METHOD FOR PERFORMING CUTTING OPERATIONS ON OPEN FORMAT EDGES OF A PRINTED PRODUCT

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for carrying out cutting operations of open format edges of at least one printed product, namely for trimming at least one head, front, or foot edge according to the preamble of claim 1, which is derived from WO2016 / 168945 A1 or from the identically named EP 3085501 A1 belonging to the same patent family with common priority.

[0002] The term "open format edges" therefore refers to the header, front and footer areas of the printed product, regardless of whether it consists of individual pages or signatures.

[0003] For the industrial production of printed products, preferably book blocks or brochures, in small or very small print runs, a so-called three-knife cutter is used, which is capable of cutting products with the same or variable formats and thicknesses successively to the desired formats with high throughput and the highest cutting quality.

[0004] At three cutting stations, the book blocks or brochures are cut to their final format at the top, bottom, and front cover, based on a predetermined thickness. The book blocks or brochures are then bound on the spine. All common binding methods are used, such as thread stitching, adhesive binding, saddle stitching, etc.

[0005] The three-knife trimmer can be used both as a standalone machine and as a machine in a production line with other manufacturing machines. State of the art

[0006] The task of the device operating according to the aforementioned method, hereinafter referred to as a three-knife trimmer, is to trim the supplied printed products, usually book blocks and / or brochures, along their three open sides. This is achieved by clamping the book block or brochure (hereinafter referred to simply as book block) while stationary between pressure bars or plates, and by trimming the three aforementioned sides of the book block using three cutting devices. The cutting devices can be designed as counter-blade units, in which two blades cut against each other like scissors, or as blade units with cutting strips, in which one blade cuts against a fixed plastic strip, with the blade edge slightly penetrating the plastic strip for protection in the final position.

[0007] With such three-knife trimmers, the head and foot are usually trimmed in a first stage, and the front edge in a second stage. However, this order is not mandatory; it can also be reversed. Furthermore, it is possible to trim only the head and foot or only the front edge of the book block, which is necessary, for example, for the production of English pamphlets.

[0008] There are three-knife cutter designs in which the book block remains stationary between the first cutting phase (e.g., head and foot cut) and the second cutting phase (e.g., front cut), and there are designs in which the book block is transported between the cutting phases.

[0009] Three-knife trimmers are also known, in which the book blocks are pressed between press dies and cutting cassettes and held in place for the cutting operation(s). With the press die raised, the cut book block is ejected and the next book block to be cut is inserted. A centering device positions the book block, and it is then clamped by the descending press die. The blades move in an oscillating cut against the book, trimming the open pages. After all pages have been cut, the press die is raised, and the next cycle can begin. However, this three-knife trimmer design is not suitable for quick format changes. The press die and the cutting cassette are tailored to the format being processed and can therefore only be changed by stopping the machine.

[0010] German patent DE 102011105253 A1 discloses a three-knife trimmer in which the blades cut against cutting bars or counter blades, the book block being held by pressure bars next to the blades during head and foot cuts and front cuts. In the free space between the cutting bars or counter blades, which varies depending on the format, and in the space between the pressure bars, a plurality of zigzag-shaped support bars are arranged to support the book block during cutting. Good cutting quality can be achieved with such a three-knife trimmer because the book block is pressed and supported by the pressure bars and the zigzag-shaped support bars during cutting.

[0011] However, with this solution, it should be noted that the book block can catch on the zigzag-shaped support beams when being fed into and out of the cutting position. This is counteracted in DE102011105253 A1 by using a transport system consisting of a lower and an upper belt. The two belts are positioned slightly closer together for book block transport, preventing the book block from catching on the support beams of the cutting table or press plane. However, with this type of book block transport, only one book block can be transported at a time if the book block thickness varies. This limits the permissible thickness difference between book blocks, as multiple book blocks are present in the transport system.Especially with three-knife trimmers, where the cutting process takes place in two stations, transporting book blocks with significantly varying thicknesses using the described transport system is problematic. Therefore, with such widely varying book block thicknesses, it is necessary to transport only one book block at a time within the transport system. However, this limits the capacity of such a three-knife trimmer, meaning it can only be operated at a low cycle rate (performance).

[0012] DE 102011105253 A1 lists further three-knife trimmers that define the state of the art. However, none of them are able to meet the requirements for a short changeover time combined with high cutting quality.

[0013] EP1504860 A1 discloses a three-knife trimmer in which the book blocks to be trimmed are gripped by a positioning device and fed to the cutting devices by a feeder. Several cutting devices are arranged at intervals from one another, in which the book blocks are positioned sequentially by the feeder for a side cut. A side cut is performed on the positioned printed product in each cutting device. The aligned book blocks are moved by the positioning device into a transition position by a linear stroke using an infeed gripper, without changing the orientation of the book blocks. The book blocks are fed by a multi-stage rotary drive. Adjustable control cams are provided for positioning the book blocks in the cutting devices. The system allows for easy and quick changeover to other formats.Each cutting device consists of a stationary lower blade and an upper blade, to which a pressure plate is coupled via a guide and a pneumatic cylinder. The pressure plate clamps the book block between the pressure plate and the stationary lower blade before cutting. The book block is not pressed across its entire surface, but only in the cutting area by the pressure plate, the lower blade, and the feed mechanism. Areas of the book block that are not pressed tend to sag and can therefore result in unsatisfactory cutting quality. This is particularly true when the book blocks are made of soft and / or thin paper.

[0014] The JP2012-218114 A is a three-knife trimmer capable of processing various book formats sequentially without damaging the outer pages. A clamping unit for gripping the back of the printed product is attached to a moving part, and this clamping unit features a reference surface for positioning the spine. A positioning actuator moves the moving part vertically via a control system, positioning it correctly for each of the three open sides of the printed product, allowing the horizontally moving cutting blades to cut the printed material.The printed product is aligned on the reference surface of the clamping unit and a vertical mounting surface, which enables the control system, together with the format data, to move to the positions required for the respective cut and to position the printed product correctly for the cut.

[0015] A disadvantage of this latter three-knife trimmer is the limited ability to vary the book format. Because a single clamping unit holds the printed material for all three cuts, the clamping unit must be significantly smaller than the smallest printed material being processed. If the printed material is considerably larger, the plates used to support it during cutting must have a large clearance area. However, a large clearance area negatively impacts the cutting quality.

[0016] For front cutting, the clamping unit can be inserted more or less deeply into the relief area of ​​the plates. The printed product is only properly supported if the clamping unit is inserted deeply into the relief area of ​​the plates. To ensure sufficient support of the printed product without having to replace the plates, only a small difference in book width can be processed with the three-knife trimmer.

[0017] From EP 3085501 A1 (see para.

[0001] ) a device for performing cutting operations on at least one open edge of at least one printed product is disclosed, wherein the device is operatively connected to a product-related feed device for the first cutting operation and to a product-related discharge device operating after the last cutting operation. Each edge-related cutting operation is performed with at least one cutting device. The printed product can be transferred from a first cutting location, where the cutting operation for a first edge of the printed product takes place, to a second cutting location, where the cutting operation for a second edge takes place. After the cutting operation has been performed at the second cutting location, the printed product can be transferred to a third cutting location, where the cutting operation for a third edge takes place.The transfer of the printed product from one cutting location to the next is carried out by at least one transport unit, wherein the transport unit has at least one means which grasps the printed product from the back and transports it hanging from one cutting location to the next. Description of the invention

[0018] The present invention is based on the objective of describing a method for operating a device designed as a three-knife trimmer. The object of the invention is therefore to be able to continuously process printed products of the same or different formats and thicknesses with high cutting performance and quality, i.e., to cut them to size by definition. The three-knife trimmer according to the invention and its operation are also suitable for trimming stacked brochures using the same procedure as is the case with a book block.Accordingly, the invention, starting from the nearest prior art according to the preamble of claim 1, is characterized in that, further developing according to the characterizing part of claim 1 and the remaining claims of the application, after a first edge-related cutting operation, at least one subsequent edge-related cutting operation is carried out, wherein the second subsequent cutting operation takes place at a cutting location immediately following the first cutting operation, and wherein the amount of the edge width to be cut in the second cutting operation is carried out by a guided displacement of the printed product relative to the cutting tool which is fixed in place at the respective location.

[0019] The three-knife trimmer is therefore used for trimming open format edges, also called side edges of printed products, such as books, brochures, magazines, whereby for the sake of simplicity the terms "printed product", occasionally "book block" or "brochure", are predominantly used in the following.

[0020] The inventive method enables the reliable processing of very small print runs, down to a minimum quantity of 1, without requiring downtime for switching from one format to the next. This allows the three-knife trimmer to be fed book block formats of varying sizes and / or enables the production of book blocks by cutting different sections from the edges.

[0021] The invention is solved by a method in which the printed product is transferred from a first cutting location, where the cutting operation for a first side edge takes place, to a second cutting location, where the cutting operation for a second side edge takes place, wherein, after the cutting operation has been carried out at the second cutting location, the printed product is fed to a third cutting location, where the cutting operation for a third side edge takes place, wherein the transfer of the printed product from one cutting location to the next is accomplished by at least one transport unit, and the method has the characterizing features of claim 1.

[0022] In order to maintain the economic efficiency of the inventive method, the format changeover takes place during the operation of the machine, preferably during the time period available for feeding the printed product in and out.

[0023] The changeover from one format to the next must be precise to ensure that each of the cut printed products meets the requirements regarding its dimensional accuracy.

[0024] Since the inventive method can be used even with a print run of only one copy, one objective of the inventive method must be to ensure that the unique copy is cut with 100% reliability.

[0025] Another significant advantage of the invention is that a three-knife cutter suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention is simple in design and reliable in operation, so that it can be operated even by auxiliary personnel.

[0026] The inventive method ensures that the dimensional accuracy of the cut printed product, as well as its straight, parallel and right-angled cuts relative to the front and back surfaces of each printed product, are guaranteed.

[0027] The inventive method thus ensures high cutting quality even with greater printed product thicknesses by clamping the printed product across its entire surface using at least one pressing device between the first and last pages. During this clamping process, the cutting operations take place at the exposed side edges, thereby eliminating the risk of quality-reducing "nose formation" in the cut book block. Full-surface clamping of the printed product can be achieved, if required, by using multiple pressing plates, segmented pressing plates, or individually operable pressing elements.

[0028] The printed products are fed horizontally, with the bound spine facing forward and with approximately uniform spacing, to the three-knife trimmer via a conveyor belt. This approximately uniform spacing is achieved either by a timed feeding of the printed products to the three-knife trimmer's conveyor belt, or by means of known devices and methods upstream of the conveyor belt.

[0029] In another embodiment, the printed products are fed to the conveyor belt of the three-knife trimmer with an irregular spacing. A timing device ensures that minimum spacing (distance between the leading spine edge of the preceding book and the spine edge of the following book) is not undercut. A sensor detects when the printed product arrives at the conveyor belt of the three-knife trimmer.

[0030] If the spacing between printed products exceeds the minimum pitch, the first preferred option is to complete the production of the printed products currently within the three-knife cutter process and then resume delivery. Another option is to reduce the speed of the three-knife cutter via the control system and synchronize it with the print product's cycle time. If the pitch then exceeds a maximum value, the control system can also optionally generate idle cycles on the three-knife cutter.

[0031] The transport unit essentially consists of at least one support, which is equipped at its end with at least one product-related gripper, wherein the gripper grasps the printed product to be trimmed on the spine side, whereby the printed product is transported hanging, and wherein the following control-supported translational movements are based on the support and gripper relative to the cutting points: i) Pickup of the printed product by the support gripper after completion of the first cutting operation at the first cutting location; ii) Transfer of this printed product by the same support / gripper to the second cutting location after completion of the cutting operation at the first cutting location; iii) Transfer of this printed product by the same support / gripper to the third cutting location for the third cutting operation after completion of the cutting operation at the second cutting location; and thereafter iv) Retraction of the support / gripper to the starting position at the first cutting location for the subsequent pickup of a delivered printed product after the first cutting operation at this cutting location has been performed and completed.

[0032] As another variant, the transport unit can consist of two product-related supports, each with a gripper, which also grasp the product to be trimmed from the spine side, i.e., hanging. These supports and their associated grippers are operationally connected to each other, and the following control-supported translational movements are based on the supports and grippers relative to the cutting locations: i) The first gripper of the first support takes over the product after the first cutting operation has been carried out at the first cutting location; ii) The first support / gripper transfers this product to the second cutting location, positions the product there for the second cutting operation, and then returns to the starting position at the first cutting location, where it takes over a newly delivered product after the first cutting operation has been carried out on this product at the first cutting location;iii) Meanwhile, the second gripper of the second support takes over the printed product immediately after the cutting operation is completed at the second cutting location and transfers it to the third cutting location, where the third cutting operation takes place; iv) Afterwards, the second support with the second gripper returns to the second cutting location, where another printed product, already trimmed and brought by the first support / gripper, is ready to be picked up and transferred to the third cutting location.

[0033] In both single and double support systems, the head section is usually trimmed at the first cutting point, the front section at the second cutting point, and the foot section of the printed product at the third cutting point.

[0034] Another transport method for the printed products from one cutting station to the next involves at least two or three supports traveling along a substantially circular, semicircular, or elliptical track. This functional, continuous track consists of a front and a substantially parallel rear track, with the two tracks transitioning into each other via a lateral curve. The front track guides the supports in a straight or near-straight line along the cutting stations. The number of supports along the track depends on the maximum permissible cycle time; that is, each support takes charge of one printed product and transports it without transfer as described above through the three cutting stations.To maximize production, the cycle time is designed so that the supports follow each other closely, with the spacing between them depending on the time required for each cutting operation. This typically means that more than two or three supports are in use. A reduction in the number of supports can be achieved, for example, by accelerating them along the rear path between the last and first cutting operations. This avoids the intermediate, cutting-site-specific transfers and repositioning of the printed product by moving supports back and forth. On the other hand, maintaining high production levels usually requires more circulating supports, and the infrastructure of the elliptical path becomes more demanding.

[0035] Such a transport variant, characterized by an elliptical path, is well-suited for central trimming of printed products, i.e., when the three cutting operations are performed at a single cutting station. This means that the receiving of the printed product, its feeding to the central cutting station, and its subsequent delivery are all carried out by one and the same support. Advantageously, this support does not return via the front web, which would impede the production flow, but instead returns via the rear web to receive a new printed product.

[0036] If all edges of the printed product are trimmed at a single central cutting point, the following kinematic processes should preferably be provided:

[0037] Once the printed product is properly and securely positioned within a stationary clamping device, it is pressed against the fixed wall of the clamping device by a pressing unit, preferably a press bar, thus securing it for the cutting operation. The press bar is preferably located at the lower end of a spindle, which is connected to a servo motor controlled via a cable by a servo drive. The servo drive is connected via another signal cable to a sensor that detects the position of the press bar.

[0038] By rotating the spindle, the press bar is moved towards the printed product. The servo drive is also connected to a higher-level control system. Once the printed product is permanently fixed in place, it is then trimmed at the front with a cutting tool, or simply knife, and subsequently with two side knives at the top and bottom. The order of the cuts can also be reversed, with the top and bottom trimmed before the front. It is obvious that the movement of the side knives and their associated press bars must be synchronized with the movement of the front knife and its associated press bar to prevent a collision between the knives. Therefore, as soon as the cutting by the side knives is complete, the local clamping action (clamping device, press bar) is stopped, and the trimmed printed product is conveyed away.

[0039] This sequence is not necessarily predetermined in the inventive method itself, particularly with regard to the processing sequence of the first and third cutting locations, whereby the first trimming must always be of the head part, but it is readily possible to process the foot part at the first cutting location and then the head part at the third cutting location, whereby the front part of the printed product is still trimmed at the second cutting location, in order to optimally design the translational movements on which the invention is based.

[0040] Whether the head or foot section is processed at the first cutting station depends on how the printed product is fed to the three-knife trimmer, i.e., whether the front of the printed product faces up or down on the conveyor belt. In both cases, the back edge of the printed product leads the way during transport to the three-knife trimmer. If such a change (head / foot section) is made, appropriate control measures must be taken for the sections to be cut, especially if the head and foot sections are to be processed with different section lengths.

[0041] The translational movements of the gripper(s) therefore encompass two or three working planes, namely: A first level (X), characterized by the transfer of the printed product from one cutting location to the next; a second level (Y), characterized by the charging and discharging of the printed product at the respective cutting location; a third level (Z), characterized by a lateral adjustment (offset movement) of the support / gripper relative to the stationary printed product-related clamping devices at the cutting location, whereby this lateral adjustment is fixed or can optionally be controlled.

[0042] The gripper itself is equipped at its ends with product-specific clamping jaws, whereby the gripper or the support(s) in question has an additional translational degree of freedom in all the aforementioned planes (X, Y, Z) at the cutting points. The gripping of the respective printed product is maximized at its center of gravity, and / or the gripping of the printed product, depending on the sections to be cut, coincides with the best possible geometric location at the open side edges (head, front, bottom), whereby in the latter case a moderate to significant deviation from the theoretical center of gravity of the printed product is possible.

[0043] In principle, a clamping device can be operated according to the following criteria: a) The clamping jaws belonging to a clamping device are directly or indirectly operatively connected to a drive operating for the force-fit clamping action, wherein the clamping jaws guided by the drives have adjustable and / or predictively controlled stroke and force-fit profiles, which are aligned with any desired format of the printed product being processed. In this way, the printed product can be gripped symmetrically or quasi-symmetrically with respect to the center line of the spine of the printed product by the force-fit movement profile executed by the clamping jaws. Furthermore, it can be achieved that a clamping force can be exerted on the printed product by the clamping jaws, at least during the operational phase, by means of a mutually coordinated uniform, non-uniform, or adaptive speed and / or movement profile.b) A mutually coordinated uniform, non-uniform, or adaptive speed and / or movement profile of both clamping elements of a clamping device can also be provided for the unilateral application of pressing force by a single pressing element. For the purpose of quality assurance of the cutting operation, this applies to the press bar, which is in direct operative connection with the blades, such that its application of pressing force to the printed product must occur according to specific criteria. The speed profile of the press bar can be changed to a different mode immediately after initial contact with the printed product. This also applies to the subsequent force application to the printed product, which, depending on the specifications, can be successively monotonous or quasi-monotonic, increasing or decreasing.If, therefore, a certain degree of flexion is required during force application towards the end of the pressing process, for example to protect the slightly thickened back of the printed product, this can be achieved by activating a corresponding control profile. This allows, for instance, the monotonically increasing force application to transition into a curve based on the principle of capacitor charging. Accordingly, it is then readily possible to implement an exponential force application, which can be used either as an intermediate or overall step.

[0044] The cutting stations of the three-knife trimmer are operatively connected at each cutting point to at least one stationary, quasi-stationary or movable force-acting clamping device, which is responsible for the basic detection and generation of the pressing force on the printed product to be trimmed, whereby this clamping device is adapted to the format size of the printed product, i.e., has an optimized fixed contact surface, or can be adjusted to the respective format sizes of the printed product during operation by simultaneous adjustments.

[0045] The force exerted, i.e., the pressing force to be introduced, by such a clamping device on the printed product during the cutting operation is force-predominant compared to the closing force exerted on the printed product by the clamping jaws of the gripper, such that the product remains firmly positioned throughout the entire cutting operation due to the pressing force emanating from the respective clamping device.

[0046] The closing force of the gripper's jaws, as long as the gripper remains at the cutting point, does not influence the clamping force of the clamping device or its vectors on the printed product. This means that the clamping force of the clamping device is absolutely dominant in both effect and force compared to the closing force of the gripper's jaws.

[0047] At least one clamping device within the three-knife cutter can consist of two clamping jaws which perform at least one force-exerting closing movement relative to each other. Furthermore, at least one additional clamping device can consist of individual, interconnected pressure bars at a suitable cutting point, which exert the pressing force on the pressing surfaces of the printed product, these pressure bars collectively forming a pressure bar battery.

[0048] According to the invention, a feed device (also called a feed wheel or star-shaped wheel due to its design) is directly connected to the first cutting operation at the first cutting point. This feed device is generally in the form of a four-part wheel, although other divisions are also possible. When feeding a continuous block of books, the operation of such a multi-part feed device is as follows:

[0049] During the initial 90° rotation of the infeed device, a hinged, rake-like guide is pivoted against the book block, ensuring that after the rotation, the block lies on its spine and is protected against fanning out and / or falling over. The rake-like guide is coupled to a clamping unit within the infeed device, which briefly clamps the book block in this spine-down position. The kinematic design of this clamping unit allows the rake-like guide to move into a position dependent on the book block's thickness. In this position, the clamping unit opens slightly, allowing the book block, under the influence of gravity, to align itself on its spine against a stop surface within the corresponding station of the infeed device. The clamping unit then closes again, holding the book block in a defined position for subsequent processes.

[0050] The feeding device, i.e., the insertion wheel, then rotates two further cycles of 90° each, bringing the book block into a suspended position. During this rotation, the first rack-like guide and a second, operatively connected guide are swung away from the book block, such that the freestanding pages or signatures of the book block hang vertically downwards solely by gravity, while the book block is held in place at its spine by the aforementioned clamping unit.

[0051] The delivery device of the apparatus suitable for carrying out the inventive method for printed products, which may also consist of two or more brochures, can also be formed by such a four-part delivery device, the functioning of which is then as follows:

[0052] During an initial 90° rotation of the feeder, a hinged, rake-like guide is pivoted against the brochures, such that after the rotation, the brochures lie on their backs, thus preventing them from fanning out and / or falling over. The rake-like guide is coupled to a clamping unit within the feeder, which briefly clamps the brochures in a back-lying position. This clamping unit is kinematically designed so that the rake-like guide is moved into a thickness-dependent position. The clamping unit then opens slightly again, allowing the brochures to align themselves, spine to spine, against a stop surface within the feeder. During this process, additional mechanical and / or vibration-generating means engage, aligning the brochures into a uniform block.Then the clamping unit closes again, holding the brochures in a defined position.

[0053] The delivery device then rotates two further cycles of 90° each, bringing the brochures into a hanging position. During this rotation, the first rake-like guide and a second, operatively connected guide are swung away from the brochures, so that the freestanding pages or signatures of the brochures hang vertically downwards by gravity alone, while the brochures are held in place at their spines by the clamping unit.

[0054] On the other hand, this delivery device is in operational connection with a movable transport clamp equipped with clamping jaws in the area of ​​the first cutting point, which performs the function of the clamping device and which takes over the printed product from the delivery device according to the kinematics described above, and supplies it to the first cutting operation.

[0055] A flush slider is operatively connected to the delivery device and is intended to supplement the measures already explained in order to achieve secure positioning of the book block relative to its stop surfaces.

[0056] A stop surface is used, firstly, for individual books as well as stacks of brochures, to align the printed products with their spine against a fixed support surface within the delivery device. Secondly, it must be ensured that the printed products are positioned correctly, hanging elongated at the top and / or bottom, in the direction of flow before the first cutting operation.

[0057] In the case of individual books, this is achieved by a sensor guiding the transfer of the book's format from the delivery device to the transport clamp, which is designed as a clamping device. This sensor is positioned on the outer edge of the overhanging cover or the book block itself, in the area of ​​the head or foot. This ensures that the cutting chip from the book block has a consistent size.

[0058] When working with a stacked package of individual brochures, lateral means must be provided before the first cutting operation to ensure a uniform alignment of the edges of the package facing the cutting location.

[0059] In summary, the function of the feeding device is to pivot a hinged, rake-like guide against the book block, preventing it from fanning out and falling over after a 90° rotation while lying on its spine. The rake-like guide is coupled to a clamping unit that briefly clamps the book block in a spine-down position. The clamping unit is kinematically designed so that it can be moved into a position dependent on the book's thickness. It then opens slightly again, allowing the book block or brochures to align themselves with the contact surface of the feeding device under the influence of gravity. The clamping unit then closes again, holding the book block in a defined position.

[0060] This optimized procedure therefore ensures that the back sides of the printed products occupy a defined position, which is crucial for the subsequent cutting operations.

[0061] Nevertheless, from a qualitative perspective, it is correct to provide additional measures (flush sliders, acting in the vertical and horizontal planes) which should intervene in cases where, with different designs of the printed product, especially its book block spine, the use of gravity alone is not sufficient to ensure the desired defined position of the book block spine relative to the corresponding stop surface.

[0062] In this context, it must be assumed that printed products, especially book blocks, are in most cases finished with a cover that has a relatively large overhang on all sides (head, foot, and front) relative to the bound body. This overhang does not in itself pose any limitations for the cutting process, but it must be detected by additional sensors for precise trimming of the printed product during the various cutting operations. For logistical reasons, it is advantageous to work with cover sizes that are as uniform as possible, thus enabling the processing of a wide range of different book block formats. Therefore, it can be assumed that a relatively large overhang is the most common operating condition.

[0063] In order to achieve a secure, defined position between the book block spine and the contact surface within the delivery device, even with covers that have a large overhang in the head, foot, and front areas, it is proposed, as an inventive improvement of the prior art, to additionally engage at least one suitable flushing slider during the brief opening of the clamping unit to utilize gravity on the printed product. This flushing slider can exert the necessary pressure force directly or indirectly on the bound printed product via the cover overhangs, ensuring that at least the spine of the printed product rests securely on the corresponding contact surface.

[0064] For this purpose, the two front cover overhangs of the book block are gripped by a brush comb optimally aligned at an angle in the printing plane or by other flexible mechanically or pneumatically controlled means, so that the resulting printing force is transferred via cover overhangs to the body of the printed product, in such a way that it then rests securely on the stop surface provided within the delivery device.

[0065] Using the example of a brush comb, its material flexibility is designed in such a way that the free resulting part of the brush comb between the two cover overhangs can penetrate further to the front part of the book block through the vertical or quasi-vertical pressure movement, in order to exert an additional or predominant pressure force there.

[0066] In principle, this approach can also be used when it comes to applying a lateral pressure force to the head or foot of the printed product by means of suitable means to create a uniform plane, even if the package consists of different brochures, so that this uniform edge then receives its optimal positioning within the transport clamp by a sensor.

[0067] According to the invention, the clamping device at the second cutting point is, as already mentioned above, a pressure bar which is arranged on both sides of the pressing surfaces of the printed product, and which presses the printed product simultaneously or subsequently from at least one side.

[0068] The number of press bars used operationally on both sides is determined by the control system depending on the format size of the printed product to be processed, whereby it is also possible that the press bars released for use perform movements directed towards each other to exert the pressing force on the printed product, either with the same force or through a controlled graduated force application.

[0069] When the pressure bars act on the printed product in a subsequent manner, the pressing action, i.e., the development of the pressing force, begins with the first pressure bar in the area of ​​the back of the printed product, and then continues continuously through a subsequent or semi-subsequent sequence until approximately the area of ​​the front edge to be cut.

[0070] The subsequent actuation of the pressure bars along the format of the printed product also ensures that any air trapped between the pages or signatures of the printed product is continuously expelled until a perfect consistency in thickness of the book block is achieved. Only then can the cutting operations, particularly those directed at the front edge of the printed product, be carried out successfully. This procedure can also be used for the other cutting operations with appropriate clamping devices.

[0071] Regardless of the type of clamping device used, whether clamping jaws or pressure bars, the printed product is additionally pressed down in the immediate area of ​​the cutting operations by the use of pressure bars, thus achieving ultimate optimal conditions for the cutting operation.

[0072] In the area of ​​the third cutting operation at the third cutting point, another force-applying clamping device is used, which is constructed according to a four-clamp system, although a different subdivision is also possible. To avoid linguistic conflicts with the clamping devices already discussed, the term four-clamp system will be used hereafter. This four-clamp system can simultaneously, directly or indirectly, fulfill the function of a printed product-related ejection device.

[0073] After the third cutting operation in direct or indirect connection with the discharge device, an additional rejection device is provided, which ensures that identified defective printed products can be rejected, whereby the rejection can be refined to the extent that a distinction is made between printed products that are definitely and conditionally to be rejected.

[0074] One implementation of this rejection device could be achieved using a cross-distributor. To process the "good" printed products (books), the designated rejection rollers are positioned a certain distance below a surface formed with longitudinal belts. As long as "good" books are being conveyed, these rollers remain inactive. However, if built-in sensors detect a decline in the book's quality, the rejection process is activated for that specific product. In such a case, the previously inactive rollers engage by being raised for the respective rejection. The rejection of these products can occur to the left or right, depending on whether they are definitively or conditionally rejected. Conditionally rejected printed products are assumed to still be recoverable. This rejection device is not limited to such a cross-distributor.

[0075] This four-clamp system of the device suitable for carrying out the inventive method, which can accommodate both book blocks and brochures and provide for further processing, is operated according to the following criteria:

[0076] The book blocks or brochures inserted into the four-clamp system for the third cutting operation are pressed between a movable clamping jaw belonging to the four-clamp system and a fixed clamping jaw during the cutting process at the third cutting location.

[0077] After the cutting operation at this third cutting point, the rotating four-clamp system moves 90° during each cycle, and with it, a clamp along with the book block or brochures moves away from the knife, perpendicular to the knife movement at the third cutting point. In this position, the book block or brochures are then conveyed by the four-clamp system and transferred to a conveyor belt.

[0078] The cutting operations in the cutting locations of the three-knife cutter are carried out with regard to the trimming of the individual open side edges of the printed product using an individually driven cutting device, with at least one cutting device being operated with a single-acting cutting blade.

[0079] This cutting device is preferably modular in design and consists of at least three cutting stations for trimming the top, front, and bottom edges of the book block. These cutting stations are arranged in a U-shape with the open side facing downwards. The cutting operations are then operatively connected to at least one locally positioned press bar, with the press bar acting against the inner planes of the U-shape. Due to this downward-facing U-shaped configuration, all the cut sections of the book block or brochures fall downwards.

[0080] Furthermore, the three-knife cutter suitable for carrying out the inventive method has the following advantages over three-knife cutters operating according to known methods:

[0081] During each cutting operation, the printed product is pressed by various clamping devices (clamping jaws or pressure bar banks) under additional pressure from the aforementioned press bars, ensuring that the printed product is almost completely gripped during each cutting operation. The only area not gripped is the spine. This is not critical because the spine binding used (thread stitching, adhesive binding, saddle stitching, etc.) sufficiently holds the printed product together in this area, while the clamping jaws or press bars provide adequate integral support. This complete pressure on the printed product, in conjunction with the press bars, is essential for achieving high cutting quality.

[0082] Thus, the almost full-surface pressing of the printed product according to the invention is achieved in the simplest way. No format-dependent bridges, support elements, or support strips are required. This allows the three-knife trimmer according to the invention to achieve a high throughput density at high cycle rates.

[0083] Since the printed product is transported suspended to the individual cutting stations of the cutting device using the three-knife cutter suitable for the inventive method, no support of the sides of the printed product is necessary at the transfer points in the transport system.

[0084] Because the printed products are not transported lying down, the book pages do not bend between the support points if the support surfaces are not full-surface, and therefore they cannot get stuck at the intended transfer points.

[0085] The three cutting stations of the cutting device are U-shaped, with the open side of the U facing downwards. The section to be cut off at the edges, i.e., at the open sides of the printed product, is cut against the inside of the U-shape in all three cutting operations (top, bottom, front). This allows for operation with a single disposal unit, after which all the cut sections can be conveyed out together. The sections fall downwards by gravity without any additional aids, where they can be collected or continuously transported away.

[0086] Proper waste disposal is therefore of great importance because, in the industrial production of individual printed products (book blocks), the different formats are very often only created on the three-knife trimmer. The printed products are fed to the trimmer in a size tailored to the largest final format, which naturally leads to large sections to be cut off when the final formats need to be significantly reduced.

[0087] With three-knife trimmers using cutting cassettes and press dies, it is common practice to align the printed product using two right-angled stops at the corners of the spine (from the top) and spine (from the bottom), as well as a stop from the front of the book block. When producing variable-format printed products (book blocks), covers of the same format are usually used for a specific format range.

[0088] The aforementioned press beam is therefore directly connected to the respective cutting blade and ensures that the force is exerted on the printed product which is essential for a clean cut.

[0089] Basically, two main variants are in focus: On the one hand, there is a force-related coupling between the press beam and the cutting knife, i.e., the press beam force has a fixed value, whereby the speed profile (pressing speed / acceleration) is usually monotonous.

[0090] Another option is to decouple the force exerted by the cutting blade and the press beam, so that the press beam then operates according to the following criteria:

[0091] The generation of a specific force on the press beam is achieved by generating a corresponding torque at the servo motor via a servo drive. Based on a thickness measurement, the optimal pressing force on the printed product is determined, which can be easily accomplished using stored control profiles. Generally, a single calibration is sufficient to cover a specific thickness variability of the printed products, provided the underlying pressing force characteristic can be considered constant, because the differences in book block thickness within a job are relatively small.

[0092] However, it must be considered that optimizing the press stroke, especially with stiff and / or thin printed products, necessitates a significant reduction in press speed and, above all, acceleration. The advantage of this concept, however, is that regardless of the production speed, the respective cutting device(s) always operate at their maximum speed, which is limited not by the cutting speed but by the mechanically determined limits. Furthermore, it is essential that at lower machine speeds, a longer cycle time is available, particularly for the transport, alignment, and pressing operations, since the cutting process always requires the same amount of time.

[0093] If the thickness of the printed product varies within a certain range and it is produced using a fixed-edge finish, the cover will not protrude the same amount on the top edge as on the bottom edge. Similarly, if the height of the printed product varies, the cover will protrude more or less from the printed product, depending on the variation. Typically, printed products are produced with a fixed cover overhang on one side and a variable overhang on the other. For such products, the alignment of the book block, as is the case with three-knife trimmers using cutting cassettes and press dies, is unsuitable.

[0094] In contrast, with the three-knife trimmer operating according to the inventive method, the uncut printed product is aligned at the bottom or top edge and the spine edge. Therefore, the variable overhangs of the cover with regard to the width, or possibly also the height, of the printed product are irrelevant.

[0095] Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to control the cutting operation at at least one cutting location in such a way that, if necessary, several subsequent cutting operations can be carried out, i.e., if the format cannot be completed with a single cut, but, for example for quality reasons, the cutting operation can optionally be carried out by several subsequent cuts on the same edge of the printed product.

[0096] To achieve the desired quality in complex cutting operations, the control system of the facility for carrying out cutting operations is designed in such a way that the operator of the facility can intervene in the control system himself, and thus directly introduce the implementation of a subsequent cutting sequence.

[0097] The operator has the option of switching to double or multiple cuts ad hoc, or allowing the cutting operation to be controlled via stored control profiles, whereby these control profiles are also able to intervene adaptively or predictively.

[0098] It is obvious that multiple cuts always lead to a reduction in the original cycle time of the device. On the other hand, this inventive measure ensures that the cutting procedure can be carried out continuously, thus eliminating the need for any subsequent trimming operations.

[0099] The retrieval of the relevant control profiles is achieved, for example, through information provided by a "marker" in the barcode on the printed product. Such markers transmit instructions to the control system regarding the number of cuts to be made at a cutting point. Furthermore, additional stored control profiles can intervene in special cases, such as when a directly detected loss of quality necessitates a switch to double or multiple cuts.

[0100] In cases where a single cut is insufficient, double cuts will be used, with few exceptions, and are only employed for extremely wide edges. Therefore, for the sake of simplicity, the following will refer to a double cut, i.e., a first (single cut) and a second (double cut) cut, even when an extended cutting operation is optionally used in addition to the single cut.

[0101] Therefore, when the term "double cut" is used here, it does not mean that the cutting operation is ultimately limited to only two cuts. For the sake of simplicity, the term "double cut" will be used in the following text, implicitly including a subsequent sequence of cuts.

[0102] The threshold at which a printed product should be switched to a double cut usually depends on the total width of the edge to be cut, the total thickness and format of the printed product, the paper quality, the thickness of the cover, etc.

[0103] The double-cutting process is designed to minimize the second cut. A balance must be struck between the two cuts, keeping in mind that the formation of creases should be avoided as much as possible, so that the stress on the back of the printed product from the first cut must not exceed that from the second cut.

[0104] The execution of multiple cuts in the inventive method necessitates differences in delivery depending on whether the subsequent second cut is made at the head or foot edge or at the front edge of the printed product.

[0105] Firstly, the process engineering procedures are now explained, specifically how the head or foot edge needs to be trimmed.

[0106] After the first partial cut has been carried out, the printed product is briefly held in place by the clamping means of the transport unit, whereupon the clamping jaws belonging to a clamping device open slightly, so that the printed product is positioned between the clamping jaws without pressure.

[0107] Intermediately, the clamping jaws belonging to the transport unit exert a force-fit on the printed product at the location of the first partial cut, which gives the printed product an intertemporal local positioning when the clamping jaws of the clamping device are open.

[0108] During this interval, the open clamping jaws of the clamping device move backward or forward by a length corresponding to the width of the second partial cut. The subsequent forward or backward pushing movement is directed toward the locally positioned cutting point in the device, which preferably acts as a leading movement at the head end and a trailing movement at the foot end. Since the cutting points are fixed in position, depending on the feed of the printed product, it is also possible that the forward movement affects the foot end and the backward movement the head end of the printed product. Therefore, the operative pushing of the printed product for the next partial cut always occurs toward the cutting blade.

[0109] In both cases, at the end of the traveled length, the clamping jaws of the clamping device, with coordinated opening of the jaws of the transport unit, exert a force-fit on the printed product again.

[0110] These clamping jaws of the clamping device now move the clamped printed product forwards or backwards by the relevant length for the second partial cut, in such a way that the printed product is thus returned to the cutting position.

[0111] Immediately before the start of the second partial cut, the printed product is pressed down by a cutting-location-related press bar, which exerts the ultimate pressing force on the printed product.

[0112] After completion of the second partial cut, the press beam retracts in sync with the cutting tool, whereupon the clamping jaws of the clamping device open, and the printed product is then conveyed further by the transport device if it is the first cutting location, or forwarded via an ejection device which is downstream of the conveying device if it is the third cutting location.

[0113] Regarding the second cutting point for carrying out a second subsequent partial cut of the front section, the procedural steps are as follows:

[0114] After the first partial cut has been carried out, the printed product is briefly held in place by the clamping means of the transport unit, whereupon the clamping jaws or pressure bars belonging to a clamping device open slightly, so that the printed product is positioned between the clamping jaws or pressure bars without pressure.

[0115] Intermediately, the clamping jaws belonging to the transport unit exert a force-fit on the printed product at the location of the previously made first partial cut, which gives the printed product an intertemporarily localized positioning when the clamping jaws or pressure bars of the clamping device are open.

[0116] During this interval, the transport unit moves the printed product downwards in a vertical direction by a length amount, with this displacement corresponding to the amount of the second partial cut.

[0117] At the end of the traveled length, the clamping jaws or pressure bars of the clamping device, with the clamping jaws belonging to the transport unit opening in a time-coordinated manner, again exert a force-fit on the printed product.

[0118] Immediately before the start of the second partial cut, the printed product is pressed down by a press bar specific to the cutting location.

[0119] Regarding the force exerted on the press beam by a servo motor, this depends essentially on the various values ​​of the printed product, at least from Book format; section size; paper quality; cutting tool sharpness; machine speed

[0120] If multiple cuts are used for quality reasons, the primary goal should be to minimize the forces acting on the printed product. Since, as mentioned, the ultimate pressure during the cutting operation is exerted by the press bar, it is crucial that the pressing force, preferably generated by an easily adjustable servo motor, is separate from the cutting force required by the cutting tool, i.e., the blade. In other words, both components should operate independently.

[0121] After completion of the second partial cut, the press beam returns to its starting position in synchronized timing with the cutting tool, whereupon the clamping jaws or press bars of the clamping device open, and the printed product is then conveyed further by the transport device.

[0122] Another method for trimming the open edges of a printed product involves having at least the second subsequent cutting operation immediately following the first. The required edge width for the head, front, and bottom of the printed product is achieved by a controlled shift of the cutting tool and the pressure plate relative to the product, which is clamped and held in place at the cutting points. After the initial partial cut, the printed product remains clamped at the respective cutting point.After the first partial cut, the cutting tool and the pressing unit perform a coordinated lateral shift at the top and bottom edges of the printed product, and a vertical shift at the front edge, corresponding to the amount of the subsequent partial cut. Then, designated support personnel of the transport unit move the printed product from one cutting station to the next.

[0123] The sections of the printed product that can be trimmed in a single cut are typically: Head cut: approx. 60 mm; front cut: up to 125 mm; foot cut: up to approx. 125 mm. Accordingly, all larger sections to be trimmed must be processed by a second or further partial cut to maintain the cutting quality.

[0124] Consequently, the cut size when trimming the open edges of the printed product depends on the oversize of the delivered printed product. Based on this initial situation, a decision is then made as to whether subsequent partial cuts are necessary to improve the cut quality (cut finish).

[0125] The quality assurance check of the cut quality is primarily aimed at ensuring that: a) All open edges of the printed product must have a perfectly smooth cut. b) The spines must be free of imperfections caused by pressure during the cutting process, particularly from the press bar; therefore, it must be ensured that the spines leave the cutting operation and the setup perfectly smooth. c) The final dimensions of the printed product must be adhered to. d) In particular, the trimming of the top and bottom edges must be carried out strictly within the predefined section sizes to ensure that the text's imagination corresponds perfectly to the edges of the printed product.

[0126] The described cutting operations can also be performed by a quasi-kinematic reversal of the force / displacement dynamic, whereby the feed of the printed product for the second partial cut is carried out solely by the transport unit. In such a case, the clamping jaws of the clamping device remain at their destination and, relative to the closing force, only perform an opening or closing movement; thus, these clamping jaws no longer execute a forward or backward movement that underlies the feed of the printed product by a specific amount. This, of course, presupposes that the transport unit has corresponding degrees of freedom of movement at least in the X and Y directions.

[0127] If the necessary advancement of the printed product relative to the stationary cutting tool (blade) is achieved solely through the activation of the transport unit, then the clamping jaws of the clamping device do not move forward or backward within the system. Instead, the transport unit performs these restrictive movements simultaneously with the force-fitted printed product. These movements can be described as restrictive because they are partial movements of the paths that the transport unit takes from one cutting point to the next.

[0128] Another alternative for the second partial cut is to proceed as follows at the head and / or foot of the printed product: i) After the first partial cut has been carried out, the printed product remains clamped at the respective cutting point; ii) After completion of the first partial cut at the head and / or foot, the cutting tool, i.e., the blade, and the press bar perform a coordinated lateral shift corresponding to the amount of the second partial cut; iii) Subsequently, the transport unit takes over the further transport of the printed product according to the procedures described here.Regarding the trimming of the front section within this framework, a similar procedure is followed, namely: iv) after the first partial cut has been carried out, the printed product remains clamped at the respective cutting point; v) the cutting tool and press beam perform a vertical movement on the front section, which corresponds to the amount of the second partial cut; vi) the transport unit then takes over the further transport of the printed product.

[0129] For each printed product to be cut, the three-knife cutter control system needs product data from which the necessary movements of the transport elements can be calculated so that a cut printed product with the desired format dimensions is produced in the end.

[0130] This data can be transmitted to the control system in a variety of ways. Some examples are listed below:

[0131] Each printed product is equipped with an identification feature. A feature reader at the inlet of the three-knife trimmer reads the identification feature (e.g., one- or two-dimensional barcode, RFID chip, character, image, etc.) and transmits the information from the feature, along with the machine cycle assignment, to the control system. The feature can contain the necessary information representing the dimensions of the cut printed product, or the missing information can be supplemented from control profiles stored in a database.

[0132] In another system, the printed products are fed to the three-knife trimmer at set intervals. With each cycle, the three-knife trimmer's control unit receives the information necessary to cut the printed product to the correct dimensions. Here, too, the data supplied with the printed product can be supplemented with data from a database.

[0133] Another option is to program the three-knife cutter with the data and a sequence of printed products before they are fed into the machine. The cutter then processes each printed product in the specified order, moving on to the next data set. The printed products must be fed in the correct sequence. A feature reader can be used to verify the sequence.

[0134] As explained above, the printed products are fed horizontally, with the side finished by thread stitching, adhesive binding, saddle stitching, etc., facing forward, and with approximately uniform spacing via a conveyor belt to the three-knife trimmer. This approximately uniform spacing is achieved either by a timed feeding of the printed products to the three-knife trimmer's conveyor belt, or it is created upstream of the conveyor belt using devices and methods known from technical specifications.

[0135] In another embodiment, the printed products are fed to the conveyor belt of the three-knife trimmer with an irregular spacing. A timing device ensures that minimum spacing (distance from the spine edge of one book to the spine edge of the next) is not undercut.

[0136] A sensor detects when a book block arrives at the conveyor belt of the three-knife trimmer. If the distance between the book blocks is greater than the minimum spacing, the first preferred option is to complete the production of the printed products currently within the three-knife process, and then resume delivery.

[0137] As a further option, the control system can reduce the speed of the three-knife trimmer and synchronize it with the print product's cycle time. If the pitch exceeds a maximum value, the control system can also optionally generate idle cycles on the three-knife trimmer, as already explained above in connection with the operation of the delivery device. Brief description of the drawing

[0138] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the drawing. All elements not essential for a direct understanding of the invention have been omitted. In the following, the printed product will be generally referred to as a book block, thus allowing space to also address other types of printed products, such as brochures.

[0139] The drawing shows: Figure 1 Translation movements of the supports and grippers within the X and Y planes; Figure 2 An overall view of the three-knife trimmer with a snapshot of the supports; Figure 3 Another view of the three-knife trimmer with another snapshot of the supports; Figure 4 Infeed device for the book blocks into the three-knife trimmer; Figure 5 A feed wheel as a delivery device; Figure 6 A transport clamp; Figure 7 A modular cutting device comprising the three cutting stations; Figure 8 A snapshot during operation of the pressure bars; Figure 9 Another snapshot during operation of the pressure bars; Figure 10 Another snapshot during the cutting operation; Figure 11 A rotatable four-clamp system as a clamping and discharge device; Figure 12 The final compression of the book block during the cutting operation; Figure 13 Curve of the force exerted by various clamping elements during a cutting operation;Figure 14 shows a flushing slide for applying vertical pressure to the printed product; Figure 15 shows a flushing slide for applying horizontal pressure to the printed product; Figure 16 shows a further transport device for the printed products; Figure 17 shows a diagram of the process sequences for carrying out a second partial cut, subsequent to a first partial cut. Exemplary embodiments of the invention

[0140] Figure 1 Figure 1 schematically shows the translational movements of a transport unit belonging to a three-knife trimmer 100. These movements are executed by two movable supports 101 and 102, each related to a printed product. As will be explained in detail later in the description of the remaining figures, these supports are operatively connected to each other. The supports have grippers 103 and 104 with clamping jaws at their ends, each related to a printed product, which grips the printed product A on the spine side. R< The supports themselves perform the following coordinated, control-assisted translational movements relative to cutting locations 1, 2, 3, also called cutting stations:

[0141] The first support unit, 101, actively takes over printed product A after the first cutting operation at the first cutting station, 1. The first support unit then transfers this printed product A to the second cutting station, 2, and returns to its starting position at the first cutting station, 1, after the first cutting operation at the first cutting station, 1, has been completed. Meanwhile, the second support unit, 102, takes over printed product A immediately after the cutting operation at the second cutting station, 2, and transfers it to the third cutting station, 3, where the third cutting operation takes place. Afterwards, the second support unit, 102, returns to the second cutting station, 2, where another printed product A, already trimmed and delivered by the first support unit, is ready for collection and transfer to the third cutting station, 3.

[0142] The translational movements of the supports 101, 102, with the attached grippers 103, 104, encompass two or three levels, respectively. In the first level X, the printed product is transferred from one cutting position to the next; in the second level Y, the loading and unloading of the printed product takes place at the respective cutting position. Optionally, a third level Z (not shown in detail) is used, in which a lateral adjustment (offset movement) relative to the stationary clamping elements related to the printed product at the respective cutting position of the three-knife cutter 100 occurs as needed.

[0143] The following describes the effect of the translational movements of the supports using the grippers, as these best represent the operations within the three-knife cutter.

[0144] Figures 2 and 3 show the three-knife trimmer 100 in a 3D rendering. The book blocks A n< The book blocks are fed horizontally, with the spine facing forward and with approximately equal divisions, via a conveyor belt 110 to the three-knife trimmer 100. The approximately equal divisions are achieved either by a timed feeding of the book blocks to the conveyor belt of the three-knife trimmer, or they are produced by devices known from the prior art in front of the conveyor belt.

[0145] In another embodiment, not shown in detail, the book blocks with an irregular division are fed to the conveyor belt 110 of the three-knife trimmer 100. A timing device ensures that minimum divisions (distance from a leading spine edge to the spine edge of the next book block) are not undercut.

[0146] A sensor (not shown) detects the precise moment a book block arrives at the three-knife trimmer's conveyor belt. If the spacing between the book blocks exceeds the minimum pitch, the control system reduces the speed of the trimmer's translational movements, synchronizing it to the timing of the delivered book block. If the pitch exceeds a maximum value, the control system is programmed to generate idle cycles on the trimmer.

[0147] The book blocks A n< The components are aligned on the conveyor belt 110 by a fixed stop at the head or foot. This can be achieved using a conveyor section with slightly inclined conveyor rollers, or by other methods known from the prior art.

[0148] The remaining modules of the three-knife cutter according to the instructions in the Figures 2 and 3are described in detail in the following figures.

[0149] A flush slider 125 (See Figures 3 and 14 ) is in operative connection with the insertion wheel 120 (feeding device) and is intended to serve as a supplement to the measures already explained in order to achieve a secure positioning of the book block in relation to its stop surfaces.

[0150] A stop surface is used, firstly, for both individual book blocks and stacks of brochures, to align the printed products with the back side against a fixed support surface within the feed wheel 120. Secondly, it must be ensured that the top and / or bottom of the printed products have a corresponding hanging, elongated position in the direction of flow before the first cutting operation.

[0151] In the case of book blocks, this is achieved insofar as the format-wise transfer of the individual book from the insertion wheel 120 to the transport clamp 130 is controlled by a sensor that responds to the outer edge of the overhanging cover or the book block itself in the area of ​​the head or foot. This ensures that the cut edge zone of the book block has a consistent size.

[0152] When dealing with a stacked package of individual brochures, lateral means should preferably be provided before the first cutting operation to ensure a uniform alignment of the edges of the package facing the cutting location.

[0153] The function of the insertion wheel 120 is therefore to pivot a hinged, rake-like guide against the book block, so that after a 90° rotation, the book block, lying on its spine, cannot fan out or fall over. The rake-like guide is coupled to the clamping unit, which briefly clamps the book block in a spine-down position and is kinematically designed so that this rake-like guide can be moved into a position dependent on the book thickness. The clamping unit then opens slightly again, allowing the book block, due to gravity, to align its spine with the stop surface of the insertion wheel. The clamping unit then closes again, whereupon the book block is held in a defined position.

[0154] This inherently optimized procedure thus ensures that the spine of the book block occupies a defined position, which is crucial for the subsequent cutting operations.

[0155] Nevertheless, from a qualitative perspective, it is correct to provide for additional measures that should intervene in cases where, with different designs of the book block, especially its spine, the use of the gravity component alone is not sufficient to ensure the desired defined position of the book block spine relative to the corresponding stop surface.

[0156] In this context, it must be assumed that book blocks are, in most cases, finished with a cover that has a relatively large overhang on all sides (head, foot, and front) compared to the original book block body. This overhang does not in itself pose any limitations for the cutting process, but it offers logistical advantages due to standardization, insofar as a wide range of different book block formats can be accommodated with the same cover size. Therefore, it can be assumed that the relatively large overhang will be used in the majority of cases.

[0157] To ensure a secure, defined position between the spine of the book block and the stop surface within the insertion wheel 120, even with covers that have a large overhang in the head, foot, and front areas, it is proposed, as an inventive improvement of the prior art, to use at least one flush slide 125, 126 (see Figure 1) during the brief opening of the clamping unit to allow gravity to act on the book block. Figure 14 , 15 ) to operate with an adequate form that can exert the necessary pressure directly or indirectly on the book block via the cover overhangs so that the spine of the book block rests securely on the corresponding stop surface or is aligned laterally.

[0158] For this purpose, the two front cover overhangs of the book block are brushed by brush combs that are optimally aligned at an angle in the printing plane (see Figure 14 , 15) or by other flexible mechanical or pneumatically controlled means, so that the resulting pressing force is transferred via overhangs to the body of the book block A, in such a way that it then rests securely on the stop surface provided within the insertion wheel 120 or is otherwise positioned horizontally.

[0159] Using the example of a brush comb (See Figure 14 , 15 ) its material flexibility is achieved in such a way that the free resulting portion of the brush comb between the two cover overhangs can penetrate further to the front part of the book block through the vertical or quasi-vertical pressure movement, in order to exert an additional or predominant pressure force there.

[0160] In principle, this pressure force can also be provided when it comes to achieving a flushness by means of an additional flush slider 126 (see Figures 3 and15 ) to exert a lateral pressure force on the head or foot of the printed product in general, with the aim of creating a uniform plane across all printed products in the package, so that this edge can then be reliably detected by a sensor in order to create that optimal positioning within the transport clamp 130, so that the subsequent cutting operations (head and foot) can be carried out correctly.

[0161] As in this regard Figure 4 As can be seen, the book blocks are pressed against a fixed stop 111 by slightly inclined transport rollers 113 in the transport direction 112 and then conveyed further to the three-knife cutter 100. The fixed stop 111 can be designed with a moving belt (not shown) or simply as a fixed plate.

[0162] The book blocks A n< They then enter a transfer position, from which they are lifted, for example, by a rotating insertion wheel 120 and brought into position by rotation.

[0163] As in this regard Figure 5As can be seen, during an initial 90° rotation of the insertion wheel 120, which functions as a feed device for a subsequent operation, a hinged, rake-like guide 121 is pivoted against the book block A, so that after a 90° rotation, lying on its spine, the book block cannot fan out or fall over. The rake-like guide 121 is coupled to a clamping unit 122, which briefly clamps the book block in a spine-down position and is kinematically designed such that the rake-like guide 121 can be moved into a position dependent on the book thickness. The clamping unit 122 then opens slightly again, allowing the book block A, following the force of gravity, to align itself on its spine against the stop surface 123 of the insertion wheel 120. The clamping unit 122 then closes again, whereupon the book block is held in a defined position.The four-part insertion wheel 120 now rotates further by 90° in two cycles, securing the printed product in a hanging position for further processing. During this rotation, the first rake-like guide 121 and a second rake-like guide 124, which is operatively connected to it, are slightly pivoted away from the book block, so that the pages of the book block hang vertically downwards due to gravity alone, while the book block is held at the spine by the clamping unit 122.

[0164] In this position, an open transport clamp (clearly visible in Figure 2 , Pos.130) horizontally in the direction of the book block spine over the book block itself and takes over this area extensively.

[0165] How this is explained in detail Figure 6As can be seen, this transport clamp 130 consists of two clamping jaws 131, 132. Preferably, the transport clamp operates such that one clamping jaw 131 does not perform a stroke, while the other clamping jaw 132 performs the full stroke. Together, the two clamping jaws 131, 132 move two different offsets, which are related to whether the printed product is being transported in general or is making an empty travel.

[0166] Optionally, for certain variable and / or inconsistent book block thicknesses, it can be provided that the stroke of the two clamping jaws 131, 132 of the transport clamp 130 is individually designed, so that the same or different paths are traveled until the final pressing position is reached.

[0167] The transport clamp 130 can be moved horizontally by a linear motion device 133. A controlled drive (not shown) moves the transport clamp 130 precisely to a transfer position corresponding to the book block. This transfer position always depends on the section to be cut, which is to be made at the head or foot of the book block. Then, in the transfer position, the transport clamp 130 closes, clamping the book block between its front and back surfaces over a large area. Only the spine and the section of the book block to be cut remain free. For further details, refer to the description of Figure 12 referred.

[0168] The clamping unit 122 (see Figure 5 ) now opens and releases the book block spine. The transport clamp 130 then moves horizontally and transports the book block to the first cutting position (see also Figure 1, cutting point 1) of a modular multi-cutting device.

[0169] The two clamping jaws 131, 132 can also be operated according to the following criteria: Each clamping jaw is directly or indirectly operatively connected to a drive operating for the force-fit clamping action. The clamping jaws guided by the drives have adjustable and / or predictively controlled stroke and force-fit profiles relative to any format of the printed product being presented, so that the force-fit gripping of the printed product by the clamping jaws is designed to be symmetrical or quasi-symmetrical with respect to its centerline. At least during the operational phase of exerting the clamping action on the printed product, the clamping jaws execute a mutually coordinated uniform, non-uniform, or adaptive speed profile. This operation can be provided for all clamping jaws operatively connected to each other that are part of this application.

[0170] As in this regard Figure 7 As can be seen, the modular cutting device 140 comprises three cutting stations, which consist of a first station 141 at cutting location 1 (see Figure 1 ), a second station 142 at cutting point 2 (see Figure 1 ) and a third station 143 at cutting point 3 (see Figure 1 ). For each cutting operation, the book block is pressed by a pressure plate 145 and additionally by a pressure bar 144, such that the book block is clamped or pressed to maximum extent by the pressure bar 144 and the aforementioned pressure plates in the area between the transport clamp and the cutting edge during the cutting operation. A knife 150b preferably moves in an oblique cut against a stationary cutting edge.

[0171] The respective press beam 144 is therefore directly connected to the respective cutting blade 150a, 150b, 150c, and ensures that the force is exerted on the printed product which is essential for a clean cut.

[0172] Basically, two main variants are in focus: Firstly, as shown in item 250 in Figure 7 To symbolize this, there is a force-related coupling between the press beam and the cutting blade, i.e., the press beam force has a fixed value, and the speed profile (pressing speed / acceleration) is usually monotonous.

[0173] Another variant, as shown in item 251 in Figure 7 The symbolic purpose is to decouple the force exerted by the cutting blade and the press beam from each other, so that the press beam 144 then operates autonomously according to the following criteria:

[0174] The generation of a specific force on the press beam is achieved by generating a corresponding torque at the servo motor via a servo drive. Based on a thickness measurement, the optimal pressing force on the printed product is determined, which can be easily accomplished using stored control profiles. Generally, a single calibration is sufficient to cover a specific thickness variability of the printed products, provided the underlying pressing force characteristic can be considered constant, because the differences in book block thickness within a job are relatively small.

[0175] However, it must be considered that optimizing the press stroke, especially with stiff and / or thin printed products, can significantly reduce the press speed and, above all, the acceleration. A key advantage of this concept is that, regardless of the production speed, the respective cutting device(s) always operate at their maximum speed, which is limited not by the cutting speed but by mechanical constraints. Furthermore, it is essential that at lower machine speeds, a longer cycle time is available, particularly for the transport, alignment, and pressing operations, since the cutting process always requires the same amount of time.

[0176] The remaining two cutting stations are operated by knives 150a and 150c, which essentially follow the same pressure and cutting philosophy. In the first cutting station 141, the head section of the book block is cut (see also Figure 1 However, it is not impossible to begin the first cutting operation with the foot of the book block; however, in certain configurations this would require an adjustment of the location of action of the clamp, possibly of the cutting device 140, and also of the width of the sections, starting from the maintenance of the spine clamping A R< (see Figure 1 ).

[0177] Returning to Figure 1 , 2, 3 engages in the vertical (Y-plane) during the cutting operation, see Figure 1 ) as well as in the horizontal direction (X-plane, see Figure 1) a movable, open first gripper 103, with the gripper directed vertically towards the spine of the book block. After the first cut, the first gripper 103 takes hold of the book block at the spine and the transport clamp 130 opens. This transport clamp then moves into the take-up position for the next book block. The first gripper 103 transports the book block from this first cutting operation ( Figure 1 , Pos. 1) vertically upwards (Y-plane) and moves into the second cutting position through a superimposed, horizontal movement ( Figure 1 , cutting location 2).

[0178] The vertical movement of the first gripper 103 is controlled by the machine control system depending on the width of the book block being cut. The gripper's horizontal movement relative to the book block can also be individually controlled, for example, if a specific gripping position is desired. This is the case, for instance, if the format and the sections to be cut from the respective book block necessitate an asymmetrical or quasi-asymmetrical clamping effect, or one-sided clamping due to the center of gravity.

[0179] In the second cutting position ( Figure 1 , Cutting point 2) the book block is cut by a plurality of pressure bars, which form a pressure bar battery ( Fig. 2, 3 , Item 200) belong to the clamps used to hold the book blocks between the front and back covers. In Figure 2 The pressure strip battery appears in a closed state, while in Figure 3The pressure strip battery is shown in the open state.

[0180] As in the Figures 8 and 9 As can be seen, the individual pressure bars close 200 1-n< Starting at the book bridge, the process is repeated one after the other so that the air between the individual sheets can be specifically pressed out towards the cutting edge, simultaneously smoothing the printed product as a whole. As from Figure 9 as then becomes clear, only as many pressure bars close as there are between the position of the gripper 103 with the respective clamping jaws 103a, 103b and the second cutting station 142 at the second cutting location 2 (see Figure 1 ) can find space. The same clamping jaws 104a and 104b (not shown in detail) are used with the other gripper 104 (see Figure 1) belonging to. This in turn achieves a large-area pressing of the book block. In the second cutting station 142, the front cover of the book block is now cut, this is done in an analogous manner as in the first and third cutting stations 141, 143 for the head and foot covers respectively.

[0181] After the press bars used, 200 1-n< the press bar battery 200 the relevant book block at the second cutting point 2 (see Figure 1 , Pos. 2) have clamped, as can be seen from Figure 10 As a result, the first gripper 103 can release the book block and move into its takeover position (cutting point 1, Figure 1 ) are moved back for the next book block.

[0182] Furthermore, it is assumed that Figure 10that ultimate force-related support of the book block A during the cutting operation to ensure that the cut can be carried out to a high standard using the knife 150b shown. Therefore, if the press bars 200 are used 1-n< (see the Figures 8, 9 Once the book block A has been taken over by the gripper 103, press bars (item 144) engage, exerting the final contact force on the book block in the immediate cutting area. This force must be predominant over the contact force exerted by the press bars so that the cut made by the knife 150b results in a sharply cut, perpendicular edge. The press assembly consists of a fixed stop 152 as part of a press plate 145 (see also Figure 7) on one side of the book block and from an opposing movable press beam 144 on the other side, which is pressed against the book block by a press bolt 151.

[0183] The stop 152 can also be made movable in a more advanced version to accommodate the thickness and / or thickness consistency of the book block inserted from above; in other words, to prevent the leading edges of the inserted book block from colliding with the machine. This dynamic adjustment of the stop 152 can be achieved by the aforementioned machine control system.

[0184] The press bolt 151 for the press beam 144 can, for example, be driven by a motor, hydraulics or pneumatics, and thus exert the predetermined pressing force on the book block.

[0185] The other press beams also work on the same principle (see Figure 7, Item 144) at the remaining cutting points 1, 3, which now exert the pressing force in a vertical plane. Here, too, the aim is to ensure a right-angled, sharply cut book block edge.

[0186] As soon as the book block passes through the press bars 200 1-n< Once the workpiece is pressed firmly into place, the second cutting operation (front cut) can be performed. After the cutting operation is complete, a second gripper 104 moves (see Figure 1 ) into the position above the pressure bar battery and grips the book block in the same way as the first gripper 103 did. The position of the second gripper 104, in which it clamps the book block, depends on the cut book block height. The control system moves the second gripper 104 into the previously calculated gripping position, so that the third cutting operation (see Figure 1 , Pos. 3) the correct book block height is created on the book block.

[0187] After the second cutting operation (front cut) has been performed, the pressure bar battery 200 opens and the second gripper 104 moves the printed product through a vertical (out of the cutting position), then horizontal (feed to the next cutting position) and finally vertical movement again into the cutting position for the third trimming (foot section) (see Figure 1 , 2 ).

[0188] During vertical movements in the area of ​​at least one cutting position, the loaded gripper in question also performs a lateral offset movement relative to a clamping surface of the clamping device, as required.

[0189] Is the cutting operation at the third cutting site 3 (see Figure 1 ) executed, the rotatable discharge device (four-clamp system) 160 moves according to Figure 11and thus also the clamp 161 with the book block orthogonal to the knife movement away from the knife. The rotatable four-clamp system 160 rotates 90° during each beat.

[0190] That from Figure 11 The four-clamp system 160 shown here illustrates the position of the clamp 161 in the cutting position 162, in which a movable jaw 163 is still open. Another clamp is engaged within the discharge position 164. In this position, the book block A can be removed. The operation of the four-clamp system 160 ensures that the book block A is held in place during the cutting process at the third cutting point 3 (see figure). Figure 1 , 7) and the rotational movement of the four-clamp system is sustainably pressed between the movable jaw 163 and the fixed jaw 165. Furthermore, two states of the clamp 161 are given within a quadrant, namely a fully closed 166 and a fully open 167 intermediate position. Depending on the available space during rotation, one or the other variant can be considered within this quadrant.

[0191] The removal device could, for example, be a conveyor belt equipped with movable rollers for conveying the book block. Other devices known from the prior art can also be provided.

[0192] Out of Figure 12 The ultimate pressure on the book block is achieved by press beam 144 during the cutting operation. Such pressure corresponds in effect to that which occurs under Figure 10 It has been described. The delivery direction is marked with item 170.

[0193] Figure 13The diagram illustrates the interdependence of the various clamping elements (clamping devices) on the printed product, which, with respect to cutting point 2, is exerted by the different clamping devices 103, 200, and 144. At this cutting point, one clamping device consists of a pressure bar assembly 200. The clamping forces of the various clamping devices in the diagram should only be understood qualitatively. The clamping force of the gripper 103, which is provided for transporting the printed product 210 from one cutting point to the next, is inherently smaller than the cutting-point-related clamping forces of the units 200 and 144, as it is only a force that needs to be sufficient for the secure clamping of the printed product during transport. At cutting point 2, the clamping force of the pressure bars 200 belonging to the pressure bar assembly then builds up. 1-n< simultaneously or subsequently, the clamping force of the gripper 103 decreases immediately (reduction point 211) as soon as the final clamping force of the pressure bars on the printed product is reached. The extent to which the gripper's clamping force decreases on the printed product is individually adjusted and also depends on the weight of the respective printed product. The final clamping force on the printed product, which is important for the quality of the cut, is then exerted by the aforementioned pressure bar 144, which assumes a position precisely parallel to the plane of the cutting blade. As shown in the force diagram according to Figure 13As can be seen, the press bar 144 preferably exerts the greatest clamping force, which is variable and phase-shifted 212 (engagement plane) relative to the other clamping devices, as shown by the parallel break lines 212a, 212b (phase shift interval). As soon as the pressing force exerted by the press bar 144 is complete, the knife performs the cutting operation 213. The press bar 144 then remains briefly in the cutting plane 215 until the gripper's clamping force has built up sufficiently to ensure safe onward transport 214 of the printed product. The clamping forces of the other elements 144, 200 then decrease according to a specific decrease curve 217, so that the onward transport plane 216, with the printed product fully gripped by the gripper 103, is open again. This dynamic also applies in principle to the second support 102 (see Figure 1) belonging gripper 104 in operative connection with the respective clamping devices.

[0194] This Figure 13 Furthermore, it symbolically shows that the mutually coordinated uniform, non-uniform, or adaptive speed and / or movement profile of both clamping elements of a clamping device can also be provided for a one-sided application of the pressing force by the press beam 144, in that the force supply for the knife 150b is no longer coupled with that for the press beam 144, but rather the latter exerts its pressing force autonomously on the printed product, as symbolized by position 251 (see also Figure 7The pressure exerted by the press beam on the printed product can then be controlled according to specific criteria. The speed profile of the press beam 144 can be switched to a different mode immediately after initial contact with the printed product. This also applies to the force applied to the printed product, which can be successively monotonous, increasing, or decreasing, depending on the specifications. If, for example, a certain degree of flexion is required towards the end of the pressing process when applying force to the press beam 144, to protect the slightly thickened back of the printed product from wrinkling, this can be achieved by activating a corresponding control profile. This allows, for instance, the monotonically increasing force to transition into a curve based on the principle of capacitor charging.Accordingly, it is then readily possible to provide for an exponential force development, which is used intermediately or across the board.

[0195] Furthermore, the printed document EP1647373 A1 is intended to form an integral part of this description, particularly when it comes to showing how the coordination of the drives for the press force supply and knife dynamics is planned.

[0196] Figure 14Figure 1 shows the configuration of a flush-mounting slide 125 (see also Figure 3). This consists of a top-acting receiving plate 180, which carries brush bodies 181, 182 on the printed product side. These brush bodies exert pressure on the front-facing, projecting edges 183 of the printed product A, ensuring that the back of the printed product aligns with the support surface within the insertion wheel 120. Since the edges 184 are located in the same plane on the front side, they are more easily visible at positions 185 and 186 (head or foot of the printed product A). Both brush bodies 181 and 182 each consist of two partial brush bodies 181a, 181b; 182a, 182b, which are positioned at an angle to each other, such that the respective edge is gripped in a wedge shape and pressed downwards in a parallel manner, thus preventing any harmful bulging of the edges.

[0197] Figure 15shows the configuration of another flush slider 126 (See also Figure 3 This consists of a receiving plate 190 acting from the side (head or foot side), which carries brush bodies 191, 192 on the printed product side. These brush bodies exert pressure on the overhanging edges 184, 185 projecting beyond the printed product A at the head or foot side, thus positioning the printed product A accordingly for the cutting operations. The overhanging edges are shown here in relation to the back section 193 of the printed product A. Both brush bodies 191 and 192 each consist of two partial brush bodies 191a, 191b; 192a, 192b, which are positioned at an angle to each other, such that the respective overhang is gripped by the brush bodies in a wedge shape and the entire printed product can be positioned laterally as specified, thus preventing the overhanging edges from bulging.

[0198] Figure 16Figure 3 shows another transport device 300 of the printed products from one cutting location 1 to the next cutting location 2 and from there to a third cutting location 3. The cutting operations performed at these cutting locations are the same as those described below. Figure 1 are described.

[0199] The main difference compared to the dynamics according to Figure 1The system consists of at least three supports, each with a gripper 101 / 103, operating along a substantially elliptical path 301. This functional, continuous path comprises a front track 303 and a substantially parallel rear track 304, with the two tracks transitioning into each other via lateral curves 305 and 306. The front track serves to guide the supports 101, which follow each other sequentially, in a straight or quasi-straight line along the cutting points 1, 2, and 3. The number of supports 101 along the path depends on the maximum permissible cycle time; that is, each support takes charge of a printed product and guides it through the three underlying cutting points 1, 2, and 3 without transferring it to another support.To maximize production, the cycle time is designed so that the supports follow each other closely, and the distance between them depends on the time required for the individual cutting operations, which typically means that more than three supports will be in use. A reduction in the number of supports can be achieved, for example, by accelerating them along the rear path 304 between the last cutting location 3 and the first cutting location 1.

[0200] Thus, with such a precaution, the intermediary cutting-site-specific transfers and acceptance of the printed product by back-and-forth support staff can be avoided (see Figure 1 On the other hand, to maintain high production, more circumferential supports 302a-302g usually need to be provided, as the supports require time to travel over the rear track 304.

[0201] For better understanding, the supports in operational use are shown hatched, while the other unloaded supports, i.e., those on the outflow side of the discharge device 160, which are each on their way to the delivery device 120 for the re-acceptance of a printed product, are shown unhatched.

[0202] Such a transport variant, characterized by an elliptical path 301, is well suited for central trimming of the printed products, i.e., when the three cutting operations are performed at a single cutting location, meaning that the receiving of the printed product, its feeding to the central cutting location, and its subsequent delivery are all carried out by one and the same support. Accordingly, such central trimming could advantageously be arranged within the second cutting location 2. Advantageously, the supports in use should then not return to the infeed device 120 via the front track 303, but rather via the rear track 304, in order not to impede the production flow.

[0203] It is obvious that at a central cutting point for trimming all format edges of the printed product, precautions must be taken to ensure that the movement of the side knives and the associated press bars is phase-shifted relative to the movement of the front knife and the associated press bar, so that a collision between the knives can be prevented.

[0204] Figure 17The block diagram illustrates the process sequences for performing a typical single cut at each cutting location 1, 2, 3, as well as the sequences for implementing a second, and potentially further, subsequent partial cuts. As partially explained above, the incoming printed product A is aligned in the feed wheel 120 for the immediately following cutting operation, such that the first support 101 of the transport unit grips the back of the printed product for further transport after this first cutting operation. At the first cutting location 1, the top edge of the printed product is generally processed, although it is not impossible that this first cutting operation could also involve the bottom edge. For this first cutting operation, the clamping device 130 and the pressure bar 144 are activated, with the cutting blade 150a performing the cutting operation.The processes taking place within this first cutting location 1 are described in the preceding figures.

[0205] Already at this first cut T 1-1 A quality inspection (400) is performed, which focuses on the quality of the cut and verifies that the thickness of the cut section corresponds to the predefined values. Simultaneously, the integrity of the book block's spine is also checked. The means used for these inspections include contact and non-contact sensors, which integrally record the actual state of the printed product after each cutting operation and transmit this information to the control unit, as well as intelligent sensors that enable sensor-based production by controlling, regulating, and optimizing the processes focused on quality. These sensors must provide excellent data quality for the quality inspections described here and are preferably based on inductive and photoelectric technologies.In general, the measured quantity is converted into an internal signal by the physical measurement principle of the sensor element. Individual electronic processing steps are then provided as needed, resulting in a measured value at the output that can be used electrically and / or electronically.

[0206] Insofar as the control at this first cutting point 1 is directed to a second partial cut T 1 - 2 Once recognized, a process-related repetition of the first cut T generally occurs. 1-1 That is, the necessary pressing of the printed product is carried out using the same means 130 and 144, and the cutting operation is performed with the same cutting blade 150a. In addition, a coordinated kinematic procedure ensures that the section of the top edge of the printed product A that needs to be trimmed can be brought into contact with the fixed cutting blade 150a.

[0207] Accordingly, after the now, by definition, first partial section T has been carried out 1-1 The printed product A is briefly clamped by the clamping jaws of gripper 103 of support 101 of the transport unit, whereupon the clamping jaws 131, 132 belonging to a clamping device 130, also called a transport clamp, open slightly, so that the printed product A is positioned without pressure relative to the aforementioned clamping jaws 131, 132. Intermediately, the clamping jaws belonging to gripper 103 of support 101 of the transport device now exert force at the location of the first partial cut T. 1-1 A force-fit is exerted on the printed product A, which clamping jaws, in conjunction with this support of the transport unit, provide the printed product A with an intertemporal spatial positioning when the clamping jaws 131, 132 of the transport clamp 130 are open. During this interval, the open clamping jaws 131, 132 of the transport clamp 130 move backwards relative to the cutting blade 150a by a length, where this length corresponds to the width of the second partial cut T. 1 - 2 This corresponds to the following: At the end of the traveled length, the clamping jaws 131, 132 of the transport clamp 130, with the clamping jaws of the gripper 103 of the support 101 of the transport unit opening in a coordinated manner, exert a force-fit on the printed product A again. These clamping jaws 131, 132 of the transport clamp 130 now move the clamped printed product A by the relevant length for the second partial cut T. 1-2 forward, such that the printed product A is thus returned to the cutting position. This is followed immediately before the start of the second partial cut T. 1-2 The printed product A is pressed down by the cutting-location-related press bar 144, which exerts the ultimate pressing force on the printed product. After completion of the second partial cut T 1-2 The press beam 144 retracts in sync with the cutting blade 150a, whereupon the clamping jaws 131, 132 of the transport clamp 130 open, and the printed product A is then conveyed further by the support 101 of the transport device. The quality-monitoring sensors 400 remain in operation during and after this cutting operation until the sensors of the next cutting station take over the quality check, thus ensuring that quality control can be maintained across all cutting operations.

[0208] As far as the control is concerned after the second subsection T 1-2 to a third partial section T 1-3 As should have been recognized, a process-related repetition of the first T also occurs here in principle. 1-1 or second subsection T 1-2 , and also on this third sub-section T 1-3 Once this process is complete, the quality control sensors already described will activate.

[0209] According to Figure 1The first support 101 actively takes over the printed product A after the first cutting operation at the first cutting location 1, or after the second, third, etc., cutting operations. The first support 101 then transfers this printed product A to the second cutting location 2, and after delivering the printed product A there, returns to its starting position at the first cutting location 1, where it is ready to take over a subsequently delivered, trimmed printed product A, after the first and any further cutting operations have been carried out at the first cutting location 1.

[0210] Regarding the proper cutting operation at the second cutting site 2, reference is made to the above explanations under Figures 8-10 referred. Should a second or further partial cuts be carried out at this second cutting location, these partial cuts will be carried out within this second cutting location 2 using the following procedure steps:

[0211] After the first partial cut T was carried out 2-1 The printed product is briefly clamped by the gripper 103 of the support 101 of the transport unit, whereupon the pressure bars 200 belonging to a clamping device at this second cutting point 2 1-n< Open slightly so that the printed product A is positioned without pressure against the pressure bars. The gripper 103, belonging to the support 101, now acts as an intermediate at the location of the previously made first partial cut T. 2-1 A force is exerted on the printed product A, thereby giving the printed product an intertemporarily localized position when the press bars of the press bar battery 200 are open. During this interval, the support 101 of the transport unit then moves the printed product downwards in the vertical direction by a length, this displacement corresponding to the section dimension of the second partial section T. 2-2 This corresponds to the following: At the end of the traveled length, the pressure bars exert 200 1-n< The pressure bar battery 200, with the gripper 103 of the support 101 of the transport unit opening in a time-coordinated manner, re-establishes a force-fit connection on the printed product A. Immediately before the start of the second partial cut, the printed product A is then pressed down by the cutting-location-specific pressure bar 144.

[0212] Meanwhile, the gripper 104 of the second support 102 of the transport device picks up the printed product A immediately after the cutting operation at the second cutting station 2 is completed, and transfers this printed product A to the third cutting station 3, where the third cutting operation takes place. Afterwards, the second support 102 of the transport device returns to the second cutting station 2, where another printed product A, already trimmed at the second cutting station 2 and brought by the first support 101 of the transport device, is ready for pickup and transfer to the third cutting station 3.

[0213] At this third cutting point 3, the task is to trim the bottom edge of the printed product A by making one or more cuts. This is done according to the following process steps:

[0214] According to the definition carried out, first partial section T 3-1 At the third cutting point 3, the printed product A is briefly held by the gripper 104 of the second support 102 of the transport unit, whereupon the clamping jaws 163, 165 belonging to a clamping device 160 / 161, as part of the four-clamp system or the discharge device respectively, open slightly, so that the printed product A is positioned without pressure relative to the aforementioned clamping jaws 163, 165. Intermediately, the clamping jaws belonging to the gripper 104 of the support 102 of the transport device now exert force at the location of the first partial cut T. 3-1 A force-fit is exerted on the printed product A, which clamping jaws, in operative connection with this support 102 of the transport unit, provide the printed product A with an intertemporal spatial positioning when the clamping jaws 163, 165 of the transport clamp 130 are open. During this interval, the open clamping jaws 163, 165 of the transport clamp 130 move forward relative to the cutting blades 150c by a length, this length being the width of the second partial cut T. 3-2 This corresponds to the following: At the end of the traveled length, the clamping jaws 163, 165 of the clamping device 160 / 161, with the clamping jaws of the gripper 104 of the support 102 of the transport unit opening in a coordinated manner, exert a force-fit on the printed product A again. These clamping jaws 163, 165 of the clamping device 160 / 161 now move the clamped printed product A by the relevant length for the second partial cut T. 3-2 backwards towards cutting blade 150c, such that the printed product A is thus returned to the cutting position. This is followed immediately before the start of the second partial cut T. 3-2 The printed product A is pressed down by the cutting-location-related press bar 144, which exerts the ultimate pressing force on the printed product. After completion of the second partial cut T 3-2 The press beam 144 retracts in sync with the cutting blade 150c, whereupon the clamping jaws 163, 165 of the clamping device 160 / 161 open, and the printed product A is then transferred via the discharge device to a rejection device 500. The quality control sensors 400 are also in operation during and after this cutting operation.

[0215] In conjunction with this discharge device, a subsequent rejection device 500 performs a triage of the cut printed products based on the inputs from the quality-determining sensors 400. This rejection device 500, not shown in detail, is designed such that, on the one hand, the flawless printed products are allowed to pass through, while the printed products identified as defective are rejected. An alternative is also incorporated here, allowing for a further distinction between a final rejection 520 and a conditional rejection 530. In the latter case, the conditions are intended to enable these printed products to be converted into flawless printed products through post-treatment.

[0216] One embodiment of this rejection device 500, not shown in detail but easily understood by those skilled in the art, can be achieved using a cross-distributor. The printed products 510 deemed "good" are conventionally transported further via longitudinal belts. These longitudinal belts have roller sets on their underside, which, when a printed product is about to be rejected, are raised above the running surface of the longitudinal belts, thus channeling the printed product differently. As long as "good" printed products 510 are being conveyed, the rollers remain inactive. Therefore, if the integrated quality-determining sensors 400 detect a loss of quality in the cut printed product, the rejection process is activated precisely for that product.In such a case, the previously inactive roles intervene by being controlled for the relevant separation process, by performing a further separation, namely whether the printed products are definitively (520) or only conditionally (530). Conditionally separated printed products are assumed to still be recoverable. Such a separation device (500) is not limited to the described cross-distributor.

[0217] The described three-knife cutter 100 according to the invention has the following advantages over known three-knife cutters:

[0218] During cutting, the book block is almost completely pressed by clamps or pressure bars. Only in one area of ​​the spine does the book block have a free area M. 1 This is not critical because the bound book block is sufficiently compact in this area, and the pressure bars within the respective cutting station of the cutting devices support the book block in the cutting area. The full-surface pressing of the book block results in a high cutting quality.

[0219] Full-surface pressing is achieved in a simple way: no bridges, support elements, or support strips need to be adjusted depending on the format. This allows for a high cycle rate and thus high output of the three-knife trimmer.

[0220] Since the book block hangs suspended from the inventive three-knife cutter to the individual cutting stations 141, 142, 143 (see Figure 7Since the book blocks can be transported in this way, no support of the book block pages is necessary at the transfer points in the transport system. Because the book blocks are not transported lying down, the book pages do not sag between the support points, even if the contact surfaces are not full-surface, thus preventing them from catching at the transfer points.

[0221] The three cutting stations 141, 142, 143 of the cutting device are arranged in a U-shape with the open side of the U facing downwards, opposite each other. The section of book block to be cut is synchronized with the press beams 144 at all three cutting operations (see Figure 7 , and in particular Figure 10 ) against the interior of the U-shape. This makes it possible to successfully "transport" all three cut-off sections with a single section disposal device located underneath. These sections fall downwards by gravity without any further assistance.

[0222] Proper waste disposal, whether from book blocks or brochures, is therefore of great importance because in the industrial production of individual books, the different formats are very often only finalized on the three-knife trimmer. The book blocks are fed to the trimmer in a size tailored to the largest final format, which leads to large cutting edges when the final formats are significantly reduced in size.

[0223] With three-knife trimmers using cutting cassettes and press dies, it is common practice to align the book block using two right-angled stops at the corners of the spine (from the top) and spine (from the bottom), as well as a stop from the front of the book block. When producing books, brochures, etc., with variable formats, covers of the same size are usually used for a given format range. If the thickness of the book block varies and these are bound with binding machines that have a fixed-edge finish, the cover will not protrude the same amount at the top of the book block as at the bottom.

[0224] If the book block height varies, the cover will protrude more or less from the book, depending on the variation. Generally, book blocks are produced with a fixed cover overhang on one side and a variable overhang on the other.

[0225] For such products, the alignment of the book block, as with three-knife trimmers with cutting cassettes and press dies, is unsuitable.

[0226] In the three-knife trimmer according to the invention, the uncut book block or the uncut brochures are aligned at the bottom or top edge and the processed spine edge. This means that the variable overhangs of the cover in the book block height and book width are irrelevant.

[0227] For each book block or brochure to be trimmed, the three-knife trimmer control system needs product data from which the necessary movements of the transport elements can be calculated so that a trimmed book with the desired format dimensions is produced in the end.

[0228] This data can be transmitted to the control system in a variety of ways. Some examples are listed below. Each book block or brochure is equipped with an identification feature. A feature reader at the entrance of the three-knife trimmer reads the identification feature (e.g., one- or two-dimensional barcode, RFID chip, character, image, etc.) and transmits the information from the feature, along with the machine cycle assignment, to the control system. The feature can contain the necessary information representing the dimensions of the cut printed product, or the missing information can be added from a database.

[0229] In another system, the book blocks are fed to the three-knife trimmer at a measured rate. With each cycle, the three-knife trimmer's control unit receives the information necessary to cut the book block to the correct dimensions. Here, too, the data supplied with the book block can be supplemented with data from a database.

[0230] Another possibility is to program the three-knife cutter with the data and a specific order of the book blocks before the blocks are fed in. The cutter then processes each book block as it is fed in, moving on to the next data record in the predetermined sequence. The book blocks must be fed in the correct order. A feature reader can also be used to verify the sequence.

Claims

1. Method for performing cutting operations on at least one open format edge of at least one printed product by means of a device which is operatively connected to a printed product-related infeed apparatus for the positional orientation of the printed product in a first cutting operation and with a printed product-related discharge apparatus operating after a last cutting operation, wherein the printed product (A) is transferred from a first (1) to a second (2) and to a third cutting location (3) for the edge-related cutting operation, wherein the transfer of the printed product along a guide section from one cutting location to the next takes place by way of at least one transport unit (101, 102, ....), and wherein the transport unit is provided with at least one force-exerting means (103, 104), by way of which the printed product is grasped on the rear side, and it is conveyed in a suspended manner from one cutting location to the next, wherein the edge-related cutting operation is carried out at at least one cutting location (1, 2, 3) by at least one cutting tool (150a, 150b, 150c), characterized in that, after a first edge-related cutting operation (T1-1; T2-1; T3-1), at least one second subsequent edge-related cutting operation (T1-2; T2-2; T3-2) is carried out, and in that the second subsequent cutting operation is carried out at a cutting location (1, 2, 3) immediately after the first cutting operation, and in that the amount of the edge width to be cut is carried out in the second cutting operation by a guided displacement of the printed product relative to the respective locally fixedly operating cutting tool (150a, 150b, 150c).

2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that at least the second subsequent partial cut is processed at the head edge of the printed product (A) at the first cutting location (1) as follows: a) after the first partial cut (T1-1) has been carried out, the printed product is fixedly clamped briefly by a gripper (103) of a first support (101) of the transport unit, whereupon clamping jaws (131, 132) belonging to a transport clamp (130) open slightly, with the result that the printed product is positioned in a pressure-free manner with respect to these clamping jaws; b) in the intermediate term, the clamping jaws belonging to the gripper (103) of the support (101) of the transport unit exert a force fit on the printed product (A) at the location of the first partial cut, which clamping jaws, operatively connected to this support of the transport unit, impart interim local positioning to the printed product with open clamping jaws (131, 132) of the transport clamp (130); c) during this interval, the open clamping jaws (131, 132) of the transport clamp (130) move backwards by a length amount, away from the cutting tool (150a), corresponding to the width of the second partial cut (T1-2); d) at the end of the length amount travelled, the clamping jaws (131, 132) of the transport clamp (130), with coordinated opening of the clamping jaws of the gripper (103) of the support (101) of the transport unit, exert a force fit on the printed product again; e) the clamping jaws (131, 132) of the transport clamp (130) now move the clamped printed product (A) forwards by the corresponding length amount for the second partial cut (T1-2) in the direction of the cutting tool (150a), in such a way that the format edge of the printed product to be cut is guided into the cutting position again; f) immediately before the start of the second section (T1-2), the printed product is pressed down by means of a pressing unit (144) which is preferably beam-shaped in a cutting location-related manner; g) after the second partial cut (T1-2) has been completed, the pressing unit (144) retracts in temporal coordination with the cutting tool (150a), whereupon the clamping jaws (131, 132) of the transport clamp (130) open, and the printed product (A) is then transported further by the support (101) of the transport unit.

3. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that at least the second subsequent partial cut is processed at the foot edge of the printed product (A) at the third cutting location (3) as follows: a) after the first partial cut (T3-1) has been carried out, the printed product is fixedly clamped briefly by a gripper (104) of a second support (102) of the transport unit, whereupon clamping jaws belonging to a clamping apparatus (163, 165) open slightly as part of the clamping apparatus (160 / 161), with the result that the printed product (A) is positioned in a pressure-free manner between these clamping jaws; b) in the intermediate term, the clamping jaws belonging to the gripper (104) of the second support (102) of the transport unit exert a force fit on the printed product (A) at the location of the first partial cut (T3-1), which clamping jaws, operatively connected to this support (102) of the transport unit, impart interim local positioning to the printed product with open clamping jaws (163, 165); c) during this interval, the open clamping jaws (163, 165) of the clamping apparatus (160 / 161) move forwards by a length amount, away from the cutting tool (150c), corresponding to the width of the second partial cut (T3-2); d) at the end of the length amount travelled, the clamping jaws (163, 165) of the clamping apparatus, with coordinated opening of the clamping jaws of the gripper (104) of the support (102) of the transport unit, exert a force fit on the printed product again; e) the clamping jaws (163, 165) of the clamping apparatus (160 / 161) now move the clamped printed product (A) rearwards by the corresponding length amount for the second partial cut (T3-2) in the direction of the cutting tool (150c), in such a way that the format edge of the printed product to be cut is guided into the cutting position again; f) immediately before the start of the second section (T3-2), the printed product (A) is pressed down by means of a pressing unit (144) which is preferably beam-shaped in a cutting location-related manner; g) after the second partial cut (T3-2) has been completed, the pressing unit (144) retracts in temporal coordination with the cutting tool (150c), whereupon the clamping jaws (163, 165) of the clamping apparatus (160 / 161) open, and the printed product (A) is then operatively connected to a removing apparatus and an adjoining rejecting apparatus (500).

4. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the second subsequent partial cut is processed at the front part of the printed product at the second cutting location (2) as follows: a) after the first partial cut (T2-1) has been carried out, the printed product is fixedly clamped briefly by a gripper (103) of a support (101) of the transport unit, whereupon the pressing bars (2001-n) belonging to a clamping apparatus open slightly, with the result that the printed product (A) is positioned in a pressure-free manner between these clamping units; b) in the intermediate term, the gripper (103) belonging to the support (101) exerts a force fit on the printed product at the location of the first partial cut (T2-1) carried out prior to this, which imparts interim local positioning to the printed product with open pressing bars (2001-n) of the clamping apparatus (200); c) during this interval, the support (101) of the transport unit moves downwards in a vertical plane by a length amount, wherein this vertical displacement corresponds to the amount of the second partial cut (T2-2); d) at the end of the length amount travelled, the pressing bars (2001-n) of the clamping apparatus (200), with temporally coordinated opening operatively connected to the gripper (103) of the support (101) of the transport unit, exert a force fit on the printed product again; e) immediately before the start of the second partial cut (T2-2), the printed product is pressed down by means of a pressing unit (144) which is preferably beam-shaped in a cutting location-related manner; f) after the second partial cut (T2-2) has been completed, the pressing unit retracts in temporal coordination with the cutting tool (150b), the clamping jaws or pressure bars of the clamping apparatus open, and the printed product is then transporting by the further support (102) of the transport unit to the third cutting location (3).

5. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the printed product to be trimmed consists at least of a coherent book block, individual booklets or a number of stacked booklets.

6. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the printed products have the same or variable format dimensions with the same or different thickness dimensions before and / or after the cutting operations.

7. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the first edge to be trimmed at the first cutting location (1) relates to the head part, in that the second edge to be trimmed at the second cutting location (2) relates to the front part, and in that the third edge to be trimmed at the third cutting location (3) relates to the foot part of the printed product, or in that the first edge to be trimmed at the first cutting location (1) relates to the foot part, in that the second edge to be trimmed at the second cutting location (2) relates to the front part, and in that the third edge to be trimmed at the third cutting location (3) relates to the head part of the print product.

8. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the infeed apparatus is configured for a positional orientation of the printed product with respect to the optimum cutting positioning with regard to the subsequent first cutting operation.

9. Method according to Claim 8, characterized in that the infeed apparatus has, for the positional orientation of a printed product designed as a book block (A), the form of a multiple-part insertion wheel (120) which is operated according to the following criteria: a) during a first 90° rotation of the insertion wheel (120), a rake-like guide (121), which can be folded in relation to the book block (A), carries out a swivelling movement, in such a way that the book block (A) lies on the spine (AR) after the 90° turn, thus securing it against fanning open and / or falling over; b) the rake-like guide (121) is coupled to a clamping unit (122), by which the book block (A) lying on the spine is clamped briefly, wherein this clamping unit (122) is kinematically operated in such a way that the rake-like guide (121) is transferred into a book block thickness-dependent position; c) then the clamping unit (122) opens a little again, with the result that the book block spine (AR) aligns itself, following the force of gravity, with a stop surface (123) inside the insertion wheel (120); d) then the clamping unit (122) closes again, whereupon the book block (A) has a defined position; e) the insertion wheel (120) then rotates further by two cycles of 90° per cycle, whereby the book block (A) is transferred into a then suspended position with respect to the cutting locations (1, 2, 3); f) during this latter rotational movement, a first rake-like guide (121) and a second guide (124), which is operatively connected to the former, are swivelled away from the book block, wherein the book block (A) is held in the region of at least one part of its spine (AR) by the clamping unit (122), with the result that that part of the book block (A) released by the guides (121, 124) hangs vertically downwards due to gravity alone.

10. Method according to Claim 8, characterized in that the infeed apparatus for a printed product which consists of at least one booklet has the form of a multiple-part insertion wheel (120) which is operated according to the following criteria: a) during a first 90° rotation of the insertion wheel (120), a rake-like guide (121), which can be folded in relation to the booklet, carries out a swivelling movement, in such a way that the booklet lies on the spine (AR) after the 90° turn, thus securing it against fanning open and / or falling over; b) the rake-like guide (121) is coupled to a clamping unit (122), by which the booklet is clamped briefly in a position in which it is lying on its spine, wherein this clamping unit (122) is kinematically operated in such a way that the rake-like guide (121) is transferred into a booklet thickness-dependent position; c) then the clamping unit (122) opens a little again, with the result that the spine of the booklet aligns itself, following the force of gravity, with a stop surface (123) inside the insertion wheel (120); d) then the clamping unit (122) closes again, whereupon the booklet has a defined position; e) the insertion wheel (120) then rotates further by two cycles of 90° per cycle, whereby the booklet is transferred into a then suspended position with respect to the cutting locations (1, 2, 3); f) during this rotational movement, the first rake-like guide (121) and a second guide (124), which is operatively connected to the former, are swivelled away from the booklet, wherein the booklet is held in the region of at least one part of its spine (AR) by the clamping unit (122), with the result that that part of the booklet released by the guides (121, 124) hangs vertically downwards due to gravity alone.

11. Method according to either of Claims 9 or 10, characterized in that, when the clamping unit (122) is open, additional means are present which are driven from above (125) and / or from the side (126), by which a brief pressing force is exerted directly or indirectly on book blocks or booklets, wherein this contact force ensures that the end position of book blocks or booklets is secured in relation to the stop surface (123) or any other predetermined position at least in the horizontal direction.

12. Method according to one of Claims 1, 9 or 10, characterized in that, in the region of the first cutting location (130), the infeed apparatus (120) is operatively connected to a movable clamping apparatus (1) equipped with clamping jaws (131, 132), which accepts the printed product from the infeed apparatus (120), whereupon the printed product is fed to the first cutting operation.

13. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the transport unit comprises substantially at least one support (101) with at least one printed product-related gripper (103), in that the gripper grips the printed product to be trimmed on the book spine side (AR), in that the following control-supported translational movements along a guide path in relation to the cutting locations (1, 2, 3) form the basis for the gripper: a) accepting the printed product by the gripper, which is part of the support, after completion of the first cutting operation at the first cutting location (1); b) transferring this printed product by the same support / gripper to the second cutting location (2), and, after a cutting operation has taken place at the second cutting location, c) transferring the same printed product by the same support / gripper to the third cutting location (3) for carrying out the third cutting operation, and then d) initiating the return of the same support / gripper into the initial position at the first cutting location for again accepting a subsequent printed product after the first cutting operation has been carried out at this first cutting location.

14. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the transport unit comprises substantially two printed product-related supports (101, 102) each with a gripper (103, 104), in that the grippers grip the printed product to be cut on the spine side (AR), in that the two supports / grippers are operatively connected to each other, and in that the supports / grippers are operated in relation to the cutting locations (1, 2, 3) by the following control-supported translational movements along a guide section: a) the first gripper (103) of the first support (101) accepts the printed product after the first cutting operation has taken place at the first cutting location (1); b) the first support then travels with this printed product to the second cutting location (2), positions the printed product there for carrying out the second cutting operation and then returns empty to the first cutting location (1), where the renewed acceptance of a subsequent printed product, which has already been trimmed at this cutting location (1), takes place; c) in the meantime, the second support (102) / gripper (104) accepts the printed product immediately after the end of the cutting operation at the second cutting point (2) and transfers it to the third cutting point (3) where the third cutting operation takes place; d) then the second support (102) / gripper (104) returns empty to the second cutting location (2) where a subsequent printed product is again trimmed, whereupon the second support (102) / gripper (104) moves back with this printed product to the third cutting location (3) where the third cutting operation takes place.

15. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the transport unit comprises at least two or three supports (101 / 103) which are guided along a self-contained guide section (301), in that each support in the region of the cutting locations (1, 2, 3) is individually loaded with at least one printed product for the respective cutting operation, in that each support is returned to the first cutting location (1) after leaving the third cutting location (3) unloaded via the remaining course of the closed guide section, and accepts a subsequent printed product there before or after the first cutting operation, and in that the support is guided with the accepted printed product successively according to a defined cycle to the other cutting locations (2, 3) to carry out the pending cutting operation.

16. Method according to Claim 15, characterized in that the closed guide section has substantially the shape of an ellipse, quasi-ellipse, or the shape of a round or quasi-round course.

17. Method according to Claim 15, characterized in that the number of supports circulating along the guide section is dependent on the cycle of the cutting operations and / or dependent on the selected return speed of the supports between the third (3) and first cutting location (1).

18. Method according to one of Claims 1, 13, 14 or 15, characterized in that all cutting operations are carried out at a central cutting location, and in that the movements of side knives and associated press elements take place in a phase-shifted manner with respect to the movement of front knives and associated press elements to prevent a collision between the said elements.

19. Method according to one of Claims 1, 13, 14 or 15, characterized in that the grippers (103, 104) are equipped on the end side with clamping jaws (103a, 103b; 104a, 104b) acting on the printed product, in that at least one targeted lateral offset movement with respect to a pressing surface of at least one locally arranged clamping and / or pressing apparatus (103, 104, 130, 160 / 161, 200, 144) is carried out by way of at least one gripper loaded with a printed product in the region of at least one cutting location (1, 2, 3) before and / or after the cutting operation.

20. Method according to one of Claims 1, 13, 14 or 15, characterized in that the clamping jaws of the respective gripper (103, 104) grip the respective printed product symmetrically, quasi-symmetrically, asymmetrically or in a maximized manner at its centre of gravity and / or in a manner dependent on the trimming lengths of the edges to be cut off.

21. Method according to one of Claims 1 or 13 to 20, characterized in that a positioning further movement in at least one plane with respect to a stationary pressing surface of a clamping apparatus is carried out by way of at least one gripper (103, 104) referring to at least one cutting location (1, 2, 3) before and / or after the respective cutting operation.

22. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the discharge apparatus (160) acts at the third cutting location (3) and is operated according to the following criteria: a) the discharge apparatus (160) is operated via a wheel operating in multiple parts; b) the discharge apparatus has a clamping apparatus (161) which comprises at least one first jaw (163) and at least one second jaw (165), with which jaws a clamping effect is exerted on the printed product (A) during the cutting operation; c) after the cutting operation, the multiple-piece wheel performs a partial rotation which transfers the printed product into a leading-away position.

23. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the discharge apparatus (160) is operatively connected at the third cutting location (3) to a downstream rejecting apparatus (500) which ensures that the printed products (510) sensed as satisfactory are released for further transporting, and in that the printed products identified as faulty during the cutting operations due to continuous quality measurements performed by sensors definitively or conditionally pass to the rejection means (520, 530).

24. Method according to Claim 23, characterized in that the rejecting apparatus (500) is constructed in accordance with the technology of a cross distributor, in such a way that, in the case of printed products with a loss of quality, installed rollers come into operation which rise up from a surface formed by longitudinal bands for conveying the good printed products (510), and thus carry out the further rejection of the products (520, 530).

25. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that there is a cutting apparatus (150a-c) at each cutting location (1, 2, 3) operatively connected to a stationary or quasi-stationary clamping and / or pressing apparatus (130, 161, 200, 144), by way of which at least one pressing force is exerted on the printed product to be trimmed, in that the clamping apparatus has single-action or multiple-action controllable pressing surfaces belonging to at least one clamping jaw, and in that the clamping apparatus is adapted to the format size of the printed product, or is adjusted during operation by simultaneous adaptations to the respective format sizes of the printed product.

26. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 25, characterized in that clamping and / or pressing apparatus (103, 104, 130, 160 / 161, 200, 144) which exert force and are operatively connected to each other are provided at each cutting location (1, 2, 3), in that the clamping force of the gripper (103, 104) intended for transporting the printed product from one cutting location (1, 2, 3) to the next is smaller than the first force-exerting clamping apparatus (130, 160 / 161, 200), and in that these first force-exerting clamping and / or pressing apparatus (130, 160 / 161, 200) exert a clamping force on the printed product, which clamping force is smaller than a second cutting location-related pressing unit of the form of a pressing apparatus (144).

27. Method according to Claim 26, characterized in that the second cutting location-related pressing apparatus (144) has the shape of a pressing bar which presses directly against the printed product, or is adapted to the specific pressing pressure by means of a mechanical, pneumatic or hydraulic counterforce developing means.

28. Method according to one of Claims 25 to 27, characterized in that the pressing force generated on the pressing apparatus (144) belonging to the pressing apparatus, for pressing the printed product in a manner which is compliant with the cutting operation, is operatively connected directly or quasi-directly to a drive which is also designed as the cause for the generation of the blade cutting force within the cutting locations (1, 2, 3).

29. Method according to one of Claims 25 to 27, characterized in that the pressing force generated on the pressing apparatus (144) belonging to the pressing apparatus for pressing the printed product in a manner which is compliant with the cutting operation is generated by an autonomous drive which is detached from the drive for the generation of the blade cutting force within the cutting locations (1, 2, 3).

30. Method according to one of Claims 25 to 27, characterized in that the generation of the blade cutting force and the exerted pressing force of the pressing apparatus (144) on the printed product are decoupled from each other.

31. Method according to Claim 27, characterized in that the exerted pressing force of the pressing apparatus (144) is adjusted on the basis of the following criteria: proceeding at least from a thickness measurement, format size, envelope consistency and paper quality of the printed product, the optimum pressing force exerted by the pressing bar on the printed product to be processed is continuously determined or called up via stored control profiles.

32. Method according to one of Claims 25 to 30, characterized in that a contact force which is compliant with the cutting operation is exerted on the printed product by way of the pressing apparatus (144) formed as a pressing bar, at least during the operative phase, which force is preferably designed for matched uniform, uneven, quasi-monotonous, rising, falling, adaptive speed and / or motion profiles.

33. Method according to one of Claims 25 to 32, characterized in that the clamping jaws are equipped with at least one clamping apparatus, which clamping jaws are moved towards each other according to the following criteria: a) each clamping jaw is directly or indirectly operatively connected to a drive operating for the non-positive clamping effect, wherein the clamping jaws guided by the drives have adjustable and / or predictively controlled lift and non-positive connection profiles which are aligned to any desired format version of the present printed product; b in that the non-positive motion profile carried out by the clamping jaws is designed in such a way that the printed product is gripped symmetrically or quasi-symmetrically with respect to its thickness-related centre line; c) in that, at least during the operative phase, a clamping force is exerted on the printed product by way of the clamping jaws, by means of a mutually coordinated uniform, non-uniform or adaptive speed and / or motion profile.

34. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that, at each cutting location (1, 2, 3), before, during and after the cutting operation the following pressing forces act on the printed product: a) a pressing force on the printed product is exerted by the clamping jaws (103a, 103b; 104a, 104b) belonging to the gripper (103, 104), which pressing force is designed for transporting the printed product from one cutting location to the next; b) a further pressing force on the printed product is exerted by a first clamping apparatus (130, 160 / 161, 200) acting at each cutting location, which pressing force acts in a stationary manner on the printed product in the region of the respective cutting location; c) a further pressing force on the printed product is exerted by a second pressing unit of the form of a pressing apparatus (144), designed for compression, acting at each cutting location, which pressing force acts directly in the region of the respective cutting location.

35. Method according to Claim 34, characterized in that a first clamping apparatus (130) acts at the first cutting location (1), in that a further first clamping apparatus (200) acts at the second cutting location (2), in that a further first clamping apparatus (160 / 161) acts at the third cutting location (3), and in that a second pressing apparatus (144) acts in each case additionally at each cutting location (1, 2, 3).

36. Method according to Claim 35, characterized in that a first clamping apparatus (200), which is operated at least at the second cutting point (2), comprises individual vertically or quasi-vertically downstream pressing bars (2001-n), and in that the press bars are fixedly positioned on one side of the printed product, while the press bars on the other side of the printed product are used to carry out a non-positive pressing movement.

37. Method according to Claim 35, characterized in that a first clamping apparatus (200), which is operated at least at the second cutting point (2), comprises individual vertically or quasi-vertically downstream pressing bars (2001-n), and in that the press bars on both sides of the printed product directly or indirectly carry out a uniform or quasi-uniform non-positive pressing movement directed onto the printed product.

38. Method according to Claim 35, characterized in that a first clamping apparatus (200), which is operated at least at the second cutting location (2), comprises individual vertically or quasi-vertically downstream pressing bars (2001-n), and in that the press bars arranged on both sides of the printed product are used to exert non-positive pressing movements, the movements of which are designed for symmetry or quasi-symmetry with respect to the thickness-related centre line of the printed product.

39. Method according to one of Claims 35 to 38, characterized in that, in the event of a subsequent pressing movement of the pressing bars (2001-n) on the print product, their pressing effect begins with the first press bar in the region of the spine of the printed product, in order to then continue by the use of the remaining press strips continuously as far as approximately into the plane of the edge to be cut.

40. Method according to Claim 39, characterized in that the subsequent control of the press bars acts starting from the spine of the printed product as far as the edge to be cut, with the result that the air trapped between the signatures of the printed product is pressed out continuously.

41. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 40, characterized in that the cutting operation with regard to the individual format edges of the printed product is carried out by an individually operating cutting operation at the respective cutting location (1, 2, 3).

42. Method according to Claim 41, characterized in that at least one cutting operation is operated by way of a single-acting cutting tool.

43. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 42, characterized in that, during the cutting operations at the cutting locations (1, 2, 3), the outer structure of the printed product (A) and the trimmed edges are continuously monitoring by quality-determining sensors (400), and in that the qualitative statements from these monitoring are transmitted to a rejecting apparatus (500) which implements a corresponding selection (510, 520, 530) in accordance with specified quality criteria in relation to the trimmed printed products.