Sheet transport system for a sheet processing machine and a sheet processing machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a sheet transport system for a sheet processing machine, which has a suction conveyor belt having a motor-driven rotating contact surface with a first circumferential length,wherein the sheet transport system comprises a test device with a stylus and wherein a first reference point is a point on the contact surface closest to the stylus and wherein a normal direction is a direction orthogonal to a transport direction and a transverse direction and wherein in a first sub-area the contact surface of the suction conveyor belt is opposite the stylus in the normal direction and wherein the sheet transport system comprises a sheet support element with a motor-driven rotating support contact surface and wherein in a second sub-area offset with respect to the transverse direction to the first sub-area the support contact surface is opposite the stylus in the normal direction and wherein the sheet support element has a second circumferential length which is less than the first circumferential length of the suction conveyor belt.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a sheet transport system for a sheet processing machine according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a sheet processing machine according to claim 10.

[0002] In sheet-fed processing machines, such as sheet-fed printing presses, it is often necessary to ensure that the sheets are only present and / or transported in a specific layer thickness at each point in the machine. In particular, it is important to prevent an excessive number of sheets being transported stacked on top of each other, for example, so-called double sheets in the singulation area and / or during shingled transport. Furthermore, individual sheets may be defective, for example, with bent corners or torn pieces. Sheet fragments, partial sheets, or other foreign objects, such as pieces of wooden pallets, can also cause problems. Sheets lying at an angle can also be problematic for further processing. These problems should be identified as early as possible.

[0003] DE 10 2011 087 623 A1 discloses a device in which a sensing element in the form of a one-piece or multi-piece sensing shaft is arranged transversely across a transport path intended for transporting sheets. A centrally arranged suction conveyor belt and adjacent support surfaces of a belt table define this transport path in the area of ​​the sensing shaft. As a sheet passes, the sensing shaft is deflected, and this deflection is detected by a sensor. A counter roller can be used as an alternative to the suction conveyor belt.

[0004] DE 10 2016 212 327 A1 discloses a device which has an improved sensor arrangement in order to be able to perform and evaluate a quantitative measurement of the position of a tactile element.

[0005] US patent 2008 / 0224389 A1 discloses a sheet transport system for a printing press which has suction transport belts and sensing rollers for scanning transported sheets.

[0006] DE 103 48 029 A1 discloses a sheet transport system of a printing press which has sensing rollers for scanning transported sheets.

[0007] The invention is based on the objective of creating a sheet transport system for a sheet processing machine as well as a sheet processing machine.

[0008] The problem is solved according to the invention by the features of claim 1 and the features of claim 10.

[0009] A sheet transport system for a sheet-processing machine comprises at least one suction transport system. The machine is, for example, a sheet-fed printing press and / or a sheet-fed rotary printing press and / or a sheet-fed die-cutting machine and / or a sheet-fed rotary die-cutting machine. In such machines, it is particularly advantageous at high speeds and / or with very thin sheets to know whether irregularities exist in the sheet transport, especially in the area of ​​a sheet feeder. The sheet transport system comprises at least one testing device with at least one sensor element. The position of the at least one sensor element is preferably monitored by a sensor. The at least one sensor element is preferably arranged above the at least one suction conveyor belt.

[0010] The at least one suction conveyor belt has a motor-driven, rotating contact surface designed for contact with an arc, with a first circumferential length. A first reference point is a point on the contact surface of the at least one suction conveyor belt closest to the at least one sensing element. A transport direction is, in particular, a intended direction of movement of the contact surface of the at least one suction conveyor belt at the first reference point. A transverse direction is a horizontal direction orthogonal to the transport direction. A normal direction is a direction orthogonal to both the transport direction and the transverse direction. The normal direction preferably has at least one vertically upward-directed component. In at least a first sub-region, the contact surface of the at least one suction conveyor belt faces the at least one sensing element opposite the normal direction.

[0011] The sheet transport system comprises at least one sheet support element, distinct from the at least one suction conveyor belt, which has a motor-driven, rotating support contact surface. The at least one sheet support element is preferably designed as at least one roller section.

[0012] In at least one second sub-section, which differs from the first sub-section and is offset transversely to the first sub-section, the support contact surface of the at least one sheet support element is located opposite the at least one sensing element in the opposite direction to the normal direction. In particular, the at least one sheet support element is arranged next to the at least one suction conveyor belt in the transverse direction. Specifically, the at least one sensing element and the at least one suction conveyor belt and / or the at least one sheet support element are arranged opposite each other in the normal direction and / or with respect to a transport path intended for sheet transport. The at least one sheet support element has a second circumferential length, which is preferably shorter than the first circumferential length of the at least one suction conveyor belt.Such a sheet transport system offers the advantage that sheets and / or other materials transported by the system can be detected by the sensor even alongside the suction conveyor belts, especially if they are very thin. This allows the machine to operate more safely and therefore at higher speeds, thus increasing productivity. The driven, rotating support contact surface ensures reliable sheet transport in the area of ​​the sensor.

[0013] A second reference point is preferably a point on the support contact surface of the at least one arc support element closest to the at least one stylus. The position of the first reference point and the position of the second reference point, relative to the normal direction, preferably differ by no more than 1 mm, more preferably by no more than 0.5 mm, and even more preferably by no more than 0.2 mm. Even more preferably, the position of the first reference point and the position of the second reference point, relative to the normal direction, are the same. The more similar these positions relative to the normal direction are, the more accurate the results that can be derived from measurements of the stylus position.

[0014] In a further development, the sheet transport system is preferably characterized by the fact that the at least one first sub-area and the at least one second sub-area together extend in the transverse direction over at least 60%, more preferably at least 80%, even more preferably at least 90%, and even more preferably at least 95% of a width of the at least one sensing element and / or a working width of the sheet transport system, measured particularly in the transverse direction. This allows faulty transport of sheets and / or other material in the area of ​​the at least one sensing element to be detected with particular reliability.

[0015] In an alternative or additional embodiment, the sheet transport system is preferably characterized by the fact that the testing device has at least one first sensor monitoring the position of the at least one stylus. Preferably, the testing device has at least two sensors monitoring the position of the at least one stylus. In an alternative or additional embodiment, the sheet transport system is preferably characterized by the fact that the stylus is arranged to be displaceable, at least with respect to the normal direction. This provides a direct relationship between its position and the thickness of the passing material.

[0016] In an alternative or additional embodiment, the sheet transport system is preferably characterized by the fact that the at least one sheet support element is designed as a roller section and / or has at least a cylindrical support contact surface. In an alternative or additional embodiment, the sheet transport system is preferably characterized by the fact that the at least one sensing element is designed as a passively rotatable sensing element and is designed, at least partially, as a sensing roller with a cylindrical sensing contact surface. This allows the sensing element to roll freely and does not stop the sheets.

[0017] In an alternative or additional embodiment, the sheet transport system is preferably characterized by the fact that the support contact surface of the at least one sheet support element is connected to a drive in a torque-transmitting manner. In another alternative or additional embodiment, the sheet transport system is preferably characterized by the fact that the contact surface of the at least one suction conveyor belt is connected to the same drive in a torque-transmitting manner. This ensures particularly reliable transport of the sheets in the area of ​​the at least one sensor element.

[0018] In an alternative or additional embodiment, the sheet transport system is preferably characterized by the arrangement of several suction conveyor belts, each defining a first subsection, and by the fact that at least one second subsection is arranged transversely between two first subsections. In another alternative or additional embodiment, the sheet transport system is preferably characterized by the arrangement of several sheet support elements, each defining a second subsection, and by the fact that at least one first subsection is arranged transversely between two second subsections. The alternating arrangement of the subsections ensures reliable sheet transport both in the area of ​​the at least one sensor element and before and after it.In an alternative or additional embodiment, the sheet transport system is preferably characterized by the fact that several sheet support elements, designed as individual roller sections, are spaced apart from one another in the transverse direction, connected to a common shaft, and arranged to rotate around a common axis of rotation. This enables a uniform distribution of the effect of the support contact area.

[0019] In an alternative or additional embodiment, the sheet transport system is preferably characterized by the fact that the at least one probe element is supported at each of its two ends opposite each other in the transverse direction by means of a respective bearing device, which in each case allows at least partial displacement of the at least one probe element away from the contact surface of the at least one suction conveyor belt. This allows for particularly high mobility of the probe element and accuracy of the testing device. In an alternative or additional embodiment, the sheet transport system is preferably characterized by the fact that the at least one probe element is subjected to a force in a direction directed towards the contact surface of the at least one suction conveyor belt by its weight and / or by means of at least one pressure device. This makes erroneous measurements less likely.

[0020] In an alternative or additional development, the sheet transport system is preferably characterized by the fact that at least one suction conveyor belt extends over a maximum of 50% of the working width of the sheet transport system. This allows for a cost-effective design, especially because large parts of the transport path can be formed by rigid, flat support sections.

[0021] In an alternative or additional embodiment, the sheet transport system is preferably characterized by the fact that the sheet transport system has at least one sheet feeder, in particular arranged upstream of the at least one sensing element and / or the at least one suction conveyor belt along the transport path provided for the transport of sheets, for singulating sheets from a sheet stack, and / or that the sheet transport system has at least one sheet unit, in particular arranged downstream of the at least one sensing element and / or the at least one suction conveyor belt along the transport path provided for the transport of sheets, which has at least one front mark and preferably at least one side mark.

[0022] In an alternative or additional embodiment, the sheet transport system is preferably characterized by the fact that the sheet transport system has at least one suction belt table and that the suction belt table has at least one first support section extending fixedly in a table plane, which is arranged, in particular, along the transport path intended for sheet transport upstream of the first reference point. In an alternative or additional embodiment, the sheet transport system is preferably characterized by the fact that the suction belt table has at least one second support section extending fixedly in the table plane, which is arranged, in particular, along the transport path intended for sheet transport downstream of the first reference point.

[0023] Preferably, at least one sensing element is arranged in a section of the transport path intended for sheet transport, which is designed for a staggered flow of sheets and is therefore located relatively far from the leading marks and / or a sheet accelerator, particularly one designed as a vibrating gripper. This results in a longer time within which detected defects can be reacted to. Furthermore, the sheets are preferably transported relatively slowly in this section.

[0024] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are described in more detail below.

[0025] They show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a sheet-fed printing press with a sheet transport system; Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a bow transport system with a testing device; Fig. 3 a schematic representation of an arc transport system with a testing device in an oblique view; Fig. 4 an enlarged view of a section from Fig. 3; Fig. 5 a schematic representation of a first circumferential length and a second circumferential length; Fig. 6 a schematic representation of a stylus and several sub-areas defined by suction conveyor belts and / or arc support elements; Fig. 7 a schematic representation of a stylus and three arch support elements; Fig. 8 a schematic representation of a test facility and its surroundings in a side view; Fig. 9 A schematic representation of a sensing element, a suction conveyor belt and an arch support element in a side view.

[0026] A sheet transport system 03 is described below. Such a sheet transport system 03 is designed, for example, for use in a sheet 02 processing machine 01 and is further preferably a component of such a sheet 02 processing machine 01. Such a sheet 02, in particular sheet-shaped substrate processing machine 01, is designed, for example, as a sheet-fed printing press 01 and / or a sheet-fed rotary printing press 01 and / or a sheet-fed die-cutting machine 01 and / or a sheet-fed rotary die-cutting machine 01.

[0027] Unless explicitly stated otherwise, the term "sheet 02" here encompasses any substrate present in planar and sectioned form, in particular printing material 02, including substrates in sheet or plate form, i.e., sheets or plates. Such sheets 02 are therefore also referred to as material sections 02, in particular material sections 02 of flat material. These sheets 02 are preferably made of paper or cardboard, i.e., as paper or cardboard sheets. Alternatively, the material sections 02 are formed by sheets, plates, or plates of plastic, cardboard, glass, or metal. The terms substrate, material section 02, and sheet 02 are used synonymously.

[0028] Preferably, the sheet transport system 03, and more preferably the sheet processing machine 01, in particular sheet-fed printing press 01 and / or sheet-fed rotary printing press 01 and / or sheet-fed die-cutting machine 01 and / or sheet-fed rotary die-cutting machine 01, provides a transport path for transporting sheets 02, for example, substrate 02. The transport path provided for transporting sheets 02 is, in particular, the area of ​​space that the sheets 02, if present, would occupy, at least temporarily, according to plan.

[0029] The sheet-processing machine 01 preferably has a substrate feed device 22, for example, designed as a sheet feeder 22, and / or a feed device 26, for example, designed as a sheet feeder 26, and / or a substrate discharge device 36, for example, designed as a sheet delivery device 36. Between the substrate feed device 22 and the substrate discharge device 36, one or more processing stages 24, also referred to as units 24, are preferably arranged, which are designed, for example, as a printing unit 24, coating unit 24, drying unit 24, calendering unit 24, foil transfer unit 24, or die-cutting unit 24, or in another suitable manner. In the case of the sheet-processing machine 01 being configured as a sheet-fed printing press 01, at least one of the units 24 is formed by a printing unit 24, in particular an offset printing unit 24, to which one or more coating units 24 are preferably arranged.

[0030] Preferably, the sheet transport system 03, and in particular the substrate feed device 22 designed as a sheet feeder 22, has a conveying section 23, in particular designed as a suction belt table 23. For example, a substrate container 27 formed by a stack 27, in particular a stack of sheets 27, is arranged on a receiving device 28, in particular placed on a stacking plate 28. The stacking plate 28 is, for example, connected to transport means 29, which ensure that the top of the stack 27 is held in a defined position.

[0031] The substrate feed device 22, preferably designed as a sheet feeder 22, preferably comprises sheet singulation elements 31 and sheet transport elements 32. The sheet singulation elements 31 are, for example, designed as separating suction cups 31 and the sheet transport elements 32, for example, as transport suction cups 32, and are preferably together components of a separating device 33, which is, for example, designed as a so-called sheet separator 33.

[0032] The suction belt table 23 preferably has at least two rollers 38; 39, for example a drive roller 38 and a deflection roller 39, between which a conveying surface 41; 42, for example one- or multi-part, may be provided, which is formed, for example, by a one-piece or multi-part table plate 41 or by a suction box 42 forming the table plate 41. The drive roller 38 and the deflection roller 39 are preferably enclosed by at least one suction conveyor belt 44. The at least one suction conveyor belt 44 is tensioned, for example, by means of a tension roller 46 and preferably driven by a drive, for example, acting on the drive roller 38, preferably following a speed profile within a working cycle. For example, indexing rollers 47 correspond to the drive roller 38 and are preferably guided against the drive roller 38 in a controlled manner within a working cycle.A suction conveyor belt 44 is in particular a conveyor belt which has openings through which a negative pressure prevailing below the conveyor belt is conveyed up to a contact surface 06 of the suction conveyor belt 44.

[0033] The at least one suction conveyor belt 44 is preferably a component of the sheet transport system 03 for the sheet 02 processing machine 01. The sheet transport system 03 includes the at least one suction conveyor belt 44. The at least one suction conveyor belt 44 has a motor-driven rotating contact surface 06 with a first rotational length 53, designed for contact with the sheet 02. The first rotational length 53 is understood to be, in particular, the length that a component of the contact surface 06 must travel to return to the same position.

[0034] The sheet transport system 03 comprises at least one testing device 04 with at least one stylus 07. Preferably, the at least one stylus 07 is designed as a stylus 07 rotatable about a rotation axis 57 designated as a stylus axis 57. Preferably, the at least one stylus 07 is designed as a passively rotatable stylus 07. Preferably, the at least one stylus 07 is designed at least partially as a stylus roller 07 with a cylindrical stylus contact surface 56. The at least one stylus 07 is preferably designed as a continuous stylus roller 07. In another embodiment, the at least one stylus 07 is designed as a plurality of stylus roller sections 07, which are preferably arranged to rotate together. A first reference point 63 is, in particular, a point 63 of the contact surface 06 of the at least one suction conveyor belt 44 nearest to the at least one stylus 07.

[0035] A transport direction T is preferably defined, at least with respect to the test device 04, as a intended direction of movement of the contact surface 06 of the at least one suction conveyor belt 44 at the first reference point 63, i.e., at the point 63 of the contact surface 06 of the at least one suction conveyor belt 44 closest to the at least one sensing element 07. A transverse direction A is a horizontal direction A orthogonal to the transport direction T. A normal direction N is a direction N orthogonal to the transport direction T and the transverse direction A. The normal direction N preferably also has at least one vertically upward-directed component. The normal direction N is, in particular, the direction of a surface normal of the contact surface 06 of the at least one suction conveyor belt 44 at the first reference point 63.

[0036] The arch transport system 03 has at least one arch support element 14, which is distinct from the at least one suction conveyor belt 44 and has a motor-driven, rotating support contact surface 16. The at least one arch support element 14 is arranged, in particular, next to the at least one suction conveyor belt 44 with respect to the transverse direction A.

[0037] The at least one sensing element 07 can preferably be divided in the transverse direction A into several sub-areas 11, 12, and 13. These sub-areas 11, 12, and 13 are preferably only to be considered as a geometric division and do not necessarily correspond to properties of the at least one sensing element 07 itself. In at least a first sub-area 11, the contact surface 06 of the at least one suction conveyor belt 44 is opposite to the at least one sensing element 07 in the opposite direction to the normal direction N. In at least a second sub-area 12, which is offset with respect to the transverse direction A from the at least one first sub-area 11, the support contact surface 16 of the at least one arc support element 14 is opposite to the at least one sensing element 07 in the opposite direction to the normal direction N.In particular, the at least one tactile element 07 on the one hand and the at least one suction conveyor belt 44 and / or the at least one arch support element 14 on the other hand are arranged opposite each other in the normal direction N and / or with respect to the intended transport path.

[0038] The at least one sensing element 07 is arranged, for example, in the absence of a sheet 02, in contact with the contact surface 06 of the at least one suction conveyor belt 44 and / or with the support contact surface 16 of the at least one sheet support element 14. The at least one sensing element 07 is preferably arranged to be displaceable, at least with respect to the normal direction N, for example, when a sheet 02 is transported beneath it. Such displacement of the at least one sensing element 07 preferably forms a test gap 09, particularly together with other components such as the at least one suction conveyor belt 44 and the at least one sheet support element 14. The transport path provided for the transport of the sheet 02 preferably runs through this test gap 09. In particular, the test gap 09 is bounded in the normal direction N by the at least one sensing element 07.In particular, the test gap 09 in at least one first sub-area 11 is bounded against the normal direction N by the contact surface 06 of the at least one suction conveyor belt 44. In particular, the test gap 09 in at least one second sub-area 12, which differs from the first sub-area 11 and is offset in the transverse direction A to the at least one first sub-area 11, is bounded against the normal direction N by the support contact surface 16 of the at least one arch support element 14.

[0039] Preferably, the at least one first sub-area 11 is precisely the at least one area 11 in which the at least one suction conveyor belt 44 extends in the transverse direction A. Preferably, the at least one second sub-area 12 is precisely the at least one area 12 in which the at least one arch support element 14 extends in the transverse direction A. For example, there is at least one third sub-area 13 in which neither the at least one suction conveyor belt 44 nor the at least one arch support element 14 extends. For example, at least one third sub-area 13 is arranged between the at least one first sub-area and the at least one second sub-area 12.

[0040] The at least one arch support element 14 has a second circumferential length 54. The second circumferential length 54 is understood to be, in particular, the length that a component of the support contact surface 16 must travel to return to the same location. The second circumferential length 54 is preferably shorter than the first circumferential length 53 of the at least one suction conveyor belt 44. The at least one suction conveyor belt 44 extends, with respect to the transport direction T and / or along the transport path provided for the transport of arches 02, preferably over a significantly greater distance than the at least one arch support element 14, for example, over a distance at least five times greater and preferably over a distance at least ten times greater. Preferably, the first circumferential length 53 is at least five times greater than the second circumferential length 54. More preferably, the first circumferential length 53 is at least ten times greater than the second circumferential length 54.The at least one sheet support element 14 is preferably designed as at least one roller section 14 and / or preferably has at least one cylindrical support contact surface 16. In another embodiment, the at least one sheet support element 14 is designed as a conveyor belt, optionally with a suction function. However, even in such a case, the second circumferential length 54 is preferably correspondingly shorter than the first circumferential length 53.

[0041] The working width of the sheet transport system 03 and / or the sheet processing machine 01, in particular sheet-fed printing press 01 and / or sheet-fed rotary printing press 01 and / or sheet-fed die-cutting machine 01 and / or sheet-fed rotary die-cutting machine 01, is preferably a dimension that extends preferably in the transverse direction A. This working width preferably corresponds to a maximum width that a sheet 02 may have in order to still be transported by the sheet transport system 03 or processed by the machine 01, i.e., in particular, a maximum width of a sheet 02 that can be transported by the sheet transport system 03 and / or processed by the machine 01. The width of a sheet 02 is understood to mean, in particular, its dimension in the transverse direction A. This is preferably independent of whether this width of the sheet 02 is greater or lesser than an orthogonal dimension of the sheet 02, which further preferably represents a length of this sheet 02.The working width of the sheet transport system 03 and / or the machine 01 is, for example, at least 20 cm, preferably at least 50 cm, and more preferably at least 100 cm. Preferably, the at least one sensing element 07 extends over the entire working width of the sheet transport system 03 and / or the machine 01.

[0042] Preferably, the at least one suction conveyor belt 44 extends over a total of no more than 50% of the working width of the sheet transport system 03. If several suction conveyor belts 44 are arranged side by side, these multiple adjacent suction conveyor belts 44 preferably extend over a total of no more than 50% of the working width of the sheet transport system 03. Sections 12 and 13 located in the transverse direction A between such suction conveyor belts 44 are preferably not included in this calculation. For example, the sheet transport system 03 has two adjacent suction conveyor belts 44 spaced apart from each other. These two suction conveyor belts 44 are preferably assigned to the same suction belt table 23.

[0043] Preferably, the at least one first sub-area 11 and the at least one second sub-area 12 extend together in the transverse direction A over at least 60%, more preferably at least 80%, even more preferably at least 90% and even more preferably at least 95% of a width of the at least one sensing body 07 and / or the working width of the arc transport system 03, measured in particular in the transverse direction A.

[0044] For example, several, and preferably exactly two, suction conveyor belts 44 are arranged, each defining a first sub-section 11. Preferably, at least one second sub-section 12 is arranged between two first sub-sections 11 with respect to the transverse direction A. For example, several, and preferably exactly three, arch support elements 14 are arranged, each defining a second sub-section 12. Preferably, at least one first sub-section 11 is arranged between two second sub-sections 12 with respect to the transverse direction A.

[0045] Preferably, several arch support elements 14, each designed as a roller section 14, are spaced apart from one another in the transverse direction A and connected to a common shaft 17 and arranged to rotate about a common axis of rotation 18. The common axis of rotation 18 preferably extends in the transverse direction A. Preferably, at least three, and more preferably exactly three, such arch support elements 14, each designed as a roller section 14, are spaced apart from one another in the transverse direction A, connected to the common shaft 17, and arranged to rotate about the common axis of rotation 18.

[0046] A transport section of the at least one suction conveyor belt 44 is, in particular, the area where the transport path intended for transporting sheets 02 and the contact surface 06 of the at least one suction conveyor belt 44 touch each other. This is essentially the area where actual contact takes place between sheets 02 and the suction conveyor belt 44. The portion of the contact surface 06 currently located in the transport section is also referred to as the bearing surface.

[0047] In particular, the at least one sensing element 07 is arranged in the area of ​​the transport section with respect to the transport direction T. In particular, the at least one sensing element 07 and / or the test gap 09 is arranged in the area of ​​the transport section with respect to the transport direction T.

[0048] Preferably, the sheet transport system 03 comprises at least one suction belt table 23. A table plane E is defined, for example, by the fact that both the transport direction T and the transverse direction A run parallel to the table plane E. The at least one suction conveyor belt 44 preferably rests on the table plane E with its side facing away from the contact surface 04 and, in particular, the support surface. The respective contact surface 04, and especially the respective support surface, is therefore preferably arranged offset relative to the table plane E in the normal direction N, in particular by the thickness of the suction conveyor belt 44. The thickness of the suction conveyor belt 44 is preferably at least 0.5 mm, more preferably at least 1.0 mm, and even more preferably at least 1.2 mm. The thickness of the suction conveyor belt 44 is preferably at most 5 mm, more preferably at most 2 mm, and even more preferably at most 1.5 mm.

[0049] The suction belt table 23 preferably has at least one first support section 61, which extends fixedly in the table plane E and is particularly planar, and which is arranged in particular along the transport path provided for transporting sheets 02 upstream of the first reference point 63. The suction belt table 23 preferably has at least one second support section 62, which extends fixedly in the table plane E and is particularly planar, and which is arranged in particular along the transport path provided for transporting sheets 02 downstream of the first reference point 63.

[0050] Preferably, the at least one sheet support element 14 and / or the axis of rotation 18 of the at least one sheet support element 14 is arranged after the first support section 61 with respect to the transport direction T. Preferably, the at least one sheet support element 14 and / or the axis of rotation 18 of the at least one sheet support element 14 is arranged after the first roller 38 of the suction belt table 23, which is further preferably configured as a drive roller 38. Preferably, the at least one sheet support element 14 and / or the axis of rotation 18 of the at least one sheet support element 14 is arranged before the second support section 62 with respect to the transport direction T. Preferably, the at least one sheet support element 14 and / or the axis of rotation 18 of the at least one sheet support element 14 is arranged before the second and / or last roller 39 of the suction belt table 23, which is further preferably configured as a deflection roller 39.

[0051] A second reference point 64 is preferably a point 64 of the support contact surface 16 of the at least one arc support element 14 closest to the at least one stylus 07. Preferably, the respective support contact surface 16 of the at least one arc support element 14 is offset at the second reference point 64 and / or in the area of ​​the test gap 09 in the normal direction N relative to the table plane E, in particular by at least 0.5 mm, more preferably by at least 1.0 mm and even more preferably by at least 1.2 mm, and more preferably by at most 5 mm, more preferably by at most 2 mm and even more preferably by at most 1.5 mm.

[0052] The position of the first reference point 63 and the position of the second reference point 64, relative to the normal direction N, preferably differ from each other by at most 1 mm, more preferably by at most 0.5 mm, and even more preferably by at most 0.2 mm. Even more preferably, the position of the first reference point 63 and the position of the second reference point 64, relative to the normal direction N, are the same.

[0053] For example, the position of the second reference point 64 relative to the normal direction N is adjustable. For example, at least one adjusting device 37 is arranged by means of which the position of the at least one arch support element 14, and in particular its position relative to the normal direction N, can be adjusted. For example, at least one bearing point of the common shaft 17 is arranged to be movable in its position relative to the normal direction N by means of the at least one adjusting device 37. The at least one adjusting device 37 has, for example, at least one screw device that serves to displace a corresponding component. Preferably, several adjusting devices 37 are arranged, in particular at positions different relative to the transverse direction A. For example, respective outer adjusting devices 37 are arranged at the two ends of the common shaft 17 relative to the transverse direction A.Preferably, two adjustment devices 37 are arranged between these outer adjustment devices 37 with respect to the transverse direction A. For example, linear guides are arranged along which the position of the at least one arch support element 14 can be adjusted.

[0054] Preferably, the contact surface 04 of the at least one suction conveyor belt 44 and the support contact surface 16 of the at least one arc support element 14 are arranged at heights that differ from each other by at most 1 mm, more preferably by at most 0.5 mm, and more preferably by at most 0.2 mm, and more preferably are identical, in the region of the first reference point 63 and in the region of the second reference point 64 with respect to the normal direction N. A first gap height is preferably a distance measured in the normal direction N between the contact surface 06 of the at least one suction conveyor belt 44 and the sensing element 07. A second gap height is preferably a distance measured in the normal direction N between the support contact surface 16 of the at least one arc support element 14 and the sensing element 07.With a uniformly deflected stylus 07, the first gap height and the second gap height preferably differ from each other by at most 1 mm, more preferably by at most 0.5 mm, and even more preferably by at most 0.2 mm. More preferably, the first gap height and the second gap height are identical with a uniformly deflected stylus 07.

[0055] The support contact surface 16 of the at least one arc support element 14 is preferably connected to the contact surface 06 of the at least one suction conveyor belt 44 in a torque-transmitting manner, in particular via at least one gearbox and / or at least one belt 34. The support contact surface 16 of the at least one arc support element 14 is preferably connected to a drive in a torque-transmitting manner. For example, at least one gearbox and / or a belt 34 is arranged for transmitting the torque. The contact surface 06 of the at least one suction conveyor belt 44 is preferably connected to a drive in a torque-transmitting manner, which is further preferably the same drive to which the support contact surface 16 of the at least one arc support element 14 is also connected in a torque-transmitting manner. For example, a drive is arranged that drives the drive roller 38 directly or via a gearbox and / or a belt.Preferably, at least one belt 34 is arranged which connects the at least one bow support element 14 and / or the shaft 17, in particular the common shaft, to the drive roller 38 and / or its drive in a torque-transmitting manner. Preferably, the speed at which the contact surface 06 of the at least one suction conveyor belt 44 is moved corresponds to the speed at which the support contact surface 16 of the at least one bow support element 14 is moved.

[0056] As described, the at least one sensing element 07 is preferably arranged to be displaceable, at least with respect to the normal direction N. For example, the at least one sensing element 07 is supported at its two ends 19 and 21, which are opposite each other with respect to the transverse direction A, by means of a respective bearing device 43, which each allows the creation and / or enlargement of the test gap 09, particularly with respect to the normal direction N. A first end 19 of the at least one sensing element 07 is arranged on a different side of the transport path provided for the transport of sheets 02 with respect to the transverse direction A than a second end 21 of the at least one sensing element 07.

[0057] The respective bearing assembly 47 preferably has a respective lever body 58. The respective lever body 58 is preferably pivotably attached to a machine frame associated with the sheet transport system 03. Preferably, the sensing element 07 is connected at both its ends 19; 21 to the respective lever body 58 via a ball joint, in particular to enable the rotation of the at least one sensing element 07 in any position.

[0058] The at least one sensing element 07 is preferably subjected to a force in a direction by its weight and / or by means of at least one pressing device, which counteracts the formation and / or enlargement of the test gap 09. This force acts, for example, at least partially against the normal direction N. Preferably, the lever body 58 is then pressed by this force against the contact surface 06 of the at least one suction conveyor belt 44 and / or against the support contact surface 16 of the at least one arc support element 14 and is nevertheless arranged to be deflectable at least in the normal direction N. The direction of movement of the at least one sensing element 07 during its deflection depends on the type of bearing device 47 and occurs, for example, along a circular arc. The respective position of the at least one sensing element 07 is therefore preferably passively changeable, in particular by contact with one or more arcs 02 and / or other material.Such a displacement occurs, for example, when there is at least a partial change in the layer thickness of arcs 02 transported through the test gap 09.

[0059] The position of at least one stylus 07 and / or the stylus axis 57 is preferably monitored by sensors. Since the position of at least one stylus 07 can be changed by transporting layers of corresponding thickness, as described, a change in the position of at least one stylus 07 can indicate that the transported layer is too thick.

[0060] Preferably, the arc transport system is characterized by the fact that the test device 04 has at least one first sensor 59 monitoring the position of the at least one probe 07, which is further preferably configured as a distance sensor 59 and / or as a position sensor 59. Preferably, the at least one sensor 59 is part of a quantitative measuring device. Thus, preferably, not only a change but also an absolute measurement of a distance or position is possible by means of the at least one sensor 59. The at least one sensor 59 is, for example, configured as at least one inductive sensor 59 and / or as at least one capacitive sensor 59 and / or as at least one ultrasonic sensor 59 and / or as at least one optical sensor 59. Preferably, the test device 04 has at least two sensors 59 monitoring the position of the at least one probe 07.Preferably, at least one such sensor 59 is assigned to each of the two ends 19; 21 of the stylus 07. For example, corresponding evaluations can be carried out by comparing and / or differentiating signals from these sensors 59.

[0061] Preferably, the sheet transport system 03 comprises at least one sheet feeder 26, which is located downstream of, in particular, at least one sensing element 07 and / or at least one suction conveyor belt 44 along the transport path provided for transporting sheets 02. The sheet feeder 26 has at least one front mark 48 and, more preferably, at least one side mark. The sheet feeder 26 preferably has a feed table 08. The feed table 08 is, for example, designed as a feed plate 08. For example, during the operating cycle, stops 48, referred to as front marks 48, are guided against the feed table 08 and thus into the transport path of the sheets 02. The sheets 02 are positioned and aligned with their leading edge against these front marks 48.Preferably, at least one vibrating gripper 49 is arranged, which is designed to grasp sheets 02 in their position aligned by the sheet feeder 26 and transfer them to a transfer device 51 or another sheet transport means. For example, this transfer device 51 is designed as a feed drum 51 and / or forms a transfer point with a counter-pressure cylinder 52 of a unit 24, in particular a printing unit 24. Thus, a sheet accelerator 49, preferably designed as a vibrating gripper 49, is arranged downstream of the leading edges 48, which feeds the sheets 02, aligned with the leading edge and optionally with a side edge, to a transfer device 51 or transfer drum 51, for example, designed as a feed drum 51. Preferably, this transfer device 51 transfers the sheets 02 coming from the conveyor 23 to a counter-pressure cylinder 52 of a subsequent printing unit 24.

[0062] In another embodiment, the position of the sheets 02 on the feed table 08 is measured. The respective sheet 02 is then transferred to the vibrating gripper 49 during its movement. Preferably, during the movement of the vibrating gripper 49, the sheet 02 is then brought into its correct position and aligned before being transferred to the feed drum 51. Reference symbol list 01 Machine, sheet-fed printing press, sheet-fed rotary printing press, sheet-fed die-cutting machine, sheet-fed rotary die-cutting machine 02 Material section, sheet, printing material 03 Bow transport system 04 Testing equipment 05 - 06 Contact area (44) 07 Stylus body, stylus roller 08 Laying table, lashing plate 09 Check column 10 - 11 area, sub-area, first 12 Area, sub-area, second 13 sub-area, third 14 Bow support element, roller section 15 - 16 Support contact area 17th wave 18 Rotation axis (14) 19 End, first (07) 20 - 21 End, second (07) 22 Substrate feeder, arc feeder 23 Conveyor section, suction belt table 24 processing stages, unit, printing unit, offset printing unit, coating unit, drying unit, calendering unit, foil transfer unit, die-cutting unit 25 - 26 Plant equipment, arch plant 27 stacks, stacks of sheets, packaging of printing material 28 Receiving device, stacking plate 29 means of transport 30 - 31 sheet separating device, separating vacuum cleaner 32 sheet transport element, transport suction cup 33 Separating device, arc separator 34 belts 35 - 36 Substrate dispensing device, sheet delivery 37 Adjustment device 38 Roller, drive roller 39 Roller, deflection roller 40 - 41 Conveyor surface, table plate 42 Conveyor area, suction box 43 Storage facility 44 Suction conveyor belt 45 - 46 Tension roller 47-beat roll 48 Stop, front stop, front mark 49 Bow accelerators, swing grippers 50 - 51 Transfer device, transfer drum, feed drum 52 counter-pressure cylinders 53 orbit length, first 54 revolutions per minute, second 55 - 56 tactile contact area 57 Rotation axis, touch axis 58 lever bodies 59 Sensor, distance sensor, position sensor, ultrasonic sensor 60 - 61st edition section, first 62nd edition, second 63rd position, reference position, first 64th position, reference position, second A direction, transverse direction E table level N direction, normal direction T Transport direction

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