Machine for further processing printed material

Abstract

The invention relates to a machine for further processing a substrate, comprising: a die-cutting module for die-cutting the substrate, having a die-cutting device; the first upstream traction group and the second downstream traction group are used for printing stock; the conveying module is used for further conveying the printing stock and is provided with a conveying section with variable length; and the conveying device is used for transferring the printing stock from the die cutting module to the subsequent module and comprises a length-variable transfer section. A stripping module is arranged between the die cutting module and the conveying module to serve as a subsequent module, and can be positioned in the machining direction according to the page specification; the transfer device transfers the printing stock from the die cutting module to the stripping module, and the length of the conveying section and the length of the transfer section can be adjusted according to the position of the stripping module. According to the invention, when the machine is changed, only little time is consumed, and quality loss is not caused to subsequent production. The invention can be used for industrial machines, i.e., high-yield and high-quality packaging printing or packaging production (printing and further processing).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a machine for further processing of printing materials.

[0002] The invention belongs to the technical field of the graphics industry or graphic arts industry, in particular to the field of operating further processing machines, in particular flexographic printing presses with inline further processing functions (such as inline flatbed die-cutting), and to the field of processing raw web-shaped printing materials, in particular the production of packaging blanks, in particular blanks for folding boxes. Background Art

[0003] Printing presses with inline die-cutting modules for packaging printing are known, such as flexographic printing presses with inline flatbed die-cutters, where the machine first prints a cardboard web and then die-cuts cross-cut sheets from it to form folding box blanks. Such machines may require modifications to change the spacing of certain modules.

[0004] In this respect, US Pat. No. 9,828,199 B2 discloses a variable-length transfer device between a die-cutting module or a downstream traction group thereof and a vacuum conveying module of a packaging printing press.

[0005] For example, when processing different sheet formats and / or die-cutting formats in succession, machine modifications may be necessary. These modifications are often time-consuming and therefore have a negative impact on production costs. Furthermore, if not performed correctly, these modifications can lead to a decrease in production quality. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is therefore to improve the prior art in such a way that, in particular, the modification of a machine requires little time and does not result in any loss of quality in the subsequent production.

[0007] According to the present invention, the above object is achieved by a device according to a preferred technical solution of the present invention.

[0008] Preferred and therefore also preferred developments of the invention are apparent from the alternative embodiments, the description and the drawings.

[0009] The present invention relates to a machine for further processing a printing substrate, comprising: a die-cutting module for die-cutting the printing substrate, the die-cutting module having a die-cutting device; an upstream first traction group and a downstream second traction group for the printing substrate; a conveying module for further conveying the printing substrate, the conveying module having at least one conveying section with variable length; and a conveying device for transferring the printing substrate from the die-cutting module to a subsequent module, the conveying device including a transfer section with variable length, characterized in that a peeling module is arranged as a subsequent module between the die-cutting module and the conveying module, the peeling module being positionable in the processing direction of the machine according to sheet specifications; the transfer device transfers the printing substrate from the die-cutting module to the peeling module, wherein the length of the conveying section and the length of the transfer section are adjustable according to the position of the peeling module.

[0010] Advantageous design and effects of the present invention

[0011] The invention advantageously makes it possible to carry out modifications to the machine which require little time and do not result in any loss of quality in the subsequent production.

[0012] For example, the invention can be used in industrial packaging printing machines, i.e., in the production (printing and further processing) of high-productivity and high-quality packaging printing or packaging such as folding boxes. The machine preferably processes and conveys printing material webs and thereby (preferably in a die-cutting process) produces printing material sheets cut from the webs, which are then further processed and conveyed.

[0013] The (further processing) machine of the present invention comprises a positionable unit, i.e. a stripping module, and two units of variable length, i.e. a conveying section and a transfer section. "Positionable" here means that the module is arranged in a first position in one (production) task and in a position different from the first position in another task, wherein the two positions differ from each other only in the horizontal direction and are (substantially) identical in the vertical direction; i.e. the module moves in the horizontal direction. The positioning is preferably carried out by displacement or sliding, for example on rails provided for this purpose and preferably driven by a motor. Furthermore, "variable length" means that the length changes in the horizontal direction from one (production) task to another. This length change is preferably in such a way that the distance changes caused by positioning between the machine modules involved are (substantially) compensated.

[0014] The present invention offers the advantage that the substrates processed by the machine in the machine direction are always safely and controllably guided and transferred along their path from the die-cutting module to the stripping module, and then to the conveying module, thus always being in their optimal (processing) position. This prevents sheets from "floating." Consequently, even at high processing speeds, the overall machine process reliability is high, and in particular, the stripping accuracy is very high. The present invention improves the quality of the resulting products (such as folding box blanks) and prevents or reduces waste.

[0015] In the machine according to the invention, the sheet die-cut by the die-cutting module is guided by rollers on its way from the die-cutting module to the stripping module: preferably by the draw rollers of the second draw group, optionally also by the draw rollers of the third draw group, or optionally (and temporarily) by both draw groups together. If the third draw group is not available, a pair of rollers of the stripping module can be present instead to guide the sheet; this pair of rollers can be present in the stripping module.

[0016] The die-cutting module is preferably a flatbed die-cutter. The substrate is preferably in web form and is cut or die-cut (or punched) transversely into sheets (except for the holding points, which are torn). The machine can be designed as a flatbed die-cutter. It can also include an upstream printing unit, such as a flexographic printing unit; in this regard, the machine can be a flexographic printing press with an inline flatbed die-cutter. The machine is preferably capable of processing web-shaped cardboard, preferably for producing blanks for folding boxes.

[0017] According to the invention, when converting to a new processing format, the lengths of the conveying section and the transfer section can be changed manually by an operator; alternatively, the change can be performed electrically and preferably automatically.

[0018] Expansion scheme of the present invention

[0019] The following describes preferred developments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as developments). These developments can also be combined with each other if technically possible.

[0020] One further development is that the stripping module can have a third upstream traction group for the printed material. Such a third traction group can significantly improve the safe and reliable transport of the sheets.

[0021] An extended solution is characterized in that the first traction group can include at least two first traction rollers that cooperate with each other. An extended solution is characterized in that the second traction group can include at least two second traction rollers that cooperate with each other. An extended solution is characterized in that the third traction group can include at least two third traction rollers that cooperate with each other. In order to cooperate with each other, the rollers are preferably pressed against each other. An extended solution is characterized in that the traction groups can include upper rollers and lower rollers respectively. An extended solution is characterized in that the upper roller of the second traction group can be provided with rubber. An extended solution is characterized in that the lower roller of the second traction group can be coated. The upper rollers and lower rollers of the other two traction groups can also be designed in this way. The purpose of providing the rubber is, in particular, to guide the sheets safely and reliably.

[0022] One development is characterized in that the distance between the second traction group and the stripping module or the third traction group can be smaller than the sheet format. Another development is characterized in that the distance between the stripping module or the third traction group and the adjustable rollers of the conveying section can be smaller than the sheet format. Setting the respective distances (manually or electrically) to be smaller than the sheet format to be conveyed, i.e., smaller than the length of the sheet in the conveying direction, is particularly useful for safe and reliable guidance of the conveyed sheets, as the sheets are constantly guided by at least one roller or rollers. The distance between the second traction group and the first traction group can be greater than the sheet format. Another development is characterized in that the web can be intermittently pushed from the first traction group into the die-cutting module, where it is separated into continuous sheets (except for holding points). The sheets are then completely separated from the web by the second traction group and conveyed. Another development is characterized in that the sheets can then be taken over by the stripping module or the third traction group. Another development is characterized in that the sheets can then be taken over by the conveying module, particularly its vacuum belt and / or (infeed) rollers.

[0023] One development is characterized in that the machine can include a control device for controlling the feed speed of the first traction group, the second traction group and / or the third traction group (if there is a third traction group). One development is characterized in that the second traction group can follow the acceleration curve of the first traction group. One development is characterized in that the third traction group can follow the acceleration curve of the first traction group or the second traction group. The acceleration curves of the individual traction groups can also follow the acceleration curves of possible upstream printing units, in particular when the machine is started or stopped (or accelerated or decelerated). Each traction group can have an independent drive motor, which is controlled by the control device. Preferably, all rollers and rolls rotate synchronously, that is, rotate at the same sheet transport speed.

[0024] One development is characterized in that the machine includes a pivotable carrier. The carrier can be a metal frame or a metal plate; a pair of rails can be arranged on the metal frame or metal plate. The movable modules (stripping module, conveying module) can be mounted on the rails so as to be movable by rollers. One development is characterized in that the carrier can be rotated about a vertical pivot axis. The pivoting is preferably performed electrically. One development is characterized in that the pivot axis can be arranged close to the die-cutting module. One development is characterized in that the pivot axis can be arranged close to the discharge side of the die-cutting module. "Close" here preferably means that the pivot axis is positioned at the smallest possible distance (taking into account the technical and spatial conditions of the machine, including tolerances). One development is characterized in that the stripping module can be arranged on the carrier. One development is characterized in that the conveying module can be arranged on the carrier. In this way, the stripping module and conveying module can be pivoted together. In this way, problems caused by so-called "print skew" during further processing can be avoided because the modules (and therefore their components, in particular the tools and, for example, the stripping needles) can be correctly aligned with the (skewed) printed image.

[0025] One development is characterized in that the variable-length conveying section may include a rotating (or circulating) vacuum belt. One development is characterized in that the variable-length conveying section may include adjustable rollers for the vacuum belt. One development is characterized in that the adjustable rollers may be deflection rollers for the vacuum belt. One development is characterized in that the adjustable rollers can be adjusted in the horizontal direction. One development is characterized in that the variable-length conveying section may include a telescopic device for adjusting the position of the rollers. By this or this way, the rollers can be positioned close to the stripping module and can guide the sheets safely and reliably when they are transferred from the stripping module to the conveying module. One development is characterized in that the position of the adjustable rollers can be adjusted to a minimum distance from the stripping module. One development is characterized in that the variable-length conveying section may include at least one pressing roller. Here, "close" preferably means that it is positioned at the smallest possible distance (taking into account the technical and spatial conditions of the machine, including tolerances).

[0026] One development is characterized in that the transfer section with variable length can include a roller shutter or a tray with variable length for supporting the printing material. One development is characterized in that the length of the roller shutter or the tray can be adjusted in the horizontal direction. For this purpose, the roller shutter can include a retraction mechanism; the tray can be pushed together telescopically, for example. One development is characterized in that the roller shutter or the tray can include an element for hanging on the stripping module or its third traction group or conversely have an element for hanging on the die-cutting module or its second traction group. For example, the suspension element can be designed in the form of a hook and preferably includes one or more hooks. One development is characterized in that the roller shutter can consist of a fabric or a film, for example a woven fabric, a woven-reinforced canvas or a steel foil.

[0027] One development is characterized in that the machine can include a supply module upstream of the die-cutting module. Another development is characterized in that the machine can include at least one printing unit upstream of the supply module, preferably a plurality of printing units for CMYK multi-color printing. Another development is characterized in that the machine can include a blank separation module downstream of the conveying module.

[0028] The features and feature combinations disclosed in the above technical field, summary and developments sections and in the following examples section (in any mutual combination) represent advantageous further developments of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A preferred embodiment of the present invention and some preferred extensions thereof are shown. Corresponding features are provided with the same reference numerals in the figures. For the sake of clarity, repeated reference numerals are omitted in the figures.

[0030] Figure 1 A schematic longitudinal section view of a preferred embodiment of the machine of the present invention is shown.

[0031] Figure 2 Essentially the same figures are shown (for clarity) with further reference numerals. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A machine 1 is shown that processes a substantially horizontally transported printing material 2, i.e., first a web 2a and then sheets 2b produced by transverse cutting or die-cutting or punching (and tearing off), in particular further processing them, such as die-cutting, peeling, and separating and laying the resulting sheets. The printing material (e.g., cardboard) has preferably been multi-color printed by an upstream printing unit (not shown), for example, using a flexographic printing process. The printing material 2 is transported essentially in a direction 3. The machine 1 has at least one motor 4 for transport. The machine 1 can be used to produce blanks for folding boxes.

[0033] The machine 1 comprises a die-cutting module 10 with an infeed side 10a and an outfeed side 10b for the printing material 2, and a die-cutting device 11 comprising a vertically movable die-cutting tool 12. The die-cutting module is preferably arranged in a fixed position on the floor 92 of a production facility (e.g., a printing hall), i.e., it cannot be moved (for clarity, the machine is shown at a distance from the floor).

[0034] Furthermore, the machine 1 includes a stripping module 20 (as a module arranged downstream of the die-cutting module 10), which has an infeed side 20a and an outfeed side 20b for the substrate 2, as well as a rotating stripping tool 21. According to the present invention, the positioning 22 of the stripping module 20 is variable and preferably movable in a horizontal direction 90 when changing between jobs of different formats. To this end, the stripping module 20 can be moved on a floor 92 or a carrier 70. For this purpose, rails (not shown) can be provided on the floor 92 or the carrier 70.

[0035] Downstream of the stripping module 20, the machine 1 includes a conveying module 30 having an infeed side 30a and an outfeed side 30b for the printing material 2. The conveying section 31 of the conveying module 30 has a variable length 31a (in the horizontal direction 90). To this end, the conveying section 31 includes a variable-length vacuum belt 32, which is guided around at least one roller 33, preferably around a plurality of rollers (instead of two rollers as shown in the figure), wherein the roller 33 can be moved horizontally by a telescopic device and is therefore adjustable. The roller 33 cooperates with a pressing roller 35 to ensure that the printing material 2 is guided, in particular pulled, safely and reliably. The vacuum belt 32 can be guided around an adjustable compensating roller (not shown in the figure), by adjusting which the path and length of the belt in the direction of the stripping module 20 can be varied or adjusted.

[0036] Arranged between the two modules 10 and 20 is a transfer device 40 comprising a transfer section 41 having a variable length 41a, for example a retractable roller blind 42 made of fabric or tarpaulin. As shown in the figure, the roller blind 42 can be fixed to the die-cutting module 10 and suspended from the stripping module 20 via an element 43, or vice versa (as shown in the figure).

[0037] The machine 1 preferably includes three traction groups for conveying the printing material 2: a first traction group 50 having two cooperating first traction rollers 50a; a second traction group 51 having two cooperating second traction rollers 51a; and a third traction group 52 having two cooperating third traction rollers 52a. Each pair of traction rollers includes an upper roller 53 and a lower roller 54 relative to the printing material 2. Each traction group is preferably driven by its own servo motor 4. The drive is preferably intermittent and coordinated with the stroke of the die-cutting tool 12. The machine 1 may also preferably include only two traction groups, namely the first traction group 50 and the second traction group 51, meaning that the third traction group can be omitted.

[0038] Figure 1 and Figure 2Different distances are also shown: the distance 60 between the first and second traction groups 50, 51; the distance 61 between the second and third traction groups 51, 52; and the distance 62 between the third traction group 52 and the roller 33. Furthermore, an exemplary format or length 63 of a sheet 2b is shown (for clarity, the sheet is shown only above the die-cutting module 10).

[0039] As can be seen, the distances 61 and 62 are shorter than the length 63 of the sheet 2b. In practice, the distances 61 and 62 are only slightly shorter than the length 63 of the sheet 2b. This ensures that the sheet 2b is always guided by one of the second traction group 51, the third traction group 52, the vacuum belt 32, or the roller 33 (together with the pressing roller 35) and never "floats." The distance 60 can be slightly greater than the length 63 because, in the area of ​​the die-cutting module 10, the sheet 2b has not yet been completely separated from the web 2a and is only torn from the web 2a by the advance of the second traction group 51.

[0040] Figure 1 and Figure 2 Also shown is a carrier 70 that is arranged to pivot about a vertical axis 71. The stripping module 20 and the transport module 30 are preferably arranged on this carrier and can thus pivot with it. A pivot drive (not shown), such as a motor and a drive spindle, can be arranged at the end of the carrier 70 that is opposite the pivot axis. The stripping module 20 and the transport module 30 are preferably received on the carrier in a movably manner (rails and rollers).

[0041] The machine 1 also includes a control device 72, preferably a digital computer, which controls the individual components of the machine, in particular the modules 10, 20, and 30, their traction groups 50, 51, and 52, and the rollers 33, so that the printing material 2 is guided and transported safely and reliably, coordinated with the supply and die-cutting process of the web 2b. The control device 72 can also control the upstream supply module 73 (which changes the continuous web supply to an intermittent supply) and the downstream blank separation module 74.

[0042] List of reference numerals:

[0043] 1Machines, further processing machines

[0044] 2Substrate

[0045] 2a format

[0046] 2b Sheets cut from the web

[0047] 3 processing direction, conveying direction

[0048] 4One / multiple motors

[0049] 10 Die-cutting module

[0050] 10a Feed side

[0051] 10b Discharge side

[0052] 11Die-cutting device

[0053] 12 die cutting tools

[0054] 20 as a stripping module for subsequent modules

[0055] 20a Feed side

[0056] 20b Discharge side

[0057] 21 Stripping tools

[0058] 22 Variable positions of the stripping module

[0059] 30 conveyor module

[0060] 30a Feed side

[0061] 30b discharge side

[0062] 31 conveying section

[0063] 31a Variable length of conveying section

[0064] 32 Vacuum belt

[0065] 33 roller, feed roller

[0066] 34 telescopic device

[0067] 35 Pressing roller

[0068] 40 Transfer device

[0069] 41 Transfer Section

[0070] 41a Variable length of transfer segment

[0071] 42 Roller shutter or tray

[0072] 43 Elements for suspension

[0073] 50 First traction group

[0074] 50a First pulling roller

[0075] 51 Second traction group

[0076] 51a Second traction roller

[0077] 52 Optional third traction group

[0078] 52a Optional third pulling roller

[0079] 53 upper roller

[0080] 54 lower roller

[0081] 60 Distance between the first traction group and the second traction group

[0082] 61 Distance between the second traction group and the third traction group

[0083] 62 Distance between the third traction group and the roller

[0084] 63 sheet specifications, sheet length

[0085] 70 carriers

[0086] 71 Swing shaft

[0087] 72 Control Device

[0088] 73 Supply Module

[0089] 74 Billet Separation Module

[0090] 90 horizontal direction

[0091] 91 vertical direction

[0092] 92 ground.

Claims

1. A machine for further processing a printed material, comprising: A die-cutting module (10) for die-cutting a printing substrate (2), the die-cutting module comprising a die-cutting device (11); a first upstream traction group (50) and a second downstream traction group (51) for the printing substrate (2); a conveying module (30) for further conveying the printing substrate (2), the conveying module comprising at least one conveying section (31) of variable length; and a transfer device (40) for transferring the printing substrate (2) from the die-cutting module (10) to a subsequent module (20), the transfer device comprising a transfer section (41) of variable length, characterized in that A stripping module (20) is arranged as a subsequent module between the die-cutting module (10) and the conveying module (30), and the stripping module can be positioned in the processing direction (3) of the machine (1) according to the sheet specification (63); the transfer device (40) transfers the printing material (2) from the die-cutting module (10) to the stripping module (20), wherein the length (31a) of the conveying section (31) and the length (41a) of the transfer section (41) can be adjusted according to the position (22) of the stripping module (20).

2. The machine according to claim 1, characterized in that The stripping module (20) has an upstream third traction group (52) for the printing material.

3. The machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The distance (61) from the second traction group (51) to the stripping module (20) or to the third traction group (52) is smaller than the sheet size (63); and / or the distance (62) from the stripping module (20) or the third traction group (52) to the adjustable roller (33) of the conveying section (31) is smaller than the sheet size (63).

4. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The machine (1) comprises a control device (72) for controlling the feed speed of the first traction group (50), the second traction group (51) and / or the third traction group (52).

5. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The machine (1) comprises a pivotable carrier (70).

6. The machine according to claim 4, characterized in that The carrier (70) is capable of swinging around a vertical swing axis (71).

7. Machine according to one of the preceding claims 4 or 5, characterized in that The stripping module (20) is arranged on the carrier (70).

8. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The variable-length conveying section (31) comprises a rotating vacuum belt (32).

9. The machine according to claim 7, characterized in that The variable-length conveying section (31) comprises adjustable rollers (33) for the vacuum belt (32).

10. The machine according to claim 8, characterized in that The variable-length conveying section (31) comprises a telescopic device (34) for adjusting the position of the roller (33).

11. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The variable-length transfer section (41) comprises a variable-length roller blind (42) or a tray (42) for supporting the printing material (2); the roller blind (42) or the tray (42) comprises an element (43) for hanging on the stripping module (20) or its second traction group (51).

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