position and the maintenance position are preferably arranged on the vertical guide 958.

The punching cylinder 901 is changed using the changing device 950 using the method described below. When the processing machine 01 is operating while a processing order is being processed, the punching cylinder 901 and the counter-punching cylinder 902 are arranged in the punching position or working position. By changing the forme cylinder 901, also described below using the example of the punching cylinder 901, it is moved from the processing position, in particular the processing position designed as a punching position, to the maintenance position, while the at least one further cylinder 903, also described below using the example of the punching cylinder 903, is moved from the maintenance position of the further cylinder 903 to the processing position.

In a preferably first step, the counter-punching cylinder 902 is preferably set down by the punching cylinder 901 and transferred from its working position to its set down position. For this purpose, the counter-punching cylinder 902 is preferably adjusted predominantly in the vertical direction V, preferably downwards. During the change, the counter-punching cylinder 902 preferably remains in this position, i.e. preferably in the set down position, and does not have to be moved. The locking mechanism is preferably released to change the forme cylinder 901 and/or closed to fix the additional cylinder 903 in the processing position. By releasing the locking mechanism, the punching cylinder 901 can preferably be adjusted from the punching position. The punching cylinder 901 is adjusted from the punching position to the change position. In a preferred embodiment, the punching cylinder 901 is decoupled from the drive, preferably which drives the forme cylinder 901 in rotation, by the coupling before the locking mechanism is released, preferably before the transfer from the punching position to the change position. The punching cylinder 901 is preferably carried in the change position by the transport element of the preferably horizontal guide 959. The additional punching cylinder 903, which is to be changed with the current punching cylinder 901, is in the maintenance position. The additional punching cylinder 903 is preferably pre-equipped while the at least one punching cylinder 901 is in the punching position and is processing the substrate 02, i.e. while a processing order is being processed. The punching cylinder 903 is preferably prepared in the maintenance position, for example in a simple manner, for the next processing order. For this purpose, a half-shell 964 with the shaping tools, in particular punching knives, is preferably exchanged. The preparation of the further punching cylinder 903 has already taken place, for example, during the operation of the processing machine 01 with the at least one punching cylinder 901, i.e. preferably before the start of the punching cylinder change. Preferably, the forme cylinder 901 and/or the further cylinder 903 is placed in the receptacle of the transport element 956; 960 and is guided by the ses is moved along the at least one guide 958; 959. The two punching cylinders 901; 903 are preferably guided past one another in the guides 958; 959. To exchange the forme cylinder 901 with the further cylinder 903, the forme cylinder 901 or the further cylinder 903 is further preferably positioned in the waiting position for the forme cylinder 901 and the further cylinder 903 to be guided past one another. For this purpose, one of the punching cylinders 901; 903 is temporarily stored and/or temporarily stored in the waiting position. Either the punching cylinder 901 is guided from the punching position to the waiting position or the further punching cylinder 903 is guided from the maintenance position to the waiting position. The other cylinder 901; 903, which is not arranged in the waiting position, is then preferably attached to the cylinder 901; arranged in the waiting position. 903 preferably guided along the direct guide path. After the cylinders 901; 903 have been guided past one another, the cylinder 901 to be removed is preferably moved to the maintenance position and the cylinder 903 to be replaced is preferably moved to the punching position. The further cylinder 903 is preferably fixed in the processing position by the locking mechanism. In particular, the rotating drive is coupled to the further cylinder 903 after it has been arranged in the processing position. The counter-punching cylinder 902 is then preferably placed back on the punching cylinder 903 arranged in the punching position, in particular if it was previously turned off.

In the processing machine 01, the substrate 02 must be transported to the processing points 609; 909. For this purpose, the processing machine 01 preferably has several transport units 700. Preferably, a transport unit 700 has at least one transport device 710. In a preferred embodiment, the transport device 710 is designed as a suction transport means, in particular as a suction box, preferably a roller suction box. The guide path of the cylinder change overlaps, for example, the transport path of substrate 02. For example, to carry out the cylinder change, at least one component of a transport unit 700 must therefore be adjusted from its position for transporting substrate 02. The punching unit 900 preferably has an adjustment device for adjusting the at least one transport device 710. Preferably, a transport device 710 is adjusted which is arranged in front of the processing point 909 in the transport direction T. For example, the adjustment device is driven by means of a drive 933, which is preferably controlled by the machine control. For example, the drive 933 additionally drives the vertical guide 958 of the device for changing, then in a particularly preferred embodiment a contact surface 992 is provided between the transport device 710 and the at least one transport element 956; 960; 972 of the vertical guide 958, so that both the transport device 710 and the at least one transport element 956; 960; 972 are adjusted together. Alternatively or additionally, the transport device 710 can be adjusted manually, for example by an operator. Preferably, when changing a punching cylinder, only the part or the transport device 710 that is in the way is adjusted. Preferably, the transport device 710 is adjusted in such a way, preferably adjusted or pivoted in the vertical direction V, in order to clear the guide path of the forme cylinders 901; 903. In particular, after completing the change of the forme cylinders 901; 903, the at least one transport device 710 is preferably adjusted back to its working position in which it is arranged during a processing order.

Furthermore, a transport means 904 arranged in the transport direction T after the shaping unit 900, preferably the punching unit 900, is adjustable so that an operator can easily reach the punching cylinder 901; 903 and/or the counter punching cylinder 902. In particular, this transport means 904 is adjusted when a manual exchange of the shaping tool takes place or when the at least one form cylinder 901 is to be made accessible to an operator. The transport means 904 is preferably pivotable for this purpose. For example, this transport means 904 arranged after the punching unit 900 is designed as a separation transport means 904 of a separation device 905. In particular, by means of the separation transport means 904, residual pieces which were produced by processing by means of the punching cylinder 901; 903 are separated from the sheet 02, in particular if they were not already separated from the sheet 02 beforehand. For example, the separation device 905 is designed as a vibrating device 905. For example, the transport means 904 arranged downstream of the punching unit 900 has an upper and lower part, for example an upper and lower conveyor belt. For example, the upper part of the transport means 904 is pivoted upwards, while the lower part of the transport means 904 is pivoted downwards.

Preferably, the punching cylinder changing process can be fully automatic. The punching unit 900 is preferably operatively connected to a machine control system. The cylinder change can be stored in this and then run fully automatically. The punching unit 900 with the changing device 950 is advantageously arranged inline in a processing machine 01 preferably designed as a sheet processing machine 01 with application units 600. These units 600 have, for example, devices for simplifying the changing of the cylinders 602; 603; 608 of the application units 614. Thus, an inline integrated fully automatic die changer can contribute to a significantly more efficient overall machine.

There is a need to minimize the duration of a changeover process between successive machining orders, advantageously in order to reduce downtimes of the processing machine 01 and increase its production.

In the foregoing and in the following, a changeover preferably describes all of the processes that are necessary to prepare the processing machine 01 for a new processing order. In particular, during a changeover, the processing machine 01 is adapted to data relating to a substrate 02 to be processed. Additionally or alternatively, during a changeover, the processing machine 01 is adapted to data relating to a product to be achieved. The data relating to the substrate 02 to be processed preferably include at least the format of the substrates 02 to be processed, such as their length, width or thickness, and/or the material of the substrates 02 to be processed, for example including their design as paper, cardboard, corrugated cardboard or carton, and/or their surface structure in the form of an existing primer or whether it is a coated substrate 02. The data relating to the product to be achieved preferably comprise at least the print image to be produced and/or a shaping result to be produced, in particular a punching image to be produced, and/or the number of uses per substrate 02.

To carry out a first processing order, the processing machine 01 is preferably configured with a first configuration. To carry out a directly subsequent processing order, the processing machine 01 is preferably configured in a second configuration, so the configuration usually has to be changed, thus preferably at least one parameter of the processing machine 01 has to be adjusted. In order to switch from a first processing order to at least one subsequent processing order, at least the following steps are preferably carried out.

The first processing order is processed by the processing machine 01. During the first processing order, preferably at least one substrate 02 is processed with the at least one processing unit 900 designed as a shaping unit 900 and/or the at least one, preferably at least two, more preferably at least four, for example six, processing units 600 of the processing machine 01 designed as an application unit 600. The substrate 02 is preferably cut and/or punched and/or grooved and/or perforated and/or embossed by the at least one shaping unit 900. The at least one shaping unit 900 is preferably designed as a rotary punching device 900. By means of the at least one application unit 600 of the application units 600, at least one application fluid is preferably transferred to the substrate 02, preferably at least one print image is applied to the substrate 02. For example, at least one colored print image is applied and/or the substrate 02 is painted and/or primed.

Before the changeover, preferably during the processing of the first processing order, the configuration of the processing machine 01 for the at least one subsequent processing order, at least for the directly subsequent processing order, is preferably loaded and/or set and/or saved in the machine control. When loading the configuration, a data set that was already saved at an earlier point in time is preferably accessed, which preferably includes the data of the configuration to be set or has only minor deviations of the stored data from the required data of the configuration to be set. This already stored data set is then individually adapted, for example, according to the requirements of the processing order, for example by changing individual data of the data set. Setting the processing order is preferably understood to mean adapting a loaded data set to the required configuration, for example by adapting individual data. For example, the data is adapted by the machine control or by the operator. Setting is preferably also understood to mean compiling the data of the data set directly from individual data, preferably if no already stored data set is available or extensive changes to an existing data set would be required. Preferably, the adjusted configuration data set is saved in the machine control system and is thus available for later reuse. The duration of the changeover process is advantageously shortened by loading and/or setting and/or saving the configuration.

In the preferred version, an already stored configuration is loaded.

The machine control preferably specifies the configuration of the processing machine 01 for the at least one subsequent processing order and the conversion processes to be carried out for this purpose. For this purpose, the data relating to a substrate 02 to be processed and/or the data relating to a product to be achieved from the at least one subsequent processing order are preferably stored in the machine control or are stored therein. For example, the data relating to a substrate 02 to be processed and/or the data relating to a product to be achieved from the at least one subsequent processing order are entered by an operator or loaded from a previously saved template, preferably on the command of an operator. Preferably, for the subsequent processing order, only the data relating to a substrate 02 to be processed and/or the data relating to a product to be achieved must be loaded and/or set by the operator. The machine control preferably specifies the configuration of the processing machine 01 for the at least one subsequent processing order and the conversion processes to be carried out for this purpose by processing this data, preferably taking into account further machine-related data provided by the machine control. This advantageously minimizes the amount of data that an operator has to enter, which advantageously minimizes input errors and/or reduces the time required for manual configuration. The machine-related data preferably includes a configuration of the units 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; that was valid before the changeover process, i.e. set on the processing machine 01 for the first processing process. 1000 of the processing machine 01, for example with regard to the existing unit arrangement and/or tool used of the at least one shaping unit 900 and/or printing forms used of the application units 600 and/or the allocation of application fluid to the application units 600 and/or applied height of the substrate stacks and/or settings of elements of the processing machine 01 with regard to the format of the processed substrates 02. Additionally or alternatively, the machine-related data include the state of individual elements, for example with regard to maintenance intervals to be observed and/or necessary cleaning processes and/or with regard to the wear of the respective element. The machine-related data are preferably stored in the machine control as the basis for the calculation, for example this data is based on settings stored in the machine control and/or internal calculations and/or sensor measurements in the processing machine 01. Preferably, the machine-related data are preferably created by the machine control without operator intervention and made available for processing for the calculation.

The machine control preferably calculates a necessary configuration of the processing machine 01 for producing this product from the data relating to a substrate 02 to be processed and/or the data relating to a product to be achieved. The machine control preferably compares, for example its at least one computing unit, the configuration set on the processing machine 01 for the first processing order with the required configuration of the at least one subsequent processing order, in particular at least the directly subsequent processing order. From the comparison, the machine control preferably calculates the conversion processes to be carried out to set the new configuration. The machine control preferably supplements additional conversion processes based on a comparison of the state of individual elements with a reference value, for example a maintenance process to be carried out and/or a necessary cleaning process. The machine control preferably thus creates a data set comprising the conversion processes to be carried out and the properties of the processing machine 01 for carrying out the at least one subsequent processing order. This data set is preferably displayed to an operator on at least one display of the processing machine 01 and/or a control station. The data set preferably contains schemes relating to the sequence of the individual conversion processes and to a chronological order of interdependent conversion processes. Preferably, as many conversion processes as possible, preferably at least one conversion process of each unit 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 to be converted, are carried out in an overlapping manner, preferably in parallel.

The machine control preferably suggests at least one data set comprising the at least one configuration of the subsequent processing order and the conversion processes to be carried out for this purpose, which can be adapted or selected by an operator. For example, the machine control creates a suggestion for setting the configuration, which can particularly preferably be further adapted by an operator, for example by selecting or deselecting a conversion process such as a cleaning process or a tool exchange. For example, as an alternative, the machine control creates at least two alternative suggestions between which an operator can choose. Preferably, an operator must follow the specified or, if necessary, adapted Agree to the data set before starting the changeover process, for example by pressing a symbol on a display or a push button that serves as confirmation. The changed and/or adjusted data set is preferably saved in the machine control system. This preferably makes it available for a later repetition of the machining order.

The machine control preferably ends the first processing order automatically, i.e. preferably without explicit operator intervention at this point in time. Preferably, at least one counter is provided for this purpose, which counts the processed substrates 02 and/or the substrates 02 to be processed. Preferably, the number is transmitted to the machine control by means of data transmission and more preferably compared with a target value. If the required number of the processing order is reached, the processing order that has been carried out is preferably ended.

The first processing order is preferably terminated as soon as the substrates 02 provided in the stack of the stack area of the substrate feed device 100 have been processed or the number of products to be achieved in the first processing order has been reached or the remaining substrates 02 of the at least one feeder stack 104 have been processed after the number of products to be achieved has been reached. For example, the stack of the stack area comprises more substrates 02 than the number of products to be achieved in the processing order. Preferably, at least from the time when the number of products to be achieved has been reached in the delivery 1000, no further substrates are conveyed from the stack of the stack area to the at least one feeder stack 104. Preferably, only the substrates 02 already on the conveyor path and/or present in the feeder stack 104 are further conveyed or processed by the processing machine 01 from the time the number of products to be achieved is reached, preferably before a changeover process is started. To end the processing order, the at least one feeder stack 104 is preferably emptied, preferably its remaining substrates 02 are conveyed or processed by the processing machine 01 and placed on a delivery stack. For example, these remaining substrates 02 are placed on the delivery stack carrier 1003 of the products after processing or they are placed on an alternative delivery stack, for example in the diversion delivery 1002. The substrate stack of the delivery stack carrier 1003, which preferably comprises the substrates 02 processed for the first processing order, is preferably removed from the processing machine 01, i.e. transported away. The products produced are further processed, for example, in a downstream process, for example on another machine, preferably to produce end products.

Automated preferably describes in the foregoing and in the following a defined sequence of a process which is carried out independently by the processing machine 01, in particular controlled by the at least one machine control. Preferably, an automated process in the foregoing and in the following describes the opposite of a manual process, i.e. a process carried out by an operator.

After the first processing order, in particular after it has been completed, the processing machine 01 is preferably converted to adapt at least one unit 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 of the processing machine 01 to a configuration of a directly subsequent processing order. The start of the conversion preferably takes place automatically, i.e. controlled by the machine control, in particular without operator intervention. At least one conversion process is carried out. Preferably, at least two conversion processes run automatically. Preferably, these at least two conversion processes are controlled by the machine control, preferably without additional operator intervention to carry out and/or start the respective process. In a particularly preferred embodiment, at least two conversion processes run at an overlap in time, preferably in parallel, which are more preferably controlled by the machine control and even more preferably run automatically. The basis for the control of the conversion processes by the machine control preferably forms the set configuration for the directly subsequent processing order.

During the changeover, preferably at least one changeover process of the at least one shaping unit 900 runs at an overlapping time, more preferably in parallel, with at least one other changeover process of the processing machine 01. The machine control preferably controls the at least two changeover processes running at an overlapping time in an automated manner, i.e. preferably without additional operator intervention to carry out and/or start the respective process. In a preferred embodiment, during the changeover, at least three changeover processes of the components of the processing machine 01 run, more preferably three changeover processes of the processing units, even more preferably at least of the at least one shaping unit 900 and the at least one application unit 600. and the at least one substrate feed device 100 and the at least one delivery 1000, overlapping in time and preferably automated. The processing machine 01 preferably has at least the at least one shaping unit 900, the at least one application unit 600, the at least one substrate feed device 100 and the at least one delivery 1000 as units 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000, wherein more preferably during the changeover at least three changeover processes of these components of the processing machine 01 run automatically overlapping in time. At least two of the changeover processes, preferably all of the changeover processes carried out, preferably run automatically according to the scheme stored in the machine control for setting the required configuration.

The machine control preferably controls at least the at least two changeover processes that run at an overlapping time. Further preferably, at least the changeover processes that run at an overlapping time run automatically during the changeover, i.e. preferably without operator intervention, whereby the operator can advantageously carry out further processes such as changing over another element. A process that takes place without operator intervention preferably describes that the machine control automatically triggers the start of the process and/or carries out the process automatically, for example without explicit approval by the operator at the time of the start of this process.

Once the changeover is complete, the next machining job should preferably be started.

The directly following processing order is preferably started manually by the operator. Preferably, the processing machine 01 is unlocked during the preceding changeover so that at least one unit 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 is accessible to the operator, and the operator can preferably carry out at least one manual changeover process. In order to ensure the safety of the operator, confirmation is therefore required that he has left the effective range of the processing machine 01. Preferably, the directly following processing order only starts after confirmation by the operator, for example by pressing a button or a control panel.

During the immediately following processing order, preferably at least one substrate 02 is processed with the at least one processing unit 900 designed as a shaping unit 900 and/or the at least one processing unit 600 designed as an application unit 600 of the processing machine 01, preferably punched and/or grooved and/or perforated and/or embossed or printed and/or painted and/or primed. Preferably, a generated punching image and/or generated print image of the second processing order differs from that of the first processing order. For example, a counter for counting the substrates 02 to be processed or processed starts at zero at the beginning of the new processing order.

For example, at least one further subsequent processing order follows. In this case, a retooling of the processing machine 01 is preferably provided between each processing order. It is preferably prepared and/or specified and/or loaded and/or set and/or saved in the machine control system at least before the respective retooling, for example before the retooling for the processing order directly following the first processing order, more preferably during the processing of the first processing order. This advantageously shortens the necessary settings at a later point in time. The operator can therefore begin preparing the processing orders as early as possible. Alternatively, the preparation and/or setting of the respective configuration takes place at the latest during the respective immediately preceding processing order.

The machine control preferably controls the completion of the first processing order and/or the start of the changeover and/or the execution of at least the temporally overlapping changeover processes of the changeover and/or the completion of the changeover. These processes preferably run automatically, i.e. preferably without further operator intervention. Alternatively, at least the necessary operations that an operator must perform to carry out these processes are reduced. This preferably shortens the downtime. The operator can preferably already make preparations for further subsequent processing orders and/or intensify monitoring of the quality of the products produced and/or carry out maintenance on elements of the processing machine 01 that are not being used in the currently ongoing processing process.

In a preferred development, at least three consecutive processing orders are fed to the machine control. The machine control preferably creates the configurations of the processing orders and calculates the necessary changeover processes between the processing orders. The machine control preferably suggests a sequence for the operator to process the processing orders. which preferably minimizes the duration and/or number of changeover processes between the individual processing orders.

In the following, examples of the conversion processes for the individual units 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 are explained in more detail.

During at least one changeover process of the at least one substrate feed device 100 of the processing machine 01, an adaptation to a format of a substrate 02 to be processed is preferably carried out, for example automated. For this purpose, a change in the position of at least one component of the substrate feed device 100 is preferably carried out to adapt to the format of a substrate 02 to be processed. For example, a distance of the shingle feeder to the storage area 166, for example to the at least one front stop of the storage area 166, is adapted to the format. In particular, the distance is reduced for a smaller format for the subsequent processing order, while the distance is increased for a larger format. For example, additionally or alternatively, the distance between the stops aligning the substrate 02 on the stacking area and/or the distance between the stops aligning the substrate 02 on the storage area 166 is adapted, in particular reduced for a smaller format for the subsequent processing order or increased for a larger format. For example, additionally or alternatively, the at least one blowing device is moved closer to the stacking area or arranged further away from it. For example, additionally or alternatively, the control of the at least one acceleration means, preferably at least the primary acceleration means, is adapted to the format. In particular, the time of the start of the acceleration and/or the duration of the acceleration and/or the length of the at least one acceleration means in the transport direction T is adapted. For example, the duration of the acceleration of the at least one primary acceleration means is set such that it ends as soon as another substrate 02 following a substrate 02 to be accelerated comes into contact with the at least one acceleration means. For example, the length of the at least one primary acceleration means is set such that it is shorter than the length of the substrate 02 to be processed.

The stack of substrate 02 in the stacking area of the substrate feed device 100 is changed, for example, when the format or type of substrate 02 changes. This can be done, for example, while the feeder stack 104 is being emptied or during changeover. Alternatively, the stack of substrate 02 remains in the stacking area if the format or type remains the same.

At least one of the following conversion processes is preferably carried out on the at least one application unit 600, for example on at least two of the application units 600: cleaning an application unit 614 and/or changing a distance between a forme cylinder 602 and an impression cylinder 608 of the at least one application unit 600 and/or changing an application fluid used and/or adjusting an application quantity of an application fluid used and/or changing a forme cylinder 602 of the at least one application unit 600 and/or changing at least one printing form of the at least one application unit 600 and/or changing an anilox roller 603 of the at least one application unit 600. For example, only those application units 600 of the application units 600 are converted for which a change in configuration is intended. Preferably, at least one of the conversion processes, preferably at least two of the conversion processes, more preferably all of these conversion processes, runs automatically.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one changeover process of the at least one application unit 600 preferably runs in a temporally overlapping manner, preferably in parallel, to the at least one changeover process of the at least one shaping unit 900. Preferably, at least this temporally overlapping changeover process runs automatically. Advantageously, the various processing units 600; 900 are converted at the same time and the required downtime is reduced.

For example, the forme cylinder 602 of the application unit 600 is changed when the format of the substrate 02 changes, in particular when the length of an area of the substrate 02 to be printed exceeds a circumferential length of the forme cylinder 602 intended for at least one printing form of a previously used forme cylinder 602. For example, the forme cylinder 602 of the application unit 600 is changed manually or by a device that is the same as the device for changing 950 of the at least one shaping unit 900.

In particular, to change a print image to be produced, the at least one printing form of the forme cylinder 602 is preferably changed. For example, the printing form to be removed is automatically removed from the forme cylinder 602 and then a new printing form is automatically mounted. Preferably, the printing form to be removed Printing form is held by at least one holding means while the form cylinder 602 performs a rotation about its axis of rotation, whereby the printing form is scraped off the form cylinder 602. The new printing form is placed on the form cylinder 602 and is placed against its outer surface by rotating the form cylinder 602. The printing form previously used is preferably cleaned, preferably washed, before being replaced.

Preferably, the application fluid used by at least one application unit 600 is changed, for example from a first color to a second color. Preferably, when changing the color allocation, additionally or alternatively the at least one application unit 614 of the application unit 600, preferably at least the at least one printing form of the forme cylinder 602 and/or the at least one anilox roller 603 and/or the at least one impression cylinder 608, is cleaned, preferably washed. Cleaning preferably takes place before the application fluid is changed. For example, additionally or alternatively, when changing the color allocation, the at least one anilox roller 603 of the application unit 600 is exchanged for another anilox roller 603, for example the anilox roller is changed before the application fluid is changed. For example, additionally or alternatively, when changing the color allocation, the at least one printing form of the forme cylinder 602 of the application unit 600 is exchanged for another printing form. For example, the at least one printing form is changed before the application fluid is changed.

For example, in addition or as an alternative, the application quantity of the application fluid of the at least one application unit 600 is changed. For this purpose, the at least one anilox roller 603 of the application unit 600 is preferably exchanged for another anilox roller 603. For example, the anilox roller change takes place at the same time as a printing form change. Alternatively, the anilox roller 603 is changed before or after the at least one printing form.

For example, to adapt to a changed thickness of a substrate 02, a distance between the forme cylinder 602 and the impression cylinder 608 is adjusted when arranged at the application point 609 during the changeover. The forme cylinder 602 and the impression cylinder 608 are preferably arranged such that they do not touch in the absence of a substrate 02, while in the presence of a substrate 02 they touch it and exert sufficient pressure on the substrate 02 to transfer the application fluid. The adjustment of the distance between the forme cylinder 602 and the impression cylinder 608 is preferably a final changeover process of the application unit 600 before the end of the changeover.

For example, the changeover process of the application unit 614, preferably of the at least one printing form, of the at least one forme cylinder 602 and/or of the at least one anilox roller 603, which is designed as a cleaning process, also takes place for maintenance purposes, for example after a predetermined time interval and/or after a predetermined number of processed substrates 02, preferably independently of further changeover processes of the application unit 600. For cleaning, the at least one forme cylinder 602, for example also the forme cylinder 602 having the printing forme to be cleaned, is preferably rotated while at least one cleaning element is placed against it and/or while at least one detergent, for example water or a water-based cleaning agent, cleans its surface. For example, the detergent can also be transferred to the forme cylinder 602 via the anilox roller 603. For example, the cleaning element is designed as a wiper or brush. Preferably, the at least one cleaning element wipes the outer surface of the forme cylinder 602 or the at least one printing form or the at least one anilox roller 603. Preferably, cleaning takes place before changing at least one printing form and/or before changing an anilox roller 603 and/or before changing an application fluid.

During the changeover, for example, at least one setting of the at least one drying device 506 or of the at least one drying unit is adjusted by the machine control. Preferably, the intensity of the radiation, in particular the UV or IR radiation or the hot air flow, is changed during the changeover, in particular increased or decreased. For example, the drying is adjusted when the application fluid of the application point 609 to which this drying device 506 or this drying unit is assigned is changed, or when the application quantity of the application fluid in question is changed.

Preferably, a change of at least one screen roller 603 is carried out in a temporally overlapping manner, preferably in parallel, to at least one changeover process of the at least one forming unit 900, in particular the change of the forme cylinder 901 or the change of the tool. Preferably, in addition to or as an alternative to the screen roller change, a change of at least one printing form is carried out in a temporally overlapping manner, preferably in parallel, to at least one changeover process of the at least one forming unit 900, in particular the change of the forme cylinder 901 or changing the tool.

For example, identical changeover processes are carried out in parallel on at least two application units 600.

During the changeover, which preferably runs automatically, the at least one forme cylinder 901 and/or the at least one counter-punching cylinder 902 of the at least one shaping unit 900 is preferably removed from the processing point 909 of the at least one shaping unit 900, for example parked and/or removed and/or moved to a position away from the processing point 909. Advantageously, the tool of the forme cylinder 901 can then be changed or the forme cylinder 901 can be replaced without being affected by the counter-punching cylinder 902. Preferably, the parking takes place before a forme cylinder 901 is changed or before the tool is changed. Additionally or alternatively, during the changeover, which preferably runs automatically, the distance between the forme cylinder 901 and the counter-punching cylinder 902 is preferably changed to adapt to a format of a substrate 02 to be processed, preferably increased for a larger substrate thickness or reduced for a smaller substrate thickness. Preferably, the adjustment of the distance between the form cylinder 901 and counter-punching cylinder 902 takes place after changing a form cylinder 901 or after changing the tool. Further preferably, the adjustment of the distance between the form cylinder 901 and counter-punching cylinder 902 is a final changeover process of the forming unit 900 before ending the changeover.

Advantageously, in order to change the shaping result to be achieved, preferably also called the punching pattern, the at least one forme cylinder 901 of the at least one shaping unit 900 is exchanged for the at least one further cylinder 903 by the at least one changing device 950 of the at least one shaping unit 900 during the changeover, preferably in an automated manner, in particular controlled by the machine control. This preferably results in a particularly quick exchange of the shaping result to be achieved. Advantageously, the changing process is automated, in particular controlled by the machine control, i.e. preferably without operator intervention. The processes preferably run automatically according to the scheme stored in the machine control for setting the required configuration. The tool of the forme cylinder 901 or the further cylinder 903 is preferably changed on the forme cylinder 901 or further cylinder 901 arranged in the maintenance position. Preferably, the cylinder 903 to be exchanged is pre-equipped in the maintenance position during the execution of the first processing order and then exchanged with the forme cylinder 901 to be exchanged during the changeover without the need for operator intervention. Preferably, the processes required to exchange the forme cylinder 901 with the additional cylinder 903 are controlled by the machine control system, preferably carried out automatically.

For example, as an alternative to changing the forme cylinder 901 with the additional cylinder 903, the at least one tool of the at least one forme cylinder 901 is changed to change the shaping result to be achieved. In particular, the at least one tool is changed during the changeover, for example manually by an operator. For example, this is more cost-effective than changing the forme cylinder 901, since only one forme cylinder 901 has to be kept ready to hold the tool. For example, the respective tool, in a preferred embodiment the tool having at least one half-shell 964, is manually removed from the forme cylinder 901 by the operator and attached to the forme cylinder 901. For this purpose, the at least one forme cylinder 901 is preferably made automatically accessible to an operator during the changeover, i.e. this preferably takes place without operator intervention. The machine control preferably initiates the accessibility as soon as the changeover has started and/or as soon as the relevant shaping unit 900 has been brought to a standstill during the changeover. Access is preferably achieved by placing the at least one forme cylinder 901 and the at least one counter-punching cylinder 902 away from each other. In this case, either both cylinders 901; 902 are moved or only either the forme cylinder 901 or the counter-punching cylinder 902 is moved. In addition to or as an alternative to placing the cylinders 901; 902, access is achieved by moving the at least one transport device 710 of a transport unit 700 of the processing machine 01 to a position remote from its working position, for example by lifting the transport device 710 and/or by pivoting the at least one transport means 904. The operator can then advantageously easily reach the forme cylinder 901 and change its tool. For example, the at least one device for changing 950 is omitted, i.e. is not integrated into the processing machine 01, if only the manual replacement of the tool of the at least one forme cylinder 901 is carried out.

Changing the tool of the forme cylinder 901 of the forming unit 900 is preferably understood to mean that other tools are used for the new processing job, for example knives with a new blade or tools for at least one other processing type, such as grooving, cutting, punching, embossing and/or perforating. A change of tool is preferably also understood to mean that the same type of tool is provided before and after the change, but in a different arrangement, i.e. different tool placement.

A further conversion process of the at least one shaping unit 900 is an adjustment of the distance between the forme cylinder 901 and counter-punching cylinder 902 at the shaping point 909. This is preferably carried out for format adjustment and/or after a change of tool or forme cylinder 901. For example, regardless of whether only the tool or the forme cylinder 901 is changed, the distance between the forme cylinder 901 and counter-punching cylinder 902 is preferably adjusted during a conversion process of the shaping unit 900 when the thickness of the substrate 02 changes to the thickness of the substrate 02 to be processed in the immediately following processing process, preferably increased or reduced, in order to ensure optimal processing. The distance adjustment is preferably carried out automatically.

In a further or alternative conversion process of the at least one shaping unit 900, the counter-punching cylinder 902 is preferably ground using the at least one grinding cylinder 911. For this purpose, the grinding cylinder 911 is preferably placed against the outer surface of the counter-punching cylinder 902, preferably in touching contact, and the counter-punching cylinder 902 is set in rotation. For example, alternatively, the counter-punching cylinder 902 is ground during the processing of a processing order, preferably at regular intervals.

In an exemplary embodiment of the processing machine 01, it has at least two shaping units 900, which are arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T. Preferably, the tools of these shaping units 900 differ from one another or the tool placements differ from one another, for example to produce a different punching pattern. Examples of tools are punching tools, embossing tools, creasing tools, perforating tools, stripping tools. For example, a separate shaping unit 900 is provided for at least two of these tool types, preferably for each. Preferably, at least one of these shaping units 900, for example all of them, is then adjusted during the changeover, for example the forme cylinder 901 or the tool is changed or the distance of the respective forme cylinder 901 to its counter-punching cylinder 902 is adjusted. In this exemplary embodiment of the processing machine 01, in a preferred embodiment, at least one application unit 600 is arranged upstream of the shaping units or, alternatively, the processing machine 01 is designed without application units 600.

During at least one changeover process of the at least one delivery 1000 of the processing machine 01, an adjustment to a format of a substrate 02 to be processed is preferably carried out. The format adjustment is preferably carried out automatically. Preferably, at least one stop of the delivery 1000, preferably the at least one stop for the rear edge and/or the at least one stop for the front edge and/or the at least one lateral stop, is adjusted for the format change. The at least one stop is preferably moved from its previous position further into the area of a substrate 02 to be deposited or moved out of it, depending on the format of the substrate 02 of the directly subsequent processing order. For example, in addition to or as an alternative to the position change of the at least one stop, the rotational speed of the at least one pusher of the delivery 1000 is adapted to the format of the substrate 02. The rotational speed is preferably accelerated or slowed down in order to arrange the pusher in its effective range in the transport path of substrate 02 when the rear area of the substrate 02 is arranged there. This advantageously prevents the substrate 02, which is released, from being moved in or against the transport direction T by the rotary movement of the pusher. For example, additionally or alternatively, the braking speed is preferably adjusted by the at least one braking transport means. Smaller formats of the substrate 02 can, for example, be braked more slowly than larger formats, since with the same machine speed and/or cycle time, more time is available until the next substrate 02 arrives. This preferably protects the substrate 02 and/or the braking transport means from wear.

For example, during a changeover, the number of aggregates 600; 900 processing substrate 02 is changed in addition to or as an alternative to other changeover processes. This advantageously avoids redundant processing aggregates 600; 900 or a decoupled processing unit can be used during production. aggregate 600; 900 can be prepared manually for a subsequent processing order, for example. In a preferred embodiment, at least one application aggregate 600 is adapted to reduce the number of application aggregates 600 so that it ensures the transport of substrate 02 along the transport path, but does not process the substrate 02. This is preferably achieved by interrupting the supply of the application fluid to the forme cylinder 602, more preferably by switching off the anilox roller 603 from the forme cylinder 602. To increase the number, this at least one application aggregate 600 is then adapted to process substrate 02, i.e. preferably the supply of the application fluid is ensured, for example, by switching the anilox roller 603 to the forme cylinder 602. Advantageously, the number of processing aggregates 600; 900 used can be adjusted quickly and easily in this way, without changing the total number and order of the processing aggregates 600; 900. For example, in an alternative embodiment, at least one application unit 600 is removed from the transport path to reduce the number or integrated into it to increase the number. For this purpose, the application units 600 have, for example, actuators for switching the application units 600 on and off. The remaining units 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 of the processing machine 01 are then preferably changed in their positioning so that a continuous transport path for substrate 02 exists, for example by coupling the remaining units 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 to one another or by decoupling the previous units 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 and coupling in the processing unit 600; 900. In particular, if the number of application units 600 processing a substrate 02 in the first processing process is different from the number of application units 600 processing a substrate 02 in the at least one subsequent processing process, at least one application unit 600 is preferably adapted to carry out processing of substrate 02 by positioning the anilox roller 603 on the forme cylinder 602 or to transport substrate 02 without simultaneously processing the substrate 02 by positioning the anilox roller 603 away from the forme cylinder 602 in accordance with the number of the directly subsequent processing order, or at least one application unit 600 is preferably integrated into or removed from the transport path of substrate 02 in accordance with the number of the directly subsequent processing order. Preferably, before changing the number of processing units 600; 900, the at least one application unit 600 whose supply of application fluid is to be interrupted or which is to be removed is cleaned. For example, the remote application unit 600 is serviced or converted during the remote state.

For example, at least two types of conversion can be distinguished. Preferably, the machine control selects the type of conversion for an upcoming conversion process or suggests it to the operator for approval. Preferably, regardless of the type of conversion, when the processing order is changed in the machine control, for example in its control units, the order data is changed. This concerns, for example, the creation of documentation such as starting a new documentation document, saving the order data, and/or setting at least one counter for counting the substrates 02 processed or to be processed for the respective processing order. Preferably, at least one unit which is downstream of the processing machine 01 in the process chain for processing substrate 02, for example at least one palletizer and/or a folding machine and/or a gluing machine, is informed of the change in the processing order by means of data transmission, for example by cable or wirelessly, preferably automatically by the at least one machine control. In this way, these units can also carry out the change at the right time.

In a first type of conversion, there is preferably a strong deviation between a first product to be produced in the first processing order and a second product to be produced in the immediately following processing order. For example, the punching images and/or print images differ from one another or there is a change in substrate 02. Preferably, when the substrate 02 to be processed is changed, i.e. the format or type of substrate 02 is changed, preferably in a conversion of the first type, the at least one feeder stack 104 is emptied to end the first processing order, for example, whereby these substrates 02 are also processed on their way to the delivery 1000. Preferably, these substrates 02 are placed on the delivery stack carrier 1003 and processed further with the other products.

During the conversion in the first type of conversion, the processing machine 01 is preferably stopped. Preferably, a transport of substrate 02 through the units 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 of the processing machine 01 is stopped. Preferably, the components of the processing machine 01 which are designed to transport a substrate 02 are brought to a standstill during the conversion. These components are preferably at least the form cylinder 602; 901 and/or counter-pressure cylinder 608; 902 and/or substrate 02 driving means of the at least one transport unit 700. Preferably, during the conversion, at least one transport device 710 of a transport unit 700, preferably at least two transport units 700, preferably all transport units 700, of the processing machine 01 is stopped for transporting substrate 02. For example, the transport of substrate 02 by the processing machine 01 is interrupted for at least two minutes, for example at least three minutes. The duration of the interruption depends in particular on the conversion processes to be carried out.

During the conversion according to the first type of conversion, preferably at least one unit 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 of the processing machine 01 is unlocked, for example by releasing a lock on at least one safety cover. Preferably, at least this unit 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 is therefore accessible to an operator during the conversion. In the case of the first type of conversion, the immediately following processing order is preferably started manually by an operator. This ensures that all conversion processes have been successfully completed and that no operator is in the effective range of the processing machine 01, which preferably increases safety.

Preferably, during the changeover according to the first type of changeover, at least two, preferably a plurality of changeover processes are carried out in order to adapt the configuration to the subsequent processing order. Preferably, the at least two changeover processes controlled by the machine control, in particular the at least two changeover processes that overlap in time, are carried out. Preferably, a punching image to be generated by the at least one shaping unit 900 of the successive processing orders is changed. Additionally or alternatively, preferably at least one print image generated by at least one application unit 600 of the application units 600 is changed and more preferably at least one further changeover process is carried out on at least one further application unit 600 of the application units 600. For this purpose, the processing machine 01 preferably has the at least two, for example at least four, application units 600 and more preferably the at least one shaping unit 900. For example, the contour of a blank is changed by changing the punching image and/or a different processing process such as punching, embossing, grooving, perforating is used for the subsequent processing order compared to the previous processing order. For example, additionally or alternatively, at least two print images applied are changed by at least two application units 600, preferably by changing the respective printing form and/or the colors used. Preferably, in the first type of conversion, at least two conversion processes run on mutually different units 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 of the processing machine 01, in particular on at least two processing units 600; 900, overlapping in time, preferably parallel to one another. For example, additionally or alternatively, at least one maintenance process and/or at least one cleaning process is carried out in the first type of conversion.

In a second type of conversion, there is preferably only a slight deviation between a first product to be produced in the first processing order and a second product to be produced in the immediately following processing order. The substrate 02 to be processed preferably remains unchanged from the first processing order, i.e. has the same format and the same type, for example grammage. The two products preferably have the same punching image. For example, the two products differ only in the print image applied by an application unit 600, for example a changed text and/or at least one added or missing symbol of a color, while the print images of the other application units 600 are the same. For this purpose, the processing machine 01 preferably has at least two, for example at least four, application units 600 and more preferably at least one shaping unit 900.

In the second type of conversion, the components of the processing machine 01 which are designed to transport a substrate 02 are preferably driven further during the conversion, for example rotated in the circumferential direction. These components are preferably to be regarded as at least the forme cylinders 602; 901 and/or impression cylinders 608; 902 and/or substrate 02 driving means of the at least one transport unit 700. For example, they are driven at the speed at which a substrate 02 is processed in the event of its presence during a processing order. For example, alternatively, the speed of the components is reduced compared to the regular processing speed, preferably with the speed being greater than zero. In particular, during the conversion, at least one transport device 710 of a transport unit 700, preferably at least two transport units 700, preferably all transport units 700, of the processing machine 01 for transporting substrate 02 is driven with at least one speed profile, wherein the speed is greater than zero. The speed profile preferably corresponds to a drive speed during the processing of a processing order. The speed profile preferably comprises a constant speed as well as braking and/or acceleration corresponding to the substrate guide, wherein the speed is preferably permanently not equal to zero. Preferably, in order to ensure the safety of an operator due to the continuous driving of the components for transporting substrate 02, the units 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 of the processing machine 01 are preferably locked during the conversion according to the second type, for example there is an activated locking of the safety covers. The units 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 preferably inaccessible to the operator during changeover.

In the second type of conversion, a supply of substrate 02 to the processing units 600; 900 is preferably blocked, for example by deactivating the at least one acceleration means of the substrate feed unit 100, which preferably in the activated state draws a single substrate 02 from a storage area 166 of a substrate feed unit 100 and accelerates the single substrate 02 to a processing speed of the processing units 600; 900. In particular, the single substrate 02 is a bottom substrate 02 of the feeder stack 104. Preferably, while the components of the processing machine 01, which are designed to transport a substrate 02, continue to be driven, the supply of substrate 02 is preferably blocked for only 0 to N substrates 02, where N is preferably a natural number less than or equal to 25, preferably less than or equal to 10, more preferably less than or equal to 5, more preferably less than or equal to two. Preferably, no gap or only a small gap is created in the substrate flow. Preferably, the conveyance of the substrates 02 from the stack of the upstream stacking area to the stack of the storage area 166 is preferably maintained unchanged during a conversion of the second type.

Preferably, during the second type of conversion, the first processing order is terminated as soon as the number of products to be achieved in the first processing order is reached. In particular, since the substrate 02 to be processed is unchanged for both processing orders, during a second type of conversion, the substrates 02 of the at least one feeder stack 104 do not need to be emptied.

During the changeover according to the second type of changeover, the at least one form cylinder 901 of the at least one shaping unit 900 is preferably driven in rotation at a speed greater than zero, preferably the processing speed. Preferably, during the changeover according to the second type of changeover, a punching pattern to be generated by the at least one shaping unit 900 of the successive processing orders then remains unchanged. Preferably, no changeover process is carried out on the at least one shaping unit 900. Alternatively, at least one changeover process is carried out on the at least one shaping unit 900.

Additionally or alternatively, preferably at least one print image generated by at least one application unit 600 of the application units 600 of the successive processing orders remains unchanged. Preferably, no maintenance process and/or cleaning process of the at least one application unit 600 is carried out.

Preferably additionally or alternatively, during the conversion of the second type of conversion, at least one application unit 600 is preferably changed in its configuration. Preferably, at least one printing form of the at least one application unit 600 is changed. Preferably additionally or alternatively, the number of application units 600 is increased by setting the at least one anilox roller 603 to the forme cylinder 602 of at least one application unit 600, and preferably thus the transfer of application fluid. For example, alternatively, the number of application units 600 is reduced by switching off at least one anilox roller 603.

For example, in addition to the change of the at least one application unit 600, a stack change of substrate 02 is carried out during the conversion of the second type of conversion, preferably in the at least one substrate feed unit 100 and/or in the at least one delivery unit 1000.

The directly following processing order preferably starts when converting the second type of conversion by releasing the blockage of the substrate feed, in particular by activating the at least one deactivated accelerator. Since the processing machine 01 is already operated at the processing speed, rapid continued operation of the processing machine 01 is ensured. In the machine control settings, the operator can preferably choose whether the processing machine 01 should continue production with the subsequent processing order immediately after its start or whether this after the production of at least one sample sheet, the feed should be interrupted again so that the operator can check the quality of the at least one sample sheet. The interruption due to the changeover in the second type of changeover is advantageously shorter than in the case of a changeover of the first type. This advantageously minimizes the downtime of the processing machine 01.

list of reference symbols

01

processing machine, printing machine, forming machine, punching machine, flexo printing machine, sheet processing machine, sheet printing machine, sheet forming machine, sheet punching machine, corrugated board sheet processing machine, corrugated board sheet printing machine

02

substrate, sheet, printing material, corrugated cardboard, corrugated cardboard sheet

21

storage device

22

memory recording

23

transfer facility

100

unit, module, substrate feed device, substrate feed unit, substrate feed module, sheet feeder, sheet feeder unit, sheet feeder module

104

investor stack

164

sheet arrival sensor

165

-

166

storage area

300

aggregate, module, system device, system aggregate, system module

506

drying device

600

unit, processing unit, application unit, module, application module, printing unit, printing module, flexo application unit, flexo printing unit, flexo application module, flexo printing module

601

-

602

form cylinder, cylinder

603

supply roller, anilox roller, cylinder

604

chamber doctor blade

607

frame

608

impression cylinder, cylinder

609

processing office, order office

614

commissioned work, printed work

622

sheet arrival sensor

700

aggregate, module, transport aggregate, transport module, means of transport, suction transport means, upper

710

transport device, suction box

722

sheet arrival sensor

726

sensor, print image control system

727

-

728

sensor, registration control system

900

unit, module, processing unit, forming device, forming unit, punching unit, forming module, punching module, punching device, rotary punching device

901

form cylinder, cutting form cylinder, cutting cylinder, cylinder

902

counter-punching cylinder, counter-pressure cylinder, cylinder

903

punching cylinder, further, cylinder

904

means of transport, separation transport means

905

separation device, shaking device

909

processing station, forming station, punching station, transport means, forming transport means, punching transport means

910

-

911

grinding cylinder, grinding roller

914

forming plant, punching plant

915

-

916

Sensor, punch control system

922

sheet arrival sensor

933

drive

950

device for changing

956

transport element, vertical, first, lower

957

guide rail, linear guide

958

guide, vertical, linear guide

959

guide, horizontal, linear guide

960

transport element, vertical, second, upper

964

die, half shell

965

-

966

suction device

972

transport device, carrier, sled

992

contact surface

1000

unit, module, substrate delivery device, delivery, sheet delivery, delivery unit, delivery module

1001

curved switch

1002

rejection delivery, rejection stack

1003

delivery stack carrier

A

direction, transverse direction, horizontal, axial direction

T

direction, transport direction

V

direction, vertical

M1

counterpressure cylinder drive

M2

drive form cylinder, impression cylinder

M3

Drive supply roller, anilox roller

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102004058597 A1 [0003]
• WO 2020216521 A1 [0004]
• US 20050103173 A1 [0007]

Claims (22)

Method for changing a processing order carried out on a processing machine (01), wherein the processing machine (01) has several units (100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000), wherein the processing machine (01) has at least one processing unit (600) designed as an application unit (600) and/or at least one processing unit (900) designed as a shaping unit (900), wherein the method comprises the following steps: - Processing of a first processing order by the processing machine (01); - Executing the conversion of the processing machine (01) to adapt at least one unit (100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000) of the processing machine (01) to a configuration of a directly subsequent processing order, wherein during the conversion a supply of substrate (02) to the at least one processing unit (600; 900) is blocked for only 0 to N substrates (02), wherein N is a natural number less than or equal to 25, and wherein during the conversion at least one transport device (710) of a transport unit (700) of the processing machine (01) for transporting substrate (02) is driven with at least one speed profile, wherein the speed is greater than zero; - Starting the directly subsequent processing order. procedure according to claim 1 , characterized in that the machine control controls at least two changeover processes which overlap in time. procedure according to claim 2 , characterized in that at least the changeover processes which overlap in time are automated during the changeover. procedure according to claim 2 or 3 , characterized in that during the changeover at least one changeover process of the at least one shaping unit (900) runs in a temporally overlapping manner with at least one further changeover process of the processing machine (01). procedure according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 , characterized in that data relating to a substrate (02) to be processed and/or data relating to a product to be achieved from the at least one subsequent processing order are or are stored in the machine control, that the machine control specifies the configuration of the processing machine (01) for the at least one subsequent processing order and the conversion processes to be carried out for this purpose by processing these data while taking into account further machine-related data provided by the machine control. procedure according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 , characterized in that the machine control proposes at least one data set comprising at least one configuration of the subsequent machining order and the changeover processes to be carried out, which can be adapted or selected by an operator. procedure according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 , characterized in that during the changeover at least one forme cylinder (901) of the at least one forming unit (900) is driven in rotation at a speed greater than zero. procedure according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 , characterized in that during the changeover, at least one forme cylinder (901) of the at least one forming unit (900) is automatically exchanged for at least one further cylinder (903) by at least one device for changing (950) of the at least one forming unit (900). procedure according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 8 , characterized in that during the changeover at least one tool of at least one forme cylinder (901) of the at least one forming unit (900) is changed. procedure 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 shaping unit (900) is designed as a rotary punching device (900). procedure 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 before the changeover, the configuration of the processing machine (01) for the at least one subsequent processing order is loaded and/or set and/or stored in a machine control. procedure according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 or 10 or 11 , characterized in that at least one changeover process of the at least one application unit (600) runs automatically and overlaps in time with the at least one changeover process of the at least one shaping unit (900). procedure 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 , characterized in that the at least one application unit (600) is designed as a flexo application unit (600). procedure 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 at least one change of at least one printing form of the at least one application unit (600) is carried out as a changeover process on at least one application unit (600) of the processing machine (01). procedure 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 or 14 , characterized in that at least one changeover process of the following changeover processes is carried out on the at least one application unit (600): cleaning an application unit (614) and/or changing a distance between a forme cylinder (602) and an impression cylinder (608) of the at least one application unit (600) and/or changing an application fluid used and/or adjusting an application quantity of an application fluid used and/or changing a forme cylinder (602) of the at least one application unit (600) and/or changing at least one printing forme of the at least one application unit (600) and/or changing an anilox roller (603) of the at least one application unit (600). procedure 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 or 14 or 15 , characterized in that the number of application units (600) processing a substrate (02) in the first processing process is different from the number of application units (600) processing a substrate (02) in the at least one subsequent processing process, that according to the number of the directly subsequent processing order at least one application unit (600) is adapted to carry out processing of substrate (02) by setting an anilox roller (603) on a forme cylinder (602) or to transport substrate (02) without simultaneous processing of the substrate (02) by setting the anilox roller (603) away from the forme cylinder (602). procedure 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 or 14 or 15 or 16 , characterized in that during the changeover at least one setting of at least one drying device (506) or at least one drying unit is adjusted by the machine control. procedure 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 or 14 or 15 or 16 or 17 , characterized in that the processing machine (01) has at least the at least one shaping unit (900), the at least one application unit (600), the at least one substrate feed device (100) and the at least one delivery (1000) as units (100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000), that during the changeover at least three changeover processes of these components of the processing machine (01) run automatically and overlapping in time. procedure 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 or 14 or 15 or 16 or 17 or 18 , characterized in that a punching image to be generated by the at least one shaping unit (900) of the successive processing orders remains unchanged and/or that at least one print image generated by at least one application unit (600) of the application units (600) of the successive processing orders remains unchanged. procedure 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 or 14 or 15 or 16 or 17 or 18 or 19 , characterized in that the speed profile corresponds to a drive speed during the processing of a machining order. procedure 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 or 14 or 15 or 16 or 17 or 18 or 19 or 20 , characterized in that the supply of substrate (02) to the processing units (600; 900) is blocked by deactivating at least one acceleration means of a substrate supply unit (100). procedure according to claim 21 , characterized in that the at least one acceleration means, in the activated state, withdraws a single substrate (02) from a storage area (166) of a substrate feed unit (100) and accelerates the single substrate (02) to a processing speed of the processing units (600; 900).

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