EP3288763B1 - Machine assembly of sheet printing presses having multiple units - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a machine arrangement with a plurality of processing stations for processing sheets according to the preamble of claim 1.

Through the WO 2014/202254 A1 a printing machine with at least one printing unit designed as an inkjet system is known, the relevant inkjet system being designed such that this inkjet system prints information that changes or at least changes during a printing process onto a target area provided on a printing substrate, with at least one on the printing substrate Mark is present, wherein a detection device is provided for detecting the at least one mark present on the printing material, with the aid of the at least one mark detected by the detection device in the ongoing printing process, a printing position and / or a printing time of the inkjet system in question relative to a position of the for the pressure of the target area which is changing or at least changeable information provided in the ongoing printing process is set or at least adjustable, the detection device having the relevant inkjet system in its P position relative to the setting device setting the printing material and / or is connected to a positioning device setting the position of the printing material relative to the relevant inkjet system.

Through the EP 2 123 462 A1 a digital printing machine is known which has a sheet feeder as a first processing station in the transport direction of the sheets to be printed in front of their non-impact printing device and then a coating device in the form of a primer application device.

Through the DE 10 2008 006 059 A1 is a device for generating pneumatic Pressure and / or suction pulses for consumers in sheet processing machines are known, the consumer being arranged directly on a volume-adjustable working space of a pneumatic pressure generator, the consumer being a propulsion means which is arranged in the alignment area of a sheet feeder.

Through the EP 0 615 941 A1 discloses an apparatus and method for continuously passing individual sheets of corrugated board through an anilox section and a punching section while maintaining the alignment of each sheet in each processing section.

Through the DE 10 2012 218 022 A1 a method for transferring imaging layers from a transfer film is known, the transfer film having a removable transfer layer, onto printing sheets provided with an adhesive coating by means of a coating unit which contains an impression cylinder forming a common transfer gap and a press roller through which the transfer film is removed from a film supply roll the press roller can be guided in a touching manner in such a way that it rests with the transfer layer on the printed sheet guided on the impression cylinder and is guided through the transfer nip together with the printed sheet under pressure to transfer the coating, with a full or partial surface in the application unit Adhesive application covering closed surface areas takes place on the printed sheet, with a zonal treatment of the surface of the adhesive application on the substrate in a negative image area of one of them before the film transfer is carried out in the coating unit generating film image is carried out, wherein the transfer film is fed to the print sheet, including the adhesive application treated in the area of a negative image, to the transfer gap, and the transfer film is detached from the printing sheet with separation of the transfer layer outside the area of the areas of the adhesive application treated as a negative image , in such a way that a full-surface film application interrupted in the area of the release agent application or the dried adhesive application is generated on the printed sheet becomes.

Through the US 2011/0084441 A1 a method and a system are known in which a printed sheet is aligned in its diagonal register with the aid of sensors, the sensors detecting at least one side edge and the leading edge and / or the trailing edge of the relevant printed sheet.

The DE 20 006 513 U1 relates to a sheet-fed rotary printing machine with a sheet feeder, a sheet delivery and a plurality of basic modules, which are arranged between the sheet feeder and the sheet delivery and have the same basic structure, have a sheet guide cylinder and a sheet conveying device and which can be equipped with a printing unit, a coating unit or a dryer unit are, wherein between the last base module in the sheet conveying direction and the sheet delivery a multifunction module with a sheet conveyor and a sheet guide cylinder is arranged, which is prepared for the cultivation of several different additional devices, the multifunction module z. B. is equipped for the cultivation of an inline register or an inkjet or laser marking.

Through the DE 100 46 466 A1 a modular printing machine system for printing sheets is known, consisting of a satellite design with a central first impression cylinder and at least four printing devices assigned to it, a second printing machine with a second impression cylinder and a coupling device for coupling the printing machines to one another for their inline Operation, wherein one of the sheet transfer to the second impression cylinder serving feed device - in particular a feed drum - at least one adjusting device for register or Register correction is assigned, wherein the feed device is preferably arranged to take over the sheet from a transport device and this is arranged to take over the sheet from a sheet delivery device of the first printing press, the transport device z. B. is assigned a non-impact printer.

Through the DE 100 47 040 A1 a modular printing machine system for printing on sheets is known, consisting of a satellite design with a central first impression cylinder and at least four printing devices assigned to this first printing machine, a second printing machine and a coupling device for coupling the printing machines to one another for their inline operation Non-impact printer is assigned to a transport device of the printing press system that transports the sheets. The transport device for transporting the sheets is z. B. formed along a linear transport path. The transport device has z. B. at least one pincer gripper, which rests on the side to be printed by the non-impact printer of a sheet held in the pincer gripper and due to its ultra-flat design when the sheet is transported past the non-impact printer collision-free by a narrow one formed by this and the sheet Gap is feasible.

Through the DE 101 41 589 B4 a method for operating a sheet processing machine is known in which the sheets are shifted in the transport direction and treated in several processing stations, the displacement speed of the sheets being adjustable independently of one another, the speed of the respective sheet being adapted to the processing step to be carried out in the respective processing station is, and wherein the speed of the sheet is different in at least two of the processing stations. The processing power of the individual processing stations can be the same during a certain period or the processing capacity of a first processing station is greater or less than the processing capacity during a certain period an upstream or downstream second processing station.

Through the WO 02/48012 A2 Devices for aligning sheets are known, which are fed to the device in a scale-like manner offset from a shingling device and can be transferred to a downstream device after the front edge and a side edge of the sheet have been aligned. By means of an alignment cylinder, on the circumference of which a sheet can be brought into contact at least in sections, the leading edge of the sheet can be smoothly aligned by front lays arranged on the circumference of the alignment cylinder. At least one recess is provided on the circumference of the alignment cylinder, the sheet being able to be frictionally fixed at least in sections by applying a negative pressure in the recess, so that drive forces can be transmitted frictionally from the alignment cylinder to the sheet in the contact area. A measuring device can be used to determine the offset of a side edge of the sheet relative to a predetermined target alignment. By using a transverse adjustment device, a side edge of the sheet can be aligned depending on the measurement result of the measuring device. Acceleration and / or speed and / or angle of rotation of the drive motor for the rotary drive of the alignment cylinder can be controlled or regulated according to predetermined laws of motion, in particular as a function of the angle of rotation of the alignment cylinder.

Through the EP 2 516 168 B1 An apparatus for holding and supporting a printing substrate for a printing machine is known, comprising a conveyor comprising an endless mat formed from a plurality of hollow boxes extending transversely and having a flat outer surface and having drive means of the mat and guide means of the boxes, such that the flat exteriors on the boxes, which travel on a flat longitudinal path, form a flat top surface for holding the print substrate, the boxes having a plurality of external openings in their outside and at least one internal passage in their inside, which is opposite its outside; and a suction device adapted to cooperate with the inner passages of the boxes running on a longitudinal suction area corresponding to at least a portion of the flat longitudinal path to create a suction effect through the outer openings of the boxes which are on the longitudinal suction area to run.

The invention is based on the object of creating a machine arrangement with a plurality of processing stations for processing sheets, the sheets being transferred in register to a non-impact printing device.

According to the invention, the object is achieved in each case by the features of claim 1. The dependent claims relate to advantageous developments and / or embodiments of the solution found.

The advantages that can be achieved with the invention are in particular that sheets to be processed in the machine arrangement, which are transported along their transport path in a processing station upstream of the non-impact printing device with a comparatively large positional tolerance, each at least in their axial register and / or in their circumferential register aligned with the non-impact printing device. There is a hybrid sheet processing machine arrangement, preferably a hybrid printing machine formed, which the high productivity of a conventional, z. B. in an offset printing process or in a flexographic printing process or in a screen printing process printing device variable printing in combination with at least one flexibly each variable print images, z. B. uses non-impact printing device designed as an inkjet printer, both the conventional printing device and the non-impact printing device being used in an ongoing production inline, each at the operating speed that is optimal for them. Such a hybrid machine arrangement is particularly useful for the production of packaging materials, e.g. B. of sheets for the production of folding boxes very advantageous because the strengths of each of the printing devices are used, which leads to flexible and economical production of the packaging means. Thus, in particular, flexurally rigid printed sheets can be printed in a non-impact printing device, advantageously in a flat state and in a horizontal position. The length of a linear transport device can be adapted to a different number of printing units or printing stations (color separations) and (intermediate) dryer configurations z. B. for water-based or UV-curing printing inks or inks, than would be the case with a rotary transport device via cylinder. With a linear transport device, when using sheets of variable format lengths, a constant sheet gap between sheets which are transported at a distance in direct succession can also be implemented more easily. On the other hand, transporting printed sheets by means of rotary bodies, in particular cylinders and gripper bars or gripper trolleys, ensures the highest possible register accuracy with a transfer of the sheets in each case close to the gripper to a subsequent processing station, as is known from sheet-fed offset printing machines. With linear sheet transport z. B. by means of suction belt conveyors, this register accuracy is currently not usually achieved. Further advantages are evident from the explanations below.

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

Fig. 1

ein Blockschaltbild zur Darstellung von verschiedenen Produktionslinien;

Fig. 2

eine erste, nicht erfindungsgemäße Maschinenanordnung mit mehreren verschiedenen Bearbeitungsstationen;

Fig. 3 bis 8

weitere Maschinenanordnungen jeweils mit mehreren verschiedenen Bearbeitungsstationen;

Fig. 9

die Maschinenanordnung der Fig. 8 jeweils in einer Draufsicht und in einer Seitenansicht;

Fig. 10

eine mehrteilige Transporteinrichtung;

Fig. 11

eine vergrößerte Darstellung eines ersten Ausschnitts aus der Fig. 10;

Fig. 12

eine vergrößerte Darstellung eines zweiten Ausschnitts aus der Fig. 10;

Fig. 13

eine schematische Darstellung einer Transportvorrichtung zum sequentiellen Transport einzelner bogenförmiger Substrate;

Fig. 14

eine Draufsicht auf eine einzelne Blas-Sog-Düse;

Fig. 15

eine Draufsicht auf eine Transportvorrichtung gemäß den Fig. 11 oder Fig. 13;

Fig. 16

eine Seitenansicht zu der in der Fig. 15 dargestellten Transportvorrichtung;

Fig. 17

einen Ausschnitt aus der Darstellung eines Kettenförderers;

Fig. 18

eine Draufsicht auf die in der Fig. 15 gezeigte Anordnung;

Fig. 19

eine weitere perspektivische Darstellung des in den Fig. 15 und 16 gezeigten Kettenförderers;

Fig. 20

eine weitere Ausführung der Transportvorrichtung anhand einer Ausschnittsvergrößerung aus der Fig. 11;

Fig. 21

eine Draufsicht auf die Transportvorrichtung der Fig. 20;

Fig. 22

ein im Diagonalregister auszurichtendes bogenförmiges Substrat;

Fig. 23

eine Seitenansicht einer Transportvorrichtung mit einem Schwinghebel aufweisenden mechanischen Koppelelement;

Fig. 24

eine Draufsicht der in der Fig. 23 dargestellten Transportvorrichtung;

Fig. 25

eine Seitenansicht einer Transportvorrichtung mit einem Räderkoppelgetriebe aufweisenden mechanischen Koppelelement;

Fig. 26

eine Draufsicht der in der Fig. 25 dargestellten Transportvorrichtung;

Fig. 27

eine Maschinenanordnung zum beidseitigen sequentiellen Bearbeiten mehrerer bogenförmiger Substrate;

Fig. 28

eine weitere Maschinenanordnung zum beidseitigen sequentiellen Bearbeiten mehrerer bogenförmiger Substrate;

Fig. 29

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

Fig. 30

eine Unterschuppungseinrichtung;

Fig. 31

eine Ausschnittsvergrößerung aus der Fig. 30.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a block diagram showing various production lines;

Fig. 2

a first machine arrangement not according to the invention with several different processing stations;

Figures 3 to 8

further machine arrangements each with several different processing stations;

Fig. 9

the machine arrangement of the Fig. 8 each in a plan view and in a side view;

Fig. 10

a multi-part transport device;

Fig. 11

an enlarged view of a first excerpt from FIG Fig. 10 ;

Fig. 12

an enlarged view of a second excerpt from FIG Fig. 10 ;

Fig. 13

a schematic representation of a transport device for the sequential transport of individual sheet-shaped substrates;

Fig. 14

a plan view of a single blow-suction nozzle;

Fig. 15

a plan view of a transport device according to FIG Fig. 11 or Fig. 13 ;

Fig. 16

a side view of that in FIG Fig. 15 illustrated transport device;

Fig. 17

a detail from the representation of a chain conveyor;

Fig. 18

a top view of the in the Fig. 15 arrangement shown;

Fig. 19

a further perspective view of the in the Fig. 15 and 16 shown chain conveyor;

Fig. 20

Another embodiment of the transport device based on an enlarged section from the Fig. 11 ;

Fig. 21

a plan view of the transport device of Fig. 20 ;

Fig. 22

an arcuate substrate to be aligned in diagonal register;

Fig. 23

a side view of a transport device with a rocker arm having mechanical coupling element;

Fig. 24

a top view of the Fig. 23 illustrated transport device;

Fig. 25

a side view of a transport device with a mechanical coupling element having gear coupling;

Fig. 26

a top view of the Fig. 25 illustrated transport device;

Fig. 27

a machine arrangement for two-sided sequential processing of a plurality of sheet-shaped substrates;

Fig. 28

a further machine arrangement for two-sided sequential processing of a plurality of sheet-shaped substrates;

Fig. 29

yet another machine arrangement for two-sided sequential processing of a plurality of sheet-shaped substrates;

Fig. 30

a shingling device;

Fig. 31

an enlarged section from the Fig. 30 .

Fig. 1 illustrates in a block diagram various production lines, each with a machine arrangement with several, in particular, different processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 for processing at least one arch-shaped substrate, in particular a printing material, preferably an in particular rectangular printed sheet, short a sheet can be implemented, this at least one substrate being rigid or pliable depending on the material, material thickness and / or grammage. Each of these processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 each as a z. B. independently functional module is formed, whereby a module is to be understood to mean a machine unit or functional assembly that is usually manufactured independently or at least one for itself assembled. Each of the processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 is therefore preferably manufactured independently and is in a preferred embodiment, for. B. individually testable in its respective function. The machine arrangement in question, each of which is produced by selecting and combining at least three different processing stations 01; each processing sheets and working together in a specific production. 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 is formed, each embodies a specific production line. Each of the production lines shown, each with a specific machine arrangement with several processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 is embodied, is in each case designed in particular for the production of a packaging means formed from the printing material, preferably from the printed sheet. The packaging to be produced are z. B. each a folding box, each made of printed sheets. The various production lines are therefore designed in particular for the production of different packaging materials. The processing of the printing material required during a specific production takes place inline, ie the processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 are when the substrate runs through the selected for the respective production, the respective processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 having machine arrangement in an orderly sequence one after the other and coordinated with one another, without an intermediate storage for the printing material, ie the processed sheets, being provided during the production carried out with the respective machine arrangement.

Everyone in the Fig. 1 The production lines shown have in common that they each interact with a processing station 06, which has at least one non-impact printing device 06, preferably several, e.g. B. has four, five, six or seven, in particular, individually controlled non-impact printing devices 06, these non-impact printing devices 06 preferably being arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T of the printing substrate and being designed in such a way that they each at least nearly cover the printing substrate can print in its full width directed transversely to the transport direction T. A non-impact printing device 06 uses a printing process without a fixed printing form and can, in principle, print the printing material from print to print, e.g. B. print the sheet just fed to this printing device 06 with a print image different from the previous print image. The respective non-impact printing device 06 is in each case implemented in particular by at least one inkjet printer or by at least one laser printer. Inkjet printers are matrix printers in which a print image is generated by the targeted firing or deflection of small ink droplets, whereby the inkjet printer either as a device with a continuous ink jet (CIJ) or as a device that shoots a single ink drop (Drop On Demand = DOD) is trained. Laser printers generate the respective print image in an electrophotography process. The non-impact printing device 06 is z. B. also referred to as a digital printing machine.

In the following it is assumed by way of example that in the respective machine arrangement with several processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 as a printing material each have a sequence of particularly rigid sheets z. B. is processed from a paper, from a single-layer or multi-layer cardboard or from a cardboard in particular to a packaging means. The printing materials paper, cardboard and cardboard differ in their respective grammage, ie the weight in grams for one square meter of this printing material. In general, the aforementioned printing material with a basis weight between 7 g / m ² and 150 g / m ² applies as paper, between 150 g / m ² and 600 g / m ² as cardboard and with more than 600 g / m ² as cardboard. For the production of folding boxes in particular cardboard boxes are used that have good printability and are suitable for subsequent refinement or processing such as. B. are suitable for painting and punching. These cardboard boxes are of their fiber use z. B. wood-free, slightly wood-containing, wood-containing or containing waste paper. In their structure, multi-layer cardboard boxes have a top layer, an insert and a backing on the back. In terms of their surface properties, cardboards are z. B. uncoated, pigmented, coated or cast-coated. One format of the sheet is e.g. B. in the range between 340 mm x 480 mm and 740 mm x 1060 mm, with the format specifications usually the first number indicates a length in the transport direction T of the sheets and the second number a width of the sheets perpendicular to the transport direction T.

In the block diagram of the Fig. 1 each runs with several of the processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 representable production line essentially from right to left, with each of the two processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 interconnecting directional arrows each indicate a transport path to be traversed by the printing material and the associated transport direction T in order to move from a processing station 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 to the next processing station 01 selected in the machine arrangement determined for the respective production; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 to arrive. Each production begins with sheets provided in the processing station 01, the processing station 01 being designed according to the invention as a sheet feeder 01 or as a magazine feeder 01.

A sheet feeder 01 takes i. d. R. a z. B. on a pallet stacked stacks of sheets, whereas a magazine feeder 01 has several compartments, in each of which sheets, in particular stacks of z. B. different sheets or sheets of different formats are inserted or at least insertable. The investor 01 isolated z. B. by means of a suction head 41 the stacked sheets and guides them in a sequence of separated sheets or in an imbricated flow of the next processing station 02 in the specific production; 03; 04; 06 to. The next processing station 02; 03; 04 is designed according to the invention as a primer application device 02 or as a cold foil application device 03 or not according to the invention as an offset printing device 04 or as a flexographic printing device 04. The next processing station 06 can also directly z. B. be the at least one non-impact printing device 06. The offset printing device 04 is preferably designed as a sheet-fed offset printing machine, in particular as a sheet-fed printing machine with a plurality of printing units 86 in a series construction. The offset printing device 04 provides the sheets with at least one static, i.e. H. During the printing process due to the fact that it is tied to the printing form used, the print image remains unchanged, whereas the non-impact printing device 06 provides the sheets with at least one changing or at least changeable print image.

If the processing station 03 closest to the feeder 01 is the cold foil application device 03, the sheet is then generally transported from there to the processing station 04 designed as an offset printing device 04. In the cold foil application device 03, a metallized lacquer layer detached from a carrier foil is transferred to the printing material. By overprinting this layer of varnish z. B. with an offset printing device 04 a wide variety of metal effects can be achieved. The cold foil applicator 03 is advantageously z. B. formed integrated in the offset printing device 04 by two additional printing units 87; 88 are provided in the offset printing device 04. In the first printing unit 87 in the transport direction T of the printing material, a special printing forme is made using a standard printing form Adhesive applied to the substrate, ie the respective sheet. A second printing unit 88 in the transport direction T of the printing material is equipped with a film transfer device having the lacquer layer to be transferred. The film carrying the lacquer layer is fed from an unwinding station into a printing nip between a transfer cylinder and a printing cylinder interacting with this transfer cylinder and brought into contact with the printing material. The color of the lacquer layer is provided by an aluminum layer and a protective lacquer layer, the coloring of which influences the color impression. The transfer layers adhere to the substrate through adhesion of an adhesive layer to the printed adhesive layer. The carrier film is then wound up again. After the cold foil transfer, overprinting with conventional printing inks as well as UV and hybrid inks is possible inline, in particular in the offset printing device 04, in order to produce different metallic colors.

A z. B. particularly absorbent and / or for printing with a non-impact printing device 06 to be processed printing material is provided by the feeder 01 of a z. B. designed as a primer application device 02 next processing station 02 is supplied to at least one surface of this printing material before printing or painting with a z. B. to coat water-based primer, in particular to seal. The priming represents a primer or an initial coating of the printing material in order to improve or enable adhesion of a printing ink or ink to be subsequently applied to the printing material. The primer application device 02 is z. B. formed in connection with a printing unit 86 of a rotary printing press and has, for. B. a printing unit cylinder 82 cooperating with a printing unit cylinder 119 with an application roller 83, preferably in the form of an anilox roller 83, which is positioned or at least adjustable to this printing unit cylinder 82, and at least one doctor blade 84 extending in the axial direction of application roller 83, in particular a chambered doctor blade system 84 ( Figs. 3 to 5 , 8th , 27 , 28 ). The primer is applied over the entire surface or only by means of the primer application device 02 at certain, ie previously defined, points, ie partially applied to the substrate. The printing material processed in the primer application device 02, e.g. B. arch, is the next processing station z. B. an offset printing device 04 and / or z. B. a non-impact printing device 06 is supplied.

The one z. B. as a flexographic printing device 04 designed processing station 04 executed flexographic printing is a direct letterpress printing process in which the raised areas of the printing form are image-bearing, which is often used for printing packaging made of paper, cardboard or cardboard, made of metallized film or a plastic such . B. PE, PET, PVC, PS, PP, PC is used. In flexographic printing, low-viscosity printing inks and flexible printing plates made of photopolymer or rubber are used. In general, a flexographic printing device 04 includes a) an anilox roller through which the printing form is inked, b) a printing cylinder, also called a forme cylinder, on which the printing form is attached, and c) an impression cylinder that guides the printing material.

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

After the printing material has been processed in the at least one non-impact printing device 06 this substrate is z. B. is supplied to a processing station 07 designed as an intermediate dryer 07, this intermediate dryer 07 being used as a printing material for the relevant printing material. B. is designed to dry by irradiation with infrared or ultraviolet radiation, the type of radiation depending in particular on whether the printing ink or ink applied to the substrate is water-based or UV-curing. After intermediate drying, the substrate is z. B. is supplied to a processing station 08 designed as a painting device 08. The painting device 08 carries on the substrate z. B. on a dispersion varnish, dispersion varnishes consisting essentially of water and binders (resins), surfactants stabilizing these dispersions. A coating device 08 which applies a dispersion varnish to the printing material consists either of an anilox roller, a chambered doctor blade and an application roller (comparable to a flexographic printing unit) or of an immersion roller and an application roller. By means of a printing form, preferably based on photopolymerization, z. B. applied surface and / or partial paintwork. Special coating plates made of rubber can also be used for full-surface coating. In the transport path of the printing material is after the painting device 08 z. B. arranged as a processing station 09 designed as a dryer 09, wherein this dryer 09 is designed as a printing material in question by irradiation with infrared radiation or by hot air drying. If the machine arrangement in question has several dryers 07; 09, the dryer with the reference number 09 is preferably the last of these several dryers 07; in the transport direction T of the printing material. 09, wherein the intermediate dryer (s) 07 and the (final) dryer 09 are structurally identical or can also be designed differently. If the dryer 09 is supplied with a printing material that dries by ultraviolet radiation, ie a printing material on which a printing ink or ink that cures by UV radiation or a varnish that cures by UV radiation, e.g. B. a gloss lacquer is applied, this dryer 09 is equipped with an ultraviolet radiation generating radiation source. With dispersion varnishes, compared to the classic oil print varnish achieve more intense gloss and matt effects. Special optical effects can be achieved using effect pigments in the paint. The primer application device 02, the cold foil application device 03 and the painting device 08 can be referred to as coating device 02; 03; 08 can be summarized.

After drying, the substrate is z. B. fed to a processing station 11, which carries out further mechanical processing on the printing material, e.g. B. by punching, creasing and / or separating parts, in particular breaking out benefits from their respective composite in the preferably printed sheet. Each of the aforementioned further processing is carried out in or by a processing unit 46. The mechanical further processing is preferably carried out in cooperation with a cylinder transporting the respective sheet. After that or directly from the dryer 09, the printing material arrives at a delivery 12, which is in each of the in the Fig. 1 shown, each by a specific arrangement of processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 embodied production lines each form the last processing station 12. In the delivery 12, the previously processed sheets z. B. preferably stacked on a pallet.

As in the Figures 2 to 9 shown is the previously mentioned sequence of the processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 only as an example and can be modified as a function of the respective printed product to be produced.

1. 1. Bogenanleger 01; Primerauftrageinrichtung 02; Non-Impact-Druckeinrichtung 06; Zwischentrockner 07 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle für Dispersionslack; Lackiereinrichtung 08; Trockner 09 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle oder Heißluft; Auslage 12
2. 2. Bogenanleger 01; Primerauftrageinrichtung 02; Non-Impact-Druckeinrichtung 06; Trockner 09 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle oder Heißluft; Auslage 12
3. 3. Bogenanleger 01; Primerauftrageinrichtung 02; Non-Impact-Druckeinrichtung 06; Zwischentrockner 07 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle; Lackiereinrichtung 08 für Dispersionslack und UV-härtendem Lack; Trockner 09 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle oder Heißluft und mit UV-Strahlungsquelle; Auslage 12
4. 4. Bogenanleger 01; Kaltfolienauftrageinrichtung 03; Offset-Druckeinrichtung 04; Non-Impact-Druckeinrichtung 06; Trockner 09 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle oder Heißluft; Auslage 12
5. 5. Bogenanleger 01; Primerauftrageinrichtung 02; Non-Impact-Druckeinrichtung 06; Zwischentrockner 07 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle für Dispersionslack; Lackiereinrichtung 08; Trockner 09 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle oder Heißluft; mechanische Weiterverarbeitungseinrichtung 11; Auslage 12
6. 6. Bogenanleger 01; Offset-Druckeinrichtung 04; Non-Impact-Druckeinrichtung 06; Zwischentrockner 07 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle; mechanische Weiterverarbeitungseinrichtung 11; Auslage 12
7. 7. Bogenanleger 01; Non-Impact-Druckeinrichtung 06; Trockner 09 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle oder Heißluft; Auslage 12
8. 8. Bogenanleger 01; Non-Impact-Druckeinrichtung 06; Zwischentrockner 07 mit UV-Strahlungsquelle; Trockner 09 mit UV-Strahlungsquelle; Auslage 12
9. 9. Bogenanleger 01; Non-Impact-Druckeinrichtung 06; Zwischentrockner 07 mit UV-Strahlungsquelle; Trockner 09 mit UV-Strahlungsquelle; mechanische Weiterverarbeitungseinrichtung 11; Auslage 12
10. 10. Bogenanleger 01; Non-Impact-Druckeinrichtung 06; Zwischentrockner 07 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle; Offset-Druckeinrichtung 04; Lackiereinrichtung 08; Trockner 09 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle oder Heißluft; Auslage 12
11. 11. Magazinanleger 01; Primerauftrageinrichtung 02; Non-Impact-Druckeinrichtung 06; Zwischentrockner 07 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle; Lackiereinrichtung 08; Trockner 09 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle oder Heißluft; Auslage 12
12. 12. Magazinanleger 01; Primerauftrageinrichtung 02; Non-Impact-Druckeinrichtung 06; Zwischentrockner 07 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle; Trockner 09 mit IR-Strahlungsquelle oder Heißluft; mechanische Weiterverarbeitungseinrichtung 11; Auslage 12
13. 13. Magazinanleger 01; Non-Impact-Druckeinrichtung 06; Zwischentrockner 07 mit UV-Strahlungsquelle; Lackiereinrichtung 08; Trockner 09 mit UV-Strahlungsquelle; Auslage 12

In the Fig. 1 Production lines shown by way of example, in particular used for the production of packaging materials, each have a machine arrangement with a selection from the set of the aforementioned processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 on. For example, the following production lines are formed or at least can be formed, with production lines 6 to 10 and 13 not being according to the invention:

1. 1. sheet feeder 01; Primer application device 02; Non-impact printing device 06; Intermediate dryer 07 with IR radiation source for dispersion paint; Painting device 08; Dryer 09 with IR radiation source or hot air; Display 12
2. 2. sheet feeder 01; Primer application device 02; Non-impact printing device 06; Dryer 09 with IR radiation source or hot air; Display 12
3. 3. sheet feeder 01; Primer application device 02; Non-impact printing device 06; Intermediate dryer 07 with IR radiation source; Painting device 08 for dispersion paint and UV-curing paint; Dryer 09 with IR radiation source or hot air and with UV radiation source; Display 12
4. 4. sheet feeder 01; Cold foil application device 03; Offset printing device 04; Non-impact printing device 06; Dryer 09 with IR radiation source or hot air; Display 12
5. 5. sheet feeder 01; Primer application device 02; Non-impact printing device 06; Intermediate dryer 07 with IR radiation source for dispersion paint; Painting device 08; Dryer 09 with IR radiation source or hot air; mechanical further processing device 11; Display 12
6. 6. sheet feeder 01; Offset printing device 04; Non-impact printing device 06; Intermediate dryer 07 with IR radiation source; mechanical further processing device 11; Display 12
7. 7. sheet feeder 01; Non-impact printing device 06; Dryer 09 with IR radiation source or hot air; Display 12
8. 8. sheet feeder 01; Non-impact printing device 06; Intermediate dryer 07 with UV radiation source; Dryer 09 with UV radiation source; Display 12
9. 9. sheet feeder 01; Non-impact printing device 06; Intermediate dryer 07 with UV radiation source; Dryer 09 with UV radiation source; mechanical further processing device 11; Display 12
10. 10. sheet feeder 01; Non-impact printing device 06; Intermediate dryer 07 with IR radiation source; Offset printing device 04; Painting device 08; Dryer 09 with IR radiation source or hot air; Display 12
11. 11. Magazine feeder 01; Primer application device 02; Non-impact printing device 06; Intermediate dryer 07 with IR radiation source; Painting device 08; Dryer 09 with IR radiation source or hot air; Display 12
12. 12. Magazine feeder 01; Primer application device 02; Non-impact printing device 06; Intermediate dryer 07 with IR radiation source; Dryer 09 with IR radiation source or hot air; mechanical further processing device 11; Display 12
13. 13. Magazine feeder 01; Non-impact printing device 06; Intermediate dryer 07 with UV radiation source; Painting device 08; Dryer 09 with UV radiation source; Display 12

At least one of the processing stations 01; which interacts with the at least one non-impact printing device 06 is hereby. 02; 03; 04; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 to participate in the processing of the sheets is selected depending on whether the printing ink to be applied to the respective sheet, in particular with the non-impact printing device 06, is designed as a water-based printing ink or ink or as a printing ink or ink that cures by ultraviolet radiation is. The respective machine arrangement is thus designed to print the sheets with a water-based printing ink or with a printing ink that cures by ultraviolet radiation.

Further, i. V. m. the Fig. 27 and 28 machine arrangements explained in more detail with a selection from the set of processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 see z. B. production lines which essentially have the following processing stations: sheet feeder 01; first primer application device 02; first dryer 121; first non-impact printing device 06; second dryer 122; second primer applicator 126; third dryer 123; second non-impact printing device 127; fourth dryer 124; Display 12

An advantageous machine arrangement mentioned here by way of example has several processing stations for processing sheets, with the in transport direction T being the Sheet several processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 are arranged one after the other for inline processing of these sheets, with at least one of these processing stations 06 being designed as a non-impact printing device 06, with a first processing station 01 arranged upstream of the sheets of the non-impact printing device 06 in the transport direction T as a sheet feeder 01 or is designed as a magazine feeder 01, wherein a processing station 08 arranged between the first processing station 01 and the non-impact printing device 06 is designed as a first coating device 08 which applies a lacquer to the sheets, wherein between the first coating device 08 and the non -Impact printing device 06, a first dryer 07 is arranged, a first conveyor belt 17 being arranged to transport the sheets from the first dryer 07 to the non-impact printing device 06, with a second in the transport direction T of the sheet after the non-impact printing device 06 Dryer 07 is arranged, with a e device for transferring the sheets coming from the non-impact printing device 06 to a second coating device 08 is provided, the second coating device 08 being followed by a third dryer 09, with the sheet after the third dryer 09 being a delivery 12 for the arch is arranged. A mechanical further processing device 11 can additionally be arranged between the third dryer 09 and the display 12. Furthermore, in the transport direction T, the sheet is in front of the non-impact printing device 06 z. B. a cold foil applying coating device 03 is arranged. The non-impact printing device 06 preferably has several individually controlled inkjet printers along the transport path of the sheets. In the area of action of the non-impact printing device 06, the sheets are preferably each guided horizontally flat on a transport device 22, the transport device 22 having a linear transport path or a curved transport path for the sheets at least in the area of action of the non-impact printing device 06, wherein the curved transport path is formed by a concave or convex curved line lying in a vertical plane with a radius in a range between 1 m and 10 m. In the transport direction T the Sheet is in front of the non-impact printing device 06 z. B. arranged a transfer device, wherein the transfer device aligns the sheets at least in their axial register and / or circumferential register in register relative to the printing position of the non-impact printing device 06, the transfer device z. B. has a suction drum 32 holding the respective sheet by means of suction air. This machine arrangement is designed to print the sheets, in particular, in each case with a water-based printing ink or with a printing ink that cures by ultraviolet radiation. This machine arrangement is designed in particular to produce different packaging means. The device for transferring the sheets coming from the non-impact printing device 06 to the second coating device 08 is z. B. formed as an oscillating gripper 19 and a transfer drum 31 cooperating with the oscillating gripper 19.

Fig. 2 shows an example of a machine arrangement not according to the invention with several processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 according to the above-mentioned production line no. 6. Sheets are in a sheet feeder 01 z. B. picked up individually from a stack with a suction head 41 and successively in a cycle of z. B. 10,000 pieces per hour to an offset printing device 04 with z. B. passed four printing units 86 arranged in a row. For a transfer of the sheets from one to the next of the printing units 86 arranged in a row, a rotary body, in particular a cylinder, preferably a transfer drum 43 is provided, which is arranged between two immediately adjacent printing units 86. The offset printing device 04 takes over the sheets fed to it by the sheet feeder 01, for example. B. with a first oscillating gripper 13 and forwards the sheets to a first transfer drum 14 of the offset printing device 04, the sheets then being guided in the offset printing device 04 in a gripper connection from one printing unit 86 to the next. In the offset printing device 04, the sheets are printed on at least one side. If a turning device is present, the sheets can also be printed on both sides in the offset printing device 04, that is to say in perfecting. After this Pass through the here z. B. designed as an offset printing device 04 processing station 04, the relevant sheet, preferably four-color printed, is transferred to a non-impact printing device 06 by means of a first gripper system 16, in particular a first chain conveyor 16 and at least one first conveyor belt 17, the first gripper system 16 and the first conveyor belt 17 cooperate in the transfer of the sheets to the non-impact printing device 06, in such a way that the first gripper system 16 delivers the sheets to the first conveyor belt 17, the transfer of the sheets to the non-impact printing device 06 takes place from the first conveyor belt 17. The non-impact printing device 06 preferably has several, e.g. B. five linearly arranged in a row, in particular each individually controlled inkjet printer. The sheets provided in the offset printing device 04 with at least one static print image and in the non-impact printing device 06 with at least one changing or at least variable print image are then dried in a dryer 07 or intermediate dryer 07, preferably with an IR radiation source . Then again, the sheets are in a mechanical processing device 11 z. B. processed further by punching and / or creasing and / or breaking out of panels from the respective sheet. Ultimately, the sheets and / or copies released from the sheets are collected in a display 12, in particular stacked. In the area of action of the first gripper system 16 or the first chain conveyor 16, a delivery 12, in particular a multiple-stack delivery, can be provided along the transport path provided for the sheets. Likewise, the sheet is z. B. after the mechanical processing device 11 is a multi-stack delivery.

The sheets picked up from a stack in the feeder 01, in particular in the sheet feeder 01, are transported individually at a distance from one another by the offset printing device 04 at a first transport speed. The sheets transferred from the offset printing device 04 to the non-impact printing device 06 are printed in this non-impact printing device 06 is transported at a second transport speed, the second transport speed applicable in the non-impact printing device 06 being generally lower than the first transport speed applicable in the offset printing device 04. To adapt the first transport speed applicable in the offset printing device 04 to the generally lower second transport speed applicable in the non-impact printing device 06, z. B. the arc gap existing between consecutive sheets, ie the distance that z. B. due to a gripper channel width for the sheets transported through the offset printing device 04 in the gripper closure, preferably reduced when these sheets are transferred from the offset printing device 04 to the non-impact printing device 06, such a reduction in distance based on their original distance z. B. in the range between 1% and 98%. This means that sheets in direct succession are also transported at a distance from one another in the non-impact printing device 06, but with a generally smaller sheet gap or with a smaller distance than in the offset printing device 04 and consequently also at a lower second transport speed. This second transport speed is preferably maintained when sheets printed in the non-impact printing device 06 are first transferred to an intermediate dryer 07 or dryer 09 and from there z. B. be transported by means of a feed table 18 to a mechanical further processing device 11 to the display 12. However, the sheets can be brought from their second transport speed to a third transport speed, if this z. B. requires the mechanical processing device 11, wherein the third transport speed is usually higher than the second transport speed and z. B. again corresponds to the first transport speed applicable in particular in the offset printing device 04. In the mechanical processing device 11 is z. B. a second oscillating gripper 19 is provided which picks up the sheet coming from the intermediate dryer 07 or dryer 09 from the feed table 18 and z. B. is transferred to a second transfer drum 31 arranged in the area of the mechanical further processing device 11, after which the bow z. B. be transported through the area of the mechanical processing device 11 by means of a gripper closure. Also in the field of mechanical, in series z. B. several processing units 46 having further processing device 11 is provided for a transfer of the sheets from one to the next of the processing units 46 arranged in a row a rotary body, in particular a cylinder, preferably a transfer drum 44, which is arranged between two adjacent processing units 46. One of the processing units 46 is z. B. as a punching plant, another processing plant 46 z. B. designed as a scoring unit. The relevant processing unit 46 is designed to carry out the mechanical further processing of the sheets, preferably in cooperation with a cylinder that transports the respective sheet. After their mechanical further processing, the sheets and / or benefits separated from them z. B. transported by means of a second chain conveyor 21 to the display 12 and collected there, preferably stacked.

The sheets are transported from the output of the offset printing device 04 at least to the output of the intermediate dryer 07 or dryer 09, preferably to the beginning of the mechanical further processing device 11, in each case by means of a multi-part transport device consisting of several assemblies, in particular transport units, arranged one after the other in the transport direction T of the sheets 22 transported, the transport device 22 transporting the sheets with their respective length directed in transport direction T at least in the area of action of the non-impact printing device 06 arranged between the offset printing device 04 and the intermediate dryer 07 or dryer 09 along a linear transport path, preferably horizontally flat . The linear transport path and the horizontally flat transport are preferably also continued when the sheets are transported through the intermediate dryer 07 or dryer 09 arranged downstream of the non-impact printing device 06. If necessary, an intermediate dryer 07 or a dryer 09 can also be arranged between the offset printing device 04 and the non-impact printing device 06 his.

In the Figures 3 to 8 are further machine arrangements each with several processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 shown by way of example and schematically, the respective reference numerals denoting the processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 and more of their respective units.

In the Fig. 3 is a machine arrangement with the following processing stations 01 arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T of the printing material; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 shown: sheet feeder 01; Primer application device 02 or painting device 08; Intermediate dryer 07; Non-impact printing device 06; Intermediate dryer 07; Painting device 08; Dryer 09; Display 12.

In the Fig. 4 is a machine arrangement with the following processing stations 01 arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T of the printing material; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 shown: sheet feeder 01; Primer application device 02; Intermediate dryer 07; Non-impact printing device 06; Dryer 09; Display 12.

In the Fig. 5 is a machine arrangement with the following processing stations 01 arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T of the printing material; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 shown: sheet feeder 01; Primer application device 02; Intermediate dryer 07; Non-impact printing device 06; Intermediate dryer 07; Painting device 08; Intermediate dryer 07; Painting device 08; Dryer 09; Display 12.

In the Fig. 6 is a machine arrangement with the following processing stations 01 arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T of the printing material; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 shown: sheet feeder 01; a first offset printing device 04; Cold foil application device 03; four further offset printing devices 04 in series construction; Intermediate dryer 07; Non-impact printing device 06; Intermediate dryer 07; Non-impact printing device 06; Dryer 09; Display 12.

In the Fig. 7 is a machine arrangement shown offset due to its length with the following processing stations 01 arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T of the printing material; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 shown: sheet feeder 01; a first offset printing device 04; Cold foil application device 03; four further offset printing devices 04 in series construction; Intermediate dryer 07; Non-impact printing device 06; Intermediate dryer 07; Painting device 08; Dryer 09; two mechanical further processing devices 11 in series construction; Display 12.

In the Fig. 8 is a machine arrangement with the following processing stations 01 arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T of the printing material; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 shown: magazine feeder 01; Primer application device 02; Intermediate dryer 07; Non-impact printing device 06; Intermediate dryer 07; Painting device 08; Dryer 09; Display 12. The Fig. 9 shows exactly this machine arrangement in each case in a plan view and in a side view.

Fig. 10 shows again in greater detail the aforementioned multi-part transport device 22, which is preferably used in a machine arrangement with several processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 is provided for processing sheets. At the exit of the z. B. designed as an offset printing device 04 processing station 04 is a gripper system 16, in particular a first chain conveyor 16 having at least one circulating chain, which has several gripper bars or preferably several gripper carriages 23, preferably equidistantly spaced along its at least one circulating chain, each of the to transporting sheet preferably at its front in the transport direction T. Edge, ie at its front edge, is held by one of the gripper carriages 23 and is transported along the transport path predetermined by the course of the chain. To hold a sheet, the gripper carriages 23 are each provided with controlled or at least controllable holding means 79 ( Fig. 15 ), especially with grippers such. B. each equipped in the form of a controllable clamping device with regard to the clamping exercised by it. The distance between successive gripper carriage 23 in the transport direction T of the sheet is z. B. in the range between 700 mm and 1,000 mm. The at least one chain of the first chain conveyor 16 revolves around a chain wheel 24 arranged at the output of the offset printing device 04, in particular in a semicircle. An area in which the first chain conveyor 16 sheets of a z. B. as an offset printing device 04 takes over processing station 04, forms a transfer area of this first chain conveyor 16, whereas an area in which the first chain conveyor 16 sheets z. B. to another transport device, in particular for transport to a processing station 06 designed as a non-impact printing device 06, forms a transfer area of this first chain conveyor 16. A first chain wheel 81 arranged in the transfer area of the first chain conveyor 16 is preferably designed as a drive wheel that sets the at least one chain in motion, whereas the second chain wheel 24 arranged at the output of the offset printing device 04, in particular in the transfer area of the first chain conveyor 16, is preferably designed as a at least one a chain deflecting pulley is formed. In an area extending approximately over an extended length of a sheet below the at least one chain wheel 24 arranged at the output of the offset printing device 04, in particular below the second chain wheel 24 arranged in the transfer area of the first chain conveyor 16, there is at least one suction chamber 26 for holding a one of the gripper carriages 23 transported, ie arranged sheet brought about. A plurality of individually controlled or at least controllable suction chambers 26 are preferably arranged there in the transport direction T of the sheets. As indicated by the reference to the aforementioned other transport device, is in this Area below the at least one at the output of the offset printing device 04 arranged sprocket 24 z. B. also arranged at least one in the transport direction T of the sheet first circulating conveyor belt 17 for receiving and for the further transport of a sheet removed from the first chain conveyor 16, the sheet taken over from this first conveyor belt 17 further preferably in the direction of the non-impact printing device 06 is transported.

In the effective area of the non-impact printing device 06 arranged between the offset printing device 04 and the intermediate dryer 07 or dryer 09, a second circulating conveyor belt 27 is preferably provided, on which the sheets are transported one after the other, preferably lying horizontally, along a linear transport path. The transfer device is arranged in particular between the first conveyor belt 17 and the second conveyor belt 27. Also in the area of action of the intermediate dryer 07 or dryer 09, a third revolving conveyor belt 28 is preferably provided, on which the sheets received from the non-impact printing device 06 are conveyed one after the other, preferably lying flat horizontally along a linear transport path. The third conveyor belt 28 transfers the sheet transported through the intermediate dryer 07 or dryer 09 to the feed table 18, from where the sheets are preferably transported one after the other to the mechanical further processing device 11. The first conveyor belt 17, the second conveyor belt 27 and the third conveyor belt 28 transport the sheets preferably in the same z. B. horizontal, in particular designed as a flat surface transport plane 29. The transport device 22 for transporting sheets in a machine arrangement with processing stations each processing sheets thus comprises at least three transport units, namely the first gripper system 16 or the first chain conveyor 16, the first conveyor belt 17 and the second conveyor belt 27. The first chain conveyor 16 and the first conveyor belt 17 cooperate to transfer a sequence of sheets from a first processing station to one in the transport direction T the sheet of the first processing station is preferably arranged immediately following the second processing station. The sequence of sheets is transferred from the first conveyor belt 17 to the second conveyor belt 27 belonging to the next processing station. A third conveyor belt 28 is preferably also provided, the sequence of sheets being transferred from the second conveyor belt 27 to the third conveyor belt 28 belonging to a third processing station that is preferably immediately following in the transport direction T of the sheets of the second processing station. In the event that the respective transport path of the first transport belt 17 and / or the second transport belt 27 or, if applicable, the third transport belt 28 are each not aligned linearly and / or not horizontally, the transport belts 17; 27; 28 of the transport device 22 the sheets along a curved transport path, in particular along a concave or convex arc line lying in a vertical plane with a radius of at least 1 m, preferably with a radius in the range between 2 m and 10 m, in particular with a Radius in the range between 3 m and 5 m. The conveyor belts 17; 27; 28 are preferably each designed as a suction belt conveyor, ie each as a transport belt, each with at least one suction chamber 26 which draws the respective sheet in during its transport. With the conveyor belts 17; 27; 28 with several suction chambers 26 along the transport path provided for the sheets, these suction chambers 26 are preferably individually and / or preferably independently controllable with regard to the action of their respective suction air. A plurality of individually controlled non-impact printing devices 06 are preferably arranged along the curved transport path, the plurality of non-impact printing devices 06 e.g. B. are each designed as an inkjet printer. The conveyor belts 17; 27; 28 of the transport device 22 each consist, for. B. from several parallel individual belts, which are arranged next to one another orthogonally to the transport path provided for the sheets and thus each run along the transport path provided for the sheets. Under a conveyor belt 17; 27; In contrast to the Gripper system 16 are each understood to be a gripperless transport device, the relevant conveyor belt 17; 27; 28 is formed endlessly circumferentially between at least two deflection devices.

Fig. 11 shows some details of the already based on the enlarged section Fig. 10 In a particularly advantageous embodiment, a transfer device, preferably with a suction drum 32, is arranged in the area of the transfer of the sheets from the first conveyor belt 17 to the second conveyor belt 27 orthogonally to the transport direction T of the sheets. The suction drum 32 preferably consists of several, for. B. six suction rings 76 arranged parallel to one another on a common shaft 89. In a preferred embodiment of the suction drum 32, its suction rings 76 are individually acted upon or at least can be acted upon by suction air, which has the advantage that an effective width of this suction drum directed in the axial direction of the suction drum 32 32, in particular, depending on the format used, the sheet can be adjusted or adjusted as required. The suction drum 32 preferably has at least one stop 34 protruding into the transport plane 29 of the sheets on its circumference, a stop surface of the relevant stop 34 extending axially to the suction drum 32 and preferably vertically to the preferably horizontal transport plane 29. The suction drum 32 has either one stop 34 that is continuous in its axial direction or preferably two stops 34 that are spaced apart from one another in its axial direction. In order that the same suction drum 32 can be used for sheets of several different format widths, in a suction drum 32 having several suction rings 76, at least one stop 34 is preferably arranged on each suction ring 76. The suction drum 32 is rotatably and axially movably supported. The suction drum 32 has a first drive for its peripheral movement and a second drive for its axial movement, the peripheral movement and the axial movement being controlled independently of one another by a control unit. The circumferential movement and / or the axial movement of the suction drum 32 are of the The control unit is controlled as a function of a position signal which a first sensor 33 upstream of the suction drum 32 in the transport direction T of the sheets generates by detecting the position of the next sheet to reach the suction drum 32 and sends it to the control unit. The suction drum 32 has the task of aligning the sheets fed to it in register and, according to the invention, of feeding these sheets in their respective aligned state to the non-impact printing device 06 so that the sheets can be processed further there. In the preferred embodiment, the suction drum 32 thus directs the respective sheet to be fed to the area of action of the non-impact printing device 06, e.g. B. by the at least one stop 34 protruding into the transport plane 29 of the sheet in question and / or by an axial displacement of the suction drum 32 holding the sheet in question in register relative to the printing position of the non-impact printing device 06. A sheet gripped by the suction drum 32, preferably by means of suction air, ie by means of a negative pressure, is aligned in particular laterally to its transport direction T by the axial movement of this suction drum 32 controlled as a function of the position signal generated by the first sensor 33. The suction drum 32 grips an aligned sheet, in particular through pulsed suction air, ie the suction air is z. B. in certain angular positions of the suction drum 32, which are preferably dependent on the transport speed and / or position of the sheet, are quickly switched on and switched off again by the control unit. An alignment of the front edge of the sheet in question at right angles to the transport direction T in the transport plane 29 is preferably achieved by pushing this edge against the at least one stop 34 of the suction drum 32. Optional is e.g. B. at least one side stop is also provided in the transfer device, against which a sheet to be aligned is hit with an edge running parallel to its transport direction T. The first sensor 33 is, for. B. designed as an optical sensor, in particular as a line sensor, preferably as a CCD line sensor. In order to generate the position signal, the first sensor 33 preferably detects an edge of the sheet in question extending along the transport direction T of the sheet or marks arranged on the sheet, the marks being arranged in the printed image of this sheet or outside the relevant printed image. A second sensor 36, which is preferably upstream of the first sensor 33 in the transport direction T of the sheets and which is preferably also connected to the control unit, detects z. B. the front edge and possibly also the number of sheets transported from the first conveyor belt 17 to the second conveyor belt 27. The second sensor 36 preferably detects a front edge of the respective sheets in the transport direction T of the sheets and is used primarily for checking the arrival of the sheets. The second sensor 36 is e.g. B. designed as an optical sensor, in particular as a reflex scanner or as a light scanner. In cooperation with the suction drum 32, for. B. at least one in the direction of the effective area of the non-impact printing device 06, ie in the direction of the second conveyor belt 27, preferably linearly, in particular along the transport path of the sheets extending guide element 37 is provided, the relevant guide element 37 with the outer surface of the suction drum 32 forms a gusset into which the sheets from the first conveyor belt 17 are introduced. In the area of the first conveyor belt 17 and optionally also in the area of the second conveyor belt 27, z. B. one or more preferably each z. B. controllable by the control unit suction chambers 26 are provided. The suction chambers 26 are optionally part of the transport device 22. Including at least one suction chamber 26 of the first transport belt 17, in a preferred embodiment the lateral alignment of the sheet is carried out by axially displacing the suction drum 32, in particular after aligning the sheet in question with the at least one stop 34 and switching off the suction air in the last suction chamber 26 in the transport direction T of the relevant sheet. This lateral alignment of the sheet is temporally superimposed on the rotational movement of the suction drum 32. Thus, the from the suction drum 32 to a next processing station 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 sheets to be transferred in this transfer device at no time. The suction drum 32 accordingly aligns the sheets at least in their axial register and / or in their circumferential register in register relative to a processing position of the processing station 01 following the suction drum 32; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 off.

In a machine arrangement with several processing stations for processing sheets, with several processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 are arranged one after the other for inline processing of these sheets, with at least one of these processing stations 06 being designed as a non-impact printing device 06, the first processing station 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 z. B. a first alignment device arranged upstream in the transport direction T of the sheets, this first alignment device each keeping the sheets in register at least in their axial register and / or in their circumferential register relative to a processing position of the first processing station 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 aligns. The sheet is also in the transport direction T between the non-impact printing device 06 and a processing station 01; 02; 03; 04; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 z. B. arranged a further alignment device, this further alignment device the sheets at least in their axial register and / or in their circumferential register in register relative to a processing position of the processing station 01 downstream of the non-impact printing device 06; 02; 03; 04; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 aligns.

The particular arranged in the transfer device suction drum 32 is z. B. also used to adapt the sheets to be transferred from the offset printing device 04 to the non-impact printing device 06 in their respective transport speed. Since the second transport speed applicable in the non-impact printing device 06 is generally lower than the first transport speed applicable in the offset printing device 04, the suction drum 32 brakes the sheets fed one after the other at the first transport speed from the offset printing device 04 in each case by a push from the front edge of the at least one stop 34 first, aligns each sucked sheet if necessary, ie with a corresponding position signal of the first sensor 33 indicating a need for correction, at least laterally by an axial movement of the suction drum 32 holding the sheet in question and then accelerates or decelerates the gripped sheet by rotating this suction drum 32 to the Impact printing device 06 required second transport speed, the sheet in question z. B. is released from the suction drum 32 when the second transport speed is reached and the suction drum 32 is then brought into its rotationally and / or axially required operating position for gripping a next sheet. The suction drum 32 therefore rotates, for. B. preferably non-uniform in each of their revolutions. A necessary for the rotational position control of the suction drum 32 position information from the leading edge of the sheet provides a z. B. a rotary encoder 47 arranged on a sprocket 24 or alternatively a rotary encoder of the offset printing device 04, in particular of the printing press. As already mentioned, it is provided, with the previously described machine arrangements, each of which has a plurality of processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 for processing sheets and for transporting these sheets have at least one transport device to process sheets of different formats, ie of different lengths and / or widths. Therefore, the generally rectangular arches differ e.g. B. in their respective length, this length each extending in the transport direction T of this sheet. In order to use a processing station 02; designed as a non-impact printing device 06; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12, the sheets are fed sequentially, in order not to reduce the productivity of the respective machine arrangement with comparatively shorter sheets, ie with sheets of smaller format compared to otherwise large-format sheets processed in this machine arrangement, a method with the following process steps is proposed:
Method for operating a plurality of sheets of a processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 sequentially feeding transport device, in which for processing by the same processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 sheets of different lengths each extending in the transport direction T of these sheets are used, the processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 sheets to be fed one after the other are transported by the transport device at a distance, the transport device imposing a transport speed on the sheets to be transported, the spacing between sheets of different lengths each extending in the transport direction T of these sheets being changed the transport speed to be impressed on the sheet in question by the transport device is kept constant, the transport speed of the sheet following in the transport direction T being changed in relation to the transport speed of the sheet immediately preceding. The relevant processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 sheets to be fed in succession for reaching and / or maintaining one of the processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 to be achieved high productivity by the transport device is preferably transported at a minimum, but generally non-zero distance. The distance between consecutive sheets in the transport direction T, ie between the rear edge of the preceding sheet extending transversely to the transport direction T and the front edge of the immediately following sheet extending transversely to the transport direction T, is e.g. B. in the range between 0.5 mm and 50 mm, preferably less than 10 mm. If a sheet of shorter length in the relevant processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 is to be processed after a sheet of greater length, the sheet of shorter length is accelerated by the transport device by increasing its transport speed. Conversely, a sheet of greater length is slowed down by the transport device by reducing its transport speed when the sheet of greater length is in the relevant processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 after an arch shorter length is to be processed. As a processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12, a non-impact printing device 06 is preferably used, the productivity of which is generally greatest when the sheets to be printed by it are fed to it one after the other at a constant minimum distance, regardless of their respective format. If in the relevant machine arrangement of the non-impact printing device 06 a z. B. is arranged as an offset printing device 04 processing station 04, in the offset printing device 04 printed sheets are fed to the transport device regardless of their respective format at the transport speed corresponding to a production speed of this offset printing device 04, these sheets from the offset -Printing device 04 predetermined transport speed during its transport with the transport device is to be adapted to the transport speed corresponding to a processing speed of the non-impact printing device 06. If these sheets, regardless of their respective format, are additionally to be fed to the non-impact printing device 06 at a constant distance from one another, sheets of greater length are slowed down less than shorter sheets, but in any case a reduction in their respective transport speed will be necessary because the processing speed of the non-impact printing device 06 is generally lower than the production speed of the offset printing device 04.

The respective sheet is preferably in each case frictionally z. B. held by suction air. The transport speed of the respective sheet is preferably set by suction rings 76 of a suction drum 32 that engage it or by at least one endlessly rotating suction belt 52; 78 imprinted. In the preferred embodiment, the transport speed to be impressed on the sheet in question is set by a preferably electronic control unit, the control unit setting the transport speed in a control loop, in particular to maintain the constant distance between successive sheets, as has already been done before z. B. i. V. m. the rotational position control of the suction drum 32 has been described or z. B. i. V. m. a control device to be explained in more detail below and connected to this control device z. B. optical sensors 33; 36 will be described.

If with the machine arrangements described above, each of the several processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 have at least two transport devices for processing sheets and for transporting these sheets, flexible sheets are transported and processed, d. H. Arches of low flexural rigidity, in particular thin arches that cannot transmit any shear forces, so that shear forces acting on such an arch lay this arch in waves, then it is difficult to transfer such arches to the relevant processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 in one for this processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 provided target position.

There is therefore a method for sequentially feeding a plurality of sheets to a processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 proposed in which one of the processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 in the transport direction T of the sheets upstream first transport device the sheets of the processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 feeds each at a first transport speed in a pushing motion, the first transport device corresponding to the processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 holds the feeding sheet with at least one holding element during the pushing movement, the relevant one of the processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 fed sheets from one of these processing stations 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 assigned to the second transport device and is transported in the gripped state at a second transport speed, the first transport speed of the first transport device being lower than the second transport speed of the second transport device, the relevant Holding element of the first transport device the relevant one of the processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 only lets go of the feeding sheet after the second transport device has transferred it to the processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 sheet fed in and has started to transport this sheet. As a processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12, a non-impact printing device 06 is used according to the invention. The sheets are transported in the first transport device and / or in the second transport device, in particular in the same transport plane 29. As the first transport device z. B. a first, in particular endlessly revolving conveyor belt 17 and / or a second, in particular endlessly revolving conveyor belt 27 as a second transport device, these conveyor belts 17; 27 z. B. are each designed as a suction belt. In an alternative embodiment of the holding elements, these are each designed as a suction ring 76 of a suction drum 32. On the respective of the processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 sheet to be fed, a holding force is exerted by the relevant holding element of the first transport device, this holding force being at least briefly greater than a tensile force exerted by the second transport device simultaneously acting on this sheet. The first transport device holds the respective processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 feeding sheet with the at least one holding element, each preferably by a force fit, for. B. by suction air. The proposed method of the processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 sheet to be fed is subjected to tensile stress and thereby tightened despite the pushing movement carried out by the first transport device. The sheets are preferably each after a check of their respective actual position in the transport plane 29 and in the event of a discrepancy between the actual position for the sheet in question in the processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 transferred to the second transport device after a position correction has been carried out in the intended target position.

Fig. 12 shows in an enlarged section from Fig. 10 the transfer of the sheets at the feed table 18, in particular from the third conveyor belt 28 in the area of action of the intermediate dryer 07 or dryer 09 to the area of action of the mechanical further processing device 11. The feed table 18 has z. B. at least one fourth conveyor belt 38, which is preferably inclined at an acute angle ϕ to the preferably horizontal transport plane 29. Also in connection with the fourth conveyor belt 38, for. B. a third sensor 39 is provided, which generates a position signal from the sheet transported by the fourth conveyor belt 38 and sends it to the control unit. It can e.g. For example, it can be provided that a sheet to be fed to the mechanical further processing device 11 is brought from the second transport speed to the third transport speed by the second oscillating gripper 19 and the second transfer drum 31, which means that the sheet in question is in particular caused by the rotation of the second transfer drum 31 is accelerated. Also in the area of the fourth conveyor belt 38 z. B. one or more preferably controllable suction chambers 42 are provided. In a preferred embodiment, the sheet z. B. for mechanical further processing device 11, an underlaying of these sheets instead. In this case, a sheet transported by the fourth conveyor belt 38 is raised in its rear area by means of clocked blown air and decelerated by the fourth conveyor belt 38 in connection with the suction chamber 42. A subsequent sheet is then pulled by the faster moving front belt conveyor 48 under the preceding sheet.

Preferably at the transfer device of the sheet z. B. for mechanical further processing device 11 is accordingly a method for arranging sheets in a shingled position in a between a first processing station 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 and a second processing station 01, following in the transport direction T of the sheets of the first processing station; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 arranged transfer device executed, in which the to shingling sheets from the first processing station 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 are transported lying individually one after the other in a transport plane 29 to the transfer device, in which in each case a rear edge in the transport direction T of the from the first processing station 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 upcoming sheets are lifted exclusively by blowing air relative to the transport plane 29 and a subsequent sheet is pushed under the rear edge of the previous sheet. In this case, the blown air acts with at least 50% of its intensity, preferably in the direction of a normal standing in the transport plane 29, counter to gravity. Advantageously, it is provided that further blown air against the transport direction T of the sheets essentially tangentially at an acute angle formed with the transport plane 29 in the range of z. B. 0 ° to 45 ° from above, ie is blown onto the surface of the sheet facing away from the transport plane 29 onto the sheet to be transported to the transfer device. In this case, the further blown air directed opposite to the transport direction T of the sheets emerges from a converging acute angle in the range of z. B. 0 ° to 45 ° forming guide surface, in particular nozzles for the exit of the blown air are arranged in the guide surface. The blown air acting against gravity in the direction of the transport plane 29 is preferably clocked by the control unit. The from the first processing station 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 to the following second processing station 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 sheets to be transported are each held in the transport plane 29 by means of suction air, preferably acting in the front half of the sheets in the transport direction T. In this case, the from the first processing station 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 to the following second processing station 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 sheets to be transported in the transport plane 29 holding suction air by the control unit, preferably clocked. In the preferred embodiment, the control unit provides an effective width of the blown air, which is directed orthogonally to the transport direction T of the sheets, counter to gravity in the direction of the transport plane 29, and / or an effective width of the other directed against the transport direction T of the sheets Blown air and / or a range of action for the from the first processing station 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 to the following second processing station 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 to be transported sheets in the transport plane 29 holding suction air each set depending on a perpendicular to the transport direction T of the sheet width of the sheet. The setting of the respective effective width of the blown air acting against gravity in the direction of the transport plane 29 and the further blown air directed against the transport direction T of the sheets and for the from the first processing station 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 to the following second processing station 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 to be transported sheets in the transport plane 29 holding suction air each mechanically or electrically coupled, z. B. carried out gear technology coupled by means of a single adjustment device. This adjustment device is controlled by the control unit, for. B. automatically depending on the format of the first processing station 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 to the following second processing station 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 controlled sheets to be transported.

In order to underlay the sheet-shaped substrates, in particular the sheets 51, which are preferably each designed as a printed sheet, in the area, ie in the working area of the, in particular in one of the previously described machine arrangements ( Figs. 1 to 9 ) arranged transfer device on which the sheets 51, in particular from an offset, flexographic or non-impact printing device 04; 06 coming z. B. are passed to the mechanical further processing device 11, a device for sub-shingling of sheets 51 is arranged, which is also referred to as sub-shingling device 132 for short in the following. Several sheets 51 are fed to the sub-shingling device 132 one after the other, that is to say at a distance from one another, on a feed table 134, the feed table 134 e.g. B. as the feed table 18 arranged in the transport direction T of the sheets 51 in front of the delivery 12 of the sheets 51 ( Fig. 12 ) is formed, the feed table 18, the sheet 51 z. B. by means of the conveyor belt 38 to the sub-shingling device 132 successively and / or wherein the sub-shingling device 132 sheets 51 from the feed table 18 z. B. by means of an oscillating gripper 19 z. B. be transferred to a transfer drum 31. The feed table 134 has, for. B. a suction chamber 42 or in the transport direction T of the sheet 51 one behind the other several in particular individually and independently switchable suction chambers 42 in their respective pressure, as also z. B. in the Fig. 12 is shown.

The sub-shingling device 132 is in Figures 30 and 31 shown as an example. Above the feed table 134, the shingling device 132 has a box-shaped housing, the so-called blow box 133, which preferably extends over the entire width b51 of the sheets 51, in the blow box 133 on its side facing the feed table 134 in the transport direction T of the sub-shingling device 132 being individually fed Sheet 51 one behind the other several blow nozzles 136; 137 are arranged. In the preferred embodiment, in the transport direction T of the sheets 51 one behind the other and in each case transversely to the transport direction T of the sheets 51, at least two rows of several blow nozzles 136; 137, ie, rows of nozzles are arranged. A respective blowing direction of the blow nozzles 136; 137 is directed essentially parallel to the feed table 134 against the transport direction T of the sheets 51 and into the Figures 30 and 31 each indicated by directional arrows. The respective blowing direction of the blow nozzles 136; 137 is e.g. B. by at least one each channeling the flow of the blown air, each at the relevant blower nozzle 136; 137 arranged and / or molded guide surface 144 set. The respective guide surface 144 is on the feed table 18; 134 facing side of the blow box 133 z. B. formed as a ramp projecting from this blow box 133. One of the respective blowing nozzles 136; 137 blowing air flowing out is preferably controlled by adjustable valves 138; 139 z. B. timed and / or controlled in intensity, the valves 138; 139 z. B. are controlled by a preferably digital control unit 61 processing a program or will. The valves 138; 139 are e.g. B. switched by the control unit 61, in particular, in a cycle, a cycle duration and / or a cycle frequency preferably being set as a function of the advance of the sheets 51 fed to the sub-scaling device 132.

In the transport direction T the sheet 51 is in an area between the feed table 18; 134 and this feed table 18; 134 facing side of the blower box 133 in front of the first blower nozzle 136 or the first row of blower nozzles a partition plate 141 is arranged, the partition plate 141 the front edge of a sheet 51, which is one of the blowing air from at least one of the blower nozzles 136; 137 raised sheet 51 directly follows, against the blow nozzles 136; 137 created suction effect. The of at least one of the blow nozzles 136; 137 or rows of nozzles from the feed table 18; 134 raised arch 51 channels the from the at least one blower nozzle 136; 137 outflowing blown air and directs this blown air over the surface of the partition plate 141 facing the blow box 133. The partition plate 141 preferably has a concave curvature at its end located in the blowing direction, this curvature of the blown air being one from the feed table 18; 134 averted, ie directed away, outflow direction there. The front edge of the sheet 51 remains through the partition plate 141, which is one of the blown air from at least one of the blower nozzles 136; 137 raised sheet 51 directly follows, unaffected until the raised sheet 51 exposes the blow nozzle 136 or row of blow nozzles reached first by this sheet 51 through its own movement progress or advance in the transport direction T. In order to prevent that the leading edge of that sheet 51, which is one of the blown air from at least one of the blower nozzles 136; 137 raised sheet 51 directly follows, premature due to the effect of the blow nozzle 136 exposed from the rear end of the preceding sheet 51; 137 or row of blown nozzles is raised, the blown air of the relevant blower nozzle 136; 137 or row of blowing nozzles by means of the respectively associated valve 138; 139 as a function of the progress of movement or advance of the currently from the feed table 18; 134 raised, one between the bulkhead 141 and the feed table 18; 134 located sheet 51 directly preceding sheet 51 is switched off. One of the blow nozzles 136; 137 or rows of blown nozzles raised sheet 51 is due to the suction effect caused by the respective blown air (Venturi effect) above the feed table 18; 134 in a specific, e.g. B. by a distance from the feed table 18; 134 on the side of the blower box 133 facing the floating height SH, the floating height SH being dependent on the intensity of the respective blown air and / or on the mass of the sheet 51 concerned and / or the transport speed of the sheet 51 concerned. To prevent sheet 51 z. B. large mass and / or high transport speed during their transport over the feed table 18; 134 start to vibrate and flutter is in the area between the feed table 18; 134 and this feed table 18; 134 facing side of the blow box 133 is preferably provided a support plate 142 supporting the raised sheet 51, the z. B. at an acute angle to the feed table 18; 134 facing side of the blow box 133 arranged support plate 142 z. B. is in the form of an air-permeable grid. The sheet 51 lifted by the suction of the blown air and placed against the support plate 142 is guided there in a smooth movement, ie without fluttering, in its transport direction T along this support plate 142. In the feed table 18; 134, at least in one area opposite the blow box 133, a plurality of holes 143 or openings are preferably provided, through which air flows under the currently raised sheet 51 for pressure equalization. These holes 143 are, for. B. circular with a diameter d143 in the range of a few millimeters.

Fig. 13 shows schematically in a simplified representation and by way of example a transport device for the sequential transport of individual sheet-shaped substrates, these substrates each preferably being designed as a sheet 51, in particular a printed sheet. This transport device is preferably between two consecutive processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 one each sheet 51 processing machine arranged, wherein one of these processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12, e.g. B. the second processing station in the transport direction T of the relevant sheet 51 is designed in particular as a non-impact printing device 06, preferably as at least one inkjet printing device. Based on the Fig. 13 Transport device described is as a sheet 51 transporting assembly z. B. formed within one of the production lines described above and corresponds z. B. with the previously described conveyor belt with item number 17 or 27.

Based on the Fig. 13 described transport device for the sequential transport of individual sheet-shaped substrates has at least one endlessly circulating suction belt 52, wherein the at least one suction belt 52 z. B. is arranged between at least two spaced apart deflection rollers 53. The at least one suction belt 52 has in the Fig. 13 The transport direction T of the sheet 51, indicated by an arrow, has two different surface areas one behind the other, the surface 56 of one of these surface areas being closed and the surface 57 of the other of these surface areas being perforated. These two surface areas alternate along the circumference of the suction belt 52, ie they are arranged alternately in the direction of rotation of the relevant suction belt 52 and thus in the transport direction T of the sheet 51. During its transport, the sheet 51 to be transported is arranged lying flat partly on the closed surface 56 of the relevant suction belt 52 and partly on the perforated surface 07 of the same suction belt 52. In the transport direction T of the sheet 51 to be transported with the at least one suction belt 52, at least two suction chambers 58; 59, the at least one suction belt 52, relative to the at least two suction chambers 58; 59 is moved. The at least one suction belt 52 slides z. B. over a preferably table-shaped surface 69 of at least one of these suction chambers 58; 59.

The first suction chamber 58 in the transport direction T of the sheet 51 to be transported is arranged in the area of a load strand 54 of the relevant suction belt 52, whereas the second suction chamber 59 in the transport direction T of the sheet 51 to be transported is either also in the area of the load strand 54 of the relevant suction belt 52 of the first Suction chamber 58 following in the transport direction T of the sheet 51 to be transported or else in the transport direction T of the sheet 51 to be transported after the area of the load strand 54 of the relevant suction belt 52, d. H. the relevant suction belt 52 is arranged downstream in the transport direction T of the sheet 51 to be transported. A strand is a free, non-resting section of a running, preferably endlessly revolving pulling element, the pulling element z. B. is designed as a chain, rope, band or belt, in particular toothed belt. If the pulling element is designed as a chain, the at least one chain is z. B. guided in a chain rail. The load strand is the side of the pulling element that is pulled and is taut, whereas an empty strand is the loose, undrawn and sagging strand.

In the Fig. 13 the first variant for the arrangement of the second suction chamber 59 is shown as an example. The first suction chamber 58 in the transport direction T of the sheet 51 generally has a much larger, in particular at least twice as large a volume as the second suction chamber 59 in the transport direction T of the sheet 51. When the sheet 51 is transported, a volume in the in The negative pressure prevailing in the transport direction T of the sheet 51 to be transported in the first suction chamber 58 is permanently present and a negative pressure prevailing in the second suction chamber 59 in the transport direction T of the relevant sheet 51 is clocked, ie this negative pressure is alternately switched on or off for an adjustable duration. The suction chamber 59, which is second in the transport direction T of the sheet 51, is therefore of comparatively small volume in order to be able to move in it, in view of the transport speed of several thousand, e.g. B. 10,000 to 18,000 sheets 51 per hour to build up a vacuum faster and to be able to achieve a higher cycle rate with respect to the pressure build-up and pressure reduction in the second suction chamber 59. During his During transport, this sheet 51 is sucked onto the at least one circumferential suction belt 52 when the perforated surface 57 of the relevant suction belt 52 is connected to at least one of the suction chambers 58; 59 is in an operative connection. In a very advantageous embodiment of this transport device, clocking of the negative pressure of the suction chamber 59, which is second in transport direction T of the sheet 51, is synchronized with a sweeping over the perforated surface 57 of the suction belt 52 in question and covered by the sheet 51 to be transported.

A rotational speed v of the relevant suction belt 52 is set by the preferably digital control unit 61, which executes a program, with a drive 62 which sets this suction belt 52 in motion. This control unit 61 controls or regulates the aforementioned synchronization of the negative pressure in the suction chamber 59, which is second in the transport direction T of the sheet 51, with the sweeping of the perforated surface 57 of this suction belt 52 covered by the sheet 51, e.g. B. by means of a valve 67. The preferably controllable valve 67 is z. B. arranged in a line that connects the second suction chamber 59 with a z. B. by the control unit 61 controlled pump (not shown) connects. The drive 62, which is preferably designed as an electric motor, acts, for. B. on at least one of the deflection rollers 53. The drive 62 setting the speed of rotation v of the relevant suction belt 52 is preferably regulated by the control unit 61. A discontinuous rotational speed v of the suction belt 52 concerned is preferably set by the control unit 61; H. Due to the regulation of the drive 62, the rotational speed v of the relevant suction belt 52 is accelerated or decelerated in phases, deviating from an otherwise uniform speed.

At least one register mark 63 is arranged in each case at at least one position of the suction belt 52 concerned. In connection with the transport device, a sensor 54 that detects the relevant register mark 53 is provided and with the Control unit 61 connected. The rotational speed v of the suction belt 52 in question is preferably determined by the control unit 61 as a function of a z. B. the difference determined by the control unit 61 between a first signal s1 generated by the sensor 64 corresponding to an actual rotational speed and a second signal s2 corresponding to a target rotational speed. The second signal s2, which specifies the target rotational speed of the relevant rotating suction belt 52, is z. B. tapped from a (not shown) higher-level machine control. The sensor 64 detecting the relevant register mark 63 is arranged in particular in the area of an empty strand 66 of the relevant suction belt 52. The sensor 64 detecting the relevant register mark 63 is used as a register mark 63 in question, e.g. B. optical or inductive or capacitive or electromagnetic or ultrasound sensing sensor 64 is formed. The register mark 63 is corresponding to the respective design of the sensor 64 z. B. as an optical signal surface applied to the relevant suction belt 52 or as a magnetic strip on the relevant suction belt 52 or as a recess or perforation in the relevant suction belt 52 or as a signal-emitting body arranged in the relevant suction belt 52. A point in time of the regulation of the rotational speed v of the relevant suction belt 52 carried out by the control unit 61 is preferably synchronized with the sweeping over of the perforated surface 57 of the relevant suction belt 52 covered by the sheet 51 to be transported.

In a further variant, the transport device for the sequential transport of individual sheet-shaped substrates or sheets 51 has at least one stationary suction chamber 58; 59 with a preferably table-shaped surface 69 in the area of the load strand 54, with a preferably single, in particular at least partially perforated, endlessly circulating suction belt 52 moving, in particular slidingly, over this surface 69 during the transport of the relevant arch-shaped substrate, ie preferably a sheet 51 is, where the relevant Suction chamber 58; 59 is covered by the table-shaped surface 69 in the area of the load strand 54 of the suction belt 52. This table-shaped surface 69 is z. B. realized by a table plate. This suction belt 52, which holds the sheet 51 in question during its transport, is in particular arranged centrally with respect to the width b51 of the sheets 51 oriented orthogonally to the transport direction T and / or also centrally with respect to a width b69 of the table-shaped surface 69 oriented orthogonally to the transport direction T . A width b52 of the suction belt 52 oriented orthogonally to the transport direction T is smaller than the width b51 of the relevant sheets 51 to be transported, which is orthogonal to the transport direction T, and also smaller than the width b69 of the table-shaped surface 69, which is orthogonal to the transport direction T to the transport direction T directed width b52 of the suction belt 52 is z. B. only 5% to 50% of the orthogonal to the transport direction T directed width b51 of the sheets 51 and / or the orthogonal to the transport direction T directed width b69 of the table-shaped surface 69, so that the sheet 51 in question does not cover the entire surface during its transport, in particular not rests on the suction belt 52 with its two side regions extending orthogonally to the transport direction T.

To ensure that the sheet 51 in question is transported with as little friction as possible via the at least one suction chamber 58; 59 to slide the table-shaped surface 69 covering, at least one blow-suction nozzle 68 is arranged in at least two of the areas of the table-shaped surface 69 not swept over by the suction belt 52. An air flow exiting from the respective blow-suction nozzle 68 is e.g. B. in its intensity (ie in the pressure and / or in the flow rate) and / or duration preferably controlled or at least controllable, the relevant blow-suction nozzle 68 when transporting the relevant sheet 51 allows air to flow against its underside, whereby a Air cushion between the underside of the relevant sheet 51 to be transported and the table-shaped surface 69 is built up or at least buildable. In the preferred embodiment, the blow-suction nozzles 68 are each designed as a Venturi nozzle, the Venturi nozzle sucks in a side area of the relevant sheet 51 to be transported by a negative pressure in the direction of the table-shaped surface 69. The blow / suction nozzles 68 are preferably each arranged in the table-shaped surface 69. An exemplary design of the blow-suction nozzles 68 is shown in FIG Fig. 14 in a top view with two corresponding side views, wherein the blow-suction nozzle 68 shown z. B. is in the form of a slot nozzle, an opening 49 of this slot nozzle preferably as a cross-section z. B. rectangular section of a preferably cylindrical or conical lateral surface is formed, with a length l49 of this section running in or parallel to the table-shaped surface 69 is at least three times, preferably ten times greater than its height h49 perpendicular to the table-shaped surface 69, whereby the length 149 of this opening 49 extends in the preferred embodiment along an arcuate portion of an inner circumferential line of a circular ring. For example, the height h49 is approx. 1 mm and the length l49 of this opening 49 formed along an arcuate line is more than 10 mm. An air flow LS emerging from the relevant blow-suction nozzles 68 is preferably in a particular by a shape of a z. B. ramp-shaped guide surface steered certain direction, this guide surface z. B. is formed by an outwardly widening portion of the aforementioned circular ring. A blowing direction B of the blow-suction nozzles 68 is preferably inclined in the transport direction T of the relevant sheet 51 to be transported at an angle α starting from the transport direction T in the range of 30 ° to 60 °, preferably at an angle α of 45 ° directed outwards, as exemplified in the Fig. 15 is indicated by directional arrows. In the preferred embodiment, in particular in which the at least one suction chamber 58; 59 covering table-shaped surface 69 each several, in particular two z. B. in each case parallel rows of blow-suction nozzles 68 are arranged on each side of the suction belt 52 oriented orthogonally to the transport direction T, the blow-suction nozzles 68 being evenly or unevenly spaced from one another in order to create a symmetrical or asymmetrical flow profile for those from the blow-suction nozzles 68 to generate outflowing air. The blow-suction nozzles 68 are, for. B. arranged in a sheet 51 each from a chain conveyor 16 taking over transport device 17, in particular in a transfer area below the at least one chain wheel 24 of the chain conveyor 16 and in front of a further transport device following in the transport direction T of the sheet 51 to be transported, e.g. B. a suction drum 32 ( Fig. 11 ). A preferred arrangement of the blow-suction nozzles 68 in the table-shaped surface 69 in each case in relation to a position of a gripper carriage 23 moved by the chain conveyor 16 is shown in FIGS Fig. 15 and 16 This position is in particular the one at which the relevant gripper carriage 23 releases or transfers a sheet 51 transported by it for further transport to the suction belt 52.

The transport device having the central suction belt 52 and in the edge area blow-suction nozzles 68 for the sequential transport of individual sheet-shaped substrates can advantageously be used if the sheets 51 to be transported are surface-coated and these surface-coated sheets 51 are still in their moist state by the transport device described above z. B. can be removed from a chain conveyor 16. The proposed solution not only saves additional suction belts 78 to be arranged parallel to the centrally arranged suction belt 52, but also avoids those problems that would have to be solved by synchronizing these further suction belts 78 with the centrally arranged suction belt 52.

In addition, the blow-suction nozzles 68 ensure that a front edge of the sheets 51 after their respective release by the respective gripper carriage 23 is brought from the level of a gripper impact level to a floating level just a few millimeters above the table-shaped surface 69 and that the respective front edge of the relevant sheet 51 released by the gripper remains at the level of the table-shaped surface 69. Without the blow-suction nozzles 68 there is a high Speed of z. B. more than 10,000 pieces per hour transported sheets 51 the risk that the respective released or in the case of scaly transported sheets 51 freely pushed leading edge of the relevant sheet 51 is lifted by an air wedge and takes off again. In addition, in the case of pliable sheets 51 or substrates in which only limited internal transverse forces are transferred from the central belt to the outer edge regions of the substrate in question, these outer edge regions are supported in their respective conveying components by the air friction caused by the air flow LS.

Fig. 17 shows a detail from a perspective view of a chain conveyor 16. This chain conveyor 16 is z. B. in a machine arrangement with several processing stations 01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 each arranged for processing arcuate substrates 51, specifically preferably at the rear end in the transport direction T of the arcuate substrates 51 guided through the machine arrangement of a processing station 02 designed as a primer application device 02 or as an offset printing device 04; 04, the chain conveyor 16 in the preceding processing station 02; 04 processed sheet-shaped substrates 51 transported individually in a sequential transport to a next processing station 06, this next processing station 06 z. B. is designed as a non-impact printing device 06, wherein the in the preceding processing station 02; 04 processed arcuate substrates 51 are to be or will be subjected to further processing in the next processing station 06. The offset printing device 04 are preferably designed as a sheet-fed offset printing machine and / or the non-impact printing device 06, for example. B. designed as at least one inkjet printing device. In such a machine arrangement there is the problem that in the previous z. B. designed as an offset printing device 04 processing station 02; 04 machined arcuate substrates 51 of the z. B. designed as a non-impact printing device 06 next processing station 06 for further processing in register with high positional precision are to be supplied, which cannot be achieved with a conventional chain conveyor 16 due to the necessary chain play and possible fluctuations in the elongation of the at least one chain. With this machine arrangement z. B. one of the based on Fig. 1 production lines described.

In the case of a chain conveyor 16, the arch-shaped substrates 51 are each transported individually with a gripper carriage 23 moved along a movement path ( Fig. 10 and 11 ), wherein the respective gripper carriage 23 is generally guided along two chain tracks 77 which run parallel to one another and are spaced apart from one another. The relevant substrate 51 to be transported is held in particular on an edge extending longitudinally to the relevant gripper carriage 23, ie on the front edge of this substrate 51, by at least one holding means 79 arranged on this gripper carriage 23, ie by the at least one gripper. The gripper carriage 23 in question is in the transfer area arranged at a certain position of its movement path, in which the respective gripper carriage 23 picks up the respective substrate 51 to be transported, and / or in the transfer area arranged at a certain position of its movement path, in which the gripper carriage concerned 23 delivers the respectively transported substrate 51 in particular to the other transport device, e.g. B. guided by at least one guide element 71 arranged between the spaced chain tracks 77 along the path of movement of the respective gripper carriage 23, the other transport device cooperating with the chain conveyor 16 being designed in particular as a transport belt 17 ( Fig. 11 ). In order to stabilize the gripper carriage 23 moved along its path of movement transversely to this path of movement, it is proposed that the relevant at least one guide element 71 be arranged in the transfer area or in the transfer area between the spaced chain tracks 77 and the gripper carriage 23 guided along the spaced chain tracks 77 by means of to fix the relevant guide element 71 transversely to the movement path. This fixation takes place preferably by the fact that on the respective gripper carriages 23 there are two rollers 72; 73 having a pair of rollers, the relevant guide element 71 at least in the transfer area or in the transfer area through a gap between the respective running surfaces of the two rollers 72; 73 of the relevant pair of rollers is performed. The at least one guide element 71 is preferably designed as a rigid rail and / or has a wedge-shaped stop 74. The guide element 71 in question is z. B. integrally formed and extends z. B. from the transfer area to the transfer area of the chain conveyor 16. The respective running surfaces of the rollers 72; 73 of the relevant pair of rollers roll z. B. on both sides of the relevant z. B. formed as a rail guide element 71 from ( Figures 17 to 19 ). In particular, endlessly revolving conveyor chains are arranged along the chain tracks 77, these conveyor chains each being driven by at least one chain wheel 81. The chain wheel 24, which is preferably arranged at one end of the chain conveyor 16 either in the transfer area or in the transfer area; 81 of the one chain track 77 and the chain wheel 24 arranged at the same end of the chain conveyor 16 in the same area; 81 of the other chain track 77 are preferably rigidly connected to one another by a common shaft 89. The relevant guide element 71, preferably in cooperation with the pair of rollers, laterally fixes the respective gripper carriage 23 guided along the spaced chain tracks 77, ie blocks its degree of freedom directed transversely to the movement track. The lateral positioning of the substrates 51 is improved in that both in the transfer area, in which the substrates 51 are picked up by one of the gripper carriages 23, as well as in the transfer area, in which the substrates 51 transported by the chain conveyor 16 are transferred from the respective gripper truck 23 to the transfer belt 17, the respective gripper carriage 23 is aligned by a guide element 71 ( Fig. 10 ). These guide elements 71 are either as two individual guide elements 71 that are separate from one another or are connected as a single piece Guide element 71 formed.

In connection with the machine arrangements described above, the following method for operating a single sheet-like substrate 51 of a processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 run sequentially feeding transport device, in which by means of a control device cooperating with the transport device of each substrate 51 before it reaches the processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 its actual position in its transport plane 29 is determined automatically and automatically with a for the relevant substrate 51 in this processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 provided target position is compared. If the actual position deviates from the desired position, the relevant substrate 51 is aligned by a transport element of the transport device whose movement is controlled by the control device in such a way that the relevant substrate 51 before it reaches the processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 his in this processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 assumes the intended position. In this case, in a very advantageous embodiment variant, the relevant substrate 51 is aligned solely by the transport element in the transport plane 29 both in the transport direction T and transversely thereto as well as around a pivot point located in the transport plane 29. This means that in this embodiment variant for the operation of the transport device, in particular, mechanical stops are not involved in the alignment of the relevant substrate 51. The processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12, to which the relevant substrate 51 is fed and aligned with regard to its desired position, is designed according to the invention as a non-impact printing device. The substrate 51 in question is preferably positively engaged by the transport element, e.g. B. held by suction or by a clamp and in this operating state held by the transport element with regard to the substrate 51 in the processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 intended target position aligned. A suction drum 32 or a suction belt 52; 78 used. The transport element transports each of the substrates 51 one at a time. The control device has z. B. the control unit and at least one of the z. B. optical sensors 33; 36, the sensors 33; 36 with regard to the detection of the actual position of the substrate in question 51 z. B. are designed as a side edge sensor and / or as a leading edge sensor. The desired position, with respect to which the relevant substrate 51 is to be aligned, is or is stored in the control unit and / or z. B. preferably stored changeable by a program. The transport element is driven by a first drive moving the substrate 51 in question in its transport direction T and by a second drive moving the substrate 51 in question transversely to its transport direction T and by a third drive rotating the substrate 51 in question about the fulcrum located in the transport plane 29 , these z. B. each designed as a motor, in particular as a preferably electric servomotor drives each by the control device, ie controlled by its control unit. The transport element is driven by its three drives in particular simultaneously. The substrate 51 in question is conveyed by the transport device to the processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 and preferably aligned while maintaining this transport speed in the event of a deviation of the actual position from the target position. In the event that the transport element is used as a suction belt 52; 78, corresponds to the transport speed at which the relevant substrate 51 of the relevant processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 is supplied, e.g. B. the rotational speed v of this suction belt 52; 78.

An exemplary embodiment for carrying out the aforementioned method for operating a single sheet-like substrate 51 of a processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 sequentially feeding transport device is in the Fig. 20 and 21st shown, a suction drum 32 being used as the transport element in this example. Fig. 20 shows an enlarged section from Fig. 11 , but in this further embodiment of the transport device in contrast to Execution of the transport device according to Fig. 11 a stop 34 formed on the suction drum 32 is not provided. In each case individually transported substrates 51, in particular sheets, are guided by means of a suction belt 78 upstream of the suction drum 32 in the transport direction T of the suction drum 32 and from the suction drum 32 to a further transport belt 27, this transport belt 27 being non-impact on the substrate 51 in question -Printing device 06 supplies. In this case, the substrate 51 held in a force-fit manner by the suction drum 32 by means of suction air is moved solely by this suction drum 32 in the transport plane 29 both in the transport direction T as well as transversely to it and around a fulcrum located in the transport plane 29 with regard to the non-impact printing device 06 for the substrate 51 in question intended target position aligned. For this purpose, the suction drum 32 has a first drive 91 for its circumferential movement and a second drive 92 for its axial movement and a third drive 93 for a pivoting movement of the rotation axis 96 of the suction drum 32 that is executed or at least executable about an axis of rotation 94 perpendicular to the transport plane 29, wherein these three drives 91; 92; 93 each e.g. B. are designed as a preferably electric servomotor. The suction drum 32 is with its first drive 91 z. B. stored in a first frame 97, this first frame 97 in turn z. B. is rotatably arranged on a swivel joint 98 arranged in the machine center M, the swivel joint 98 being connected to a second frame 99. The rotational movement or pivoting movement of the rotational axis 96 of the suction drum 32 about the axis of rotation 94 perpendicular to the transport plane 29 takes place by means of the third drive 93, which, when actuated, engages the first frame 97 away from the machine center M and in this way creates a diagonal alignment of the substrate 51 held by the suction drum 32. The second frame 99 carrying the first frame 97 is in turn arranged in or on a third frame 101, the second frame 99 being movable in or on the third frame 101 upon actuation of the second drive 92 transversely to the transport direction T of the substrate 51 concerned, in particular is movable. For this purpose, the second frame 99 is in or on the third frame 101 in FIG a z. B. prism-shaped guide element 102 linearly guided. Fig. 21 shows the in the Fig. 20 The transport device shown is again in a top view, the orientation of the substrate 51 carried out or at least executable with the suction drum 32 in its transport direction T as well as transversely to it and about an angle of rotation lying in the transport plane 29 is indicated by a double arrow.

A further method for operating a device for transporting sheet-shaped substrates 51 likewise uses a transport element conveying the substrate 51 in question in its transport plane 29, the transport element holding the substrate 51 in question at a processing station 02 downstream of the transport element in the transport direction T of the substrate 51 in question; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 supplies in register, this processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 is designed according to the invention as a non-impact printing device 06. The transport element is preferably a suction drum 32 with a plurality of suction rings 76 arranged axially next to one another, each designed as a holding element, or an arrangement of several suction belts 52, each running lengthwise to the transport direction T of the relevant substrate 51 and arranged transversely to the transport direction T of the relevant substrate 51 next to one another; 78 used. The transport element for transporting the substrate 51 in question always uses a plurality of holding elements arranged transversely to its transport direction T, each spaced apart from one another, the substrate 51 in question being held by at least two of these holding elements in each case up to a driven position related to the transport plane 29. The respective output positions of all holding elements holding the substrate 51 in question in a force-fit manner are located on the same straight line 103. A diagonal register of the substrate 51 in question is set with the transport element. The diagonal register of the relevant substrate 51 is set by setting an angle of rotation β of this straight line 103 about an axis of rotation 94 perpendicular to the transport plane 29, the angle of rotation β of this Straight line 103 corresponding to the diagonal register to be set of the relevant substrate 51 is set by actuating a single mechanical coupling element simultaneously acting on all the relevant substrate 51 frictionally holding holding elements, triggered by a control unit, whereby the respective output position of at least one of the holding elements holding the respective substrate frictionally holding through the mechanical coupling element acting on the holding element in question is changed. The holding elements holding the relevant substrate 51 in a frictional manner impress the relevant substrate 51 with a transport speed that differs from holding element to holding element, the transport speed impressed by the respective holding element on the respective substrate 51 depending on the output position set for the respective holding element. As a mechanical coupling element z. B. used a linear gear member with rocker arms and / or with gear coupling gears, with all the substrate 51 in question holding elements positively holding either a rocker arm or a gear coupling gear is assigned.

The proposed method for operating a device for transporting sheet-shaped substrates has the advantage that, in order to set the diagonal register in the transport device, there is no inclination of the transport element in question. B. already set side register and / or axial register of the substrate in question cannot be negatively influenced by setting the diagonal register. Rather, a speed difference depending on the respective position of the respective holding element is set between the holding elements of the transport element involved in setting the diagonal register by actuating a single actuator, whereby the respective substrate is aligned according to the desired diagonal register. The use of only a single actuating drive for setting the diagonal register has the advantage that a coordination between different drives acting on one of the holding elements or their adaptation to one another is not required, whereby a source of error is eliminated and a very precise setting of the diagonal register is made possible.

In a preferred embodiment of this method, by means of a control device connected to the control unit, the processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12, before the transport element reaches the substrate 51 to be fed in register, its actual position is determined in its transport plane 29 and with a for the substrate 51 in question in the processing station 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12, in the event of a discrepancy between the actual position and the target position, the control unit controls a drive 93 adjusting the mechanical coupling element in such a way that the substrate 51 in question is in the processing station when the respective output positions of all holding elements holding the substrate in question are reached 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12 assumes the intended position with regard to the diagonal register.

An exemplary embodiment for carrying out the last-mentioned method for operating a device for transporting sheet-shaped substrates 51 will now be described with reference to FIG Figures 22 to 26 explained. Fig. 22 shows in a plan view a sheet-shaped substrate 51, in particular a sheet 51, with a width b51 directed transversely to its transport direction T. Transversely to its transport direction T are also several, z. B. five holding elements z. B. in the form of juxtaposed suction rings 76 of a suction drum 32, these holding elements hold the substrate 51 in question in its transport plane 29 in a non-positive manner, in particular by a negative pressure. One of these several holding elements is, for. B. arranged in the machine center M, wherein in the example shown, two further holding elements are arranged to the right and left of the machine center M each. On the left side of the substrate 51 in question in transport direction T, one of the holding elements closer to the machine center M is arranged at a distance aS11 and one of the holding elements further from the machine center M is arranged at a distance aS12 and On the right-hand side in the transport direction T of the relevant substrate 51, one of the holding elements closer to the machine center M is arranged at a distance aS21 and one of the holding elements further from the machine center M is arranged at a distance aS22. The respective planes of rotation of all holding elements holding the substrate 51 in question in a force-fit manner are each arranged parallel to one another and in each case along the transport direction T of the substrate 51 in question. During its transport, the substrate 51 in question is held in a force-locking manner by at least two of these holding elements up to a driven position related to the transport plane 29, the respective driven positions of all the holding elements holding the substrate 51 in a non-positive manner being on the same straight line 103. In the actual position of the relevant substrate 51, the respective output positions of all holding elements holding this substrate 51 in a force-locking manner are in the present example with the reference symbols P11; P12; P21; P22 denotes, whereas in the desired position of the substrate 51 in question, the respective output positions of all holding elements holding this substrate 51 in a force-locking manner in the present example with the reference symbols S11; S12; S21; S22 are designated. In order to set the diagonal register of the substrate 51 concerned and thereby move the substrate 51 in question from its actual position to its target position, at least with regard to its angular position, the substrate 51 in question is rotated by an angle of rotation β about an axis of rotation 94 perpendicular to the transport plane 29, which occurs as a result that the straight line 103 is rotated by this angle of rotation β, which in turn takes place in that the respective output position of at least one of the holding elements holding the substrate 51 non-positively is changed by the mechanical coupling element acting on the holding element in question. The angle of rotation β is usually in the range of only a few degrees, e.g. B. between greater than zero and less than 30 °, in particular less than 10 °. The axis of rotation 94 perpendicular to the transport plane 29 is preferably arranged in the center M of the machine. In this case, the output position of the holding element arranged in the machine center M remains unchanged, whereas in each case by that which acts jointly on the holding elements in question mechanical coupling element, the output positions of the holding elements in question, which are arranged to the right of the machine center M in the example shown, are set in advance with respect to their respective rotational speed v and the output positions of the respective holding elements arranged to the left of the machine center M with regard to their rotational speed v each be adjusted afterwards. During the execution of the position correction, the holding elements that hold the substrate 51 in question positively and are set to their respective rotational speed v each apply a transport speed that differs from holding element to holding element to the respective substrate 51, the transport speed impressed by the respective holding element on the respective substrate 51 in each case from the output position S11 set for the respective holding element, that is to say corresponding to the desired position of the substrate 51 concerned; S12; S21; S22 is dependent.

The Fig. 23 and 24 show an embodiment of the mechanical coupling element z. B. in the form of a linear gear member with rocker arms. The Fig. 25 and 26th show an embodiment of the mechanical coupling element z. B. in the form of a linear gear member with gear coupling gears. In this case, all holding elements holding the relevant substrate 51 in a force-fit manner are each either according to FIGS Fig. 23 and 24 a rocker arm or according to the Fig. 25 and 26th assigned a gear coupling. Similar to the one in the Fig. 20 The arrangement shown is that in FIGS Figures 23 to 26 shown suction drum 32 z. B. stored in a first frame 97, this first frame 97 in turn z. B. is rotatably arranged on a swivel joint 98 arranged in the machine center M, the swivel joint 98 being connected to a second frame 99. The second frame 99 carrying the first frame 97 is in turn arranged in or on a third frame 101. In the in the Figures 23 to 26 In the exemplary embodiments shown, the first frame 97 forms the mechanical coupling element acting on the relevant holding elements, with the drive 93, in particular designed as a preferably electric servomotor, for executing the rotary movement of the mechanical Coupling element is provided around the axis of rotation 94 perpendicular to the transport plane 29. When actuated by the control unit, the drive 93 acts, preferably via a joint 104, on the first frame 97 forming the mechanical coupling element. The second frame 99 has at least two diametrically opposite frame walls 106, in which frame walls 106 one is parallel to the suction drum 32 extending drive shaft 107 z. B. is rotatably mounted at both ends. A plurality of rocker arms 108 are preferably arranged on the drive shaft 107, each of these rocker arms 108 each to one of the respective z. B. is designed as a suction ring 76 holding elements in an operative connection. The respective rocker arms 108 are each connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the drive shaft 107, so that the drive shaft 107 forms a pivot point fixed to the frame for the respective rocker arm 108. Each of the rocker arms 108 concerned thus acts driven by the drive shaft 107, possibly via a drive pinion 113 with one of its ends, e.g. B. its upper end on one of the holding elements. On the other hand, each of these rocker arms 108 is at its other ends, for. B. its lower end each preferably via one at both ends to further each z. B. formed as a ball joint joints 111; 112 is connected to the first frame 97 in such a way that an angular position of the rocker arm 108 connected to the drive shaft 107 is set or at least adjustable with the drive 93.

The variant according to the Fig. 25 and 26th is the variant according to the Fig. 23 and 24 very similar, so that the same components are provided with the same reference numerals. The variant according to the Fig. 25 and 26th differs from the variant according to the Fig. 23 and 24 in that a coupling gear pair 114 is provided, which is coupled to one another via a gear coupling 116, a drive pinion 117 introducing a torque into the coupling gear pair 114 and an output pinion 118 transmitting the torque introduced into the coupling gear pair 114 to the relevant holding element for setting its angular position . The pair of coupling gears 114 form together with the drive pinion 117 and the output pinion 118 a gear coupling gear.

Fig. 27 shows a further machine arrangement with several, as a rule, different processing stations for the sequential processing of several sheet-shaped substrates. The flat substrates, each having a front side and a rear side, are in an investor 01 z. B. gripped by a suction head 41 and passed individually by means of an oscillating gripper 13 to a transfer drum 14 and from there to a rotating contact pressure cylinder 119, this contact pressure cylinder 119 on its outer surface in each case at least one of these substrates or several, z. B. accommodates two or three substrates arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction. Each of the substrates to be transported is on the lateral surface of the pressure cylinder 119 by means of at least one z. B. held as a gripper holding element. In particular pliable and / or thin substrates with a thickness of, for. B. up to 0.1 mm or a maximum of 0.2 mm can, for. B. be held by suction air on the lateral surface of the pressure cylinder 119, with such a substrate resting on the surface of the pressure cylinder 119, in particular on the edges of this substrate, for. B. is supported by blowing air directed particularly radially onto the lateral surface of the contact pressure cylinder 119. To the contact pressure cylinder 119 is in the direction of rotation, which is in the Fig. 27 is indicated by an arrow indicating the direction of rotation, starting from the transfer drum 14 positioned against this pressure cylinder 119, initially a first primer application device 02 for priming the front side and this first primer application device 02 then a second primer application device 126 for priming the rear side of the same arcuate substrate, the second primer application device 126 being employed Back of the substrate in question z. B. indirectly primes, in particular by transferring back the primer applied by this second primer application device 126 to the outer surface of the contact pressure cylinder 119 from this outer surface to the back of the substrate in question. The front side and / or back side of the substrate in question can be primed over the entire area or over part of the area as required. The contact pressure cylinder 119 transfers a substrate primed on both sides to a first, in particular endlessly revolving, transport device having at least one pulling element, e.g. B. to a first chain conveyor 16, the first chain conveyor 16 transporting this substrate to a first non-impact printer 06, this first non-impact printer 06 at least partially printing the front side of the substrate in question. The first non-impact printing device 06 transfers the substrate printed on the front side to a second, in particular endlessly revolving, transport device having at least one pulling element, e.g. B. to a second chain conveyor 21, this second chain conveyor 21 the substrate in question z. B. in the area of its first sprocket 81 ( Fig. 10 ) records. For example, in the area of the second sprocket 24 of this second chain conveyor 21, a second non-impact printing device 127 is arranged, this second non-impact printing device 127 at least partially printing the back of the relevant previously printed substrate. The first non-impact printing device 06 and the second non-impact printing device 127 are thus arranged one after the other in the transport direction T of the respective arcuate substrate at different positions on the transport path of the relevant substrate. The substrate in question now printed on both sides is then z. B. stored on a stack in a display 12.

The ones in the Fig. 27 or 28 The illustrated machine arrangement which processes the substrate in question on both sides has several, preferably four, dryers 121; 122; 123; 124, namely a first dryer 121 for drying the primer applied to the front side of the substrate in question and a second dryer 122 for drying the primer applied on the back of the substrate in question. In addition, a third dryer 123 is provided for drying the respective substrate printed on the front side with the first non-impact printing device 06 and a fourth dryer 124 for drying the respective substrate printed on the rear side with the second non-impact printing device 127. The z. B. identically constructed dryer 121; 122; 123; 124 are the substrate in question z. B. by a Irradiation with infrared or ultraviolet radiation designed to be drying, the type of radiation being dependent in particular on whether the printing ink or ink applied to the substrate in question is water-based or UV-curing. The transport direction T of the substrate in question transported through the machine arrangement is in FIG Fig. 27 each indicated by arrows. The first non-impact printing device 06 and the second non-impact printing device 127 are each z. B. designed as at least one inkjet printing device. In the area of action of the first non-impact printing device 06, a third transport device 128 is arranged, which takes the substrate primed on both sides from the first transport device, which has at least one pulling element, transports it to the second transport device, which has at least one pulling element, and delivers it to this second transport device. The third transport device 128 transporting the substrate in question in the area of action of the first non-impact printing device 06 is z. B. as a transport cylinder ( Fig. 27 ) or as a particularly endlessly revolving conveyor belt ( Fig. 28 ), wherein in the case of the transport cylinder, the preferably several inkjet printing devices of the first non-impact printing device 06 are each arranged radially to this transport cylinder and in the case of the conveyor belt, the preferably several inkjet printing devices of the first non-impact printing device 06, in particular horizontally next to one another, parallel to one another this conveyor belt are arranged. The conveyor belt is z. B. as a suction belt 52 with at least one suction chamber 58; 59 trained ( Fig. 13 ).

The third transport device 128 transporting the substrate in question in the area of action of the first non-impact printing device 06 and the second transport device having at least one pulling element transporting the substrate in question in the area of action of the second non-impact printing device 127 each preferably have a single drive 129; 131, these individual drives 129; 131 each e.g. B. are designed as a regulated in its respective speed and / or angular position or at least controllable preferably electrically driven motor, by means of this relevant transport devices influencing their respective movement behavior individual drives 129; 131 the printing of the substrate in question on its front side by the first non-impact printing device 06 and on the back side by the second non-impact printing device 127 is synchronized or at least can be synchronized.

In a preferred embodiment, the first dryer 121 for drying the primer applied to the front side of the substrate in question is e.g. B. in the area of the contact pressure cylinder 119 ( Fig. 27 ) or in the area of a strand, in particular the load strand of the first transport device, which has at least one traction element ( Fig. 28 ) arranged. The second dryer 122 for drying the primer applied to the back of the substrate in question is preferably arranged in the region of a strand, in particular the load strand, of the first transport device, which has at least one traction element. The third dryer 123 for drying the relevant substrate printed on the front side with the first non-impact printing device 06 is z. B. in the area of the second non-impact printing device 127 upstream in the transport direction T of the substrate in question, in particular the load side of the second transport device having at least one pulling element, or is located in the area of the third transport device 128, which in turn is in the area of action of the first non -Impact printing device 06 is located and interacts with this. The fourth dryer 124 for drying the relevant substrate printed on the back with the second non-impact printing device 127 is z. B. in the area of the second non-impact printing device 127 downstream of the second non-impact printing device 127 in the transport direction T of the substrate in question of the second transport device having at least one pulling element. When one of the dryers 121; 122; 123; 124 is arranged in a strand of one of the transport devices, a length of its drying section determines a minimum length from the relevant strand.

The first at least one substrate taking over from the contact pressure cylinder 119 The transport device having the pulling element and the substrates in the area of action of the second non-impact printing device 127 transporting the second transport device having at least one pulling element each transport the substrates by means of gripper carriages 23, these gripper carriages 23 each following one another at a preferably fixed, in particular equidistant spacing, these gripper carriages 23 each with controlled or at least controllable holding means 79 ( Fig. 15 ) for holding a substrate, in particular equipped with grippers. Each of these gripper carriages 23 is moved by the relevant at least one pulling element of the relevant transport device in the transport direction T of the relevant substrate. The gripper carriage 23 are in the transport direction T of the substrate in question, for. B. each driven by a precision drive, the precision drive in question z. B. is designed in the form of a linear drive system, wherein the relevant precision drive the relevant gripper carriage 23 and thus the relevant substrate held by the relevant gripper carriage 23 in particular frictionally with an accuracy of less than ± 1 mm, preferably less than ± 0.5 mm, in particular of less than ± 0.1 mm at a z. B. with regard to one of the non-impact printing devices 06; 127 preset position.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the relevant transport device, which has gripper trolleys 23, preferably several belts are arranged between immediately successive gripper trolleys 23 at least along the transport direction T of the substrate in question, with the substrate held by the relevant grab trolley 23 at least over part of its surface to stabilize it during its transport rests on these bands, which are preferably arranged parallel to one another. In this case, belts arranged between successive gripper carriages 23 are arranged along the transport direction T of the relevant substrate, in particular in a spring-loaded manner, or are formed from an elastic material.

In a further preferred embodiment, the gripper carriages 23 are arranged at least in the area of action of the first non-impact printing device 06 and / or in the area of action of the second non-impact printing device 127 in order to stabilize their respective movement path by at least one longitudinal to the movement path of the respective gripper carriage 23 Guide element 71 guided ( Figures 17 to 19 ). In addition, in order to form a guide that is in register and / or in register, in particular or at least in the area of action of the first non-impact printing device 06 and / or in the area of action of the second non-impact printing device 127, e.g. B. a catch mechanism for the gripper carriage 23 concerned is provided, this catch mechanism z. B. has at least one moved or at least movable fork in the transport direction T of the substrate in question, the gripper carriage in question 23 z. B. is held at its two ends located transversely to the transport direction T of the gripper carriage 23 in question in the respective fork and is guided through this in its movement path in particular in register and / or in register. Furthermore, for registration and / or registration of the substrate in question, in particular or at least in or directly in front of the area of action of the first non-impact printing device 06 and / or in or immediately in front of the area of action of the second non-impact printing device 127, e.g. B. an adjusting device, in particular a lateral positioning device is provided. The substrate in question is z. B. with the aid of sensors 33 sensing this substrate; 36 aligned in register and / or in register, such as i. V. m. the Fig. 11 described.

The ones in the Fig. 27 or 28 The machine arrangement shown can also be described as a machine arrangement for the sequential processing of several arc-shaped substrates each having a front side and a rear side, with a first non-impact printing device 06 and a second non-impact printing device 127 as well as a first primer application device 02 and a second primer application device 126 are provided, each with respect to the same arcuate substrate the first Primer application device 02 priming the front side and the second primer application device 126 priming the rear side, and with regard to this substrate the first non-impact printing device 06 printing the front side primed by the first primer application device 02 and the second non-impact printing device 127 printing the second Primer application device 126 are arranged to be printed on the primed rear side. A first dryer 121 for drying the primer applied to the front side of the substrate in question is in the transport direction T of the substrate in question in front of the first non-impact printing device 06 and a second dryer 122 for drying the primer applied on the back of the substrate in question in the transport direction T of the relevant substrate in front of the second non-impact printing device 127 and a third dryer 123 for drying the relevant substrate printed on the front side with the first non-impact printing device 06 in the transport direction T of the relevant substrate after the first non-impact printing device 06 and a fourth dryer 124 is provided for drying the relevant substrate printed on the back with the second non-impact printing device 127 in the transport direction T of the relevant substrate after the second non-impact printing device 127. The second primer application device 126 can be arranged either before or after the second non-impact printing device 127 in the transport direction T of the relevant substrate. The first dryer 121 for drying the primer applied to the front side of the substrate in question and / or the second dryer 122 for drying the primer applied on the rear side of the substrate in question and / or the third dryer 123 for drying the respective one with the first non-impact -Printing device 06 printed on the front side of the substrate and / or the fourth dryer 124 for drying the relevant substrate printed on the back with the second non-impact printing device 127 are each z. B. formed as a the relevant primed and / or printed substrate by hot air and / or by irradiation with infrared or ultraviolet radiation drying dryer, the respective primed and / or printed substrate through driers 121 drying exposure to infrared or ultraviolet radiation; 122; 123; 124 is preferably designed as an LED dryer, that is to say as a dryer using semiconductor diodes. In addition, at least one transport device is provided which transports the substrate in question, this transport device being designed as a transport cylinder or as a circulating conveyor belt or as a chain conveyor. The at least one transport device transporting the substrate in question has at least one holding element, the at least one holding element being designed to hold the substrate in question by a force fit or by a form fit.

The Fig. 29 shows yet another advantageous machine arrangement for sequential processing of a plurality of arcuate substrates each having a front side and a rear side. This machine arrangement, which is preferably designed as a printing machine, in particular as a sheet-fed printing machine, has at least one first printing cylinder and one second printing cylinder. At least one first non-impact printing device 06 printing the front side of the substrate in question and, in the direction of rotation of the first printing cylinder after the first non-impact printing device 06, one printed by the first non-impact printing device 06 on the circumference of the first printing cylinder Front of the substrate in question drying dryer 123 as well as on the circumference of the second printing cylinder at least one second non-impact printing device 127, which prints the back of the substrate in question, and in the direction of rotation of the second printing cylinder after the second non-impact printing device 127, the second non-impact printing device 127 -Impact printing device 127 printed rear side of the substrate in question drying dryer 124 arranged. The first non-impact printing device 06 and the second non-impact printing device 127 are z. B. each designed as at least one inkjet printing device. For example, the first non-impact printing device 06 and / or the second non-impact printing device 127 each print several, e.g. B. four printing colors, especially the printing colors yellow, magenta, cyan and black, with for each of these printing inks with respect to the relevant non-impact printing device 06; 127 a specific inkjet printing device is preferably provided in each case.

In the machine arrangement according to Fig. 29 the first printing cylinder and the second printing cylinder are arranged to form a common roller gap, the first printing cylinder in this common roller gap directly transferring the relevant front-side printed and dried substrate to the second printing cylinder. In the preferred embodiment of this machine arrangement, a first primer application device 02 and a second primer application device 126 are also provided, with the first primer application device 02 priming the front side and the second primer application device 126 priming the rear side with respect to this substrate, the first non Impact printing device 06 is arranged to print the front side primed by the first primer application device 02 and the second non-impact printing device 127 is arranged to print the rear side primed by the second primer application device 126. The first primer application device 02 and the second primer application device 126 each have, for. B. on a contact pressure cylinder 119, these two contact pressure cylinders 119 being arranged to form a common roller gap, the contact pressure cylinder 119 having the first primer application device 02 in this common roller gap transfers the substrate in question directly to the contact pressure cylinder 119 having the second primer application device 126. In this case, the contact pressure cylinder 119 having the second primer application device 126 and the first printing cylinder having the first non-impact printing device 06 are arranged to form a common nip, the contact pressure cylinder 119 having the second primer application device 126 the substrate in question directly against the first non-impact Printing device 06 having the first printing cylinder transfers.

At the circumference of the first primer application device 02 having System pressure cylinder 119 is usually immediately after the first primer application device 02 z. B. a dryer 121 that dries the front side of the substrate in question primed by this first primer application device 02 and / or on the circumference of the pressure cylinder 119 having the second primer application device 126 is usually immediately after the second primer application device 126 z. B. a dryer 122, which dries the back of the substrate in question primed by this second primer application device 126, is arranged. The dryer 121 is or are for drying the primer applied to the front side of the respective substrate and / or the dryer 122 for drying the primer applied to the rear side of the respective substrate and / or the dryer 123 for drying the respective one with the first non -Impact printing device 06 on the front side printed substrate and / or the dryer 124 for drying the respective substrate printed on the back side of the second non-impact printing device 127 as a respective primed and / or printed substrate by hot air and / or by irradiation Infrared or ultraviolet radiation drying dryer formed. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the relevant primed and / or printed substrate is dried by irradiation with infrared or ultraviolet radiation; 122; 123; 124 designed as an LED dryer, that is to say as a dryer which generates the infrared or ultraviolet radiation in each case by means of semiconductor diodes.

Moreover, in the machine arrangement according to FIG Fig. 29 the first printing cylinder and the second printing cylinder and the contact pressure cylinder 119 having the first primer application device 02 and the contact pressure cylinder 119 having the second primer application device 126 each preferably in a single drive train formed from gears, ie connected to one another in a gear train and in their respective rotation jointly by a single one Drive driven, this drive is preferably designed as an in particular speed-regulated and / or position-regulated electric motor. The first impression cylinder and the second The printing cylinder and the contact pressure cylinder 119 having the first primer application device 02 and the contact pressure cylinder 119 having the second primer application device 126 are each z. B. several times the size, ie on the outer surface are each several, z. B. two or three or four substrates each arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction or at least can be arranged. Each of the substrates to be transported is on the outer surface of the first printing cylinder and / or the second printing cylinder and / or the contact pressure cylinder 119 having the first primer application device 02 and / or the contact pressure cylinder 119 having the second primer application device 126 in each case by means of at least one e.g. B. designed as a gripper holding element positively and / or positively held. In particular pliable and / or thin substrates with a thickness of, for. B. up to 0.1 mm or a maximum of 0.2 mm can non-positively z. B. be held by suction air on the surface of the cylinder in question, such a substrate resting on the surface of the cylinder in question, in particular on the edges of this substrate, for. B. is supported in particular by blowing air directed radially onto the outer surface of the cylinder in question.

The substrate in question, which is printed on both sides, is subsequently transported through the second printing cylinder, preferably by means of a transport device, for. B. transported to a display 12 and stored there in the display 12 on a stack. The subsequent to the second printing cylinder transport device is z. B. designed as a chain conveyor, the substrate in question being dried again on both sides by at least one dryer 09, preferably on both sides, during its transport by this transport device before it is deposited in the display. In some production lines, the intention may be to print the relevant substrate printed on the front side by the first non-impact printing device 06 and / or on the back by the second non-impact printing device 127 on one or both sides with further printing inks, in particular special colors, and / or e.g. B. to refine by a paint application. In this latter case, the second impression cylinder is followed by the the substrate in question to the delivery 12 transporting transport device at least one further, z. B. a third printing cylinder or preferably at least one further cylinder pair formed from a third printing cylinder and a fourth printing cylinder is provided, on which at least one further z. B. third and / or fourth printing cylinder similar to the first printing cylinder and / or the second printing cylinder again a further printing device, in particular a further non-impact printing device, or at least one painting device 08 each optionally arranged with a further dryer. All these printing cylinders lined up in a row then form a continuous transport path for the relevant substrate in the relevant machine arrangement, this substrate then being transferred from one printing cylinder to the next. The substrate in question can be processed on both sides, in particular printable, without the need for a turning device for this substrate in this machine arrangement. The proposed machine arrangement is therefore very compact and inexpensive.

The ones in the Fig. 29 machine arrangement shown is particularly advantageous i. V. m. UV curing inks e.g. B. can be used in packaging printing for food or cosmetics.

List of reference symbols

01

Processing station; Investors; Sheet feeder; Magazine feeder

02

Processing station; Primer application device

03

Processing station; Cold foil application device

04

Processing station; Offset printing device; Flexo printing device

05

-

06

Processing station; Non-impact printing facility

07

Processing station; Intermediate dryer

08

Processing station; Painting facility

09

Processing station; dryer

10

-

11

Processing station; mechanical processing device

12

Processing station; Display

13

first oscillating gripper

14th

first transfer drum

15th

-

16

Gripper system; first chain conveyor

17th

first conveyor belt

18th

Feed table

19th

second oscillating gripper

20th

-

21st

second chain conveyor

22nd

Transport device

23

Grab trolley

24

Sprocket

25th

-

26th

Suction chamber

27

second conveyor belt

28

third conveyor belt

29

Transport level

30th

-

31

second transfer drum

32

Suction drum

33

first sensor

34

attack

35

-

36

second sensor

37

Guide element

38

fourth conveyor belt

39

third sensor

40

-

41

Suction head

42

Suction chamber

43

Transfer drum

44

Transfer drum

45

-

46

Processing plant

47

Rotary encoder

48

Belt conveyor

49

opening

50

-

51

Bow; Substrate

52

Suction belt

53

Deflection roller

54

Load strand

55

-

56

closed surface

57

perforated surface

58

Suction chamber

59

Suction chamber

60

-

61

Control unit

62

drive

63

Registration mark

64

sensor

65

-

66

Empty run

67

Valve

68

Blow-suction nozzle

69

area

70

-

71

Guide element

72

role

73

role

74

Start-up

75

-

76

Suction ring

77

Chain lift

78

Suction belt

79

Holding means

80

-

81

Sprocket

82

Printing cylinder

83

Applicator roller; Anilox roller

84

Squeegee; Chamber doctor blade system

85

-

86

Printing unit

87

Printing unit

88

Printing unit

89

wave

90

-

91

drive

92

drive

93

drive

94

Axis of rotation

95

-

96

Axis of rotation

97

frame

98

Swivel joint

99

frame

100

-

101

frame

102

Guide element

103

Straight

104

joint

105

-

106

Rack wall

107

drive shaft

108

Rocker arm

109

Paddock

110

-

111

joint

112

joint

113

Drive pinion

114

Pair of coupling gears

115

-

116

Gear coupling

117

Drive pinion

118

Output pinion

119

Contact pressure cylinder

120

-

121

dryer

122

dryer

123

dryer

124

dryer

125

-

126

Primer application device

127

Non-impact printing facility

128

Transport device

129

Single drive

130

-

131

Single drive

132

Shingling facility

133

Blow box

134

Feed table

135

-

136

Air nozzle

137

Air nozzle

138

Valve

139

Valve

140

-

141

Bulkhead plate

142

Support plate

143

hole

144

Guide surface

aS11

distance

aS12

distance

aS21

distance

aS22

distance

b51

width

b52

width

b69

width

B.

Blowing direction

d143

diameter

h49

height

l49

length

LS

Air flow

M.

Machine center

P11

Output position

P12

Output position

P21

Output position

P22

Output position

s1

first signal

s2

second signal

S11

Output position

S12

Output position

S21

Output position

S22

Output position

SH

Floating height

T

Transport direction

v

Speed of rotation

α

angle

β

angle

ϕ

angle

Claims (14)

1. A machine arrangement having several processing stations for the processing of sheets, wherein in the transport direction (T) of the sheets several processing stations (01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12) are arranged consecutively for the inline-processing of these sheets, wherein at least one of these processing stations (06) is configured as a non-impact printing device (06), wherein a transfer device arranged directly upstream of the operating region of the non-impact printing device (06) for transferring the sheets from a first processing station (01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12) arranged upstream of the non-impact printing device (06) to the non-impact printing device (06) is provided, wherein the transfer device aligns in each case the sheets in their axial register in register relative to the printing position of the non-impact printing device (06), wherein, in addition to the axial register, the transfer device aligns in each case the sheets in their circumferential register and/or in their diagonal register in register relative to the printing position of the non-impact printing device (06), characterized in that a first processing station (01) arranged upstream in the transport direction (T) of the non-impact printing device (06) is configured as a sheet feeder (01) or as a magazine feeder (01), wherein a processing station (02; 03; 08) arranged between the first processing station (01) and the non-impact printing device (06) is configured as a first coating device (02; 03; 08), wherein the coating device (02; 03; 08) is configured as a primer application device (02) or a cold foil application device (03) or a lacquer application device (08), wherein in the transport direction (T) of the sheets an alignment device is arranged between the non-impact printing device (06) and a processing station (02; 03; 04; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12) arranged downstream from the non-impact printing device (06), wherein this alignment device aligns in each case the sheets at least in their axial register and/or in their circumferential register in register relative to a processing position of the processing station (02; 03; 04; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12) arranged downstream from the non-impact printing device (06).
2. The machine arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the transfer device has a suction drum (32) holding the respective sheet by means of suction air, wherein a control unit controlling the suction drum (32) is provided.
3. The machine arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that the suction air is pulsed by the control unit.
4. The machine arrangement according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that at least one stop (34) protruding into the transport plane (29) of the relevant sheet is provided, wherein the suction drum (32) aligns each respective sheet at this stop (34) in register relative to the printing position of the non-impact printing device (06).
5. The machine arrangement according to claim 2 or 3 or 4, characterized in that the suction drum (32) aligns each of the sheets to be fed to the operating region of the non-impact printing device (06) by means of an axial displacement, in each case in register relative to the printing position of the non-impact printing device (06).
6. The machine arrangement according to claim 2 or 3 or 4 or 5, characterized in that the suction drum (32) consists of a plurality of suction rings arranged in parallel to one another on a common shaft.
7. The machine arrangement according to claim 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6, characterized in that an operating width of the suction drum (32) oriented in the axial direction of this suction drum (32) is adjusted by the control unit based on the format of the sheets.
8. The machine arrangement according to claim 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7, characterized in that the suction drum (32) has a first drive for its circumferential movement and a second drive for its axial movement, wherein the circumferential movement and the axial movement are controlled independently from each other by the control unit.
9. The machine arrangement according to claim 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8, characterized in that a first sensor (33) connected to the control unit arranged upstream of the suction drum (32) in the transport direction (T) of the sheets is provided, wherein at least the axial movement of the suction drum (32) is controlled by a position signal supplied to the control unit by the first sensor (33).
10. The machine arrangement according to claim 9, characterized in that the first sensor (33) is configured as an optical sensor or as a line sensor or as a CCD line sensor.
11. The machine arrangement according to claim 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 or 10, characterized in that a second sensor (36) connected to the control unit and arranged upstream of the first sensor (33) in the transport direction (T) of the sheets is provided, wherein the second sensor (36) detects a leading edge of the respective sheets in the transport direction (T) of the sheets.
12. The machine arrangement according to claim 11, characterized in that the second sensor (36) is configured as an optical sensor or as a reflex scanner or as a light sensor.
13. The machine arrangement according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 or 10 or 11 or 12, characterized in that a first dryer (07) is arranged between the first coating device (08) and the non-impact printing device (06).
14. The machine arrangement according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 or 10 or 11 or 12 or 13, characterized in that the non-impact printing device (06) has a plurality of individually controlled inkjet printers along the transport path of the sheets.

Images