Device and machine for aligning magnetic or magnetizable particles on a web- or arc-shaped substrate

Abstract

Device for aligning magnetic or magnetizable particles contained in a coating material (06) applied to a first side of a web- or arc-shaped substrate (02), - with a first cylinder (37) designed as a magnetic cylinder (37), which is arranged at a first cylinder position in the transport path of the substrate (02) to be conveyed and has a plurality of elements (41) generating a magnetic field in the area of ​​its outer circumference, - and with a second cylinder (38; 38*) following the first cylinder (37) at a second cylinder position in the transport path, which is arranged on the other side of the transport path than the first cylinder (37), wherein the first cylinder (37) provided at the first cylinder position, the second cylinder (38; 38*) and a third cylinder (39; 39*) following the second cylinder (38; 38*) at a third cylinder position in the transport path are rotatably mounted or mountable in frame walls (48; 49) of a frame, and that the second cylinder (38) is a transport cylinder (38), i.e.without magnetic elements on the circumference, characterized in that the bearing means receiving the pins of the cylinder (39; 39*) to be arranged in the third position are designed such that the third cylinder position can be optionally equipped and / or configured with a cylinder (39) corresponding to the first cylinder (37) designed as a magnetic cylinder (39) with a plurality of elements (42) generating a magnetic field or with a cylinder (38) corresponding to the second cylinder (38) designed as a transfer cylinder (39*).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device, a machine with such a device, and a method for aligning magnetic or magnetizable particles on a web- or arc-shaped substrate according to the preamble of claim 1 or 15.

[0002] EP 2 845 732 B1 discloses a printing machine with a screen printing unit and a device for aligning magnetic or magnetizable particles contained in the printing ink or varnish, wherein the device comprises a cylinder with a plurality of elements generating a magnetic field on its circumference and a dryer directed in the transport path to a point where the substrate has not yet left the cylinder.

[0003] In EP 3 178 569 A1, a substrate is coated on one side with a coating material containing magnetic or magnetizable particles and, on the transport path downstream of the coating point, is first guided on this side over a first cylinder, which has at least one magnetic field-generating element, and then with its other side over a further cylinder, which also has at least one magnetic field-generating element. While the substrate is being guided over the first cylinder, the coating is dried through a mask and the substrate from the second side.

[0004] CN 105034570 B discloses a device for producing substrate printed with magnetic coating material, wherein the substrate is coated on a first side by a printing device, subsequently passed on this first side successively over a first and a second cylinder, each having elements generating a magnetic field, before it is dried on the doubly printed side by, for example, a curing device.

[0005] In WO 2016 / 015973 A1, in one embodiment, a coating material containing magnetic or magnetizable particles is applied to a substrate surface, the particles are then aligned by a magnet provided on the second side and simultaneously dried from the first side by using a mask on only a part of the surface, before the undried part is aligned from the first side by a magnet and simultaneously dried from the second side by a dryer.

[0006] EP 2 114 678 B1 discloses a cylinder which, in the region of its outer circumference, has a plurality of elements generating a magnetic field in or on several ring elements spaced axially apart from one another and which can be positioned in the axial direction on a shaft, in or on which several magnetic elements are arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction.

[0007] The invention is based on the objective of creating a device and a machine with such a device for aligning magnetic or magnetizable particles on a web- or arc-shaped substrate.

[0008] The problem is solved according to the invention by the features of claim 1 or 15.

[0009] The advantages achievable with the invention consist in particular in the fact that substrates with a particularly high variety of optically variable image elements and / or with image elements of particularly high quality can be produced.

[0010] In a particularly advantageous embodiment or configuration with two magnetic cylinders and preferably an intermediate drying step, complex optically variable image elements can be produced, if desired with particularly sharp boundaries.

[0011] If, in an advantageous embodiment, e.g., a modular design, one or more cylinder positions can be optionally equipped with a transport cylinder and a magnetic cylinder, the range of possible effects that can be produced is considerably expanded for the operator.

[0012] A particularly advantageous solution is made possible by a device for aligning magnetic or magnetizable particles contained in a coating agent applied to a first side of a web- or arc-shaped substrate. The device comprises an application unit arranged in the transport path of the substrate, by which the coating agent is applied and / or can be applied to the first side of the substrate at at least one application point; a first cylinder designed as a magnetic cylinder, arranged in the transport path of the substrate to be conveyed and having a plurality of magnetic field-generating elements, hereinafter also referred to as magnetic elements, in the region of its outer circumference; and a further cylinder designed as a magnetic cylinder, arranged in the transport path of the substrate to be conveyed and having a plurality of magnetic field-generating elements in the region of its outer circumference.as well as a drying and / or curing device, which is arranged on the transport path between the point of emergence of the substrate onto the first cylinder and the point of emergence onto the subsequent cylinders.

[0013] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the device, the first cylinder, designed as a magnetic cylinder, is arranged on the second side of the substrate being conveyed in the transport path, and the drying and / or curing device is directed towards the first side of the substrate being conveyed in the transport path.

[0014] In an advantageous embodiment of the device, the further cylinder is provided as a third cylinder downstream of a second cylinder located downstream of the first cylinder and is arranged in the transport path of the substrate to be conveyed on the same side of the transport path as the first cylinder.

[0015] In an advantageous configuration, the second cylinder is designed as a transport cylinder, through which the substrate can be fed from the first cylinder to the third cylinder and / or is fed to it.

[0016] In addition to or instead of the above device, a particularly advantageous solution is made possible by a device for aligning magnetic or magnetizable particles contained in a coating material applied to a first side of a web- or arc-shaped substrate, comprising a first cylinder designed as a magnetic cylinder, which is arranged in the transport path of the substrate to be conveyed at a first cylinder position and has a plurality of elements generating a magnetic field in the region of its outer circumference, and a second cylinder following the first cylinder at a second cylinder position in the transport path, which is arranged on the other side of the transport path than the first cylinder.

[0017] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the device, the first cylinder provided at the first cylinder position, the second cylinder and a third cylinder following the second cylinder at a third cylinder position in the transport path are rotatably mounted or mountable in frame walls of a frame, wherein the second cylinder is designed as a - in particular pure - transport cylinder, i.e. without magnetic elements on the circumference.

[0018] In a particularly advantageous further development, the bearing means receiving the pins of the cylinder to be arranged in the third position are designed such that the third cylinder position can be optionally equipped with a magnetic cylinder corresponding to the first cylinder with a plurality of elements generating a magnetic field or with a transfer cylinder corresponding to the second cylinder and / or the bearing means receiving the pins of the cylinder to be arranged in the first position are designed such that the first cylinder position can be optionally equipped and / or configured with a transfer cylinder corresponding to the second cylinder instead of the magnetic cylinder.

[0019] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the device, the third cylinder position is equipped and / or configured with a cylinder designed as a magnetic cylinder, which has a plurality of elements generating a magnetic field in the region of its outer circumference. In an alternative configuration, the third cylinder position can be equipped and / or configured with a cylinder designed as a transfer cylinder.

[0020] The bearing means designed for the optional mounting of a magnetic or a transfer cylinder are preferably designed with pins of radial bearings for the optionally configurable magnetic and transfer cylinders of the same diameter and / or on the frame with mounting means at the relevant cylinder positions for mounting radial bearings of the same outer diameter for the magnetic and transfer cylinders.

[0021] Preferably, the first cylinder in the transport path of the substrate to be conveyed is arranged on its second side.

[0022] In a particularly preferable embodiment for a cylinder, especially a cylinder for aligning magnetic or magnetizable particles contained in a coating material applied to a first side of a web- or arc-shaped substrate, and which has a plurality of magnetic field-generating elements, i.e., magnetic elements, in the region of its outer circumference, the magnetic elements are arranged in or on several axially spaced ring elements that can be positioned axially on a shaft, in or on which several magnetic elements are arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction.

[0023] In an advantageous embodiment of the above device, the cylinders comprise holding means for transporting the substrate designed as a printing sheet, wherein the transfer of the substrate designed as a printing sheet takes place directly between the adjacent cylinders.

[0024] In an advantageous embodiment, a chain gripper system with gripper bars supported by circulating endless chains is located in the transport path between the application device and the first cylinder.

[0025] A first drying and / or curing device provided in the aforementioned apparatus, for example, is preferably designed to act on the substrate to be treated in sections spaced apart from one another transversely to the transport direction and / or is directed at a point on the transport path located on the circumference of the first cylinder. The sections are preferably adjustable in their position transversely to the transport direction and / or the drying and / or curing device comprises a plurality of radiation sources, preferably UV radiation sources such as, in particular, UV LEDs, which are provided in several drying heads defining the sections or in an array of radiation sources extending across the maximum substrate width to be treated, but which can be activated section by section.

[0026] A second drying and / or curing device provided in the above device, for example, preferably comprises a plurality of radiation sources, preferably UV radiation sources such as, in particular, UV LEDs, which are provided in an array of radiation sources extending over the maximum substrate width to be treated.

[0027] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the cylinder, at least two adjacent ring elements, preferably all ring elements, each have a cover element forming a part of the cylindrical surface of the cylinder and extending circumferentially at least over the circumferential area equipped with the magnetic elements, wherein the cover elements of two adjacent ring elements each have on their axially facing sides a plurality of projections alternating with recesses circumferentially offset in such a way that, when the two ring elements are moved relative to each other, the projections on the cover element of one ring element engage tooth-like in corresponding recesses of the other ring element and can overlap when viewed circumferentially.

[0028] A preferred machine, in particular a security printing machine, for producing optically variable image elements on a substrate, comprising a substrate template, in particular designed as a sheet feeder, at least one printing unit with at least one printing unit, in particular a screen printing unit, by which substrate guided on a transport path through the machine is and / or can be printed at least on a first side, a product intake, in particular designed as a stack delivery unit, and a device provided in the transport path of the substrate between the printing unit and the product intake for aligning magnetic or magnetizable particles, as described by one of the above-mentioned and / or a description or embodiment variants.

[0029] Further details and design variants can be found in the following exemplary embodiments and, provided there is no contradiction, can each be combined with one of the above-described designs for the device, the cylinder and / or the machine.

[0030] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are described in more detail below.

[0031] They show: Fig. 1 An embodiment of a machine for generating optically variable image elements on a substrate in a first variant a) and in an advantageous variant b); Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a substrate printed in printing elements with optically variable coating medium; Fig. 3 a schematic representation of a substrate provided with optically variable image elements; Fig. 4 an enlarged view of the printing unit Fig. 1; Fig. 5 an enlarged representation of the device for aligning magnetic or magnetizable particles from Fig. 1; Fig. 6 a side view into the open side of a device for aligning magnetic or magnetizable particles; Fig. 7 a vertical section of the device running transversely to the direction of transport according to Fig. 6; Fig. 8 an oblique view of the device for aligning magnetic or magnetizable particles with a first embodiment for the first drying and / or curing device; Fig. 9 an oblique view of the device for aligning magnetic or magnetizable particles with a second embodiment variant for the first drying and / or curing device; Fig. 10 an oblique view of a design for a magnetic cylinder; Fig. 11 an oblique view of a design for a transport cylinder; Fig. 12 a schematic representation of different designs or configurations for a magnetic cylinder; Fig. 13 a schematic representation of an advantageous embodiment of a magnetic cylinder.

[0032] A machine 01, e.g., a printing press 01, in particular a security printing press 01, for producing optically variable image elements 03 on a substrate 02, e.g., a web- or sheet-shaped printing material 02, comprises an application device 04, e.g., a printing unit 04, by which optically variable coating agent 06, e.g., optically variable printing ink 06 or varnish 06, can be applied at at least one application point, e.g., printing point, to at least one first side of the substrate 02, e.g., the printing material 02, either fully or partially, in the form of printing elements 08, as well as a device 07 for aligning the optically variable effect into the image elements 03 by orienting the particles contained in the optically variable coating agent 06 applied to the substrate 02 and responsible for the optical variability (see, e.g., Fig. 1) This device 07 will also be referred to below as alignment device 07.

[0033] The printing elements 08 made of variable coating material 06, applied to the substrate 02 by the application device 04 prior to treatment by the alignment device 07, can correspond in size and position to the optically variable image elements 03 to be produced (see e.g. Fig. 2 and Fig. 3) or possibly be larger than these, possibly even extending over the area with several uses 09. In the case of larger printed elements 08, for example, an optically variable image element 03 is not created on the entire surface coated with optically variable coating medium 06 by alignment.

[0034] The particles responsible for the optical variability contained in the coating material 06, e.g., the printing ink 06 or the varnish 06, are magnetic or magnetizable, non-spherical particles, e.g., pigment particles, hereinafter also referred to as magnetic flakes.

[0035] The machine 01 is preferably designed for the production of components 09, e.g., securities 09, in particular banknotes 09, or of intermediate products of such securities 09, e.g., printed material sections containing the printed images of several such securities 09. The substrate 02, e.g., printing material 02, can be formed by paper – e.g., cellulose-based or, preferably, cotton fiber-based paper – by plastic polymer, or by a hybrid product thereof. It can be uncoated or already coated before coating in the aforementioned application device 04; it can be unprinted or already printed once or multiple times or otherwise mechanically processed. On a longitudinal section of web-shaped substrate 02 or on a sheet of an arc-shaped substrate 02, several components 09, e.g., banknotes 09 to be produced, are preferably arranged side by side in a row, and several such rows of components 09 or...whose printed image is arranged one after the other in the transport direction T or is arranged during the processing of the substrate 02 (see e.g. . Fig. 2 and Fig. 3).

[0036] The machine 01, designed as a printing machine 01, can in principle comprise one or more printing units 04 with one or more printing units of any printing process. In a preferred embodiment, however, it comprises a printing unit 04 with at least one printing unit 11; 12 operating according to the flexographic printing process or, preferably, according to the screen printing process, by which the optically variable coating agent 06 is or can be applied to a first side of the substrate 02. The aforementioned printing processes, in particular the screen printing process, allow for a greater layer thickness compared to other printing processes. The term "first side" of the substrate 02 or printing material 02 is chosen arbitrarily here and is intended to denote the side of the printing material 02 on which the optically variable coating agent 06 is, has been, or can be applied.

[0037] In the illustrated and preferred embodiment, the printing machine 01 comprises a substrate feeder 13, e.g., a roll unwinder 13 or, more preferably, a sheet feeder 13, from which the web- or, preferably, sheet-shaped substrate 02 is fed—optionally via further printing or processing units—to the printing unit 04, e.g., a flexographic or, in particular, a screen printing unit 04, which applies the optically variable coating agent 06, and which has at least one printing unit 11; 12, e.g., a flexographic or, in particular, a screen printing unit 11; 12. In the illustrated and advantageous embodiment, two screen printing units 11; 12 are provided, which are preferably combined in the same printing unit 04 and are positioned between a printing cylinder 14; 16, e.g., a screen printing cylinder 14; 16, and a common counter-pressure cylinder 17 form two pressure points for the same, here first, side of the substrate 02 (see e.g. Fig. 4) In the transport path between the two printing points, a drying and / or curing device 18, e.g. a UV dryer 18, directed towards the first side of a substrate 02 to be conveyed by the printing unit 04, may be provided. Optically variable coating material 06 can be applied or applied with only one or both of the screen printing units 11; 12.

[0038] The substrate 02 can be fed from the printing unit 04, which applies the optically variable coating agent 06, to the alignment device 07 via conveying means to a first conveying device 19. In the case of web-shaped substrate 02, this can be one or more positively driven or undriven rollers, over which the substrate 02 can be or is guided into the alignment device 07 on the inlet side. In the preferred case of sheet-shaped substrate 02, i.e., individual sheets of substrate 02 passing through the machine 01, sheet-feeding means are provided.

[0039] These sheet-conveying means can, in an embodiment not shown, be formed by one or more transfer cylinders or drums that take the printed material sheet 02 from the printing unit 04, e.g., from the counter-pressure cylinder 17, and optionally transfer it to the alignment device 07 via one or more further transfer cylinders or drums. Preferably, however, the first conveying device 19 is designed as a gripper conveyor 19, e.g., as a so-called chain gripper system 19, which comprises continuous traction elements 21, e.g., continuous chains 21, circulating on both sides of the frame and carrying gripper bars 22 extending transversely to the transport direction. The gripper bars 22 allow the leading sheet ends to be gripped, enabling the printed material sheets 02 to be transported along the conveying path and delivered to the corresponding conveying or receiving means at the destination.Preferably, at least in the receiving area of ​​the printed material sheet 02 from the printing unit 04 and in the area of ​​the delivery of the same to the alignment device 07, there is a sprocket wheel 23; 24, also called a sprocket gripper wheel 23; 24.

[0040] After passing through the alignment device 07, described in more detail below, the substrate 02 can be conveyed via conveying means of a further, e.g., a second conveying device 26, to a product receiving device 27 for receiving the substrate 02 processed and / or treated in the machine 01, e.g., a rewinder 27 in the case of web-shaped substrate 02 or a stack delivery device 27 in the preferred case of sheet-shaped substrate 02. In the case of web-shaped substrate 02, this can again be one or more positively driven or undriven rollers, which continue the transport path of the first conveying device 19 and through the alignment device 07 and over which the substrate 02 can be guided into the rewinder 27 on the inlet side. In the preferred case of sheet-shaped substrate 02, sheet-feeding means are provided as conveying means.These can be formed, as above, by one or more transfer cylinders or drums that take the printed material sheet 02 from the alignment device 07 and deliver it downstream to the stacking delivery unit 27. Preferably, the second conveying device 26, like the first, is designed as a gripper conveyor 26, e.g., a chain gripper system 26 with circulating endless traction elements 28, e.g., endless chains 28, one or more sprockets 31; 32 or chain gripper wheels 31; 32, and gripper bars 29, by which the printed material sheets 02 are taken from the transport path section of the alignment device 07 and fed, e.g., to the stacking delivery unit 27 (see, e.g., [reference]). Fig. 1, variant a)). An additional drying unit with one or more dryers 34 directed towards the first side of the substrate 02, e.g. radiation dryers 34, can be provided on the transport path leading away from the alignment device 07. In an advantageous embodiment, a cooling unit 33 is provided on the transport path between the alignment device 07 and the stack delivery 27, in particular behind the additional drying unit in the transport path between the alignment device 07 and the discharge unit 27 (see e.g. Fig. 1, variant b)). This can, for example, be designed as a cooling roller 33, which is arranged between the second conveying device 26 coming from the alignment device 07 and a third conveying device 36, e.g., also designed as a gripper recirculating conveyor 36, e.g., a chain gripper system 36. In a further development, an inspection device (not shown), e.g., a surface or line camera, can be provided and directed, for example, at a segment of the outer surface of the cooling roller 33 located in the transport path.

[0041] The alignment device 07, described in detail below, is in principle arbitrary in its designs, variants, or configurations, but is preferably provided or foreseen in a machine 01 or printing press 01 described above. In an advantageous embodiment, it is designed as a module and can be inserted into the transport path of the machine 01 to be equipped, with input and output interfaces to the open section ends of a conveyor system that continues upstream and downstream.

[0042] The device 07 for aligning optically variable image elements 03, e.g., for aligning the optically variable effect into the optically variable coating agent 06 previously applied to the substrate 02, in particular the printing material 02, e.g., in the form of printing elements 08, comprises a defined transport path along which the substrate 02 to be conveyed by the alignment device 07 is guided or conveyed from an input area, in which the substrate 02 to be treated and having optically variable coating agent 06 on its first side is supplied or can be supplied, past the effective components 37; 38; 39; 37*; 38*; 39*; 51; 52 in a defined manner to an output area.The first side, which has the optically variable coating agent 06, is in particular the side on which, for example, the optically variable coating agent 06 can be applied or is applied or has been applied upstream in the transport path through the application device 04.

[0043] The effective components 37; 38; 39; 37*; 38*; 39* are a group of cylinders 37; 38; 39; 37*; 38*; 39*, comprising at least one first cylinder 37; 37* and, downstream of this, a second cylinder 38; 38*, arranged on opposite sides of a substrate 02 to be conveyed along the transport path. The first cylinder 37; 37* is arranged on the second side of the substrate 02 in the transport path, such that its first side, coated with optically variable coating material 06, faces outwards during transport over the first cylinder 37; 37*. In a preferred embodiment, a third cylinder 39; 39* is provided downstream, arranged on the same side of the transport path as the first cylinder 37; 37*.

[0044] In a version or configuration of the alignment device 07 referred to here as the basic version or configuration, the first cylinder 37 has a plurality of magnetic field-generating elements 41 in the region of its outer circumference, hereinafter also referred to as magnetic elements 41, which serve to orient at least a portion of the magnetic or magnetizable particles of the coating material 06 applied to the passing substrate. In the case of the aforementioned plurality of uses 09 per substrate section or substrate sheet 02, several rows of magnetic elements 41 spaced apart from one another transversely to the transport direction are provided around the circumference. These correspond, when unfolded on the substrate 02, to the pattern of the image elements 03 to be subjected to magnetic fields on the substrate 02. The cylinder 37 comprising the magnetic elements 41 is hereinafter also referred to as the magnetic cylinder 37.The substrate 02 is guided so that its first side faces outwards during transport over the first cylinder 37. The particles are aligned or oriented by means of the magnetic elements 41 through the substrate 02. In this basic version or configuration, the second cylinder 38 is designed solely as a transport cylinder 38, i.e., without magnetic elements in the area of ​​its outer circumference.

[0045] In the preferred case that a third cylinder 39 is included downstream of the second cylinder 38 by the alignment device 07, in the basic version or configuration the third cylinder 39* is also designed only as a transport cylinder 39*, i.e. without magnetic elements in the area of ​​its outer circumference (see e.g. Fig. 12 b).

[0046] In a particularly advantageous embodiment or configuration of the three-cylinder design, the third cylinder 39 of the alignment device 07 is also designed as a magnetic cylinder 39 and has, in the region of its outer circumference, a plurality of magnetic field-generating elements 42, hereinafter also referred to as magnetic elements 42, for orienting at least a portion of the magnetic or magnetizable particles of the coating material 06 applied to the passing substrate 02, as described above for the first magnetic cylinder 37. The magnetic elements 42 can be arranged on the circumference of the second magnetic cylinder 39 in the same pattern as those of the first magnetic cylinder 37. Their position, relative to their position during unfolding on a substrate 02 conveyed along the transport path through the alignment device 07, can coincide with the positions of the first magnetic elements 41 or, for example,All magnet elements 41 are offset in the same way from the positions of the first magnet elements 41 in the circumferential and / or axial direction. An offset in the respective position can, for example, be dimensioned such that the surfaces of the first and second magnet elements 41; 42 facing the substrate 02 still overlap when unfolded on the substrate 02, continue straight on one side, or are slightly spaced apart from each other, i.e., by no more than half their extent in the relevant direction. In the case of an offset, they can then act on the respective pressure element 08 in a manner offset from each other. In addition to or instead of the offset, the first and second magnet elements 41; 42 can also be designed and / or oriented differently, so that they produce field line patterns differing in direction and / or pattern in the respective plane of the substrate 02 to be treated.

[0047] A cylinder 37; 38*; 39 designed as a magnetic cylinder 37; 38*; 39 can be designed without any holding means acting on the substrate 02 in the case of a web-shaped substrate 02. Optionally, suction air openings connected to a vacuum pump can be provided on the circumference to ensure that the substrate 02 rests securely on the cylinder's surface. For the preferred case of an arc-shaped substrate 02, holding means 43, e.g., grippers 43 of a so-called gripper bar, are preferably provided on the circumference of the cylinder 37; 38*; 39. These grippers allow a substrate arc 02, to be conveyed over the cylinder 37; 38*; 39, to be picked up by its leading end and held over an angular range during rotation of the cylinder 37; 38*; 39. Additionally, suction air openings connected to a vacuum pump can be provided on the circumference.Although such a magnetic cylinder 37; 38*; 39 also serves to transport the substrate 02, it is not considered or referred to here as a transport cylinder in the context of the equipment with the aforementioned magnetic elements 41; 42. The magnetic elements 41; 42 can be arranged in or on several ring elements 44, e.g., between four and seven, in particular between four and six, which are axially spaced apart from one another and preferably positionable in the axial direction, wherein in or on these ring elements 44 at least one, preferably several, e.g., between two and twelve, advantageously between five and ten, magnetic elements 41; 42 are arranged or positionable in or behind one another in the circumferential direction and preferably in the circumferential direction (see e.g., ). Fig. 10).

[0048] The term "magnetic field-generating elements 41; 42" or "magnetic elements 41; 42" refers to all magnetically effective elements that permanently or switchably generate a magnetic field (in particular, a sufficiently strong field for aligning particles contained in the coating material 06 onto the substrate 02 guided above it as described here), at least towards the side of the transport path. The magnetic elements 41; 42 can be formed by permanent magnets with or without engraving, by electromagnets, or by combinations of several permanent and / or electromagnets. They can be arranged in a fixed position or be movable on the cylinder 37; 38*; 39 during operation.

[0049] A cylinder 37*; 38; 39* designed as a transport cylinder – in particular a pure transport cylinder – has, for example, a cylindrical outer surface in the case of a web-shaped substrate 02, which is at least partially enclosed by the web-shaped substrate 02 to be guided along the transport path. In the preferred case of an arc-shaped substrate 02, holding means 46, e.g., grippers 46 of a so-called gripper bar, are preferably provided on the circumference of the transport cylinder 37*; 38; 39*, by which a substrate arc 02 to be conveyed over the cylinder 37*; 38; 39* is picked up with its leading end and can be held over an angular range during the rotation of the transport cylinder 37*; 38; 39*.The cylinder 37*; 38; 39*, designated as transport cylinder 37*; 38; 39*, need not have a predominantly closed outer surface but, in extreme cases, may simply comprise at least one gripper bar spaced around the cylinder axis on a cylindrical surface. However, to prevent tendon formation during the transport of the substrate sheets 02, additional axially extending webs and / or axially spaced support discs or rings 47 may be provided (see, e.g., ). Fig. 11).

[0050] The two or preferably three cylinders 37; 38; 39; 37*; 38*; 39* are each rotatably mounted at their ends in frame walls 48; 49, e.g. side parts 48; 49 of a frame supporting the components of the alignment device 07.

[0051] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, if provided, the bearing means receiving the journals of the cylinder 39; 39* to be arranged in the third position and / or, for example, the journals of the cylinder 38; 38* to be arranged in the second position when viewed in the transport direction T, are designed such that the respective cylinder position can be optionally equipped with a magnetic cylinder 38*; 39 or with a transfer cylinder 38; 39*. In an advantageous further development, the bearing means receiving the journals of the cylinder 37; 37* to be arranged in the first position are also designed such that the first cylinder position of the group of cylinders 37; 38; 39; 37*; 38*; 39* when viewed in the transport direction T can also be optionally equipped with a magnetic cylinder 37 or with a transfer cylinder 37* (see, e.g., Fig. 12).

[0052] This can be achieved, for example, by providing the same pin diameter for the magnetic and transfer cylinders 37; 38*; 39; 37*; 38; 39*, and arranging them in radial bearings of the same clear inner diameter that are inserted or to be inserted on the side plates 48; 49 for the respective cylinder positions, and / or by providing radial bearings of the same outer diameter for receiving the pins of the magnetic and transfer cylinders 37; 38*; 39; 37*; 38; 39*, which can be inserted into receiving means provided on the frame for the respective cylinder positions, e.g., openings or bearing shells of the same clear inner diameter provided in the side plates 48, 49. The latter can be directly achieved through the clear width of a frame bore provided in the side plate 48; 49 or of a bearing ring additionally provided in such a frame bore. B. an eccentric adjusting ring.In an advantageous embodiment, the pins and bearing assembly for the two different types of cylinders 37; 38; 39; 37*; 38*; 39* are identical in the at least two, preferably three, cylinder positions of the cylinder group encompassed by the alignment device 07.

[0053] The three cylinders 37; 38; 39; 37*; 38*; 39* and / or their bearings are preferably arranged in the frame such that the three cylinder axes lie essentially in a common plane, for example, a horizontal plane. The axis of the middle cylinder 38; 38* should be at most 30 mm, preferably at most 10 mm, away from the connecting plane through the axes of the two outer cylinders 37; 39; 37*; 39*.

[0054] Preferably, as a further effective component 51, at least one first drying and / or curing device 51 is arranged or can be arranged on the transport path of the substrate 02, in particular the printing material 02, which is to be conveyed by the alignment device 07, on its first side, which has the optically variable coating agent 06. Viewed in the transport direction T, this is directed towards a segment of the outer surface of the first cylinder 37, e.g., designed as a magnetic cylinder 37, located in the transport path, or towards a point in the transport path where the substrate 02 to be conveyed is guided during operation – in particular with its second side – on the first cylinder 37; 37*, e.g., designed as a magnetic cylinder 37. With the aforementioned guidance of the substrate 02 such that its first side faces outwards during transport over the first cylinder 37; 37*, direct drying or curing takes place.Curing of at least one outer layer of coating material 06 applied to the substrate 02. The point in the transport direction T, towards which the first drying and / or curing device 51 is directed, is preferably located at least 90° behind the point where the substrate 02, being conveyed along its transport path, enters the first cylinder 37; 37* and before the point where the substrate 02, being conveyed along its transport path over the first cylinder 37; 37*, leaves the first cylinder 37; 37*. Preferably, the drying and / or curing device 51 is designed as a radiation dryer and operates on the basis of electromagnetic radiation, e.g., with IR or, preferably, UV radiation. For this purpose, it has one or more radiation sources, e.g., IR or, preferably, UV light sources.

[0055] In a preferred embodiment of the aforementioned first drying and / or curing device 51, it is designed – in at least one operating mode – to act on the substrate 02 to be treated not continuously across its entire width, but in spaced-apart sections. These sections are preferably adjustable in their position transverse to the transport direction of the substrate 02 and, if necessary, their respective effective widths can be defined.

[0056] In a first version (see e.g. Fig. 8) The drying and / or curing device 51 can comprise several dryer and / or curing elements 53, e.g., dryer heads 53, arranged side by side transversely to the transport direction T, e.g., between four and seven, in particular between four and six, directed towards the transport path, the position of which is preferably variable transversely to the transport direction T. The dryer heads 53 are preferably designed as radiation dryer heads 53 and can each comprise one or more radiation sources, e.g., IR or, preferably, UV radiation sources. In an advantageous embodiment, the dryer heads 53 each comprise a plurality (e.g., more than 10) of radiation sources designed as LEDs, e.g., IR LEDs or, preferably, UV LEDs, which are arranged at the head end of the respective dryer head 53, for example, in the manner of a one-dimensional or, preferably, two-dimensional array.The dryer heads 53 are, for example, arranged on a crossbeam and are preferably movable transversely on this beam and thus adjustable in their position.

[0057] The drying and / or curing unit 51, comprising the crossbeam and drying heads 53, is advantageously designed as a modular unit and, as such, can be inserted into or attached to the side parts 48; 49 of the frame and removed from them. The side parts 48; 49 of the frame have, for example, appropriately prepared connection elements or points for this purpose. In a version or configuration in which the first cylinder 37* is configured as a transport cylinder 37*, the first drying and / or curing unit 51 can be omitted or removed during changeover.

[0058] In a particularly advantageous further development of the first embodiment – ​​especially in connection with the present production of optically variable image elements 03 – at least one masking element (not shown here) and a fastening mechanism are provided for each dryer and / or curing element 53. This mechanism positions the masking element in the radiation path between the dryer and / or curing element 53 and the transport path in such a way that a defined boundary of the irradiated area in the plane of the transport path is achieved, in contrast to the irradiated area during operation without masking. For the purpose of achieving different degrees of shading, masking elements of varying sizes can be provided, and / or the masking element can be movable with at least one component transversely to the radiation direction relative to the dryer and / or curing element 53.

[0059] In a second version, which is particularly advantageous with regard to its variability (see e.g. Fig. 9) The drying and / or curing device 51 can include a drying and / or curing element 54 extending transversely to the transport direction T over at least the width of the maximum substrate width to be treated in the device 07, in particular in a beam-like manner, e.g. in the form of a light bar 54, in particular an LED light bar, which comprises a plurality, in particular a plurality of, e.g., more than 100, radiation sources arranged directly next to each other, i.e., at least less than 5 mm, in particular at least less than 2 mm apart in the transverse direction, transversely to the transport direction T, e.g., IR or preferably UV radiation sources. These can preferably be designed as LEDs, e.g., IR LEDs or preferably UV LEDs, and can be arranged, for example, in a one-dimensional or preferably two-dimensional array. The light sources can be arranged in or on a one- or multi-part frame section, for which, e.g.,Unlike the drying and / or curing elements 53 from the first embodiment, no axial movement is provided for adjusting the intended beam position. The aforementioned sections, on which the action on the substrate 02 is to take place, are formed by groups of active or to-be-activated radiation sources, between which lie groups of inactive or non-activated light sources. The position and preferably the width of the sections can be varied by defining the active or to-be-activated radiation sources. Groups of radiation sources can be predefined and simply selectable as belonging to the active or inactive groups. In an even more variable embodiment, the sections can be defined in position and width by forming groups of to-be-activated radiation sources or subgroups of radiation groups.Although this design variant already achieves good resolution between the area to be irradiated and the area not to be irradiated, additional mask elements can be provided. These mask elements, similar to the first design variant, are positioned in the radiation path between the dryer and / or curing element 54 and the transport path in such a way that the irradiated area in the plane of the transport path can be further limited compared to the area irradiated during operation without masking, for example, by retaining remaining diffuse radiation components. Here, too, mask elements of different sizes and / or a relatively movable arrangement can be provided.

[0060] The drying and / or curing unit 51 in the second embodiment is also advantageously designed as a unit or module and, as such, can be inserted into or attached to the frame walls or side panels 48; 49 and removed from them, the side panels 48; 49 of the frame having, for example, appropriately prepared connection elements or points for this purpose. In an embodiment or configuration in which the first cylinder 37* is configured as a transport cylinder 37*, the first drying and / or curing unit 51 can be omitted or removed during changeover.

[0061] In the event that a further magnetic cylinder 38*; 39 is provided or foreseen in the transport path through the alignment device 07, preferably in the case of the third cylinder 39 designed as a magnetic cylinder 39, a second drying and / or curing device 52 is provided as a further effective component 52 in the transport path of the substrate 02, in particular printing material 02, to be conveyed by the alignment device 07. Although it can in principle also be provided downstream of this, viewed in the transport direction T it is preferably directed towards a segment of the outer surface of the third cylinder 39, e.g. designed as a magnetic cylinder 39, located in the transport path, or towards a point in the transport path where the substrate 02 to be conveyed is guided on this further magnetic cylinder 38*; 39 during operation.The point in the transport direction T, towards which the second drying and / or curing device 52 is directed, is preferably located at least 90° behind the point where the substrate 02 to be conveyed along its transport path runs onto this further magnetic cylinder 38*; 39 and before the point where the substrate 02 to be conveyed along its transport path over this cylinder 38*; 39 leaves the cylinder 38*; 39 again. It can be advantageous if the circumferential length between the point where the substrate 02 runs onto the further magnetic cylinder 38*; 39 and the point of action of the second drying and / or curing device 52 corresponds approximately, i.e., to within ± 10% of the possibly larger value, to the corresponding circumferential length on the first magnetic cylinder 37. Preferably, the second drying and / or curing device 52 is designed as a radiation dryer and operates on the basis of electromagnetic radiation, e.g.with IR or preferably UV radiation. For this purpose, it has one or more radiation sources, e.g. IR or preferably UV light sources.

[0062] The second drying and / or curing unit 52 can, in principle, be designed in accordance with the first embodiment variant for the first drying and / or curing unit 51, for example, to cure or dry only areas of printing elements 08 that have not yet been dried or cured individually on the substrate 02. The above applies accordingly.

[0063] In a version requiring little effort, however, a drying and / or curing element 56, e.g. in the form of a light strip 56, in particular an LED light strip, extending continuously over the required width, e.g. at least the width of the maximum substrate width to be treated in the device 07, is included, which comprises a plurality, in particular a large number of e.g. more than 100 radiation sources, e.g. IR or preferably UV radiation sources, arranged transversely to the transport direction.

[0064] As in the second embodiment of the first drying and / or curing device 52, the radiation sources can preferably be designed as LEDs, e.g., IR LEDs or preferably UV LEDs, and arranged, for example, in a one-dimensional or preferably two-dimensional array. The drying and / or curing element 56 designed in this way can, but need not, be switchable with regard to section-by-section application to the first drying and / or curing element 54 as described in the second embodiment above.

[0065] The second drying and / or curing unit 52, comprising the drying and / or curing element 56, is advantageously designed as a unit or module and, as such, can be inserted into or attached to the side parts 48; 49 of the frame and removed from them, wherein the side parts 48; 49 of the frame have, for example, appropriately prepared connection elements or connection points for this purpose. In an embodiment or configuration in which the third cylinder 39* is configured as a transport cylinder 39*, the second drying and / or curing unit 52 can be omitted or removed during changeover. If, instead of the third cylinder 39*, the second cylinder 38* is designed or configured as a magnetic cylinder 38*, the second drying and / or curing unit 52 can be inserted at appropriately prepared connection points on the second cylinder 38*.

[0066] If, as preferably, the alignment device 07 or the machine 01 comprising it is designed for handling and treating arc-shaped substrate 02, in particular substrate arc 02, the alignment device 07 comprises, in addition to the at least two, in particular three, cylinders 37; 38; 39; 37*; 38*; 39* mentioned above, an input transfer point at which a substrate arc 02 to be treated is transferred from the upstream conveying device 19 to the first cylinder 37; 37* of the alignment device 07, and an output transfer point at which a treated substrate arc 02 is transferred from the last cylinder 38; 39; 38*; 39* of the cylinder group comprised by the alignment device 07 to a downstream conveying device 26. The respective transfer point can, in principle, be achieved in the case of upstream or downstream transport cylinders by the interaction of a last or first transport cylinder with the first orThe last cylinder 37; 38; 39; 37*; 38*; 39* of the alignment device 07 is formed. In the present case of conveying devices 19; 26 designed as gripper recirculating conveyors 19; 26, the input-side transfer, however, takes place between a gripper bar 22 of the upstream gripper recirculating conveyor 19 and the first cylinder 37; 37*, and the output-side transfer takes place between the last cylinder 38; 39; 38*; 39* of the cylinder group and a gripper bar 29 of the downstream gripper recirculating conveyor 26. The transfer or takeover by the gripper bars 22; 29 preferably takes place in the area of ​​the reversal effected by the respective chain gripper wheel 24; 31, in particular at the level of the intersection of the transport path with the axis of the chain gripper wheel 24; 31 with the plane connecting the axis of the respective cylinder 37; 38, 39; 37*; 38*; 39*.In an advantageous embodiment, the axis of the chain gripper wheel 24; 31 and the axis of the respective cylinder 37; 38, 39; 37*; 38*; 39* are located on a vertical plane.

[0067] The three-cylinder version of the alignment device 07, configured for handling an arc-shaped substrate 02, preferably comprises three cylinders 37; 38; 39; 37*; 38; 39*, which are mounted in end-face side parts 48; 49, and two chain gripper wheels 24; 31; 24'; 31' on at least one of the side parts 48; 49. In an advantageous embodiment, the side parts 48; 49, together with the connecting crossbeams and / or base plates, the cylinders 37; 38; 39; 37*; 38; 39*, and, in a further advantageous embodiment, the chain gripper wheels 24; 31; 24'; 31', are designed as a module in the form of a single unit and can be inserted into or removed from the machine 01 as a single unit.

[0068] The cylinders 37; 38; 39; 37*; 38; 39* of the cylinder group can in principle be driven by one or more drive motors assigned exclusively to these cylinders 37; 38; 39; 37*; 38; 39*, e.g. jointly by one or individually by several position-controlled servo motors.

[0069] In an advantageous embodiment of the alignment device 07 or machine 01 designed for handling and processing arc-shaped substrate 02, in particular substrate arc 02, the cylinders 37; 38; 39; 37*; 38*; 39* of the cylinder group are driven by the upstream or downstream gripper conveyor 19; 26, in particular via at least one of the two endless traction elements 21; 28; 21'; 28' running on the sides of the machine, in particular endless chains 21; 28, 21'; 28' of the respective gripper conveyor 19; 26, in particular chain gripper system 19; 26. For example, a circulating conveyor 19; 26 is driven onto one of the outer cylinders 37; 38; 39; 37*; 38*; 39*, e.g., the first cylinder 37; 37*, and from there successively driven to the remaining cylinders 38; 39; 38*; 39*.For this purpose, at least one, preferably both, of the chain gripper wheels 24; 24' opposite each other on the machine sides are arranged non-rotatably on a shaft 58, on which a gear 57 is also arranged non-rotatably. This gear 57 meshes directly or via an even number of intermediate gears with a gear 59, which is non-rotatably connected to the axis of the driven cylinder 37; 38; 39; 37*; 38*; 39*, e.g., the first cylinder 37; 37*. This gear 59, or another gear also arranged non-rotatably on the axis, meshes with a gear 61, which is non-rotatably connected to the axis of the adjacent cylinder 37; 38; 39; 37*; 38*; 39*, e.g., the second cylinder 38; 38* of the cylinder group.Finally, in the case of three cylinders 37; 38; 39; 37*; 38*; 39*, the last-mentioned gear 61 or a further gear fixedly arranged on the same axis meshes with a gear 62, which is fixedly connected to the axis of the remaining cylinder 37; 38; 39; 37*; 38*; 39*, e.g., the third cylinder 39, 39*. If the drive is to continue from the alignment device 07 to the other, e.g., downstream, conveying system 26, the last-mentioned gear 62 or a further gear fixedly arranged on the same axis meshes directly or via an even number of intermediate gears with a gear 63, which is fixedly connected to a shaft 64 that fixedly supports at least one of the chain gripper wheels 31; 31'.

[0070] In the described embodiment for handling arc-shaped substrate 02, in particular printing material 02, the transfer of the substrate 02 preferably takes place directly between pairs of adjacent cylinders 37; 38; 39; 37*; 38*; 39* of the cylinder group. To prevent fluttering and / or grinding, a guide device with blow openings facing the transport path can be provided on one or more of the cylinders 37; 38; 39; 37*; 38*; 39* in the transport path. To prevent friction-related damage to the coated first side of the substrate 02 during transfer from the conveyor system 19 to the first cylinder 37; 37*, a guide device 73, e.g., a guide rail, can be provided in the area of ​​the turning point for the movement path of the gripper bars 22. B. an air box with blowing air openings facing the transport path, which support the substrate arc 02 during the turn.

[0071] In one variant of the aforementioned two-cylinder basic design or configuration, the second cylinder 38* can be configured as a magnetic cylinder 38* with a pattern of circumferentially arranged magnetic elements 41, 42 as described above, or can be configured in this way by modifying the basic configuration. In another variant for configuring the two-cylinder group, both cylinders 37*; 38 can be configured with transport cylinders 37*; 38 – for example, for operation without aligning a variable image element.

[0072] In the presented and preferred case of a cylinder group with three cylinders 37; 38; 39; 37*; 38*; 39*, the following can be used as a deviation from or alternative to the above particularly advantageous design or configuration (see e.g. Fig. 12 c)) Deviating versions or configurations may be implemented and be advantageous: If only a single-stage orientation of particles contained in the coating material 06 is provided or required, then in the alignment device 07, as in the basic version, a magnetic cylinder 37 can be provided at only one of the cylinder positions for the cylinders 37; 38; 39; 37*; 38*; 39*, e.g., that of the first cylinder 37, and cylinders 38; 39* designed only as transport cylinders 38; 39* can be provided at the other cylinder positions (see e.g. Fig. 12 b)),

[0073] However, if, for example, a machine 01 containing the alignment device 07 in the transport path is to be operated in another production not with the printing ink 06 containing the alignable particles, but with a different printing ink 06, then a configuration may be advantageous in which a cylinder 37*, 38; 39* designed solely as a transport cylinder 37*, 38; 39* is provided or is provided at all three cylinder positions (see e.g. Fig. 12 a)).

[0074] In the particularly advantageous embodiment or configuration described above, with the first and third cylinders 37; 39 as magnetic cylinders 37; 39 and the second cylinder 38 as a transport cylinder 38 (see e.g. Fig. 12 c)) Two-stage alignment can take place, with the alignment taking place from the same side of the transport path each time.

[0075] In a different embodiment or configuration, wherein magnetic cylinders 37; 38* are provided at two adjacent cylinder positions, e.g., at the first and second cylinder positions 37; 38*, and a transport cylinder 39* is provided at the further, e.g., third cylinder position, a two-stage alignment is possible, but from different sides of the transport path (see e.g. Fig. 12 d)). In this version or for this configuration option, however, it is advantageous if the aforementioned second drying and / or curing unit 52 or a comparable drying and / or curing unit is provided or planned on the transport path around the second cylinder 38*. For example, corresponding connection elements or points can be prepared.

[0076] Finally, in a further version or configuration, all three cylinder positions can be equipped with cylinders 37; 38*; 39 designed as magnetic cylinders 37; 38*; 39 (see e.g. Fig. 12 e)). This makes it possible, for example, after the initial alignment of particles of a coated printing element 08 and partial drying or hardening in only one part of the printing element 08, to at least partially resolve the particles present in the unhardened or undried part at the second magnetic cylinder 38* in their order and / or to even prepare an orientation to be carried out at the third magnetic cylinder 39.

[0077] If, in a particular design or configuration, the second cylinder 38* is configured as a magnetic cylinder 38*, it is advantageous if the magnetic elements encompassed by this cylinder on its circumference are arranged with their surfaces facing the transport path radially offset inwards relative to the surfaces supporting the substrate 02 on a cylindrical surface, i.e., not flush with the support surface. This prevents smearing of any still undried coating material 06 by contact with the magnetic elements.

[0078] A smoothing device, e.g. a plurality of axially spaced rollers or one or more rollers, can be provided on the circumference of the cylinder 37; 38*; 39 designed as a magnetic cylinder 37; 38*; 39, which is positioned or can be positioned in the transport path of the substrate 02 between the point of entry and the point of drying or hardening over the substrate 02 on the cylinder 37; 38*; 39.

[0079] In an advantageous embodiment of the cylinder 37; 38*; 39 designed as a magnetic cylinder 37; 38*; 39, it can include a, in particular contactless, transmitter, e.g. coupler, for transmitting electrical energy and / or control signals from outside into the rotating cylinder 37; 38*; 39.

[0080] In an advantageous embodiment of the alignment device 07, each cylinder 37; 38*; 39 designed as a magnetic cylinder is provided with its own vacuum pump for supplying suction air openings provided on its outer surface.

[0081] The cylinder 37; 38*; 39, designed as a magnetic cylinder 37; 38*; 39, can be used, for example, in Fig. 10 shown without a cover between the ring elements 44 supporting the magnetic elements 41; 42 and may have additional support rings between the ring elements 44, or may have a cover, e.g. a cover plate, in which areas for the magnetic elements 41; 42 are recessed and which has, e.g., bores as suction air openings.

[0082] In an embodiment of the magnetic cylinder 41; 42 that is advantageous with regard to format variability and / or variability in the position of the variable image elements 03 on the substrate 03 or utility 09 (see e.g. Fig.13) At least two adjacent, but preferably all, axially movable ring elements 44 containing or capable of being equipped with magnetic elements 41; 42 are formed on the sides facing each other in the axial direction of the cylinder 37; 38*; 39 in a tooth-like or fan-like manner with projections 66, e.g. in the form of tabs 66 or lugs 66, and corresponding recesses 67, e.g. cutouts 67 or troughs 67, and offset in the circumferential direction, so that when two adjacent ring elements 44 are moved axially towards each other, the tooth-like extensions 66 of one ring element 44 can engage in the corresponding recesses 67 of the other ring element 44. This allows for the most uniform possible support of the printing material 02, even with possible variations in distance.

[0083] The ring elements 44 can be made in one or more parts. They can be formed in this tooth-like manner in their entirety, i.e., in the area of ​​their side walls 68; 69 as well as in the area of ​​the outwardly facing cover elements 71, or, advantageously, have circular disc-shaped side walls 68; 69 and cover elements 71 having the recesses 67 and projections 66, e.g., cover end plates or strips 71 formed with teeth on their edges in the aforementioned manner.

[0084] The cover element 71 can be the outward-facing wall of a one-piece ring element 44 or a component specifically arranged on the ring element 44, e.g. a cover plate or strip.

[0085] In an advantageous embodiment, the edges of the recesses 67 and projections 66 continue in a wave-like manner and are thus formed without sharp corners.

[0086] In both cases, the cover element 71 has recesses for the magnetic elements 41; 42. Preferably, a plurality of suction air openings 72 are provided in the respective cover element 71, and a vacuum can be generated in an underlying space between the side walls 68; 69 and the cover element 71 by means of a line connection to a vacuum pump. Reference symbol list 01 Machine for generating optically variable image elements, printing press, security printing press 02 Substrate, printing material, printing material sheet, substrate sheet 03 Image element 04 Order setup, printing unit, flexographic printing unit, screen printing unit 05 - 06 Coating agents, printing ink, varnish 07 Device for aligning the optically variable effect into the image elements, alignment device 08 Pressure element 09 Utility, security, banknote 10 - 11 Printing press, screen printing press 12 Printing press, screen printing press 13. Substrate template, roll unwinder, sheet feeder 14 forming cylinders, screen printing cylinders 15 - 16 forming cylinders, screen printing cylinders 17 counter-pressure cylinders 18 Drying and / or curing equipment, UV dryer 19 Conveyor system, gripper conveyor, chain gripper system 20 - 21 Endless traction devices, endless chain, 21' Endless traction element, endless chain (on opposite side of machine) 22 Gripper bar 23 Sprocket, chain gripper wheel 24 Sprocket, chain gripper wheel 24' sprocket, chain gripper wheel (on the opposite side of the machine) 25 - 26 Conveyor system, gripper conveyor, chain gripper system 27 Product intake, winder, stacking display 28 Endless traction devices, endless chain 28' Endless traction device, endless chain 29 Gripper bar 30 - 31 Sprocket, chain gripper wheel 31' Sprocket, chain gripper wheel 32 Sprocket, chain gripper wheel 33 Cooling device, cooling roller 34 dryers, radiant dryers 35 - 36 Conveyor system, gripper conveyor, chain gripper system 37 Component, cylinder, first, magnetic cylinder 37* Component, cylinder, first, transport cylinder 38 Component, cylinder, second, transport cylinder 38* Component, cylinder, second, magnetic cylinder 39 Component, cylinder, third, magnetic cylinder 39* Component, cylinder, third, transport cylinder 40 - 41 an element that generates a magnetic field, magnetic element 42 an element that creates a magnetic field, magnetic element 43 Holding devices, grippers 44 Ring element 45 - 46 Holding devices, grippers 47 Support disc, support ring 48 Frame wall, side panel 49 Frame wall, side panel 50 - 51 Component, drying and / or curing device, first 52 Component, drying and / or curing device, second 53 Dryer and / or curing element, dryer head, radiation dryer head 54 Drying and / or curing element, light strip 55 - 56 Drying and / or curing element, light strip 57 gear 58 wave 59 gear 60 - 61 gear 62 gear 63 gear 64 wave 65 - 66 lead, flap, nose 67 Recess, cutout, hollow 68 side wall 69 Side wall 70 - 71 Cover element, cover corner plates, cover strips 72 Suction air opening 73 Guide system T Transport direction

Claims

Device for aligning magnetic or magnetizable particles contained in a coating material (06) applied to a first side of a web- or arc-shaped substrate (02), comprising a first cylinder (37) designed as a magnetic cylinder (37), which is arranged at a first cylinder position in the transport path of the substrate (02) to be conveyed and has a plurality of elements (41) generating a magnetic field in the region of its outer circumference, and comprising a second cylinder (38; 38*) following the first cylinder (37) at a second cylinder position in the transport path, which is arranged on the opposite side of the transport path from the first cylinder (37), wherein the first cylinder (37) provided at the first cylinder position, the second cylinder (38; 38*) and a third cylinder (39; 39*) following the second cylinder (38; 38*) at a third cylinder position in the transport path are rotatably mounted in frame walls (48;49) of a frame, and that the second cylinder (38) is designed as a transport cylinder (38), i.e. without magnetic elements on the circumference, characterized in that the bearing means receiving the pins of the cylinder (39; 39*) to be arranged in the third position are designed such that the third cylinder position can be optionally equipped and / or configured with a cylinder (39) corresponding to the first cylinder (37), designed as a magnetic cylinder (39) with a plurality of elements (42) generating a magnetic field, or with a cylinder (38) corresponding to the second cylinder (38), designed as a transfer cylinder (39*). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the third cylinder position is equipped and / or configured with a cylinder (39) designed as a magnetic cylinder (39) which has a plurality of elements (42) generating a magnetic field in the area of ​​its outer circumference. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the third cylinder position is equipped and / or configured with a cylinder (39*) designed as a transfer cylinder (39*). Device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the bearing means receiving the pins of the cylinder (37; 37*) to be arranged in the first position are designed such that the first cylinder position can be optionally equipped and / or configured with a transfer cylinder (37*) corresponding to the second cylinder (38) instead of the magnetic cylinder (37). Device according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that the bearing means receiving the pins of the cylinder (38; 38*) to be arranged in the second position are designed such that the second cylinder position can be optionally equipped and / or configured with a magnetic cylinder (38*) corresponding to the first cylinder (37) instead of the transfer cylinder (38). Device according to claim 1, 2, 4 or 5, characterized in that the bearing means designed for the selective reception of a magnetic or a transfer cylinder (37; 38*; 39; 37*; 38; 39*) are designed with pins of a radial bearing for the selectively configurable magnetic and transfer cylinders (37; 38*; 39; 37*; 38; 39*) of the same diameter and / or on the frame with receiving means at the respective cylinder positions for receiving radial bearings of the same outer diameter for the magnetic and transfer cylinders 37; 38*; 39; 37*; 38; 39*). Device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, the first cylinder (37) is arranged in the transport path of the substrate (02) to be conveyed on its second side. Device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7, characterized in that a drying and / or curing device (51) is arranged on the transport path between the point of entry of the substrate (02) onto the first cylinder (37) and the point of entry onto the further cylinder (38*; 39). Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the drying and / or curing device (51) is arranged in the transport path of the substrate (02) to be conveyed on the other side of the transport path than the first cylinder (37) and / or is directed in the transport path of the substrate (02) to a shell surface segment of the first cylinder (37) located in the transport path. Device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the drying and / or curing device (51) comprises a plurality of radiation sources, which are provided in several drying heads (53) defining the sections or in an array of radiation sources extending over the maximum substrate width to be treated, but which can be activated section by section. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the drying and / or curing device (51) comprises a plurality of radiation sources designed as UV LEDs. Device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9, characterized in that a drying and / or curing device (52) is arranged on the transport path downstream of the point where the substrate (02) runs onto the third cylinder (39; 39*) in the transport path of the substrate (02) to be conveyed, directed towards a point in the transport path where the substrate (02) to be conveyed rests on the third cylinder (39; 39*) during operation. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the drying and / or curing device (52) comprises a plurality of radiation sources which are provided in an array of radiation sources extending over the maximum substrate width to be treated. Device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or 13, characterized in that the cylinders (37; 38; 38*; 39) comprise holding means (42; 43) for transporting the substrate (02) designed as a printing sheet (02) and / or the transfer of the substrate (02) designed as a printing sheet (02) takes place directly between the adjacent cylinders (37; 38; 38*; 39) and / or that a chain gripper system (19) with gripper bars (22) carried by circulating endless chains (21; 21') is arranged upstream of the first cylinder (37), from which the substrate designed as a printing sheet (02) is transferred to the first cylinder (37; 37*). available for handover Machine (01) for generating optically variable image elements (03) on a substrate (02), comprising a substrate template (13), at least one printing unit (04) with at least one printing unit (11; 12) by which substrate (02) guided on a transport path through the machine is and / or can be printed at least on a first side, a product holder (27) and a device (07) provided in the transport path of the substrate (02) between the printing unit (04) and the product holder (27) for aligning magnetic or magnetizable particles according to one of claims 1 to 14.

Images