WO2011069596A1 - Printing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

An improved printing machine is characterized by the following characteristics: a base frame (12), at least one printing station, and at least two printing material carriers (40), which can be moved relative to the printing station, the base frame (12) comprises a guide track (20), and the printing material carriers (40) can each be driven by a separate drive (41) and moved along the guide track (20).

Description

press

The invention relates to a printing machine with a base frame, at least one printing station and at least two Druckgutträgern which are movable relative to the printing station.

Such a printing machine is known for example from EP 1 637 328 AI. This printing machine has a carousel-like turntable, on which individual Druckgutträger are arranged. The turntable moves in a predetermined cycle, so that the print media with the print material to be printed are gradually transported from one printing station to the next. In each case, a desired printing operation can be carried out at the individual printing stations; for example, a different color application can be made at the printing stations. Due to the design, the diameter of such a carousel-like printing press can not be increased in any way, so that the number of possible printing stations to be arranged is limited.

The invention has for its object to provide a printing press, which allows a larger number of printing stations and is more flexible. According to the invention, the object is achieved by a printing machine with the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are indicated in the dependent claims. According to the invention, it is provided that the base frame has a guideway and that the print substrates can each be driven by a separate drive and are movable along the guideway. A basic idea of the invention is to provide each print substrate with its own drive and to move individually along a predetermined path. In other words, each Druckgutträger not only a separate drive is assigned as such, but the each Druckgutträger associated drive is in the invention with the moving part itself, ie with the Druckgutträger proceed. In other words, since the drive, that is, the motor with the moving part, that is, the print substrate is connected, the entire unit comprising the print substrate and the associated drive is moved together. Due to the large number of drives and thus the lack of a single central drive, considerable flexibility is achieved. tion of the printing press reached.

On the one hand, it is possible to largely freely choose the shape of the web along which the print substrates are moved. In particular, the web does not have to be necessarily circular, as in the previously known carousel machines. The shape of the web can thus be adapted to the specific circumstances, in particular the available space, the number of print substrates and / or printing stations to be arranged and the process-related desired spacing of the print substrate or printing stations from one another. The print media can be arranged and moved, for example, along an oval or elongated path. It is also possible in principle to provide branches or by-pass paths around workstations on the guideway so that not all print media carriers, for example, have to pass through all printing and workstations. This can be done about switches on the guideway or steering devices on the Druckgutträgern.

Due to the flexibilization in terms of the web shape, a considerably larger number of printing stations and Druckgutträgern can be arranged. The number of possible printing stations and Druckgutträger is in principle not limited. By choosing a suitable web, even larger print formats can be printed without any problems compared to conventional printing presses.

On the other hand, it is possible to move the individual Druckgutträger independently. For example, different speeds can be provided at different track sections, which are adapted to the respective printing or other processing tasks to be performed are adjusted. It is also possible to move individual print media at different speeds. Advantageously, buffer and compensation areas are provided for this purpose between the individual printing stations in order to compensate for the different speeds of the print substrate.

It is according to the invention possible to carry out simultaneously with the same machine different printing processes and operations. For example, under one or more fixed digital inkjet stations with one or more print media carriers, the print media carriers can be slowly passed through and digitally printed, while at the same time other print media carriers under one or more screen printing stations (or other printing methods) are printed on stationary workpiece carriers. As a result, combined prints can be produced almost simultaneously and without loss of time using a wide variety of printing processes. Intermediate dryers of any type (UV, infrared, microwave, etc.) can be arranged on the machine in any number of times as required. In summary, with this machine it is practically possible to apply several printing methods simultaneously in one operation and in approximately the same time. Numbers up to 1500 pieces per hour and more can be achieved.

Due to the individually driven Druckgutträger also takes place a decoupling of the print substrate from each other, so that due to the movement occurring vibrations can be reduced.

Under a printing station can present in the general also a processing station for processing the printed matter, for example, a pretreatment station, a primer station or a drying station, or even an input or output station are understood.

It is preferably provided that the base frame has a circumferential guide rail as a guideway. The circulating guide track or guide rail produces a closed path, so that after one revolution the printed matter carriers are available again at the initial position for a subsequent circulation. The print media can be guided on the guide rail, for example by means of wheels. To further increase the flexibility, it is preferred if the guide frame and / or the guide track are modular. As a result, a module can be added or removed with comparatively little technical effort and thus the capacity or size of the printing press can be changed.

Preferably, the guideway has at least one linear section. A linear section is understood in particular to mean a straight, non-curved section of the guideway. The individual printing stations can be arranged side by side along this linear section. The linear section offers the advantage of increasing the number of possible printing stations without great technical effort by simply extending the line arabic section. This allows the press to be adapted to different conditions in a particularly flexible way. In particular, more complex printing operations with a large number of printing operations and so that a large number of printing stations are performed on a single printing press. The linear movement of the print media also reduces lateral forces and vibrations on the press, which increases the precision of the printing process.

In addition to or as an alternative to the linear section, curved sections are preferably provided. Such a curved portion may be configured, for example, circular arc or wavy. The overall shape of the guideway can be selected in particular as a function of the number of printing stations and print substrate, the resulting length of the machine and the available space. Due to the individual drives, the shape of the guideway has virtually no limits. In an oval track, the arcuate sections can remain the same, while the intermediate linear sections can be easily adjusted in length. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the drive is provided on each of the movable along the guideway Druckgutträgern and has an electric motor, which is connected via a contact connection with an electrical energy source. The energy source may be arranged, for example, on the base frame or provided as a separate unit. It is provided in particular that the energy source is static, so does not move with the Druckgutträgern. As a contact connection, for example, a sliding contact may be provided, via which the electric motor is conductively connected to the guide rail or a separate contact rail. The drive can also have a linear motor, wherein the stator of the linear motor is arranged on the guide rail or a separate rail and the rotor on the Druckgut- carrier. The distance between rotor and stator is effected by the guide means. The linear motor enables a precise drive of the print media.

Preferably, the Druckgutträger each have at least one drive wheel and / or a drive pinion for driving the Druckgutträgers. The drive wheel and / or drive pinion can be frictionally and / or positively engaged with the guide rail or a toothed drive rail. By turning the drive wheel, the print media carriers are moved along the guide rail.

An embodiment of the invention consists in that the print substrates each have at least one guide device for guiding along the guide track. The guide device may have one or more rollers, wheels or sliding devices and at the same time serve for the support of the printing material carriers on the guide track. Preferably, the guidance and support takes place in a central region, in particular in the region of the center of gravity of the print substrate.

For guiding along the guideway, the guiding device preferably has at least one guide wheel. In a preferred embodiment, the guide wheel is arranged laterally of the guide rail. It is particularly preferred if in each case a plurality of guide wheels are provided on a Druckgutträger, which on both sides of the Guide rail trained guideway are arranged so that the guide rail is laterally clasped by the guide wheels. Alternatively or additionally, a lower and / or an upper guide wheel can be arranged, which is guided below or above the guide rail.

In principle, the guide wheels can be designed as rigid wheels. For a low-friction guidance in cornering areas, however, it is preferred if the guide wheels are designed as steering wheels or castors. It is particularly preferred if a plurality of guide wheels are arranged on a common rotary carrier, which is rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation. Several guide wheels are thereby combined to form a steerable unit, whereby a particularly secure guidance of the print substrate, even along a curved guideway, is achieved. To increase the guide security and tilt stability, it is furthermore preferred that at least one first guide device is arranged in a front region viewed in the direction of movement and another guide device in a rear region of the print substrate, as seen in the direction of movement. Preferably, the guide devices each have at least one guide wheel. It is expedient if at least the front or the rear guide wheel is designed as a steering wheel or castor or is combined with at least one further guide wheel to a steerable unit.

A further preferred development of the invention is that in addition to the guideway a Support track is provided and that the Druckgutträger are supported on the support track. The Druckgutträger are preferably two times - both on the guideway and on the support track - supported. As a result, an increased stability is achieved. The support is preferably carried upwards on one of the webs and downwards on the other web, so that the print substrates are suspended between the two webs. Expediently, the suspension takes place in such a way that the pressure forces on both webs are increased by loading the print substrate with a print material applied thereto, so that the hook-in is further secured. The support track is preferably offset from the circulating track inwardly and parallel to it.

For support on the support track is preferably provided that the Druckgutträger each have at least one support wheel. By means of the support wheel, the print substrate can slide along the support track, wherein the support wheel is pressed by the weight of the Druckgutträgers and the printing material applied thereto to the support track. The support wheel is preferably mounted on a lateral, inner region of the print substrate with respect to its direction of movement and extends upwards.

Preferably, the support wheel is rotatably mounted transversely to its axis of rotation. The support wheel is thus designed as a castor or steering wheel. As a result, a secure support is made possible even with a curved guide of the print substrate and thus a curved support track. The support wheel is preferably mounted such that it automatically aligns tangentially to the support track. With regard to a precise printing of the printed matter, it is preferred that a sensor device is provided by means of which a position of the print substrate relative to the base frame and / or relative to the printing station can be determined. If a print product is printed in several printing stations, for example, each with different colors, it is necessary that the print substrate with the print material is positioned precisely at the respective printing station. By means of the sensor device, the position can be determined and then optionally corrected. The sensor device can be located, for example, on the print substrate itself or on the base frame. For secure positioning of the print substrate at the respective printing station an adjusting device is preferably provided by means of which the Druckgutträger are adjustable relative to the base frame and / or relative to the printing station. The adjusting device can be designed as an electrical or mechanical coupling device and, for example, have an adjusting stop, an adjusting pin or an adjusting lever.

In principle, the invention also relates to a method for printing, in particular by means of a printing machine according to the invention, wherein at least two print substrate are moved relative to a printing station and a printing operation is performed at the printing station and wherein the print media each driven by its own drive and along a guide track of a base frame to be moved. By the method, the advantages described above are achieved accordingly. The invention will be further explained with reference to a preferred embodiment, which is shown schematically in the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a printing press according to the invention; FIG. a plan view of the printing press of FIG. 1; a front view of an inventive Druckgutträgers and a perspective view of the Druckgutträgers according to FIG.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a section of a printing press 10 according to the invention. The printing press 10 comprises a base frame 12, which may also be referred to as a machine bed, one or more printing stations, not shown, and a plurality of print media carriers 40, which run circumferentially on the base frame 12 Support frame 14 are movable. The at least one printing station may be attached to the support frame 14 with lateral attachment surfaces or provided as a separate unit. As printing stations and processing stations, such as an input and an output station and pre-treatment and drying stations can be provided.

The base frame 12 has a circumferential guide track 20, which is a segmented guide rail is trained. The guideway 20 is disposed on an outer periphery of the base frame 12 and extends in a horizontal plane. It has two opposing, mutually parallel linear sections 22 and two deflection regions 24, of which in FIGS. 1 and 2 only one is shown.

In an inner region of the circumferential guide track 20, the support frame 14 is provided, which extends upwardly out of the horizontal plane and has a support track 30. The support track 30 comprises a groove-like, laterally open recess 32, wherein an upper side wall 34 of the recess 32 serves as a sliding and support surface. Both the base frame 12 and the guide track 20 and the support track 30 are composed of modular-like segments.

The structure of the print substrate 40 will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 4 based on a single Druckgutträgers 40. The print substrate 40 has a carrier body 52, the longitudinal direction of which extends essentially transversely to the guide path 20. The carrier body 52 has a trapezoidal cross section, wherein the two base sides of the trapezium are aligned horizontally. An upper base side forms a bearing or mounting surface 54 for an applied pressure. The support or attachment surface 54 is formed in an upper, outer region of the print substrate 40. This area can also be referred to as an access area, via which the print substrate 40 is accessible and can be equipped with print material. For fastening the printed material, fastening devices 56 are provided on the supporting or fastening surface 54. hen.

At least one guide device 43 for guiding and supporting on the guideway 20 is provided in a lower region of the print substrate 40. The print substrate 40 shown in the exemplary embodiment has two guide devices 43, which are arranged in a front or rear region of the print substrate. In Figures 3 and 4, only the front guide device can be seen.

As viewed in the direction of movement of the print substrate 40, longitudinal members 50 which extend forwardly and rearwardly and which carry the guide devices 43 are arranged on the carrier body 52. In the same way, the longitudinal member 50 can also be formed as a one-piece side member extending through the print substrate 40. Regardless, in the above the print substrate 40 in both directions protruding, that is transverse and preferably perpendicular projecting longitudinal beams 50 each at the end of said guide means 43 are provided.

Each guide device 43 comprises a plurality of guide wheels 44, which are arranged on a common rotary support 46, which is rotatably mounted on the print substrate 40, more precisely on the longitudinal support 50, about an axis of rotation 48. In the illustrated embodiment, two lateral guide wheels 44 are provided with a vertical axis of rotation and a lower guide wheel 44 with a horizontal axis of rotation. Further, an upper guide wheel or a sliding device for guiding and supporting on the guide track 20 may be provided. The guide device 43 is with respect to the center of gravity of the print substrate 40 offset laterally inwards. In other words, the center of gravity of the print substrate 40 is located in an outer, lateral region 57 outside the guideway 20.

In a further inwardly offset region of the print substrate 40 - preferably at its inner, lateral end 60 - a support device 66 is provided for support on the support track 30 of the printing press 10. The support device 66 comprises a support wheel 68 or a support roller which is rotatably hinged to the print substrate 40. The support wheel 68 is mounted on an upper surface of the print substrate 40 and extends upwardly from the print substrate 40 to bear against a downwardly directed horizontal surface of the support web 30.

The print substrate 40 is thus arranged such that acts in an inner region 59, a downward force Fl and in a central region 58 an upward force F2, wherein the force Fl by the support on the support track 30 and the force F2 is effected by the support on the guideway 20. In the outer region 57 acts on the Druckgutträger 40 by the pressure material arranged thereon, a downward force F3.

As a result of the center of gravity of the print substrate 40 displaced outward relative to the guide track 20, the downward support on the guide track 20 and the upward support on the support track 30, the print substrate 40 is suspended between guide track 20 and support track 30 and along these two Lanes 20, 30 safely guided. The im Front and rear regions of the printing material carrier 40 arranged guide means 43 prevent tilting of the Druckgutträgers 40. Each Druckgutträger 40 has its own drive 41, with which it can be moved along the guide track 20. In other words, each print substrate 40 is assigned not only its own drive 41 as such, but the drive 41 associated with each print substrate 40 is also moved within the scope of the invention with the moving part itself, ie with the print substrate 40. In other words, since the drive 41, ie the motor with the moving part, that is to say the print substrate 40, is connected, the entire unit is comprehensively traversed by the print substrate 40 and the associated drive 41. The drive 41 preferably has an electric motor, which is arranged on the print substrate 40 and is moved along with it. To supply power to the electric motor sliding contacts are preferably provided, which connect the electric motor with an electrical energy source, which is fixed, for example, to the base frame 12, connect. The drives 41 of the printing material 40 are preferably provided in the direction of movement of the printing material 40 front of this. To drive a drive wheel 42, which is designed as a friction wheel in the illustrated embodiment, further arranged in the front region of the print substrate 40. The print substrate 40 are thus pulled by the drive wheel 42. In the rear region of the printing material carrier 40, a guide device 43 is arranged without a drive.

From the description it follows that the respective Druckgutträger 40 preferably each have at least one drive wheel and / or a drive pinion for driving the Druckgutträgers 40. In this case, the drive wheel and / or drive pinion with the mentioned guide rail or a toothed drive rail frictionally engaged and / or positively engaged. The aforementioned drive and / or guide device then preferably comprises one or more guide wheels 44, which are preferably anchored to a common rotatable rotary carrier 46. Such a guide device 43 is the

Associated Druckgutträgern 40, preferably each on the leading longitudinal beam 50 as well as on the opposite trailing longitudinal member 50 of each Druckgutträgers 40, whereby a spaced guide of the respective Druckgutträgers with respect to the guide rail or guideway 20 is guaranteed.

In one embodiment of the drive with a linear motor, the rotor or rotor is preferably arranged on the longitudinal members 50 of the print substrate 40. The linear motor drive does not require a drive wheel for driving the print substrate 40. All arranged on the longitudinal beam 50 wheels are configured in this embodiment as guide wheels 44. During operation of the printing press 10, the print substrates 40 are moved along the guideway 20 to the individual printing stations, starting from an input station at which the print substrates 40 are loaded with the print material. The print substrate 40 is positioned and aligned at the print station. Subsequently, the desired printing or processing operation is performed. After completion of the process, the print substrate 40 is moved to the next processing station. After passing through Run all required stations, the print material can be removed from the Druckgutträger 40 at an output station. The individually driven print media carriers allow the press to be flexibly adapted to changing printing tasks. The modular design facilitates a corresponding conversion of the machine. Overall, the invention provides a flexibly usable and expandable printing press.

The printing machine described with reference to the drawings is elongated in the illustrated embodiment, that is to say it comprises a guide track 20 on a base frame 12 which is or may be segmentally assembled in such a way that the guide track 20 in the second embodiment is two opposite one another, parallel to one another extending linear sections 22 and two deflection regions 24, as can be seen from Figures 1 and 2.

In principle, a corresponding device or printing machine with respect to its base frame 12 and with respect to its guide track 20 may be constructed arbitrarily. In other words, the arrangement can also be designed as a whole in a circle or, for example, in a top view trapezoidal, triangular in the manner of a hexagon, octagon, etc. There are no restrictions in this respect. In other words, the guideway 20 can always be composed by (in plan view), for example, straight linear sections 22 and adjoining curved, in particular part-circular deflection regions 24, which need not form a 180 'bend as in the exemplary embodiment shown. Such a deflection can For example, also only have a 60 ^* deflection arc, which then again a straight (linear) guide portion 22 connects, etc. This can be realized in plan view, the most different geometries for a closed guideway, including the aforementioned circular structure. There are no restrictions.

Claims

Claims: 1st printing machine with  a base frame (12),  at least one printing station and  at least two print media carriers (40), which are movable relative to the print station, characterized,  the base frame (12) has a guideway (20) and  the print substrates (40) can each be driven by a separate drive (41) and are movable along the guide track (20). 2. Printing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the base frame (12) has a circumferential guide rail as a guide track (20). 3. Printing machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the guideway (20) at least one Linear section (22). 4. Printing machine according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the drive (41) in each case to the corresponding long of the guide track (20) movable Druckgutträgern (40) is provided and has an electric motor which is connected via a contact connection with an electrical energy source. 5. Printing machine according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the Druckgutträger (40) each have at least one drive wheel (42) and / or a drive pinion for driving the Druckgutträgers (40). 6. Printing machine according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the Druckgutträger (40) each have at least one guide means (43) for guiding along the guide track (20). 7. Printing machine according to claim 6, characterized in that the guide device (43) has at least one guide wheel (44). 8. Printing machine according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a plurality of guide wheels (44) are arranged on a common rotary support (46) which is rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation (48). 9. Printing machine according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at least one first guide means (43) in a direction of movement seen front area and a further guide means (43) in a direction of movement seen rear portion of the Druckgutträgers (40) is arranged , 10. Printing machine according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that in addition to the guideway (20) a support track (30) is provided and that the Druckgutträger (40) on the support track (30) are supported. 11. Printing machine according to claim 10, characterized marked, that the Druckgutträger (40) each at least one Support wheel (68) for support on the support track (30). 12. Printing machine according to claim 11, characterized marked, that the support wheel (68) is rotatably mounted transversely to its axis of rotation. 13. Printing machine according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that a sensor device is provided by means of which a position of the Druckgutträger (40) relative to the base frame (12) and / or relative to the printing station can be determined. 14. Printing machine according to one of claims 1 to 13, character- ized in that an adjusting device is provided, by means of which the Druckgutträger (40) relative to the base frame (12) and / or relative to the printing station are adjustable. 15. Printing machine according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that individual or all Druckgut- carriers (40) associated with its own drive (41) and / or connected to it that the respective Druckgutträger (50) with its associated and / or allied drive (41) can be moved together.