Punching unit with a device for changing a punch cylinder and method for changing a punch cylinder

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a punching unit with a device for changing a punching cylinder according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for changing a punching cylinder according to claim 11.

[0002] In corrugated board processing, a sheet of corrugated board undergoes several processing steps. For example, the sheets are printed or varnished and can be modified in mass, shape, and / or contour using forming equipment. Flexographic printing is a particularly suitable printing method. Flexographic printing is characterized by a printing cylinder with a flexible printing plate. Rotary processing methods, such as rotary die-cutting, are frequently used for shaping due to their speed advantages.

[0003] Rotary die-cutting machines typically have die-cutting units with a die-cutting cylinder and a counter-die-cutting cylinder. For example, DE 10 2004 058 597 A1 discloses a die-cutting machine with two rotating processing rollers. Similarly, DE 20 2012 100 708 U1 discloses a die-cutting device with a continuously rotating die-cutting roller driven by a synchronous motor.

[0004] A die with cutting tools or blades is typically mounted on the die cylinder. During operation, these tools process the substrate and also come into contact with the counter-die cylinder. The counter-die cylinders feature elastic and durable supports or cutting surfaces. When changing jobs, the dies must be exchanged. To quickly return the rotary die cutter to an operational state, cylinder changers are used.

[0005] US Patent 6,138,544 A discloses an interchangeable device for a punching cylinder. The arrangement of the cylinders in this device is described in the patent as a planetary arrangement, since two punching cylinders are arranged around a counter-punching cylinder. The cylinders are mounted on a disk, and the two punching cylinders can be exchanged by rotating the disk.

[0006] Furthermore, GB 2 406 069 A also reveals a similar arrangement of the counter-punching cylinders and punching cylinders. The two punching cylinders are arranged to rotate around a rotational axis and can be exchanged by rotation.

[0007] Furthermore, DE 10 2014 205 880 B3 discloses a punching device with means for changing punch cylinders. This is intended to speed up tool changes. The punching device has two holders for receiving punch cylinders. The counter-punch cylinder can be positioned against both punch cylinders. To do this, the counter-punch cylinder is removed from one punch cylinder and positioned against the other.

[0008] US Patent 7,175,578 B2 describes another method for replacing punch cylinders. In this method, two punch cylinders are adjusted using linear guides. One punch cylinder can be moved horizontally from a maintenance position. The punch cylinder to be replaced and its counterpart are adjusted from a vertical position until both cylinders are aligned vertically. Then, both cylinders are moved horizontally. The new punch cylinder then assumes the position of the previous cylinder.

[0009] Cylinder changing devices are also known for printing presses. For example, WO 98 / 50235 A2 discloses a device for changing a cylinder in a rotary printing press, particularly a gravure printing press. The use of a steady rest makes changing a cylinder very simple. A cylinder can be lifted from the side frame by means of a slide and moved towards a lift. There, the cylinder can be moved. The lift is then moved to bring in a new cylinder, which is subsequently guided into the bearing.

[0010] When changing forming cylinders or for the purpose of relative rotation, the forming cylinders can be decoupled from their drive. For example, WO 01 / 87605 A1 discloses such a coupling of a forming cylinder with a corresponding drive in a printing press. In this document, the motor as a whole is moved for coupling and / or decoupling. The motor is adjusted via a threaded spindle.

[0011] German patent DE 10 2009 028 208 A1 and WO 2011 / 015478 A1 disclose a printing press with interchangeable cylinders in a printing unit. A form cylinder and / or a transfer cylinder can be decoupled from a drive and replaced. A device allows the cylinders to be arranged in different positions. This simplifies cylinder replacement and also enables the installation of cylinders of different sizes.

[0012] The cylinder exchange process in a rotary printing press is also disclosed in WO 2013 / 041 455 A1. Using a handling device, the cylinder is removed from its bearings and transferred to a storage position in a receiving device of a movable storage unit arranged in a transfer position. This unit consists of two movable storage units. The movable storage units are movable along a guide system with one component in a vertical direction and with one component in an axial direction parallel to the cylinder's axis of rotation.

[0013] US Patent 2001 / 0037739 A1 discloses a printing unit of a rotogravure web press. The printing unit comprises a printing roller immersed in an ink bath, the journals of which can be supported on support devices designed as support rollers for changing the printing roller. Each support device is arranged on a horizontally displaceable carrier equipped with a drive, via which the support devices are displaceable between the bearings of the printing roller and an extended position in which a device for lifting and inserting the printing roller is provided. US Patent 2005 / 103173 discloses another printing unit.

[0014] JP S58-168565 A discloses a device for replacing a plate cylinder in a printing unit. To replace a plate cylinder after the printing process is complete, the plate cylinder is released from its mounting by means of a pivoting arm. The pivoting arm is then held horizontally, and the plate cylinder is moved along the pivoting arm to a holding position at the end of the arm. A plate cylinder to be replaced is placed in a central position on the pivoting arm and moved into the position for carrying out the printing process.

[0015] For example, vertically adjustable transport devices are also provided in processing machines. An example of this is shown in DE 41 00 458 A1, which discloses a panel feeder for panel saws. In this device, a transfer table is interposed between a lifting table and a panel feed table; this transfer table is vertically adjustable by predetermined steps on a guide frame under computer control.

[0016] For example, DE 20 2021 104 224 U1 discloses a system component with transfer and alignment function, wherein an alignment unit has slide rails for setting a lateral relative position and wherein a support unit is height-adjustable.

[0017] The invention is based on the objective of creating a punching unit with a device for changing a punching cylinder and a method for changing a punching cylinder.

[0018] The problem is solved according to the invention by the features of claim 1 or by the features of claim 11.

[0019] The advantages achievable with the invention consist in particular of the creation of an improved punching unit. Specifically, an improved processing machine with at least one punching unit has thus been created.

[0020] The punching unit comprises at least one punching cylinder, in particular with a rotational axis, and at least one counter-punching cylinder. A device for changing the cylinders comprises at least one further punching cylinder for interchangeability with the at least one punching cylinder. One of the punching cylinders can be arranged and / or is positioned in a punching position. The counter-punching cylinder is preferably arranged and / or is positioned in a working position and / or in a rest position.

[0021] The punching cylinder is preferably changed in a simple manner by means of the changing device. In a preferred embodiment, this is achieved by allowing the punching cylinder to be removed from a punching position and / or changing position in a particularly simple manner, predominantly horizontally. A connecting line between the cylinder positions is then preferably inclined at less than 30° to a horizontal.

[0022] The die-cutting cylinder can be changed more efficiently using a tool-changer. This tool also allows for pre-setting a die-cutting cylinder. The time-consuming process of changing a die-cutting form can be completed during an ongoing die-cutting process. By using the tool-changer, another die-cutting cylinder can be pre-set while the first is in operation. When changing jobs, the new die-cutting form is already applied to the new die-cutting cylinder, which can then be moved quickly and fully automatically to the die-cutting position. The design of the tool-changer ensures a high degree of automation and increased safety. Furthermore, its simple design and the elimination of unnecessary components prevent additional costs.

[0023] Furthermore, the die-cutting cylinder can be changed fully automatically using the changeover device. Integrated inline within a sheetfed processing machine with application units, such as printing or coating units, this increases the machine's efficiency in terms of job changeover time and / or processing speed. The application units themselves also feature devices for simplified cylinder changes. Thus, an inline integrated, fully automatic changeover device can contribute to significantly more efficient overall machine operation. The time-consuming process of changing a die-cutting form can therefore be performed directly in the processing machine while the current die-cutting process is still running. The new die-cutting form is already mounted on the die-cutting cylinder when the job change occurs, allowing the cylinder to be moved quickly and fully automatically to the die-cutting position.The design of the changing device advantageously ensures a high degree of automation with high safety and avoids additional costs through a simple design and the elimination of duplicate components.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment of the processing machine, job changes require not only the punching tools but also the dies to be changed during a job change. In a preferred configuration, the processing machine has redundant die units, meaning more die units than are required for a typical job. The combination of redundant die units with the die-changing device significantly speeds up job changes. The die units are preferably designed for quick and fully automatic start-up and / or shutdown. The combination of the die-changing device and the redundant die units allows for pre-setup of both processing steps and significantly reduces the time until the next job.However, the use of an increased number of application units is not limited to pre-setup. They can also be used, for example, to carry out special orders. For instance, this allows for the application of a greater number of colors, especially specialty colors.

[0025] The punching unit has a device for locking the punching cylinder in the punching position. This allows the punching cylinder to be held in the punching position easily and securely, and to be released just as easily. Preferably, the punching cylinder is pressed against a frame and / or a frame-mounted element and / or housing, preferably from below, pointing away from the processing point, preferably vertically. During punching, the punching cylinder experiences loads from the processing point. These loads arise, for example, from the punching cylinder cyclically pressing and / or striking the counter-punching cylinder and / or the substrate. Because the punching cylinder is pressed against the frame from the opposite side or from below, the impacts do not affect the punching cylinder's locking mechanism, but rather act on the solid frame.This results in improved force transmission with reduced stress and wear. The locking mechanism is linked to a drive, allowing it to be automatically actuated and raised. The release and locking of the mechanism can thus be synchronized with the changeover process of the punching cylinders via a control system.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the bearings and bearing seats are attached to the stamping cylinders. This simplifies the removal of the stamping cylinder. The stamping cylinder then does not need to be removed axially from the bearings before a change.

[0027] Preferably, the punching unit includes a drive for powering the punching cylinder. The drive comprises a motor with a rotor and a stator, which are arranged to be axially adjustable relative to each other. The drive thus performs various functions. This relative adjustability can be used, firstly, for adjusting the side register and, secondly, to release and / or remove a punching cylinder from a coupling, allowing for easy cylinder changes. In particular, the punching cylinder can be easily removed horizontally from its punching position. This is possible because the motor is designed as a synchronous motor with a permanent magnet on the rotor. The rotor has at least one permanent magnet for this purpose. In this configuration, the rotor can be easily adjusted relative to the stator.

[0028] From a design perspective, adjusting only the rotor offers the advantage that the drive can be rigidly mounted to a housing support, eliminating the need for additional linear guides on which the entire drive unit would move. Therefore, it is only necessary to ensure that the rotor is axially adjustable. This is preferably achieved using a sliding bearing.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the rotor is adjustable relative to the stator. Optionally, the rotor can be adjusted together with the punching cylinder or independently. When the rotor is adjusted together with the punching cylinder, its lateral register can be set. When adjusted independently of the punching cylinder, a clutch can be moved out of the way, allowing for easy replacement of the punching cylinder. Furthermore, after the cylinder replacement, a clutch can be easily re-engaged with the new punching cylinder.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the rotor and stator are adjusted relative to each other by means of an actuator. This enables an automated adjustment process. Preferably, the actuator is connected to the rotor. The actuator is preferably designed as a pneumatic and / or electric and / or, more preferably, an electromechanical drive. The electromechanical drive is advantageous due to its durability and reduced complexity.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, a coupling is arranged between the motor and the stamping cylinder. The connection between the drive and the stamping cylinder can be disconnected by releasing the coupling. The coupling is preferably releasable by means of a hydraulic fluid. This allows a sufficiently high force to be applied easily for releasing the coupling. Particularly preferably, the hydraulic fluid can be supplied through a bore in the rotor shaft of the coupling. A rotary insertion is preferably used for this purpose.

[0032] The rotor is preferably centered by the bearing of the stamping cylinder, particularly in a hub of the stamping cylinder. The rotor is preferably centered by engaging the coupling. This has the advantage that additional bearings in the motor are unnecessary. A spherical roller bearing allows for the necessary flexibility.

[0033] In another preferred embodiment, the punch cylinder is decoupled from its drive by means of a clutch for easy replacement. This has the advantage that the punch cylinder can be changed while the drive remains in position. This eliminates the need for an additional drive and significantly simplifies the movement sequence for changing the punch cylinder. The punching unit and the changing device can then be designed more simply and require less space.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the clutch is actuated by an actuator. Preferably, the actuator adjusts either the entire drive of the punch cylinder parallel to the axis of rotation or only a portion thereof. Preferably, in addition to actuating the clutch, the actuator can also be used to adjust the lateral register of the punch cylinder drive. The drive is preferably designed as a torque motor with a rotating component, a rotor, and a rigid component, a stator. In this case, the actuator preferably adjusts only one of the two components, preferably the rotor, in the axial direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the punch cylinder. In this embodiment, both functions can thus be achieved with just one actuator.

[0035] In another preferred embodiment, the punching cylinders are guided in guides by means of a groove. This significantly increases the safety of the changeover process. The punching cylinders thus remain in the guides, preventing axial displacement. This prevents the cylinders from coming loose from the guides and increases safety. Safe operation for the machine operator is therefore guaranteed at all times.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the cylinder journals of the cylinders, in particular the cylinder journals of the at least one punching cylinder, each have at least one hub. Such a hub preferably has the groove for securely guiding the punching cylinders in the guides. Furthermore, the hub has the bearings for supporting the punching cylinders. Preferably, the hub has a suitable contact surface for fixing and / or releasing the punching cylinders by means of the locking mechanism.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the punching unit is designed such that the at least one counter-punch cylinder is arranged and / or remains in a working position or in a disengaged position during replacement. This simplifies the replacement process, as only the punch cylinders need to be moved. Furthermore, the replacement process is accelerated because the counter-punch cylinder can be quickly returned to the working position.

[0038] Preferably, the device for changing stamping cylinders has two guides. This small number of guides enables a cylinder change with a particularly simple movement sequence.

[0039] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the changing device has a waiting position for passing the cylinders, in particular the punching cylinders, past each other. This minimizes the complexity of the cylinder change. For this purpose, the waiting position is preferably located outside a direct guide path between the punching position and the maintenance position, and more preferably between the change position and the maintenance position.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, the waiting position is arranged slightly below, at the same level, or above the punching position and / or the changeover position and / or the extension position in the vertical direction. This allows for a particularly simple changeover of the cylinders, especially the punching cylinders, with a structurally simple design. By arranging the waiting position above the changeover position and / or the extension position, particularly at a distance from the extension position, a simple changeover of the punching cylinders is achieved, as both cylinders can be guided past each other with particular ease. For this purpose, for example, only a vertical guide needs to be extended. Thus, one cylinder, especially a punching cylinder, can be temporarily stored in the waiting position, and the other cylinder, especially a punching cylinder, can be easily guided past it.This eliminates the need for additional guides and further levels for arranging the cylinders.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment, the maintenance position is located at a significantly lower level than the punching position of the punch cylinder. This allows for particularly easy changing or replacement of the die. The die can then be changed conveniently and without a lifting device. Likewise, the punch cylinder is much more accessible in the maintenance position than in the punching position. Various components, such as sensors, extraction systems, counter-punch cylinders, etc., can obstruct access at the punching position. It is particularly advantageous that the punch cylinder is positioned at a distance from other cylinders in this position. For example, auxiliary equipment can then be easily brought into contact with the punch cylinder.

[0042] The punching unit has a device for locking the punching cylinder in the punching position. This allows the punching cylinder to be held in the punching position easily and securely.

[0043] In another preferred embodiment, the stamping cylinders are transported on a transport system. In a preferred embodiment, only two transport elements are required for a cylinder change. This is preferably achieved by using a common carrier with two holding positions for the cylinders. A horizontal transport element is also included. This arrangement allows the complete cylinder change to be carried out with only two adjustable elements.

[0044] A further advantage achievable with the invention is that the punching cylinder can be removed from its punching position in a particularly simple manner. By means of an adjustment device, the transport device, which guides the sheets to the processing point, can be easily adjusted or raised. The punching cylinder can then be removed from the punching position particularly easily, preferably horizontally. The transport device can be easily adjusted depending on the position of a punching cylinder. This enables a simple movement sequence when changing cylinders.

[0045] Preferably, the adjustment device includes a drive for adjusting the transport device. This allows the transport device to be adjusted automatically and, if necessary, moved out of the way.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment, the adjustment process of the transport device is synchronized with the device for changing the punch cylinders, preferably mechanically and / or electrically. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the adjustment process is mechanically coupled to the device for changing the punch cylinders via a contact surface of the transport device. The mechanical coupling results in a particularly simple and reliable operation of the cylinder change. The mechanical coupling ensures, in particular, that the transport device is moved out of the guide path of the changing device at the correct moment.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment, the adjusting device has a particularly simple design for adjusting the transport device. The transport device is preferably guided on a guide, preferably a guide rail, more preferably a linear guide, which ensures simple and safe adjustment or lifting of the transport device. Preferably, the transport device rests against a stop in the working position with its own weight. To adjust the at least one transport device, preferably the transport devices, it is then only necessary to work against the transport device's own weight. The transport device can be easily lifted vertically upwards.

[0048] In a preferred embodiment, the guide in which the transport device is guided is designed as a common guide with the changing device. A frame and / or housing, which sits in the guide, is preferably arranged on the transport device. The movement during cylinder changing is synchronized via a common contact surface between the transport device or frame and the changing device. During the changing process of the punch cylinders, a transport element and / or a carrier is preferably moved and adjusts or lifts the transport device. Preferably, this movement takes place in only one guide, namely the vertical guide. This ensures that the cylinder, in particular the punch cylinder, can be easily removed from the punching position and that the transport device can be quickly returned to the correct position after the cylinder change.The working position is brought into place. The return movement preferably occurs by lowering the contact element of the adjusting device. Due to the weight of the transport device, it preferably lowers again as well.

[0049] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are described in more detail below.

[0050] They show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a sheet-fed processing machine with inking units and a die-cutting unit; Fig. 2 a side view of a sheet-fed processing machine in a preferred configuration with four printing units and the die-cutting unit with a changing device; Fig. 3 a schematic representation of an inking unit with ink application from below; Fig. 4 a schematic representation of an inking unit with ink application from above; Fig. 5 a schematic representation of the sheet delivery with a device for diverting sheets; Fig. 6 a perspective view of an anilox roller changing device; Fig. 7 a side view of the die-cutting unit with one die-cutting cylinder in the die-cutting position, the other die-cutting cylinder in the maintenance position, and the counter-die-cutting cylinder in the working position; Fig.Fig. 8 A side view of the punching unit with one punch cylinder in the punching position, the other punch cylinder in the maintenance position, and the counter-punch cylinder in the parked position; Fig. 9 A side view of the punching unit with one punch cylinder in the changeover position, the other punch cylinder in the maintenance position, and the counter-punch cylinder in the parked position; Fig. 10 A side view of the punching unit with one punch cylinder in the changeover position, the other punch cylinder in the waiting position, and the counter-punch cylinder in the parked position; Fig. 11 A side view of the punching unit with one punch cylinder in the extension position, the other punch cylinder in the waiting position, and the counter-punch cylinder in the parked position; Fig.Fig. 12 a side view of the punching unit with one punch cylinder in the maintenance position, the other punch cylinder in the punching position, and the counter-punch cylinder in the working position; Fig. 13 a perspective view of the punching unit; Fig. 14 another perspective view of the punching unit, with further punch cylinders schematically arranged in the waiting position, the extension position, and the maintenance position to illustrate the positions; Fig. 15 a sectional view of the punching unit with drives; Fig. 16 a side view of the punching unit with a transport device in the working position; Fig. 17 a side view of the adjustment mechanism of the transport device; Fig. 18 a side view of the punching unit with a transport device in the maintenance position; Fig. 19 a side view of the punching unit with a disengaged clutch; Fig. 20 a side view of the punching unit with a engaged clutch; Fig.21 A sectional view of the drive of the punch cylinder.

[0051] A processing machine 01 is preferably configured as a printing machine 01 and / or as a forming machine 01, in particular a die-cutting machine 01. The printing machine 01 is, for example, configured as a flexographic printing machine 01.

[0052] The processing machine 01 is preferably referred to as a printing machine 01 if it has at least one printing unit 614 and / or at least one printing unit 600, particularly regardless of whether it has further units for processing substrate 02. For example, a processing machine 01 configured as a printing machine 01 additionally has at least one further such unit 900, for example at least one forming unit 900, which is preferably configured as a punching unit 900, more preferably as a punching device 900. The processing machine 01 is preferably referred to as a forming machine 01 if it has at least one forming unit 914 and / or at least one forming unit 900, particularly regardless of whether it has further units 600 for processing substrate 02.Preferably, the processing machine 01 is referred to as a punching machine 01 if it has at least one punching unit 914 and / or at least one punching unit 900 and / or at least one punching device 900, in particular regardless of whether it has further units 600 for processing substrate 02. For example, a processing machine 01 designed as a forming machine 01 or punching machine 01 additionally has at least one further unit 600 for processing substrate 02, for example at least one printing unit 600 and / or at least one printing unit 614.

[0053] In a preferred embodiment, the processing machine 01, in particular a sheet processing machine 01, preferably comprises a unit 100 designed as a sheet feeder 100 and / or at least one application unit 614 for applying at least one printed image to substrate 02. If the processing machine 01 has at least one printing unit 614 and / or at least one printing unit 600 on the one hand and at least one forming unit 914 and / or at least one forming unit 900 on the other hand, it is therefore designed as both a printing machine 01 and a forming machine 01. If the processing machine 01 has at least one printing unit 614 and / or at least one printing unit 600 on the one hand and at least one die-cutting unit 914 and / or at least one die-cutting unit 900 and / or at least one die-cutting device 900 on the other hand, it is therefore designed as both a printing machine 01 and a forming machine 01, in particular a die-cutting machine 01.

[0054] Preferably, the processing machine 01 is designed as a sheet processing machine 01, i.e., as a processing machine 01 for processing sheet-shaped substrate 02 or sheets 02, in particular sheet-shaped printing material 02. For example, the sheet processing machine 01 is designed as a sheet-fed printing machine 01 and / or as a sheet forming machine 01 and / or as a sheet die-cutting machine 01. The processing machine 01 is further preferably configured as a corrugated board sheet processing machine 01, i.e., as a processing machine 01 for processing sheet-shaped substrate 02 or sheets 02 made of corrugated board 02, in particular sheet-shaped printing material 02 made of corrugated board 02. The processing machine 01 is further preferably configured as a sheet-fed printing machine 01, in particular as a corrugated board sheet-fed printing machine 01, i.e., as a printing machine 01 for coating and / or printing sheet-shaped substrate 02 or sheets 02 made of corrugated board 02, in particular sheet-shaped printing material 02 made of corrugated board 02.For example, printing machine 01 is designed as a printing machine 01 that operates according to a printing form-bound printing process.

[0055] Unless explicitly stated otherwise, the term "arc-shaped substrate 02," in particular "printing material 02," and specifically "sheet 02," shall, in principle, encompass any substrate 02 that is planar and exists in sections, including substrates 02 that are in sheet or plate form, i.e., sheets or plates. The arch-shaped substrate 02, or sheet 02, as defined above, is, for example, made of paper or cardboard, i.e., as a sheet of paper or cardboard, or is formed by sheets 02, plates, or, if applicable, plates made of plastic, cardboard, glass, or metal. More preferably, the substrate 02 is corrugated board 02, in particular corrugated board sheets 02. Preferably, at least one sheet 02 is made of corrugated board 02. The thickness of a sheet 02 is preferably understood to be a dimension perpendicular to a largest surface of the sheet 02. This largest surface is also referred to as the principal surface.The thickness of the sheets 02 is, for example, at least 0.1 mm, more preferably at least 0.3 mm, and even more preferably at least 0.5 mm. Significantly greater thicknesses are also common for corrugated cardboard sheets 02, for example at least 4 mm or even 10 mm and more. Corrugated cardboard sheets 02 are comparatively stable and therefore not very flexible. Appropriate adjustments to the processing machine 01 thus facilitate the processing of sheets 02 of greater thickness.

[0056] Preferably, the respective, preferably at least one, sheet 02 is made of paper or cardboard. According to DIN 6730, paper is a sheet-like material consisting essentially of fibers, mostly of plant origin, which is formed by dewatering a fibrous suspension on a screen. This produces a fiber felt, which is then dried. The basis weight of paper is preferably a maximum of 225 g / m². According to DIN 6730, cardboard is a sheet-like material consisting essentially of fibers of plant origin, which is formed by dewatering a fibrous suspension on one or between two screens. The fiber structure is compacted and dried. Cardboard is preferably manufactured by gluing or pressing together cellulose. Preferably

[0057] Cardboard is designed as solid board or corrugated board 02. Corrugated board 02, as defined above and below, is cardboard made of one or more layers of corrugated paper glued to one layer or between several layers of another, preferably smooth, paper or cardboard. Preferably, the basis weight of cardboard is greater than 225 g / m². The term "cardboard" as defined above and below refers to a preferably single-sided coated paper sheet, preferably with a basis weight of at least 150 g / m² and at most 600 g / m². Preferably, cardboard has a high strength relative to paper.

[0058] The processing machine 01 preferably comprises several units 100, 300, 600, 700, 900, and 1000. A unit is preferably understood to be a group of devices that functionally interact, in particular to enable a preferably self-contained processing operation of sheet 02. For example, at least two, and preferably at least three, and more preferably all of the units 100, 300, 600, 700, 900, and 1000 are designed as modules 100, 300, 600, 700, 900, and 1000, or at least each is assigned to one such module.A module is understood in particular to mean a respective unit or a structure consisting of several units, which preferably has at least one means of transport and / or at least its own controllable and / or adjustable drive and / or is designed as an independently functional module and / or a machine unit or functional assembly manufactured and / or assembled separately.A controllable and / or adjustable drive of an assembly or module is understood to be, in particular, a drive that serves to drive movements of components of this assembly or module and / or that serves to effect the transport of substrate 02, in particular arc 02, through this respective assembly or module and / or through at least one area of ​​influence of this respective assembly or module and / or that serves to directly or indirectly drive at least one component of the respective assembly or module intended for contact with arc 02. Preferably, the controllable and / or adjustable drive of an assembly or module is designed to drive movements of components of this assembly or module and / or to effect the transport of substrate 02 and / or to directly or indirectly drive at least one component of the respective assembly or module intended for contact with arc 02.These drives of the units 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 of the processing machine 01 are preferably designed as, in particular, position-controlled electric motors.

[0059] Preferably, each unit 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 has at least one drive control and / or at least one drive regulator, which is assigned to the respective at least one drive of the respective unit 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000. The drive controls and / or drive regulators of the individual units 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 are preferably operable individually and independently of one another. Furthermore preferably, the drive controls and / or drive regulators of the individual units 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 circuit-technical, in particular by means of at least one BUS system, are linked and / or linkable to each other and / or to a machine control of the processing machine 01 in such a way that coordinated control and / or regulation of the drives of several or all units 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 of the processing machine 01 is carried out and / or can be carried out.The individual units 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 and / or, in particular, modules 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 of the machine tool 01 are therefore preferably electronically coordinated and / or operated, at least with respect to their drives, in particular by means of at least one electronic guide axis. Preferably, an electronic guide axis is specified for this purpose, for example, by a higher-level machine control of the machine tool 01. Alternatively or additionally, the individual units 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 of the machine tool 01 are, at least with respect to their drives, for example, mechanically synchronized and / or synchronizable with one another. Preferably, the individual units 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; However, the 1000 machines of the processing machine 01 are at least mechanically decoupled from each other with regard to their drives.

[0060] The space provided for the transport of substrate 02, which the substrate 02 occupies at least temporarily when present, is the transport path. Preferably, the transport path is defined by at least one device for guiding the substrate 02 in an operating state of the processing machine 01. Unless otherwise described, the units 100, 300, 600, 700, 900, and 1000 of the processing machine 01 are preferably characterized in that the section of a transport path provided for transporting sheets 02, defined by the respective unit 100, 300, 600, 700, 900, and 1000, is at least substantially flat and more preferably completely flat.A substantially flat section of the transport path intended for transporting sheet 02 is understood to be a section having a minimum radius of curvature of at least 2 meters, more preferably at least 5 meters, and even more preferably at least 10 meters, and even more preferably at least 50 meters. A completely flat section has an infinitely large radius of curvature and is therefore also substantially flat and thus also has a minimum radius of curvature of at least 2 meters. Unless otherwise described, the units 100, 300, 600, 700, 900, and 1000 of the processing machine 01 are preferably characterized in that the section of the transport path intended for transporting sheet 02 defined by the respective unit 100, 300, 600, 700, 900, and 1000 is at least substantially horizontal and more preferably exclusively horizontal.This transport path preferably extends in a direction T, in particular transport direction T. A substantially horizontal transport path provided for the transport of sheets 02 means, in particular, that the provided transport path in the entire area of ​​the respective unit 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 has exclusively one or more directions that deviate by at most 30°, preferably by at most 15°, and more preferably by at most 5° from at least one horizontal direction. The direction of the transport path, in particular transport direction T, is in particular the direction in which the sheets 02 are transported at the point where the direction is measured. The transport path provided for the transport of sheets 02 preferably begins at a point where the sheets 02 are removed from a feeder stack 104.

[0061] The processing machine 01 preferably has at least one substrate feed device 100, which is further preferably designed as an assembly 100, in particular a substrate feed assembly 100, and / or as a module 100, in particular a substrate feed module 100. Particularly in the case of a sheet processing machine 01, the at least one substrate feed device 100 is preferably designed as a sheet feeder 100 and / or sheet feeder assembly 100 and / or sheet feeder module 100. A sheet 02 to be processed is preferably collected in the feeder stack 104 within a storage area of ​​the substrate feed device 100 and is conveyed from there by the processing machine 01.

[0062] The machine tool 01, for example, has at least one unit designed as a conditioning unit, in particular a conditioning unit, which is further preferably designed as a module, in particular as a conditioning module. Such a conditioning unit is, for example, designed as a preparation unit or as a post-treatment unit. The machine tool 01 preferably has at least one unit designed as a preparation unit, in particular a preparation unit, which is further preferably designed as a module, in particular as a preparation module, and represents a conditioning unit. The machine tool 01 preferably has at least one post-treatment unit. The machine tool 01 preferably has at least one unit 300, more preferably a system unit 300, which is further preferably designed as a system unit 300 and / or system module 300.The at least one plant unit 300 is alternatively designed as a component of the substrate supply unit 100 or another unit.

[0063] The processing machine 01, for example, has at least one unit 600, e.g., an application unit 600. The at least one application unit 600 is preferably arranged and / or constructed according to its function and / or application method. The at least one application unit 600 preferably serves to apply at least one respective application fluid or coating agent to the sheet 02 over its entire surface and / or partially over its entire surface. An example of an application unit 600 is a printing unit 600 or printing module 600, which is particularly used for applying printing ink and / or ink to substrate 02, especially sheet 02. In particular, the at least one application unit 600 is designed to apply the application fluid, preferably printing ink and / or ink, for example, over its entire surface and / or partially over its entire surface of the sheet 02.In the preceding and following text, any primer unit and / or any painting unit that may be ordered shall also be considered as such an application unit 600 or printing unit 600.

[0064] Particularly independent of the function of the application fluid, application units 600 can preferably be distinguished with regard to their application methods. An example of an application unit 600 is a form-based application unit 600, which in particular has at least one fixed, physical, and preferably replaceable printing form. Form-based application units 600 preferably operate according to a planographic printing process, in particular an offset planographic printing process, and / or according to a gravure printing process, and / or according to a relief printing process, in particular preferably a flexographic printing process. The corresponding application unit 600 is then, for example, a flexographic application unit 600 or flexographic printing unit 600, in particular a flexographic application module 600 or a flexographic printing module 600. The printing unit 600 preferably has a form cylinder 602. The form cylinder 602 is preferably driven by means of a drive M2, preferably a single drive.A counter-pressure cylinder 608 is preferably associated with the forming cylinder 602. The counter-pressure cylinder is driven by means of a drive M1, preferably by means of a separate drive or a drive of the pressure unit 600, or in an alternative embodiment, additionally by means of the drive M1 of the forming cylinder 602. The forming cylinder 602 and the counter-pressure cylinder 608 are preferably configured as cylinder 602 and cylinder 608, respectively.

[0065] Such a flexographic printing unit 600 preferably has at least one feed roller 603, which is further preferably designed as an anilox roller 603 and / or has a cell structure on its outer surface, in particular on the outer surface of its roller core. The feed roller 603 is preferably designed as a cylinder 603. The at least one feed roller 603 is preferably arranged in contact with and / or capable of being brought into contact with a printing cylinder 602. A feed roller drive M3, designed as a drive M3 of the feed roller 603, is preferably connected and / or capable of being connected to the feed roller 603 via a detachable connection, for example by means of a coupling. This connection is preferably released when the feed roller 603 is to be placed in the storage unit 21. Thus, at least one chambered doctor blade 604 is preferably in contact with and / or in operative connection with the feed roller 603, which is preferably designed as an anilox roller 603.The at least one storage device 21 preferably has at least two, more preferably at least three, still more preferably at least four, and still more preferably exactly four storage receptacles for receiving one supply roller 603 each. In this way, at least one supply roller 603 can always be kept near its intended place of use if a currently used supply roller 603 needs to be replaced. Such a replacement typically occurs, for example, when a subsequent application requires a smaller or larger quantity of application fluid per area. The storage device 21 preferably has at least one movable transfer device 23 by means of which the at least two storage receptacles 22 can be moved and arranged in different storage positions. The storage device 21 is thus suitable for quickly and easily replacing the anilox roller.Particularly in conjunction with a device for changing 950 punch cylinders 901; 903, an accelerated job change can be achieved. Both devices thus contribute significantly to accelerated job changes of the processing machine 01.

[0066] A preferred first embodiment of the flexographic printing unit 614 is designed to apply printing fluid to substrate 02, in particular sheets 02 and / or substrate 02, from below, for example, by printing. In this preferred first embodiment of the flexographic printing unit 614, the printing cylinder 602 is preferably arranged below the impression cylinder 608. In an alternative embodiment, the sheets 02 are printed from above. In this case, the printing unit 600 is preferably configured in a mirror-image arrangement with structural modifications. Preferably, the sheets 02 are die-cut on the side opposite the printed image. Therefore, printing from below is the preferred embodiment. The printing unit 600 preferably also includes the printing cylinder 602. The printing cylinder 602 is preferably movable relative to the feed roller 603 by means of actuators.This allows a corresponding application point 609 to be preferably adapted to different thicknesses of the substrate 02 to be processed. The supply roller 603 preferably has a drive M3. During operation, the forming cylinder 602 is supplied with printing fluid via the supply roller 603. For this purpose, the supply roller 603 is in contact with a chambered doctor blade 604. A counter-pressure cylinder 608 is arranged opposite the forming cylinder 602. The application point 609 is located between the forming cylinder 602 and the counter-pressure cylinder 608. The cylinders 602, 603, and 608 have drives M1, M2, and M3, respectively, and are supported by a frame 607.

[0067] Furthermore, the processing machine 01, for example, has at least one unit designed as a drying device, in particular a drying unit, which is further preferably designed as a module, in particular as a drying module. Alternatively or additionally, for example, at least one drying device 506 and / or at least one post-drying device is part of at least one unit 100, 300, 600, 700, 900, 1000, preferably designed as a module 100, 300, 600, 700, 900, 1000. For example, at least one coating unit 600 has at least one drying device 506 and / or has at least one unit 700 designed as a transport device 710 and / or at least one transport unit 700.

[0068] The processing machine 01 comprises a unit 700, in particular a transport unit 700, and / or the module 700, in particular the transport module 700. Additionally or alternatively, the processing machine 01 preferably comprises transport devices 700, for example, as components of other units and / or modules. The transport unit 700 is driven by a drive. For example, this drive is mechanically coupled to other units 700, for example, other transport units 700. Alternatively, the drive is mechanically decoupled from other units.

[0069] The processing machine 01 preferably has at least one forming unit 900, which is further preferably configured as an assembly 900, in particular a forming unit 900 or a punching unit 900, and / or as a module 900, in particular a forming module 900 or a punching module 900, and / or as a punching unit 900. Preferably, the processing machine 01 has at least one forming unit 900 configured as a punching unit 900. The at least one forming unit 900 is preferably configured as a rotary punching unit 900 and / or preferably has at least one forming element 914 or punching unit 914. A forming unit 900 shall also be understood to include an embossing unit and / or a creasing unit. Preferably, a perforating device is also a form of a punching device 900. The forming device 900 preferably has at least one forming cylinder 901 and at least one counter-punching cylinder 902.The forming cylinder 901 is designed as a cylinder 901, preferably as a die-cutting cylinder 901, and in particular as a die-cutting cylinder 901. The die-cutting cylinder 901 is preferably driven or can be driven by a drive 962 in a rotating manner. The counter-die-cutting cylinder 902 is designed as a cylinder 902. For example, the counter-die-cutting cylinder 902 is also referred to as the counter-pressure cylinder 902 of the forming device 900. The counter-die-cutting cylinder 902 is preferably driven or can be driven by a drive 961 in a rotating manner.

[0070] The processing machine 01 preferably has at least one unit 1000 designed as a substrate delivery device 1000, in particular as a delivery unit 1000, in particular as a sheet delivery unit 1000, in particular delivery unit 1000, which is further preferably designed as a module 1000, in particular as a delivery module 1000.

[0071] The transport direction T, which is particularly intended for the transport of sheets 02, is the direction T which is preferably at least substantially and further preferably completely horizontally oriented and / or which preferably points from a first unit 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 of the processing machine 01 to a last unit 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 of the processing machine 01, in particular from a sheet feeder unit 100 or a substrate feeder 100 on the one hand to a delivery unit 1000 oron the other hand, a substrate dispensing device 1000, and / or which preferably points in a direction in which the sheets 02 are transported apart from vertical movements or vertical components of movements, in particular from a first contact with an aggregate 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 of the processing machine 01 downstream of the substrate supply device 100 or first contact with the processing machine 01 up to a final contact with the processing machine 01. Regardless of whether the system 300 is an independent aggregate 300 or module 300 or is part of the substrate supply device 100, the transport direction T is preferably the direction T in which a horizontal component points in a direction oriented from the system 300 to the substrate dispensing device 1000.

[0072] A direction A, preferably a transverse direction A, preferably also called an axial direction A, is preferably oriented orthogonally to the transport direction T of the sheets 02 and / or orthogonally to the intended transport path of the sheets 02 through the at least one application unit 600 and / or through the at least one forming unit 900 and / or through the at least one sheet delivery unit 1000. The transverse direction A is preferably a horizontally oriented direction A. A working width of the processing machine 01 and / or of the at least one application unit 600 and / or of the at least one forming unit 900 and / or of the at least one sheet delivery unit 1000 is preferably a dimension that extends preferably orthogonally to the intended transport path of the sheets 02 through the at least one application unit 600 and / or of the at least one forming unit 900 and / or of the at least one sheet delivery unit 1000, further preferably in the transverse direction A.The working width of the processing machine 01 preferably corresponds to the maximum width that a sheet 02 may have in order to still be processed by the processing machine 01, i.e., in particular, the maximum sheet width that can be processed by the processing machine 01. The width of a sheet 02 is understood to mean, in particular, its dimension in the transverse direction A. This is preferably independent of whether this width of the sheet 02 is greater or less than an orthogonal horizontal dimension of the sheet 02, which more preferably represents the length of this sheet 02. The working width of the processing machine 01 preferably corresponds to the working width of the at least one application unit 600 and / or the at least one forming unit 900 and / or the at least one sheet delivery unit 1000.The working width of the processing machine 01, in particular sheet processing machine 01, is preferably at least 100 cm, more preferably at least 150 cm, even more preferably at least 160 cm, even more preferably at least 200 cm and even more preferably at least 250 cm.

[0073] A vertical direction V preferably denotes a direction that is parallel to the normal vector of a plane spanned by the transport direction T and the transverse direction A. For example, in the area of ​​the forming device 900, the vertical direction V is preferably oriented such that it points from the substrate 02 towards a forming cylinder 901 of the forming device 900.

[0074] The sheet processing machine 01 is preferably a sheet processing machine 01 with at least one forming device 900 and at least one delivery 1000 arranged along a transport path provided for transporting sheets 02 after the at least one forming device 900. The at least one forming device 900 is preferably designed as a punching device 900 and / or as a rotary punching device 900. For example, exactly one forming device 900, in particular a punching device 900 and / or a rotary punching device 900, is arranged.

[0075] The at least one forming device 900 preferably has at least one, and more preferably exactly one, forming point 909. The at least one forming device 900 preferably has at least one, and more preferably exactly one, forming point 909, which is formed by at least one, and more preferably exactly one, forming cylinder 901, in particular designed as a die-cutting cylinder 901, on the one hand, and at least one counter-pressure cylinder 902 on the other. The forming point 909 is preferably the area in which the respective forming cylinder 901 and the respective counter-pressure cylinder 902 are closest to each other. The at least one forming point 909 is preferably designed as at least one die-cutting point 909 and / or as a machining point 909 and / or as at least one transport means 909 and / or as at least one forming transport means 909 and / or as at least one die-cutting transport means 909.Preferably, the forming device 900, in particular the forming unit 914, comprises at least one tool; more preferably, the at least one forming cylinder 901 also comprises at least one tool. In a preferred embodiment, the tool of the forming device 900, in particular of the forming unit 914, and more preferably the tool of the forming cylinder 901, is in direct contact with the counter-punching cylinder 902, particularly in the area of ​​the forming point 909. Preferably, the counter-pressure cylinder 608 and the counter-punching cylinder 902 must operate in synchronous operation, preferably at the same surface speed.

[0076] The at least one die cylinder 901, designed as a punch cylinder 901, has a tool with preferably vertically arranged blades. The blades are preferably arranged discontinuously and differ depending on the punching job. For example, the blades differ in their penetration depth. In particular, a single surface speed for the punch cylinder 901 cannot then be specified. In this case, an average value is preferably used. Preferably, the at least one starting diameter must be entered into an interface to a control system before the machine is started, for example, manually.

[0077] The at least one counter-pressure cylinder 902, designed as a counter-punch cylinder 902, preferably has a lift or die-cutting surface 906. The die-cutting surface 906 is preferably made of a plastic and / or rubber and has slightly elastic properties. Preferably, the die-cutting surface 906 is made of a plastic such as polyurethane or similar. Preferably, the die-cutting surface 906 is, for example, slightly compressible and can partially revert to its original shape. Typically, such a die-cutting surface 906 is between 10 mm and 12 mm thick, with 4 mm and 8 mm being wear-downable.

[0078] At least one grinding cylinder 911 or a grinding roller 911 is arranged or adjustable on the counter-punch cylinder 902. The at least one grinding cylinder 911 has a drive, preferably a direct drive. The grinding cylinder 911 is preferably adjustable to the counter-punch cylinder 902 by means of actuators.

[0079] The processing machine 01 has several sensors. These can, for example, detect the arrival of sheets at specific points on the processing machine 01. Furthermore, the sensors can also be designed as cameras and, for example, inspect the processing result. Preferably, such an inspection system is configured as a print image control system 726 for inspecting a printed image. Another such sensor can be a register control system 728. The print image control system 726 and the register control system 728 are preferably arranged downstream of the application units 600 and preferably inspect the entire printed image. The processing machine 01 also preferably has a die-cutting image control system 916. This is preferably arranged downstream of the die-cutting unit 900. Using the sensors 726, 728, and 916, for example, a sheet 02 can be ejected from the processing machine 01.The processing machine 01 preferably has a sheet diverter 1001 and a discharge stack 1002, also called a delivery tray 1002. If there are deviations in the printing and / or die-cutting quality, the sheet diverter 1001 can be controlled by means of the signals from sensors 726, 728, 916, and the sheets in the transport path can be deflected and thus conveyed onto the discharge stack 1002. If, on the other hand, the printing and / or die-cutting quality is sufficient, the sheet 02 is preferably placed on a delivery stack carrier 1003 of the delivery tray 1000. Furthermore, the sheet processing machine 01 has several sheet arrival sensors 164; 622; 722; 922. Over time, external changes in the printing length and the die-cutting length also occur. This change can also be detected by the sensors, and the cylinders, in particular the forming cylinders 602; 901; 903, subsequently controlled and / or regulated with the signals.

[0080] There is a need to change the punching cylinders 901 and 903 in a punching unit 900 in an improved manner. For this purpose, the punching unit 900 has a device 950 for changing the punching cylinders 901 and 903. A punching cylinder 901, which is in a punching position 981 during operation, can be changed with another punching cylinder 903. The changing device 950 comprises the components of the punching unit 900 that are involved in and / or required for changing the cylinders 901 and 903. In particular, the changing device 950 includes at least one punching cylinder 901 and at least one additional punching cylinder 903 for changing with the at least one punching cylinder 901. Preferably, the punching unit 900 has a suction device 966 for extracting waste parts or dust. The punching unit 900 preferably has a housing 963.Preferably, the housing 963 of the punching unit 900 has at least a first wall and a second wall, which are arranged axially before and after the transport path of sheet 02. Preferably, the housing 963 is designed as a frame 963, for example for holding the cylinders 901; 902; 903 of the punching unit 900.

[0081] Preferably, the device 950 for changing the punch cylinders 901; 903 has at least one, preferably several, and in particular at least two, guides 958; 959. In particular, a transport system 95 has the guides 958; 959. Preferably, a guide 959 is configured as a predominantly horizontal guide 959, more preferably with at least one horizontal transport element 965. Preferably, a guide 958 is configured as a predominantly vertical guide 958, more preferably with at least one vertical transport element 956; 960. The punch cylinders 901; 903 can be arranged in the device 950 for changing in several positions 981; 982; 985; 986; 987. The at least one guide 958; 959 is configured for positioning the at least one punch cylinder 901 and / or the further punch cylinder 903. In particular, the punching cylinders 901; 903 are moved along the guides 958; 959.One of the punching cylinders 901; 903 is preferably arranged and / or positioned in a punching position 981. During punching, the punching cylinder 901; 903, in particular the respective punching cylinder 901; 903 used, is arranged in the punching position 981. In a preferred embodiment, the punching cylinder 901; 903 is arranged in the punching position 981 above the forming point 909. During operation of the processing machine 01, the punching blades in the punching position 981 come into contact with the punching surface 906 of the counter-punching cylinder 902. This position 983 of the counter-punching cylinder 902 is referred to as the working position 983 of the counter-punching cylinder 902. Thus, the processing point 909 is preferably formed by the punching cylinder 901; 903 arranged in the punching position 981. 903 and the counter-punching cylinder 902 arranged in the working position 983. The punching position 981 is therefore the same position for both punching cylinders 901 and 903.In particular, the processing point 909 is thus located at an identical position for at least one punching cylinder 901 and for the further punching cylinder 903. The sheet 02 is preferably processed at the processing point 909 of the punching unit 900 during operation, in particular regardless of which punching cylinder 901; 903 is arranged in the punching position 981.

[0082] One of the punching cylinders 901; 903, preferably at least one punching cylinder 901, is preferably arrangable and / or positioned in a changeover position 982. The at least one punching cylinder 901 or the further punching cylinder 903 is preferably arrangable and / or positioned in the changeover position 982. From the punching position 981, the punching cylinder 901 can be moved to a changeover position 982. For this purpose, preferably at least one locking mechanism 951 of the punching cylinder 901 is opened. The at least one punching cylinder 901 is ready for removal in the changeover position 982. In particular, for cylinder replacement, the punching cylinder 901 is moved from the punching position 981 to the changeover position 982. The further cylinder 903 is preferably moved from the changeover position 982 to the punching position 981. From the changeover position 982, the punching cylinder 901; 903 is transferred to and / or will be transferred to the punching position 981.The changeover position 982 is preferably spaced apart from the punching position 981, particularly in the vertical direction V, and more preferably arranged below the punching position 981. In a preferred embodiment, the punching cylinder 901; 903 is arranged further away from the forming point 909 in the changeover position 982 than in the punching position 981, preferably adjusted in the direction of the previously set-down counter-punching cylinder 902, and more preferably adjusted downwards.

[0083] Preferably, the changeover position 982 is arranged vertically V above or, more preferably, below the punching position 981. Preferably, the axis of rotation 976 of the punching cylinder 901 in the changeover position 982 is on the same axis vertically V as the axis of rotation 976 of the punching cylinder 901 in the punching position 981. The changeover position 982 is preferably located on a direct guide path between the punching position 981 and a maintenance position 987.

[0084] In a preferred embodiment, the punching cylinder 901; 903 is operatively connected to the drive 962. The drive 962 preferably rotates the punching cylinder 901; 903, particularly in its punching position 981. The drive 962 of the punching cylinder 901; 903 is designed to drive a punching cylinder 901; 903 arranged in the punching position 981. The punching cylinder 901; 903 has an axis of rotation 976. The axis of rotation of a body is the straight line about which that body can be rotated without changing its appearance. When rotating about the axis of rotation, the individual points of the body move in circles in planes perpendicular to the respective axis of rotation. The drive 962 is preferably arranged coaxially with the axis of rotation 976 of the punching cylinder 901; 903 arranged in its punching position 981.The drive 962 is preferably fixed to the frame and / or housing on the housing 963 of the punching unit 900, preferably by means of a support 932. The support 932 is preferably a housing support and fixed to the frame, i.e., preferably arranged in a fixed position on the housing 963. Advantageously, the drive 962 comprises a motor 931, in particular a torque motor 931, with a rotor 994 and a stator 995. The motor 931 is preferably designed as a synchronous motor 931. The rotor 994 preferably has a permanently excited magnetic field. Preferably, the rotor 994 has at least one permanent magnet for this purpose. Preferably, the rotor 994 has at least one elevator with at least one, preferably several, permanent magnets. The rotor 994, or rotor of the synchronous motor 931, has poles of permanent magnets on its circumference (in particular, alternating in the circumferential direction).The stator 995 preferably has windings opposite the permanent magnets for generating magnetic fields by electrical energy. A rotating magnetic field is generated in the stator 995. The rotor 994 and the stator 995 are preferably arranged to be adjustable relative to each other, preferably axially. This preferred design of the motor 931, particularly with the permanent magnets, achieves a high power density. The use of gear ratios is therefore unnecessary. This eliminates inaccuracies in the drive train as well as wear on mechanical elements such as gears.

[0085] In a preferred embodiment, a coupling 968 couples the stamping cylinder 901; 903 to the drive 962, which is preferably configured to drive the stamping cylinder 901; 903 in a rotating manner. By axially adjusting the rotor 994, the stamping cylinder 901; 903 can preferably be completely removed from the coupling 968 and then brought back into contact. Furthermore, the lateral register can be adjusted by the relative adjustability of the rotor 994 and stator 995. The power output of the drive 962 also changes due to the relative adjustment. The rotor 994 is axially adjusted or moved from a coupled position to a decoupled position. "Axially" preferably means in or against the transverse direction A. The rotor 994 preferably moves between 50 mm and 200 mm, and more preferably approximately 160 mm. To adjust the side register, the rotor 994 is moved from the coupled position with the punching cylinder 901; 903.Sensors on the processing machine 01 can be used to generate a signal for an actuator 996 via the machine control. Based on this signal, the actuator 996 is adjusted accordingly to correct the side register. The actuator 996 preferably moves the punching cylinder 901; 903 for register adjustment, particularly to its punching position 981. The actuator 996 is preferably designed as a pneumatic and / or electric and / or, more preferably, an electromechanical drive. Preferably, the punching cylinder 901, 903 is moved only a few millimeters to centimeters for register adjustment. The drive 962 has at least one guide 969 for this purpose. The drive 962 is particularly preferably designed as a torque motor 931. A rotary encoder preferably monitors the position of the cylinders 901; 903. To remove the punching cylinder 901, the clutch 968 is preferably released.Alternatively, in particular as an alternative to adjusting only part of the drive 962, the entire drive 962 can also be adjusted parallel to the axis of rotation 976 of the punching cylinder 901; 903, preferably by means of an actuator 996.

[0086] Preferably, only the rotor 994 of the drive 962 is arranged parallel to the axis of rotation 976 of the punching cylinder 901; 903, preferably by means of the actuator 996, in an adjustable and / or adjusting manner. The rotor 994 is preferably optionally adjustable with or without the punching cylinder 901; 903.

[0087] In particular, the lateral register can be adjusted by the relative displacement of rotor 994 to stator 995. In this case, rotor 994 is adjustable with the punching cylinder 901; 903. Rotor 994 can also be adjusted without the punching cylinder 901; 903. This is the case, for example, when the coupling 968 is released and removed from the punching cylinder 901; 903, or when the coupling 968 is to be connected to a new punching cylinder 901; 903. Preferably, the coupling 968 is removed from a cylinder journal of the punching cylinder 901 during a cylinder change. This allows the punching cylinder 901 to be easily removed from its exchange position 982, preferably horizontally. After changing the punching cylinder 901, the new punching cylinder 903 is preferably coupled by axially adjusting the rotor 994.The drive 962 then preferably drives the further punching cylinder 903, which is arranged in the punching position 981.

[0088] The rotor 994 is mounted in the motor 931. Preferably, the motor 931 has a bearing 930 for mounting, more preferably a bearing 930 designed as a rolling bearing 930, and more preferably a bearing 930 designed as a spherical roller bearing 930. This bearing is preferably adjusted axially with the rotor 994 by means of the actuator 996. Furthermore, a plain bearing 999 is preferably used to enable the axial movement of the rotor 994. The plain bearing 999 is preferably arranged at the end face in the direction of the coupling 968.

[0089] The centering of the rotor 994 is preferably ensured by a bearing 990 of the stamping cylinder 901; 903, in particular in a hub 970 of the stamping cylinder 901; 903. The drive 962, or the rotor 994, is centered by coupling the clutch 968. The bearing 930, preferably designed as a spherical roller bearing 930, enables the centering movement. The drive 962 is thus preferably supported by the bearing 930, preferably designed as a spherical roller bearing 930, and the bearing 990 of the stamping cylinder 901; 903.

[0090] The changing device 950 preferably includes the coupling 968 for connecting and / or disconnecting the punching cylinders 901; 903 to and / or from the drive 962 for driving one of the punching cylinders 901; 903. Preferably, the actuator 996 is connected to the drive 962. Preferably, the drive 962 is connected to the punching cylinder 901 via the coupling 968. Preferably, the coupling 968 can be opened when changing the punching cylinders 901; 903, thus disconnecting the punching cylinder 901 from its drive 962. Preferably, the coupling 968 is arranged between the drive 962 or the motor 931 and the punching cylinder 901; 903. In particular, the coupling 968 connects the punching cylinder 901 arranged in the punching position 981. 903 to the drive 962 or its motor 931. In the engaged state, the coupling 968 is preferably movable in the axial direction with the stamping cylinder 901; 903.For example, the coupling 968 is moved in axial direction A with the punching cylinder 901; 903 during the register setting.

[0091] In an advantageous embodiment, the coupling 968 has a clamping sleeve 973 with pre-tensioned clamping elements. Such clamping elements can be, for example, star-shaped discs. The coupling 968 is preferably designed to be detachable by means of a pressure medium, for example, by means of hydraulics. For this purpose, the pressure medium is preferably supplied to the coupling 968 via the axis of the rotor 994. Preferably, the rotor 994 has a central bore 998 through which the pressure medium reaches the coupling 968. Preferably, the bore 998 extends through the entire rotor 994. The supply of the pressure medium for actuating the coupling 968 can thus be easily provided or conveyed, for example, via a rotary guide 997 through the axis or the bore 998 to the coupling 968.

[0092] Alternatively, the clutch 968 can also be a clutch 968 that can be engaged in a different way. For example, the clutch 968 can be designed as a cone, disc, electromagnetic, or fluid clutch. In a first embodiment, the stamping cylinder 901 remains in position or does not change its position when moving from the stamping position 981 to the changeover position 982.

[0093] Preferably, the at least one actuator 996 can adjust the drive 962 or a part thereof, preferably the rotor 994, in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation 976 of the stamping cylinder 901; 903 and / or is arranged to adjust it. Preferably, the actuator 996 is operatively connected to the rotor 994 and can adjust it axially relative to the stator 995. Preferably, the rotor 994 is adjustable by at least 100 mm, more preferably by 160 mm, in the axial direction. The actuator 996 is preferably designed to adjust the drive 962, preferably a part of the drive 962, more preferably the rotor 994, in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation 976 of the stamping cylinder 901; 903, more preferably in the axial direction relative to the stator 995.

[0094] In a preferred embodiment, the drive 961 of the counter-punch cylinder 902 also comprises a synchronous motor, preferably one excited by a permanent magnet. In this case, a gearbox can also be omitted for the counter-punch cylinder 902.

[0095] The changing device 950 has a locking mechanism 951 for fixing the punching cylinder 901 or the further punching cylinder 903, in particular depending on which of the cylinders 901; 903 is to be used, in the punching position 981 and / or for releasing it from the punching position 981. The at least one punching cylinder 901 or the further punching cylinder 903 can be arranged and / or is arranged in the changing position 982 in a released state of the locking mechanism 951. The at least one punching cylinder 901 or the further punching cylinder 903 can be arranged and / or is arranged in the punching position 981 in a fixed state of the locking mechanism 951. The punching cylinder 901; 903 is preferably transferred exclusively by releasing the locking device 951 from its punching position 981 to its changeover position 982 and / or preferably exclusively by fixing the locking device 951 from the changeover position 982 to the punching position 981.If at least one punch cylinder 901 is replaced with the other punch cylinder 903, the releasing and fixing by means of the locking device 951 applies analogously to the other punch cylinder 903. The locking device 951 is therefore preferably designed to fix the punch cylinder 901; 903 which is to be arranged in the punching position 981 at the respective time.

[0096] In a first embodiment, the punching cylinder 901 remains in position when moved from the punching position 981 to the changeover position 982, or its position does not change, or changes only slightly. A slight change in position is defined, for example, as a change in the position of the axis of rotation 976 relative to the positions by a maximum of 1 cm, preferably by a maximum of 5 mm, more preferably by a maximum of 1 mm, more preferably by a maximum of 0.5 mm, and more preferably by a maximum of 0.05 mm. In this case, the changeover position 982 is characterized by the fact that only the locking mechanism 951 is open or loosened. Here, the punching cylinder 901 is preferably moved from its punching position 981 to its changeover position 982 solely by releasing the locking mechanism 951.

[0097] In a further embodiment, the position of the punching cylinder 901 changes when it is moved from the punching position 981 to the changeover position 982. This is particularly the case when the locking device 951 presses the punching cylinder 901 or the further punching cylinder 903 into a position and is then released. Preferably, the locking device 951 is arranged to fix, particularly by pressing, the punching cylinders 901 and 903 from the opposite side, particularly from below, against the frame 963 and / or a frame-fixed element 963 and / or the housing 963. Particularly preferably, the locking device 951 is arranged to fix, and / or press, the punching cylinders 901 and 903 from below against a contact surface, preferably in the form of a half-shell, in a wall of the housing 963, particularly the housing wall 963, or into the frame 963.The contact surface is preferably adapted to the shape of the punch cylinder 901 and / or at least to a guide element 971 on the cylinder journal. In particular, the contact surface is adapted to the shape of the punch cylinder 901, which the punch cylinder 901 has in the area where it comes into direct contact with the contact surface. Preferably, such a guide element 971 is a groove 971 on a hub 970, which is mounted on the cylinder journal. Each punch cylinder 901; 903 preferably has at least one guide element 971 or a guide element 971 designed as a groove 971 for securely guiding the punch cylinders 901; 903 in the guides 958; 959. Preferably, the hub 970 has the contact surface for locking the punch cylinder 901; 903 in the punching position 981. In the embodiment with the locking mechanism 951 from below, it falls or falls.When moving from the punching position 981 to the changeover position 982, the punching cylinder 901 moves downwards in the vertical direction V. In particular, the punching cylinder 901, especially its groove 971, then rests in a guide 959 in the changeover position 982, preferably in a predominantly horizontal guide 959. Preferably, the punching cylinder 901 then moves only a few centimeters. Preferably, the punching cylinder 901 moves less than 20 cm, and more preferably less than 10 cm.

[0098] At least in the embodiment with the locking mechanism 951 from below and the change of position during the transition to the changeover position 982, the counter-punch cylinder 902 has its working position 983 and a reset position 984. More preferably, at least in the embodiment with the locking mechanism 951 from below and the change of position during the transition to the changeover position 982, the counter-punch cylinder 902 has an actuator. By means of the actuator, the counter-punch cylinder 902 is arranged to be moved from the working position 983 to the reset position 984. The working position 983 is, in particular, the position of the counter-punch cylinder 902 in which, preferably, the punch cylinder 901; 903, arranged in the punching position 981, is in direct contact with the counter-punch cylinder 902.In a preferred embodiment, the counter-punch cylinder 902 is arranged in the working position 983 in the vertical direction V below the punching position 981 of the punching cylinder 901; 903. The disengaged position 984 is a position in which the counter-punch cylinder 902 is disengaged from the punching cylinder 901; 903. In a preferred embodiment, the counter-punch cylinder 902 is arranged in the disengaged position 984 in the vertical direction V below the punching position 981 of the punching cylinder 901; 903.

[0099] The locking device 951 is preferably operatively connected to a drive 952. In a preferred embodiment, the drive 952 of the locking device 951 is designed as a hydraulic drive 952. The drive 952 preferably actuates the locking device 951. The drive 952 preferably actuates the locking device 951 to fix and / or release the punching cylinder 901; 903. By means of the locking device 951 driven by the drive 952, the punching cylinder 901; 903 is preferably released from its punching position 981 or fixed in its punching position 981. Thus, the drive 952 preferably fixes and / or releases the locking device 951. The drive 952 pushes or pulls a retaining element, preferably from below, against the contact surface, in particular against the hub 970 or its groove 971, of the punching cylinder 901; 903. In a preferred embodiment, the drive 952 pulls the locking device 951 from bottom to top, thus clamping the respective punching cylinder 901; 903 in the punching position 981.The punching cylinder 901; 903 lifts up and is pressed from below against the housing wall 963 and / or the frame 963. The housing 963 is preferably designed as a frame 963. Preferably, the housing 963 has at least one frame-fixed element 963, for example, its wall. The locking device 951 is arranged to fix the punching cylinder 901; 903 preferably from below against the frame 963 and / or the frame-fixed element 963 and / or the housing 963, preferably by pressing it. The locking device 951 can subsequently be released by the drive 952. By releasing the locking device 951, the punching cylinder 901; 903 can be moved from the punching position 981 to the changeover position 982. In particular, the punching cylinder 901; 903 is transferred from the punching position 981 to the changeover position 982 by releasing the locking device 951.

[0100] In this preferred embodiment described here, the punching cylinder 901; 903 is locked from below. However, locking from the side or from above is also possible. The locking device 951 acts pointing away from the forming point 909 or machining point 909, in particular vertically. In a rotated punching unit, i.e., when preferably the counter-punching cylinder 902 is arranged above the punching cylinder 901; 903 to form the machining point 909, locking from above is advantageous, for example. The locking device 951 is arranged to fix the punching cylinder 901; 903 preferably in the punching position 981, preferably by means of the locking device 951, pointing away from the forming point 909 against the wall of the frame 963, in particular the frame wall, and / or the wall of the housing 963, in particular the housing wall 963.In particular, the locking mechanism 951 acts from one side of the punching cylinder 901; 903 opposite the contact surface of the frame 963 onto the punching cylinder 901 or onto the further punching cylinder 903. Preferably, the housing 963 is in contact with the punching cylinder 901; 903 only from the side opposite the locking mechanism 951, preferably from above. The housing 963 has a matched contact surface, preferably in the form of a half-shell, for receiving the punching cylinder 901; 903 in the punching position 981. The matched shape preferably refers to a contact surface with a similar curvature to the corresponding contact surface of the punching cylinder 901; 903, in particular the hub 970. Preferably, the punching cylinder 901; 903 has a contact surface for clamping. The locking device 951 has a further matched contact surface, in particular a contact surface matched to the punching cylinder 901; 903.Preferably, the contact surface of the locking device 951 is also adapted to the shape of the punch cylinder 901; 903, or the shape of the hub 970. For a good clamping effect, the contact surface of the locking device 951 is then arranged opposite the contact surface of the housing 963 or the frame 963. In particular, the contact surface of the housing 963 and the contact surface of the locking device 951 hold the punch cylinder 901; 903 from opposite sides. Alternatively, the two contact surfaces can also be arranged diagonally opposite each other.

[0101] In a preferred embodiment, the punching cylinder 901 or the further punching cylinder 903 is arranged in the changeover position 982. In this changeover position 982, the respective punching cylinder 901; 903 is preferably arranged at the end of the horizontal guide 959. Preferably, the horizontal guide 959 has a half-shell at its end. The punching cylinder 901; 903 rests in this half-shell. For example, to define the changeover position 982, the horizontal guide 959 has a half-shell shape, or simply the half-shell, at one end of its guide path. In particular, when the punching cylinder 901; 903 is arranged in the changeover position 982, the punching cylinder 901; 903 rests in the half-shell of the horizontal guide 959. Furthermore, a further recess, preferably in the form of a half-shell, is preferably arranged above it, more preferably a further recess for holding the punching cylinder 901; 903 in the punching position 981.The punch cylinder 901; 903 is now pressed into this recess. For this purpose, the locking device 951 preferably lifts the punch cylinder 901; 903 from below and presses it into the recess above. The recess is designed such that the punch cylinder 901; 903 is then held in position. This position is preferably the punching position 981. The contact surface of the locking device 951 also holds the punch cylinder 901; 903 in position by means of its adapted shape, preferably the half-shell shape. Preferably, the respective punch cylinder 901; 903 is held in the punching position 981 by the locking device 951, in particular its contact surface, and / or by the recess in the frame 963 and / or housing 963 and / or the recess at the end of the horizontal guide 959, preferably a linear guide 959. Preferably, the recesses are designed such that they have a shape adapted to the contact surface of the hub 970.In particular, this design makes it possible to securely fix the punch cylinders 901; 903.

[0102] In a further preferred embodiment, the position of the punching cylinder 901 changes when it is moved from the punching position 981 to the changeover position 982. Preferably, the punching cylinder 901 moves only a few centimeters. More preferably, the punching cylinder moves less than 20 cm, and more preferably less than 10 cm. Thus, the distance between the changeover position 982 and the punching position 981 is preferably less than 20 cm, and more preferably less than 10 cm. Therefore, the axes of rotation 976 of the punching cylinders in the changeover position 982 are preferably spaced apart from each other by less than 20 cm, and more preferably by less than 10 cm, relative to the punching position 981. In a preferred embodiment, the counter-punching cylinder 902 is predominantly adjustable in the vertical direction V. The set-off position 984 is a position in which the counter-punching cylinder 902 is brought out of contact with the punching cylinder 901.The counter-punch cylinder 902 thus remains essentially in its working position 983. Preferably, the counter-punch cylinder 902 is only moved to the point where it is out of contact even when the punch cylinder 901 is in the changeover position 982. Preferably, an actuator moves the counter-punch cylinder 902 only between 15 cm and 30 cm. Preferably, the actuator has a stroke of a maximum of 50 cm, more preferably a maximum of 30 cm. The actuator of the counter-punch cylinder 902 preferably comprises a cylinder 953, preferably designed as a linear guide 953, which, for example, moves a holding element 954, preferably designed as a partial frame. The holding element 954 preferably carries a bearing of the counter-punch cylinder 902.Thus, the counter-punch cylinder 902 is preferably moved by the actuator, via the cylinder 953 and the holding element 954, from its working position 983 to its reset position 984 and / or vice versa. Preferably, the cylinder 953 and holding elements 954 are arranged axially before and after the machining point 909.

[0103] The punching cylinder 901 and / or the at least one further punching cylinder 903 preferably has at least one bearing 990 at each of its axial ends, preferably on the cylinder journal. The at least one punching cylinder 901; 903 preferably has at least one bearing 990 at each of its axial ends. The bearing 990 is preferably arranged on the punching cylinder 901; 903 such that it moves with the punching cylinder 901; 903. Thus, the bearing 990 is preferably arranged on the punching cylinder 901; 903 such that it moves with the punching cylinder 901; 903 when the punching cylinders 901; 903 are changed. The position of the bearing 990 differs in the changeover position 982 from the position in the punching position 981. Preferably, at each axial end of the punching cylinder 901; 903 a bearing 990 arranged. In particular, each punch cylinder 901; 903 has a hub 970 at each of its ends in axial direction A.

[0104] The punching cylinder 901 and / or the at least one further punching cylinder 903 preferably has at least one hub 970 on at least one of the cylinder journals. The hub 970 is preferably designed such that it limits the movement of the punching cylinder 901; 903 in the axial direction in the guides 958; 959. For this purpose, the hub 970 has two shoulders that form a groove 971. Thus, the hub 970 preferably has the groove 971. The hub 970 has a surface that can be firmly connected to the frame 963 and / or a wall of the housing 963, in particular the housing wall 963, by means of the locking device 951. Preferably, the locking device 951 has a half-shell shape which is adapted to the contact surface of the hub 970, in particular the groove 971. In addition, the wall of the housing 963, in particular housing wall 963, preferably also has a matched half-shell for receiving the contact surface of the hub 970, for example the groove 971.Thus, the punching cylinder 901; 903 is fixed in the punching position 981 in the vertical and horizontal directions by means of the locking device 951. In the axial direction, the punching cylinder 901; 903 is preferably fixed by the raised section of the hub 970. These also act as guide elements in the guides 958; 959. Preferably, the hub 970 has at least one bearing 990. More preferably, the bearing 990 is arranged in the hub 970. Furthermore, for example, the locking device 951 is briefly opened to adjust the side register, which is set by means of the actuator 996.

[0105] The changing device 950 preferably includes a transport system 955 for moving the punching cylinders 901; 903. This transport system preferably comprises transport elements 956; 960; 965, which receive the punching cylinders 901; 903 and transport them along the guide paths, in particular along the at least predominantly horizontal guide 959 and / or along the at least predominantly vertical guide 958, and / or to the different positions. Thus, the transport system 955 preferably includes the at least one guide 958; 959.

[0106] Another position that the punching cylinder 901 and / or the at least one further punching cylinder 903 can assume is the extension position 985. One of the punching cylinders 901; 903 is preferably arrangable and / or positioned in the extension position 985. Preferably, the extension position 985 is arranged on the vertical guide 958. The extension position 985 is preferably spaced apart from the punching position 981, preferably in or against the transport direction T. The at least one punching cylinder 901 and / or the at least one further punching cylinder 903 can be moved from the changeover position 982 to an extension position 985 and / or vice versa. In particular, for replacing the at least one punching cylinder 901, the at least one punching cylinder 901 can be moved from the changeover position 982 to the extension position 985 and / or is moved to the extension position 985.Preferably, the changeover position 982 is arranged along the guide path between the punching position 981 and the extension position 985. Preferably, the at least one punching cylinder 901 is removed from the changeover position 982 and guided along a guide 959, preferably in the predominantly horizontal guide 959. Preferably, the punching cylinder 901 can be removed predominantly horizontally from the changeover position 982 and moved into the extension position 985. "Predominantly horizontal" here refers in particular to a direction with a predominantly horizontal component. This also includes inclined guides. Preferably, the punching cylinder 901; 903 can be moved on the guide 959, which is designed as a linear guide 959, from the changeover position 982 to the extension position 985 and / or vice versa.

[0107] Preferably, the device for changing the die 950 for transferring the die cylinder 901; 903 from the changeover position 982 to the extension position 985 and / or vice versa comprises at least one transport element 965. This transport element preferably has a half-shell for holding the die cylinder 901; 903. Preferably, the half-shell is designed as a contact surface with the die cylinder 901; 903. In a preferred embodiment, the horizontal transport element 965 is designed as a shell 965. Preferably, the predominantly horizontal guide 959 is realized by means of the at least one transport element 965. For example, the at least one transport element 965 of the preferably predominantly horizontal guide 959 is designed as a slide, preferably as a slide with retaining arms.Preferably, the at least one transport element 965 of the preferably predominantly horizontal guide 959 has at least one bowl-shaped area on which the punching cylinder 901; 903 can be arranged. Preferably, a transport element 965 is arranged on each side of the housing 963.

[0108] The transport element 965 is preferably movable on at least one guide rail 967, preferably horizontally. However, the transport element 965 can also follow curved guide paths. Preferably, the at least one guide rail 967 defines the guide path of the preferably predominantly horizontal guide 959. In a preferred embodiment, the preferably predominantly horizontal guide 959 comprises the at least one transport element 965, the at least one guide rail 967, and at least one drive for moving the transport element 965 along the at least one guide rail 967. By moving the transport element 965, the punching cylinder 901; 903 is moved along the guide 959, preferably predominantly horizontally, and more preferably completely horizontally. The predominantly horizontal guide 959 preferably defines the guide path of the punching cylinder 901; 903 from the changeover position 982 to the extension position 985 and vice versa.

[0109] Before releasing the locking mechanism 951, the at least one transport element 965 is preferably arranged under the punching cylinder 901, preferably in the punching position 981. The transport element 965 preferably has a shape adapted to the at least one punching cylinder 901; 903, and thus holds it on the transport element 965. The transport element 965 receives the punching cylinder 901 in the changeover position 982 and is guided on the guide rail 967 by means of the drive. Preferably, the distance between the punching position 981 and the changeover position 982 is smaller than the distance between the punching position 981 and the extension position 985. In the preceding and following, a distance between two reference points denotes the length of the shortest connection between the respective reference points.

[0110] The preferred position is extension 985, the position at which a change of direction of the punching cylinder 901; 903 takes place. In particular, a change of direction of the guide path between the exchange position 982 and the maintenance position 987 takes place in extension 985. Preferably, the punching cylinder 901, especially the punching cylinder 901 to be replaced, is transferred at extension 985 from the transport element 965 of the horizontal guide 959 to a transport element 956 of the vertical guide 958. Preferably, the punching cylinder 903, especially the punching cylinder 903 to be replaced, is transferred at extension 985 from the transport element 956 of the vertical guide 958 to the transport element 965 of the horizontal guide 959. That is to say, The extension position 985 is preferably a position where the guide paths of the vertical guide 958 and the horizontal guide 959 intersect.The two transport elements 956; 965 are arranged in different positions or offset from each other in the axial direction, i.e., across the machine width, and can interlock and take over the punching cylinder 901; 903. From there, the punching cylinder 901, in particular the punching cylinder 901 to be replaced, can then be adjusted in the vertical direction V, in particular by means of the vertical guide 958.

[0111] Furthermore, one of the punching cylinders 901; 903 can be arranged and / or is arranged in a maintenance position 987 for setup and / or maintenance. In this maintenance position 987, the punching cylinder 901; 903 can be serviced and, for example, prepared for a new punching job. For example, a punching tool can be exchanged for a new one. For example, the punching tools consist of half-shells 964 with punching tools, such as dies, arranged on them. Preferably, at least one punching die 964, which is preferably designed as a half-shell 964, is attached to the punching cylinder 901; 903. The maintenance position 987 is preferably arranged in a vertical direction V below the punching position 981 and / or the changeover position 982. More preferably, the punching cylinder 901; 903 is then at a height that is convenient for an operator.This has the advantage that the punching cylinder 901; 903 can be prepared for the next punching job in a position that is easily accessible to an operator. The punching cylinder 901; 903 is also located away from interfering elements and can thus be easily reached from the surrounding sides. Preferably, the maintenance position 987 is arranged on the vertical guide 958.

[0112] Another position in which the punching cylinders 901; 903 can be arranged is a waiting position 986. One of the punching cylinders 901; 903 is preferably arranged in the waiting position 986 for the two punching cylinders 901; 903 to pass each other, and / or can be arranged therein, and / or is arranged therein, and / or is arranged therein. The waiting position 986 serves for the passing of two cylinders 901; 903 and lies at least outside a guide path of a punching cylinder 901. The guide path is the direct transport path between the changeover position 982 and the maintenance position 987. In particular, the waiting position 986 is a position outside the direct guide path between the punching position 981 and the maintenance position 987. This guide path is preferably defined by the guides 958; 959.This allows a punching cylinder 901 and another punching cylinder 903 to be guided past each other in the guides 958; 959. Thus, a punching cylinder 901 can be exchanged with another punching cylinder 903 in the punching position 981. The process can also be carried out in reverse. For this, one of the punching cylinders 901; 903 is arranged in the waiting position 986, and the other punching cylinder 901; 903 can then be guided past it. Preferably, one of the punching cylinders 901; 903 is arranged in the waiting position 986, while the other punching cylinder 901; 903 is guided past it.

[0113] In a preferred embodiment, the waiting position 986 is arranged at a similar height to or above the changeover position 982 and / or the punching position 981. The waiting position 986 is preferably located vertically V above the changeover position 982. Additionally or alternatively, the waiting position 986 is located vertically V above the punching position 981. More preferably, the waiting position 986 is arranged vertically V above and spaced apart from the punching position 981 and / or changeover position 982. Even more preferably, the waiting position 986 is arranged above the ejection position 985. "Similar height" here refers in particular to a position in the vertical direction V that is essentially at the same location. This means, in particular, that the waiting position 986 is located at most 100%, more preferably at most 50% or 20%, lower than the diameter D901 of the punching cylinder 901.In particular, the waiting position 986 is located in the vertical direction V at most only 100% lower than the diameter D901 of the punching cylinder 901 in the changeover position 982 and / or punching position 981. The diameter D901 is preferably the distance from the widest dimensions, including any blade lengths, of the punching cylinder 901. The waiting position 986 is thus preferably spaced in the transport direction T from the punching position 981 and / or the changeover position 982, preferably in front of it in the transport direction T. To save space, the at least one punching cylinder 901; 903 in the waiting position 986 is preferably located above the other punching cylinder 901; 903. 903 is arranged, however, the waiting position 986 is only so far above that it is outside the guide path and the other punching cylinder 901; 903 can be guided past it.

[0114] In a preferred embodiment, the punching cylinder 901, in particular the punching cylinder 901 to be removed, is withdrawn from the changeover position 982 along a removal direction E and guided to the extension position 985. Furthermore, the waiting position 986 is arranged within, or even more preferably above, two enveloping tangents 974; 975 of the punching cylinder 901. This preferably means that the waiting position 986 is arranged within, or even more preferably above, the enveloping surface of the tangents 974; 975. Preferably, an upper tangent 974 rests against the punching cylinder 901 in the changeover position 982, and a lower tangent 975 rests against the opposite edge. These upper tangents 974 and lower tangents 975 preferably rest at opposite points on the outer edges of the punching cylinder 901 and are preferably arranged parallel to the removal direction E from the changeover position 982.The removal direction E is preferably determined by the guide 959, preferably a horizontal guide 959. In a preferred embodiment, the removal direction E is horizontally oriented. However, in the case of an inclined or curved guide 959, the removal direction E can also be inclined relative to the horizontal. Preferably, the removal direction E runs through the changeover position 982 and the extension position 985, or is defined by these two positions. That is, preferably the removal direction E points from the changeover position 982 to the extension position 985. Particularly in the case of curved guides 959, especially curved horizontal guides 959, the removal direction E can be determined in this way. The removal direction E preferably has at least one component which is oriented in or against the transport direction T; more preferably, the removal direction E is directed in or against the transport direction T.Preferably, the waiting position 986, in particular its center point, is located within or above the tangent, especially the two enclosing tangents 974 and 975, and preferably spaced apart so that the cylinder 901 to be removed and the new cylinder 903 do not interfere with each other. Preferably, the position of the positions refers to the position of the axis of a cylinder, in particular a punching cylinder 901 or 903, which would be located at this position. Preferably, the waiting position 986 is arranged in or against the transport direction T, spaced apart from the punching position 981 and / or from the changeover position 982.

[0115] Preferably, the changing device 950 comprises two guides 958 and 959. Preferably, the two guides 958 and 959 of the changing device 950 are designed as linear guides 958 and 959. Preferably, one guide 959 of the guides 958 and 959 is designed as the predominantly, and more preferably completely, horizontal guide 959, in particular a linear guide 959. The other guide 958 of the guides 958 and 959 is preferably designed as the predominantly, and more preferably completely, vertical guide 958, in particular a linear guide 958. "Predominantly" here preferably refers to a larger directional component in the respective horizontal or vertical direction. In another embodiment, the guides 958 and 959 can also be curved.Where a horizontal guide 959 is mentioned in the preceding and following text, this formulation preferably also includes a predominantly horizontal guide 959, i.e., a curved guide 959 with a larger directional component in the horizontal direction. Where a vertical guide 958 is mentioned in the preceding and following text, this formulation preferably also includes a predominantly vertical guide 958, i.e., a curved guide 958 with a larger directional component in the vertical direction. In particular, the punching cylinders 901; 903 are guided along the guides 958; 959. Thus, the punching cylinders 901; 903 are moved along the predominantly horizontal guide 959 preferably in an at least predominantly horizontal direction, preferably in a larger horizontal component, and further preferably in or against the transport direction T.Thus, the punching cylinders 901; 903 are moved along the predominantly vertical guide 958 preferably in a direction with a larger vertical component, preferably in or against the vertical direction V.

[0116] Preferably, the transport system 955 comprises at least one transport element 965 for moving the stamping cylinders 901; 903 predominantly horizontally, and preferably at least one transport element 956; 960 for moving the stamping cylinders 901; 903 predominantly vertically. These transport elements 965; 956; 960 are, for example, designed as slides with retaining arms. More preferably, they have a half-shell for holding the stamping cylinder 901; 903. Preferably, the half-shell is designed as a contact surface with the stamping cylinder 901; 903. Preferably, a respective transport element 956; 960; 965 is arranged on each side of the housing 963.

[0117] Preferably, the waiting position 986 is arranged on the vertical guide 958. In this case, the predominantly vertical guide 958 has either two transport elements 956; 960 or two transport elements 956; 960 on a common transport device 972. In a particularly simple design, the two transport elements 956; 960 of the predominantly vertical guide 958 are arranged together on a common transport device 972, in particular a carrier 972 and / or slide 972. Then, by moving the transport device 972, both punching cylinders 901; 903 can be moved in a predominantly, and more preferably completely, vertical direction V. Preferably, the vertical guide 958 has two transport elements 956; 960, in particular a first vertical transport element 956 and a second vertical transport element 960.The first and second transport elements 956; 960 are preferably movable by means of a common transport device 972 on a preferably predominantly, more preferably completely, vertical guide rail 957. The first and second transport elements 956; 960 are preferably moved by means of the common transport device 972 on the preferably predominantly, more preferably completely, vertical guide rail 957. Preferably, the common transport device 972 has the first transport element 956 positioned below the second transport element 960.

[0118] The at least one transport element 956; 960 of the vertical guide 958 is preferably movable on at least one guide rail 957, preferably vertically. However, the at least one transport element 956; 960 can also follow curved guide paths. Preferably, the at least one guide rail 957 defines the guide path of the preferably predominantly vertical guide 958. In a preferred embodiment, the preferably predominantly vertical guide 958 comprises the at least one transport element 956; 960, the at least one guide rail 957, and at least one drive 933 for moving the at least one transport element 956; 960 along the at least one guide rail 957. By moving the at least one transport element 956; 960, the punching cylinder 901; 903 is moved along the guide 958, preferably predominantly vertically, and more preferably completely vertically.The predominantly vertical guide 958 preferably defines the guide path of the punching cylinder 901; 903 from the extension position 985 to the maintenance position 987 and vice versa and / or from the waiting position 986 to the extension position 985 and vice versa and / or from the waiting position 986 to the maintenance position 987 and vice versa.

[0119] Furthermore, the punching cylinders 901, 903 can and / or are arranged in intermediate positions, at least temporarily, during the changeover. This is due, for example, to the fact that the transport elements 956, 960, 965 move under the cylinders 901, 903 for transfer, whereby these can be slightly lifted. Additionally, the punching cylinder 901, 903, which is arranged in the maintenance position 987, can, in principle, be placed on the upper or lower transport element 956, 960 of the vertical transport elements 956, 960. This is then moved to the appropriate height for maintenance.

[0120] Preferably, at least one punching cylinder 901 and at least one further punching cylinder 903 each have a rotation axis 976. The individual positions can be geometrically described by connecting lines 977, 978, 979 of the rotation axes 976. The rotation axes 976 run axially through the punching cylinders 901 and 903. They can also be referred to as the central axis. In particular, these connecting lines 977, 978, 979 are the shortest connections between the rotation axes 976 of the punching cylinders 901 and 903 when these are located at the individual positions. Preferably, a shortest connecting line 977 exists between the rotation axis 976 of the punching cylinder 901 and 903 at the punching position 981 and the rotation axis 976 of the punching cylinder 901 and 903 at the punching position 981. 903 in the extension position 985 less than α = 30°, more preferably less than α = 15°, inclined to a horizontal plane 988.The term "inclined" refers to an inclination between an angle α, also called the inclination angle α, and a horizontal plane 988. The same applies to the changeover position 982. This differs little from the punching position 981, preferably only by the release or engagement of the locking mechanism 951. Here, too, a shortest connecting line 979 between the axis of rotation 976 of the punching cylinder 901; 903 in the changeover position 982 and the axis of rotation 976 of the punching cylinder 901; 903 in the extension position 985 is inclined at less than 30° to a horizontal plane 988. The horizontal plane 988 preferably runs parallel to a floor.

[0121] Furthermore, the waiting position 986 and the maintenance position 987 are preferably arranged on the vertical guide 958. More preferably, the waiting position 986, the maintenance position 987, and the extension position 985 are also preferably arranged on the vertical guide 958. That is, the positions are aligned with respect to a vertical 989 and are preferably offset in the vertical direction V, and more preferably arranged one above the other. The vertical 989 is preferably parallel to the vertical direction V. Preferably, the vertical 989 passes through the centers of the cylinders 901 and 903 in the maintenance position 987, extension position 985, and waiting position 986. Preferably, the three positions are arranged directly above one another. The maintenance position 987 is preferably arranged below the extension position 985. The waiting position 986 is preferably arranged above the extension position 985 and the maintenance position 987 is arranged below the extension position 985.However, in another embodiment, the waiting position 986 can also be located next to one of the other positions. It is only essential that the waiting position 986 lies outside the direct guide path between the maintenance position 987 and the punching position 981. Preferably, however, the waiting position 986 is located above it, as this allows for a particularly advantageous and simple design of the changing device 950. Preferably, the shortest connecting line 978 between the axis of rotation 976 of the punching cylinder 901; 903 in the extension position 985 and the waiting position 986 is inclined at less than 30°, and more preferably less than 15°, to the vertical 989 and / or the vertical direction V.Furthermore, for example, a shortest connecting line 980 between the axis of rotation 976 of the punching cylinder 901; 903 in the extension position 985 and the maintenance position 987 is inclined at less than 30° to the vertical 989 and / or vertical direction V. Preferably, the maintenance position 987 is arranged below the changeover position 982 in the vertical direction V. Preferably, the maintenance position 987 is arranged below the punching position 981 in the vertical direction V. Preferably, the maintenance position 987 is arranged in or against the transport direction T, at a distance from the changeover position 982 and / or from the punching position 981.

[0122] The die-cutting unit 900 with the changing device 950 is advantageously arranged inline in a processing machine 01, preferably designed as a sheet-fed processing machine 01, with application units 600. These units 600 also have, for example, devices for simplified changing of the cylinders 602, 603, and 608 of the application units 614. Thus, an inline integrated, fully automatic die changer can contribute to a significantly more efficient overall machine.

[0123] In a preferred embodiment, the processing machine 01 has more application units 600 than are required in a normal job. That is, the processing machine 01 has at least two application units 600, one of which can be used as a redundant application unit 600. In multicolor printing, four application units 600 are typically used. Preferably, these four application units 600 are printing units 600. Additionally, further units 600 configured as coating units 600 may also be present. More preferably, the processing machine 01 has four additional application units 600 for multicolor printing. These four application units 600 can typically be serviced and / or set up while the other units 600 are in operation. These four additional application units 600 can be used as redundant application units 600.Alternatively, these additional 600-unit printing units can also be used for special printing jobs. For example, special inks and / or varnishes can also be applied with the additional 600-unit printing units.

[0124] The punching cylinder 901 is changed using the changing device 950 by the procedure described below. During operation of the processing machine 01, the punching cylinder 901 and the counter-punching cylinder 902 are arranged in the punching position 981 and working position 983, respectively. From time to time, the punching cylinder 901 must be changed or replaced. In particular, the punching cylinder 901 is replaced with the other punching cylinder 903.

[0125] In a preferably first step, the counter-punch cylinder 902 is preferably disengaged from the punch cylinder 901 and moved from its working position 983 to its disengaged position 984. Preferably, the counter-punch cylinder 902 is adjusted predominantly in the vertical direction V, more preferably downwards. During the changeover, the counter-punch cylinder 902 preferably remains in this position, i.e., preferably in the disengaged position 984, and does not need to be moved.

[0126] The punching cylinder 901 is moved from the punching position 981 to the changeover position 982. Preferably in a further step, particularly after the counter-punching cylinder 902 has been switched off, the punching cylinder 901 is moved from the punching position 981 to the changeover position 982. In a preferred embodiment, the punching position 981 and the changeover position 982 are different positions. To move the cylinders, the locking device 951 is released. In a preferred embodiment, before moving the punching cylinder 901 from the punching position 981 to the changeover position 982, the drive 962 is decoupled by the clutch 968. In the punching position 981, the punching cylinder 901 is pressed away from the forming point 909 by means of the locking device 951 against a wall of the frame 963, in particular the frame wall, and / or a wall of the housing 963, in particular the housing wall 963. In the preferred embodiment, the punching cylinder 901 is arranged above the forming point 909.Therefore, the locking device 951 presses the punching cylinder 901 from below against the frame 963 and / or the wall of the housing 963. In doing so, the locking device 951 lifts the cylinder 901; 903 and presses it against a suitable contact surface, preferably a half-shell. Releasing the locking device 951 preferably removes the pressure against the punching cylinder 901, thereby moving it into the changeover position 982. In particular, the locking device 951 is released for the changeover, and the punching cylinder 901 is released from the punching position 981 into the changeover position 982. In the preferred embodiment, when moving from the punching position 981 to the changeover position 982, the at least one punching cylinder 901 is moved away from the forming point 909, preferably in the direction of the previously set-down counter-punching cylinder 902, and more preferably downwards. Preferably, the punch cylinder 901 is supported in the changeover position 982 by the transport element 965 of the preferably horizontal guide 959.

[0127] In maintenance position 987 is the additional punching cylinder 903, which is to be exchanged with the current punching cylinder 901. The additional punching cylinder 903 is preferably pre-set while the at least one punching cylinder 901 is in punching position 981 and processing the substrate 02. Preferably, the punching cylinder 903 in maintenance position 987 can be, or is, prepared for the next punching job in a simple manner. For this purpose, a half-shell 964 with the punching blades is preferably exchanged. The preparation of the additional punching cylinder 903 is, for example, already carried out while the processing machine 01 is operating with the at least one punching cylinder 901, i.e., preferably before the start of the punching cylinder exchange.

[0128] The two punching cylinders 901; 903 are preferably guided past each other in the guides 958; 959. For this purpose, one of the punching cylinders 901; 903 is temporarily stored in the waiting position 986. Either the punching cylinder 901 is moved from the changeover position 982 and / or the punching position 981 into the waiting position 986, or the other punching cylinder 903 is moved from the maintenance position 987 into the waiting position 986. Only one of the cylinders 901; 903 needs to be moved out of the guide path and is therefore temporarily stored in the waiting position 986 to allow the cylinders 901; 903 to pass each other.

[0129] In the embodiment with the additional punch cylinder 903 in the waiting position 986, the adjustment preferably proceeds according to the following steps. The additional punch cylinder 903 is moved from the maintenance position 987 to the waiting position 986. This is preferably done by the predominantly vertical adjustment of the additional punch cylinder 903, preferably along the predominantly vertical guide 958. In particular, for this purpose, a transport element 960, preferably one of the two vertical transport elements 956, is moved in the vertical direction V with the cylinder 903 on the guide rail 957 and thus transports the additional punch cylinder 903 to the waiting position 986. The transport element 956, preferably the other of the preferably two vertical transport elements 956, is preferably positioned at the extension position 985 and waits for the punch cylinder 901 to take over.Preferably, the two vertical transport elements 956 and 960 move together in the vertical direction V. At least in the preferred embodiment, in which the waiting position 986 is arranged above the changeover position 982 and / or above the punching position 981 and / or above the other cylinder 901, the additional punching cylinder 903 is preferably transported by the vertical transport element 960, which is arranged higher than the other vertical transport element 956 in the common transport device 972. The punching cylinder 901 to be removed is preferably guided from the changeover position 982 and / or from the punching position 981, preferably on the horizontal guide 959, into the extension position 985. In the embodiment with the additional punching cylinder 903 in the waiting position 986, this preferably occurs after the additional punching cylinder 903 has been moved into the waiting position 986.Preferably, after the counter-punch cylinder 902 has been stopped and the locking device 951 has been released, the punch cylinder 901 is moved from the changeover position 982 and / or the punching position 981, preferably on the guide 959, to the extension position 985. For this purpose, and in particular for moving it to the extension position 985, the punch cylinder 901 preferably rests on the contact surfaces of the transport element 965, especially the horizontal transport element 965. This transport element, along with the punch cylinder 901, is guided on a guide rail 967 and stopped in the extension position 985. Preferably, the horizontal transport element 965 transports the punch cylinder 901 from the changeover position 982 to the extension position 985. The punch cylinder 901 is preferably moved from the punching position 981 or changeover position 982 to the extension position 985 in a single extension step.The punching cylinder 901 is preferably moved from the punching position 981 to the changeover position 982 and from the changeover position 982 to the extension position 985 during the extension step. The punching cylinder 901 is preferably moved predominantly horizontally from the punching position 981 and / or from the changeover position to the extension position 985. The punching cylinders 901 and 903 are thus preferably moved from the punching position 981 via the changeover position 982 to the extension position 985 and / or vice versa. In the extension position 985, the punching cylinder 901 is transferred to the transport element 956 of the, preferably vertical, guide 958. Preferably, the punching cylinder 901 to be removed is transferred to the vertical transport element 956, on which the other punching cylinder 903 is not arranged, i.e., which is free of the other punching cylinder 903.For example, the transport element 956 of the preferably vertical guide 958 moves from below to the punching cylinder 901 and takes over the punching cylinder 901, preferably by the transport element 956 of the preferably vertical guide 958 slightly lifting the cylinder 901 so that the transport element 965 of the predominantly horizontal guide 959 can be extended. There may be several intermediate positions for this purpose, which are dictated by the design and are required for transferring the cylinders 901; 903 from one transport element 956; 960; 965 to another. From the extension position 985, the punching cylinder 901 is then preferably moved to the maintenance position 987, in particular by means of the preferably vertical guide 958. For example, further intermediate positions occur between the extension position 985 and the maintenance position 987.Preferably, in this embodiment, the punching cylinder 901 is moved along the direct guide path from its punching position 981 to the maintenance position 987, while preferably the other punching cylinder 903 leaves the direct guide path during the punching cylinder change. In particular, after the at least one punching cylinder 901 has left the extension position 985 in the direction of the maintenance position 987, the at least one other punching cylinder 903 is preferably moved from the waiting position 986 to the punching position 981 via the extension position 985 and the change position 982.

[0130] Alternatively, the punch cylinder 901, which is preferably to be removed, can also be temporarily stored in the waiting position 986. For this purpose, the punch cylinder 901 to be removed is preferably moved from the punching position 981 and / or from the changeover position 982 to the extension position 985, preferably by means of the preferably horizontal guide 959. The further punch cylinder 903 is preferably arranged in the maintenance position 987 or along the direct guide path between the maintenance position 987 and the extension position 985, preferably on one of the vertical transport elements 956; 960. The punch cylinder 901 is then preferably moved from the extension position 985 to the waiting position 986. The at least one punch cylinder 901 is preferably moved predominantly vertically from the extension position 985 to the waiting position 986.The punch cylinder 901 to be removed thus preferably leaves the direct guide path from its punching position 981 to the maintenance position 987, while preferably the further punch cylinder 903 is transported along the direct guide path. This occurs, for example, when the changeover position 982 is at the same height, particularly at the same height, as the waiting position 986 in the vertical direction V. Then the punch cylinder 901 is either transferred directly, predominantly horizontally, from the changeover position 982 to the waiting position 986. Alternatively, the punch cylinder 901 is removed from the extension position 985 and then transferred predominantly vertically, for example, with the further transport element 956, preferably a transport element 956 of the preferably vertical guide 958, to the waiting position 986.In this variant, a transport element 956, preferably a transport element 956 of the preferably vertical guide 958, takes the punching cylinder 901 in the extension position 985 and moves it to the waiting position 986. In particular, the transport element 956, which is free of the further punching cylinder 903, takes the punching cylinder 901 to be removed. Preferably, after the further punching cylinder 903 has left the extension position 985 in the direction of the punching position 981, the at least one punching cylinder 901 is moved from the waiting position 986 to the maintenance position 987.

[0131] Following the passage of cylinders 901 and 903 past each other, preferably while the punching cylinder 901 to be removed is either in the waiting position 986 or in the maintenance position 987, or along the guide path between the extension position 985 and the maintenance position 987, the further punching cylinder 903 is preferably guided to the extension position 985. Depending on the embodiment, it is guided to the extension position 985 by means of the transport system 955. Depending on the embodiment, either the first or the second vertical transport element 956 or 960 is preferably used for this purpose. The waiting position 986 thus preferably allows the two cylinders 901 and 903 to be guided past each other. From the extension position 985, the further punching cylinder 903 can then be moved, preferably predominantly horizontally, to the changeover position 982.The horizontal transport element 965 is preferably used for this purpose. At the changeover position 982, the additional punch cylinder 903 is then preferably reattached or fixed by means of the locking device 951. Preferably, the additional punch cylinder 903 is moved to the punching position 981. In particular, fixing it by means of the locking device 951 moves the additional punch cylinder 903 to the punching position 981. Thus, the at least one additional punch cylinder 903 is preferably moved from the extension position 985 to the changeover position 982 and then to the punching position 981.

[0132] Subsequently, the counter-punching cylinder 902 is preferably reattached to the punching cylinder 903, especially if the latter was previously switched off, and the processing machine 01 is put back into operation.

[0133] Preferably, the punching cylinder change process can be fully automated. The punching unit 900 is preferably operatively connected to a machine control system. The cylinder change process can be programmed into this system and then run fully automatically.

[0134] In the embodiment with a carrier 972 and two transport elements 960; 956, both cylinders 901; 903 can only be moved together in the predominantly vertical guide 958. In this case, the cylinders 901; 903 may be guided to intermediate positions to achieve the previously described positions. For example, in the embodiment with the first stamping cylinder 901 in the waiting position 986, the other stamping cylinder 903 must already be moved from the maintenance position 987. For instance, during the transfer from the predominantly horizontal transport element 965 to the upper of the vertical transport elements 960, the new stamping cylinder 903 is already positioned slightly below the extension position 985 on the lower transport element 956. Depending on which of the two cylinders 901; 903 is on which transport element 956; When 960 rests on it, the other punching cylinder 901; 903 is carried vertically.

[0135] The punching cylinders 901 and 903 are preferably moved between the maintenance position 987 and / or the extension position 985 and / or the waiting position 986 on the predominantly vertical guide 958. The punching cylinders 901 and 903 are preferably moved between the changeover position 982 and the extension position 985 on the predominantly horizontal guide 959.

[0136] The accelerated maintenance and / or setup process preferably proceeds according to the following procedure. The printing fluid is applied or printed using a portion of the application units 600, while the remaining application units 600 are in a standby state. In this standby state, the printing cylinders 602 can be maintained or set up, particularly while the processing machine 01 is running. During setup, at least the printing plates are preferably exchanged. However, further processes, such as an anilox roller exchange, can also take place during setup.

[0137] Preferably, the additional punching cylinder 903 can also be pre-set up simultaneously, while at least one punching cylinder 901 is in the punching position 981 and processing the substrate 02. For this purpose, the additional punching cylinder 903 is arranged in the maintenance position 987 of the changeover device 950. The additional punching cylinder 903 can be conveniently pre-set up or serviced in this position.

[0138] When the machining job is finished, the machining machine 01 is prepared for a new machining job. For this purpose, the additional punching cylinder 903 is exchanged with punching cylinder 901 using the changing device 950. In addition, the switched-off and pre-set-up application units 600 are moved from the switched-off state to the switched-on state. Both processes preferably run automatically according to a scheme stored in a control system. The punching cylinders 901 and 903 are changed according to the procedure described above. Likewise, the application units 600 have actuators for switching the application units 600 on and off. Therefore, the application units 600 can also be moved from the switched-off to the switched-on position.

[0139] In the processing machine 01, the sheet 02 must be transported to the processing stations 909. For this purpose, the processing machine 01 preferably has several transport units 700 with transport devices 710. The punching unit 900 also has at least one transport device 710 for feeding the sheet 02 to the processing station 909. Preferably, the punching unit 900 has several transport devices 710. The transport device 710 is preferably designed for overhead sheet transport and is therefore located above a transport path for the sheet 02. In another embodiment, the transport device 710 can also be arranged below the transport path of the sheet 02. In a preferred embodiment, the transport device 710 is designed as a suction transport means, in particular as a suction box. For precise feeding of the sheet 02 to the processing station 909, the transport device 710 preferably extends to just before the processing station 909.When changing the punch cylinder using the changing device 950, the transport device 710 is in the way. Particularly when removing the punch cylinder 901 horizontally, the transport device 710 is in the way. Therefore, the punching unit 900 preferably has an adjustment device. Alternatively or additionally, the transport device 710 can be adjusted manually, for example, by an operator. Preferably, when changing the punch cylinder, only the part or transport device 710 that is in the way during the change is adjusted. For this purpose, the punching unit 900 preferably has a transport device 710 in the area of ​​the changing device 950. Then only this part of the transport device 710 is adjusted.

[0140] During operation of the processing machine 01, particularly during operation of the punching unit 900, the transport device 710 is arranged in a working position. Thus, the transport device 710 is preferably arranged in the working position during operation of the processing machine 01, regardless of which punching cylinder 901; 903 is arranged at the punching position 981, i.e., particularly before and after changing the cylinders 901; 903. To change the cylinders 901; 903, the transport device 710 can be moved into a maintenance position. Preferably, the maintenance position is a position that lies outside the guide path of the device 950 for changing the punching cylinders 901; 903. In a first embodiment, this maintenance position can be located next to the working position of the transport device 710. However, it is more preferably the maintenance position that is located above the working position or above a transport level 993.Preferably, the transport device 710 is arranged at a distance from the transport plane 993 in the maintenance position. In particular, the transport device 710 is arranged raised in the vertical direction V in the maintenance position. Preferably, the transport device 710 is adjusted upwards by at least one cylinder diameter of a punching cylinder 901; 903. The transport plane 993 is preferably the plane 993 in which a sheet 02 is transported. The embodiment with the maintenance position arranged above is particularly advantageous because raising the transport device 710 can be done in a particularly simple manner. In particular, the transport device 710 is arranged in this maintenance position at least temporarily during a cylinder change. Preferably, the movement of the adjustment device is synchronized with the movement of the changing device 950.The transport device 710 is preferably adjustable depending on the position of the punch cylinders 901; 903. The movement can be synchronized electrically, for example by means of an electrical guide axis and a control unit, and / or mechanically via contact elements. Preferably, the changing device 950 has contact elements for contacting the adjustment device. During the movement sequence of the punch cylinder change, these contact elements and / or contact surfaces 992 are touched, and the transport device 710 is moved out of the way and / or repositioned at the appropriate times. This prevents the transport device 710 from obstructing the simple movement sequence of the punch cylinder change.

[0141] In a further preferred embodiment, the transport device 710 is arranged in the maintenance position simply pivoted upwards away from the working position, in particular pivoted towards the plane 993, especially towards the transport plane 993. Preferably, the transport device 710 only needs to be out of the way for changing the punch cylinder.

[0142] In a preferred embodiment, the transport device 710 is arranged in the maintenance position above the waiting position 986 of the punching cylinders 901; 903. This ensures that sufficient space is available for changing the cylinders.

[0143] In a preferred embodiment, the transport device 710 is arranged in the transport direction T of sheet 02 in front of the processing point 909. In particular, the transport device 710 is arranged along the transport direction T on the side of the processing point 909 on which the transport system 955, in particular the vertical guide 958, is arranged.

[0144] Furthermore, a transport means 904 arranged downstream of the punching unit 900 is adjustable so that an operator can easily reach the punching cylinder 901; 903 and / or the counter-punching cylinder 902. Preferably, the transport means 904 is pivotable for this purpose. For example, this transport means 904 arranged downstream of the punching unit 900 is designed as a separation transport means 904 of a separation device 905. In particular, the separation transport means 904 separates offcuts produced by processing with the punching cylinder 901; 903 from the sheet 02, especially if they have not already been separated from the sheet 02. For example, the separation device 905 is designed as a vibrating device 905 for this purpose. For example, the transport means 904 downstream of the punching unit 900 has an upper and lower part, for example, an upper and lower conveyor belt.For example, the upper part of the transport vehicle 904 is pivoted upwards while the lower part of the transport vehicle 904 is pivoted downwards.

[0145] Preferably, the adjusting device has a drive 933 for adjusting the at least one transport device 710. Preferably, this drive 933 is a common drive 933 with the changing device 950. Preferably, this drive 933 drives at least the transport element 956; 960, in particular the at least one vertical transport element 956; 960, and / or the carrier 972 of the changing device 950, particularly in the vertical guide 958.

[0146] Preferably, the drive 933 is designed as a spindle drive. When the drive 933 is actuated, the transport element 956; 960, in particular the at least one vertical transport element 956; 960, and / or the carrier 972 is preferably moved up or down in the vertical direction V.

[0147] The at least one adjustment device is preferably arranged on at least one guide, in particular a guide 958 of the changing device 950, preferably the at least predominantly vertical guide 958, and / or guided and / or adjusted on the guide rail 957 of the at least predominantly vertical guide 958. The guide 958 is thus preferably designed as a common guide for the changing device 950 and the adjustment device. The guide in question, more preferably the guide rail 957 of the at least predominantly vertical guide 958, is preferably designed as a linear guide. Thus, the guide 958 preferably has the guide rail 957 designed as a linear guide 957. The adjustment device preferably has a frame 991 and / or housing 991.This is attached in the axial direction A at the ends of the at least one transport device 710, in particular the transport devices 710, and preferably arranged in the guide rail 957 of the guide 958, in particular the vertical guide 958 of the changing device 950. Preferably, the at least one transport device 710 is fixedly connected to the frame 991 and moves together with it. The guide 958, in particular the guide rail 957, more preferably the linear guide 957, is preferably designed as a common guide 958, more preferably as a common guide rail 957, for the changing device 950 and the adjusting device. Preferably, the adjusting device includes a stop on which the frame 991 and / or the transport device 710 rest in the working position.The at least one transport device 710, in its working position, preferably rests on the stop only by its own weight. Preferably, the stop restricts movement against the vertical direction V. Furthermore, the guide 958, in particular the vertical guide 958 of the changing device 950, restricts horizontal movement of the transport device 710. Preferably, the transport device 710 has only one degree of freedom in, preferably along, the vertical direction V. Preferably, only movement from the working position in the vertical direction V is possible. In a preferred embodiment, the transport device 710 has a contact surface 992 for lifting the transport device 710 with the at least one transport element 956; 960 and / or the carrier 972 of the changing device 950, in particular the vertical guide 958.Preferably, the adjusting device has a contact element with contact surface 992 for contacting the changing device 950. When the transport element 956; 960, in particular the at least one vertical transport element 956; 960, or the carrier 972, is raised in the vertical direction V, it and / or the carrier 972 comes into contact with the contact surface 992 and raises the transport device 710 as well. Preferably, the transport device 710 is thereby moved, at least temporarily, into the maintenance position.

[0148] Alternatively, the transport device 710 can also perform the desired movement by means of an electronic guide axis. Preferably, the adjusting device then has a further drive, preferably a drive mechanically decoupled from the changing device 950.

[0149] The adjustment of the transport device 710 preferably proceeds according to the procedure described below. During a stamping cylinder change, the transport device 710 is moved from the working position, preferably to the maintenance position, preferably by means of the drive 933, using the adjustment device. Preferably, the drive 933 is the common drive 933 of the changing device 950. The adjustment of the transport device 710 preferably occurs synchronously with the changing device 950 or the stamping cylinder change. Preferably, the transport device 710 is adjusted and / or guided on a guide, preferably the guide rail 957 designed as a linear guide 957.

[0150] Preferably, the transport device 710 is raised in the vertical direction V by means of the adjustment device, against its own weight. For this purpose, the transport device 710 is preferably contacted and thus adjusted via a contact surface 992 by means of the transport element 956; 960 and / or the carrier 972, preferably from below. After the cylinder change, the transport device 710 is preferably returned to its working position. The return movement preferably occurs by lowering the contact element of the adjustment device. Due to its own weight, the transport device 710 preferably lowers again. Reference symbol list

[0151] 01 Processing machine, printing machine, forming machine, die-cutting machine, flexographic printing machine, sheet processing machine, sheet printing machine, sheet forming machine, sheet die-cutting machine, corrugated sheet processing machine, corrugated sheet printing machine 02 Substrate, sheet, substrate, corrugated board, corrugated sheet 17 Storage device 18 Storage recording 19 Transfer device 100 Aggregate, Module, Substrate Feeding Device, Substrate Feeding Unit, Substrate Feeding Module, Sheet Feeder, Sheet Feeder Unit, Sheet Feeder Module 104 investor stacks 164Arc arrival sensor 165-166Memory area 300 Aggregate, module, plant equipment, plant aggregate, plant module 506 Drying device 600 Unit, application unit, module, application module, printing unit, printing module, flexo application unit, flexo printing unit, flexo application module, flexo printing module 601- 602 Form cylinder, cylinder 603 Supply roller, anilox roller, cylinder 604 Chambered doctor blade 607 Frame 608 Counterpressure cylinder, cylinder 609 Order point 614 Commissioned work, printing work 622Arc arrival sensor 700 Aggregate, module, transport aggregate, transport module, transport means, suction transport means, upper 710 Transport device, suction box 722Arc arrival sensor 726Sensor, print image control system 727-728Sensor, registration control system 900 Aggregate, module, forming unit, forming unit, punching unit, forming module, punching module, punching unit, rotary punching unit 901 Forming cylinder, punching cylinder, punching cylinder, cylinder 902 Counter-punch cylinder, counter-pressure cylinder, cylinder 903 Punching cylinder, further, cylinder 904 Transport means, separation transport means 905 Separation device, vibrating device 906 Punching surface 909 Machining station, forming station, punching station, transport means, forming transport means, punching transport means 910- 911 Grinding cylinder, grinding roller 914 Forming unit, stamping unit 915- 916 Sensor, stamping control system 922Arc arrival sensor 930 Bearings, rolling bearings, spherical roller bearings 931 Motor (962), synchronous motor, torque motor 932 Support (962) 933 Drive (958) 950 Changing device 951 Locking device 952 Hydraulic drive (951) 953 Linear guide cylinder 954 Holding element 955 Transport system 956 Vertical transport element, first, lower 957 Linear guide rail 958 Vertical linear guide 959 Horizontal linear guide 960 Vertical transport element, second, upper 961 Drive (902) 962 Drive (901; 903) 963 Housing, frame, frame-mounted element, housing wall 964 Die, half-shell 965 Horizontal transport element, shell 966 Extraction device 967 Horizontal guide rail 968 Coupling 969 Positioning guides 970 Hub 971 Guide element, groove 972 Transport device, carrier, slide 973 Clamping bushing 974Tangent upper 975Tangent, lower 976Axis of rotation (901;903) 977 Connecting straight section punching position 981 to extension position 985 978 Connecting straight section extension position 985 to waiting position 986 979 Connecting straight section changeover position 982 to extension position 985 980 Connecting straight section extension position 985 to maintenance position 987 981 Punching position (901; 903) 982 Changeover position (901; 903) 983 Working position (902; 903) 984 Stored position (902) 985 Extension position (901; 903) 986 Waiting position (901; 903) 987 Maintenance position (901; 903) 988 Plane, horizontal 989 Vertical 990 Storage 991 Frame, housing 992 Contact surface 993 Transport plane, plane, arc 994 Rotor 995 Stator 996 Electromechanical actuator 997 Rotary insertion 998 Bore 999 Plain bearing ; 1000Aggregate, module, substrate dispensing device, delivery, sheet delivery, delivery unit, delivery module 1001Sheet switch 1002Discharge delivery, discharge stack 1003Delivery stack carrier AR Direction, transverse direction, horizontal, axial direction TR Direction, transport direction VR Direction, vertical E Removal direction M1 Drive counter-pressure cylinder M2 Drive form cylinder, printing cylinder M3 Drive supply roller, anilox roller α Angle, inclination angle D901 Diameter of the die-cutting cylinder (901)

Claims

1. Die-cutting unit (900) comprising a device for changing (950) a die-cutting cylinder (901), the die-cutting unit (900) comprising at least one die-cutting cylinder (901) and at least one anvil cylinder (902), the die-cutting cylinder (901) being arrangeable in a die-cutting position (981) for die-cutting, the at least one die-cutting cylinder (901) being exchangeable for at least one further die-cutting cylinder (903) by means of the device for changing (950), the device for changing (950) comprising a locking mechanism (951) for fixing the die-cutting cylinder (901; 903) in the die-cutting position (981) or for releasing it from the die-cutting position (981), characterized in that the locking mechanism (951) acts so as to point away from a shaping point (909).

2. Die-cutting unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking mechanism (951) is arranged so as to fix the die-cutting cylinder (901; 903), in the die-cutting position (981), against a wall of a frame (963) and / or wall of a housing (963), so as to point away from the shaping point (909), and / or in that the die-cutting cylinder (901; 903) is arranged above the shaping point (909).

3. Die-cutting unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the die-cutting cylinder (901; 903) is arranged and / or is arrangeable in a change-out position (982), in that the change-out position (982) is arranged beneath the die-cutting position (981), and / or in that the at least one die-cutting cylinder (901) or the further die-cutting cylinder (903) is arrangeable and / or is arranged in the change-out position (982) in a released state of the locking mechanism (951).

4. Die-cutting unit according to claim 1 or 2 or 3, characterized in that the at least one die-cutting cylinder (901) and / or the further die-cutting cylinder (903) comprises at least one mount (990) at each of the axial ends, and in that the mount (990) is arranged at the die-cutting cylinder (901; 903) so as to move together with the die-cutting cylinder (901; 903) when the die-cutting cylinder (901; 903) is being changed.

5. Die-cutting unit according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4, characterized in that each die-cutting cylinder (901; 903) has a hub (970) at each of the ends thereof in the axial direction (A).

6. Die-cutting unit according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5, characterized in that the device for changing (950) comprises at least two guides (958; 959).

7. Die-cutting unit according to claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the hub (970) limits a movement of the die-cutting cylinder (901; 903) in the axial direction in the guides (958; 959).

8. Die-cutting unit according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that each die-cutting cylinder (901; 903) comprises a guide element (971) or a groove (971) for securely guiding the die-cutting cylinders (901; 903) in the guides (958; 959).

9. Die-cutting unit according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8, characterized in that the locking mechanism (951) is functionally connected to a drive (952).

10. Die-cutting unit according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9, characterized in that the die-cutting unit (900) comprises at least one drive (962) for driving one of the die-cutting cylinders (901; 903) in the die-cutting position (981), and in that the device for changing (950) comprises a coupling (968) for coupling and / or decoupling the die-cutting cylinders (901; 903) to and / or from the drive (962).

11. Method for changing a die-cutting cylinder (901) of a die-cutting unit (900) by means of a device for changing (950), the die-cutting cylinder (901) being changed out for a further die-cutting cylinder (903) by means of the device for changing (950), the die-cutting cylinder (901; 903) being fixed in a die-cutting position (981) by means of a locking mechanism (951), characterized in that the locking mechanism (951) acts so as to point away from a shaping point (909).

12. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that the locking mechanism (951), in the die-cutting position (981), is pushed by means of the locking mechanism (951) against a wall of a frame (963) and / or wall of a housing (963), so as to point away from a shaping point (909), and / or in that the locking mechanism (951) pushes the die-cutting cylinder (901; 903) from beneath against the frame (963) and / or against an element (963) that is fixed to the frame and / or against the wall of the housing (963).

13. Method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the at least one die-cutting cylinder (901) is transferred from the die-cutting position (981) into a change-out position (982) by the locking mechanism (951) being released, in that the locking mechanism (951) is released for the changing process and the die-cutting cylinder (901) is released from the die-cutting position (981) into the change-out position (982), and / or in that the die-cutting cylinder (901) is displaced from the die-cutting position (981) into the change-out position (982) arranged beneath the die-cutting position (981).

14. Method according to claim 11 or 12 or 13, characterized in that a mount (990) of the die-cutting cylinders (901; 903) moves together with the respective die-cutting cylinder (901; 903) during the changing process, and / or in that the die-cutting cylinder (901) is decoupled from a drive (962) by means of a coupling (968) for the changing process, and / or in that the locking mechanism (951) is fixed and / or released by means of a drive (952).

15. Method according to claim 11 or 12 or 13 or 14, characterized in that the locking mechanism (951) pushes the die-cutting cylinder (901; 903) into the die-cutting position (981) by means of a contact surface that is matched to a hub (970) and / or to the respective die-cutting cylinder (901; 903).