Cylinder for an arc-processing and / or manufacturing machine with suction air openings, as well as a machine for processing and / or manufacturing arc-shaped substrate with such a cylinder

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cylinder for a sheet processing machine with suction air openings and to a machine for processing sheet-shaped substrates with such a cylinder according to the preamble of claim 1 or 13.

[0002] DE 10 2018 212 429 B4 discloses a printing machine with a screen printing unit and a device for aligning magnetic or magnetizable particles contained in the printing ink or varnish, wherein the device comprises a cylinder with a plurality of elements around its circumference that generate a magnetic field and are arranged in several axially adjustable ring elements. The ring elements have suction air openings at the level of the cylinder enclosing the cylinder, which serve to hold conveyed sheets and are connected to, or can be connected to, a vacuum line or source via a rotary feedthrough.

[0003] DE 11 2012 006 348 B4 relates to a combination printing press and discloses, among other things, a magnetic cylinder with suction openings on the circumference of a rotating cylinder outer body. During rotation, these openings are supplied with suction air from an internal air chamber extending over a certain angular range. The air chamber is delimited by two dividing bars fixed to an inner shaft and extending axially. DE 10 2012 220 401 B4 discloses a transfer drum for transporting a printed sheet. This drum has an inner tube and an outer tube arranged coaxially with and rotatably on the inner tube, the outer tube being provided with suction openings on its circumference.Coaxial to the rotationally fixed inner tube, an intermediate tube is arranged between the inner tube and the rotatable outer tube. The intermediate tube's inner wall is adjustable by a limited angle of rotation relative to the inner tube, and its outer surface encloses the inner tube. The intermediate tube has at least one circumferential groove extending along only a portion of the circumference of the inner tube or the intermediate tube. Rotating the intermediate tube changes its circumferential position, thereby altering the angle of the suction air passage.

[0004] DE 1 917 795 A relates to a suction air-operated transport device for sheet-shaped objects, wherein a roller shell provided with radial channels is rotatably mounted on an inner stator in the manner of a rotary valve, which has a suction line permanently connected to a suction air source inside it. DE 10 2014 001 969 B4 relates to a device for format change of a sheet transport drum which has an outer sleeve with pneumatic nozzle channels and an inner sleeve with a cover segment for format-dependent covering of the nozzle channels.

[0005] The invention is based on the objective of creating a cylinder for a sheet processing machine with suction air openings and a machine for processing sheet-shaped substrates with such a cylinder.

[0006] The problem is solved according to the invention by the features of claim 1 or 13.

[0007] The advantages achievable with the invention include, for example, that sheet transport on the cylinder can be carried out with particular precision and / or safety, especially without the cylinder being able to perform uncontrolled movements. This is achieved by suction against the cylinder over at least one rotational phase.

[0008] A particular advantage is that sheet transport, especially with regard to the transfer of sheets to and from other sheet conveying systems, can be optimized. This is achieved primarily by allowing the rotational angle phase, with activated suction openings (i.e., with applied negative pressure), to be varied, at least within certain limits, in terms of its position and / or size around the cylinder's axis of rotation.

[0009] The rotary feedthrough, which is preferably arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on the end face of a shaft driving the cylinder or on an end face of the cylinder journal, eliminates the need for complex cylinder installations and / or adjusting mechanisms and / or can be retrofitted to existing cylinders.

[0010] A cylinder according to the invention for a sheet processing machine comprises, on its circumference, holding means by which a substrate sheet to be conveyed over the cylinder is received with its leading end and is held, or can be held, during a rotation of the cylinder over a rotational angular range between the receipt of the substrate sheet and its downstream discharge, and a rotary union comprising a rotor rotating with the cylinder, which is arranged rotationally fixed at the end face of a shaft end of a shaft driving the cylinder or at an end face of the cylinder journal, as well as a stator that is not rotating during operation, wherein suction openings or groups of suction openings provided on the circumference of the cylinder via the rotary union can be pressurized with a vacuum during an active rotational angular phase of the cylinder about its axis of rotation.wherein the rotary feedthrough is adjustable with respect to the size of a passage angle sector determining the size of the active rotation angle phase and / or with respect to the position of the passage angle sector determining the position of the active rotation angle phase, wherein the stator is designed as a multi-part stator with a first and a second stator part, both of which are adjustable in their rotational position relative to each other and relative to the rotation axis about an axis of rotation of the cylinder or an axis coinciding therewith.

[0011] Advantageous with regard to high accuracy and / or good adjustability in the processing of substrates, especially in the production of optically variable image elements, is the above solution with a rotational angle phase that can be varied in position and / or size or a transmission angle sector that can be varied in position and / or size in conjunction with a clamping device that fixes the ring elements and / or with a design of magnetic and suction elements as building units as described below and / or with the mobility of individual or all magnetic elements in the axial and / or circumferential direction as described below and / or with a clamping device that clamps the magnetic elements or building units as described below.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the cylinder is designed as a magnetic cylinder and comprises a number, e.g. nxm (with ), in a matrix-like arrangement around its outer circumference. n , m ∈ ℕ The device comprises magnetic elements arranged in axially parallel rows and circumferentially extending columns, as well as suction elements with outwardly facing suction openings. In an advantageous embodiment, several or all of the magnetic elements in circumferentially extending columns are arranged on or in a respective, open or closed, ring-shaped support element mounted on a cylindrical shaft. The ring-shaped support element, viewed circumferentially, comprises several chambers in succession, each of which is independently connected via corresponding conduit paths to the rotor of the rotary feedthrough on the one hand and to at least one group of suction openings opening circumferentially on the other.

[0013] A machine according to the invention for processing and / or manufacturing, in particular of arc-shaped substrate, comprises a substrate template, in the case of optionally web-shaped starting substrate, e.g. a cross cutter, at least one printing unit by which substrate guided on a transport path through the machine is and / or can be printed in a matrix-like manner at least on a first side with a number m of columns and a number n of rows, a product intake by which processed substrate can be bundled into packages, and at least one transport cylinder provided in the substrate path between the substrate template and the product intake, which is designed in the manner mentioned above with suction openings and a rotary feedthrough connected to these openings by a line.

[0014] Further details and design variations can be found in the examples.

[0015] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are described in more detail below.

[0016] They show: Fig. 1 an embodiment of a machine for producing optically variable image elements on a substrate; Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a substrate printed in printing elements with optically variable coating medium, showing a) a state with unoriented magnetic or magnetizable particles and b) a state after alignment of an imaging element, here exemplified by the number "1"; Fig. 3 a schematic representation of a printing and downstream alignment process with an imaging printing cylinder and a cylinder having magnetic elements, exemplified by a substrate sheet that widens trapezoidally towards the trailing end; Fig. 4 an embodiment of a magnetic cylinder in perspective view; Fig. 5 a detailed view of a support element fitted with several magnetic elements arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction; Fig.6 a sectional view through a support element equipped with a magnetic element, but opposite . Fig. 5 narrower version; Fig. 7 a section of a longitudinal section through a cylinder according to Fig. 4 Fig. 8 shows an embodiment of a valve that selectively opens and closes a suction air opening; Fig. 9 shows an embodiment of an operating unit comprising a magnetic element and a suction element in a less complex design; Fig. 10 shows a top view of an operating unit according to Fig. 9 , but without magnet and housing; Fig. 11 a section through an embodiment of an operating unit comprising a magnetic element and a suction element with a recognizable adjusting mechanism for axial positioning of the magnetic element; Fig. 12 a section through an embodiment of an operating unit comprising a magnetic element and a suction element with a recognizable adjusting mechanism for circumferential positioning of the magnetic element; Fig. 13 a perspective view of a mounting aid for attaching, removing, and / or positioning an operating unit; Fig. 14 a perspective view of an operating unit arranged on a ring element with an attached mounting aid made of Fig. 13 Fig. 15 a perspective view of a cylinder inner body fitted with six ring elements; Fig. 16 a cross-sectional view of a cylinder with a cylinder inner body, a ring-segment-shaped support element arranged thereon, and, by way of example, ten working units arranged on the latter; Fig. 17 a detail showing the fastening device for the support element; Fig. 18 a detail showing the fastening device for the support element; Fig. 19 a perspective view of an end-face connection for a cylinder with a non-rotating stator of a rotary feedthrough; Fig. 20 the non-rotating part of the rotary feedthrough according to Fig. 19 the outwardly extending waves; Fig. 21 an enlarged section of the two-part stator of the rotary feedthrough made of Fig. 20 ; Fig. 22 a perspective side view of a connection comprising the rotary feedthrough for a cylinder with adjusting means for positioning the stator.

[0017] A machine 01, in particular a security printing machine 01, e.g. a printing press 01, in particular a security printing press 01, preferably for producing optically variable image elements 03 on a substrate 02, e.g. a sheet-shaped substrate 02, comprises, for example, an application device 04, e.g. a printing unit 04, by which optically variable coating agents 06, e.g. optically variable printing ink 06 or varnish 06, are applied at least at one application point, e.g. printing point 11, to at least one first side of the substrate 02, e.g.of the substrate 02, which can be applied over the entire surface or in partial areas in the form of printed image elements 08, and in the case of a machine 01 for generating optically variable image elements 03, a device 07 for aligning particles P contained in the optically variable coating agent 06 applied to the substrate 02 and responsible for the optical variability (see e.g. . Fig. 1 This device 07 will also be referred to below as alignment device 07 or, since it creates an image for the optically variable pattern or motif by defining the alignment of the particles P, also as imaging alignment device 07. An application of coating medium 06 containing particles P onto the substrate 02 and an image element 03 obtained by subsequent imaging alignment of previously randomly oriented particles P is, for example, Fig. 2 This is shown schematically using the number "1". Here, a) represents a state in which the coating material 06 has been applied and is, for example, still randomly oriented, and b) represents a state in which an image-forming alignment has taken place.

[0018] The printed image elements 08 made of variable coating material 06, applied to the substrate 02 by the application device 04 prior to treatment by the alignment device 07, can correspond in size and position to the optically variable image elements 03 to be produced, or may even be larger than them, and may even extend over the area in multiple uses 09. In the case of larger printed image elements 08, for example, an optically variable image element 03 is not produced on the entire area coated with optically variable coating material 06 by alignment.

[0019] The particles P responsible for the optical variability are magnetic or magnetizable, non-spherical particles P, e.g. pigment particles P, hereinafter also referred to as magnetic flakes, contained in the coating material 06, e.g. the printing ink 06 or the varnish 06.

[0020] Machine 01 is preferably designed for the production of products 09, e.g., securities 09, in particular banknotes 09. This includes, in particular, the production of intermediate securities products, e.g., the production of printing material 02, in particular in the form of web- or sheet-shaped printing material sections 02, especially printing material sheets 02, with printed images of several securities 09. The substrate 02 can be made of paper – e.g., cellulose-based or preferably cotton fiber-based or at least containing cotton fibers – of plastic polymers, or of a hybrid product thereof. It can be uncoated before coating in the aforementioned application unit 04, or it can already be coated; it can be unprinted or it can already be printed once or several times in one or more upstream processes or otherwise mechanically processed.On a substrate 02 formed by a longitudinal section of a web-shaped substrate 02 or by an arc of an arc-shaped substrate 02, several uses 09, e.g. banknotes 09 to be produced or their printed images, are preferably arranged in a matrix-like manner in rows running transversely to the transport direction T next to each other and in columns running one behind the other in the transport direction T, or arranged in the course of processing the substrate 02 (indicated e.g. in . Fig. 2 and in Fig. 3 ).

[0021] The machine 01, designed as a printing press 01, can in principle comprise one or more printing units 04 of any printing process. In the embodiment shown here, however, for the sake of simplicity, it comprises one printing unit 04, in particular a printing unit 04 operating according to the flexographic printing process or preferably according to the screen printing process, by which the optically variable coating agent 06 is applied or can be applied to a first side of the substrate 02. The aforementioned printing processes, especially the screen printing process, allow, for example, a greater layer thickness to be applied compared to other printing processes. The term "first side" of the substrate 02 or the printing material 02 is chosen arbitrarily here and is intended to denote the side of the printing material 02 on which the optically variable coating agent 06, to be treated downstream by the alignment device 07, is applied or has been applied or can be applied.

[0022] In the illustrated and preferred embodiment, the printing machine 01 comprises a substrate template 13, preferably designed as a sheet feeder 13, from which the substrate 02, e.g., designed as a sheet-shaped substrate 02, is fed – optionally via further printing or processing units – to the at least one printing unit 04, e.g., a flexographic or preferably a screen printing unit 04, which applies the optically variable coating agent 06. This printing unit forms a printing point 11 between a printing cylinder 14, in particular a form cylinder 14, e.g., a screen printing cylinder 14, and a common cylinder 17, e.g., an impression cylinder 17, for printing, e.g., a first side of the substrate 02 (see, e.g., Fig. 1 ).

[0023] Preferably, the printing unit 04 comprises a form cylinder 14 as the image-forming cylinder, with a plurality of, in particular similar and / or identical, image-forming printing elements 18, hereinafter also referred to as print images 18, or, in particular, similar and / or identical groups of image-forming printing elements 18 or print images 18 on the circumference, which are arranged on a circumferential length corresponding to the print image length in several, e.g., a number, e.g., four to eight, in particular five to seven, e.g., six, columns spaced apart from one another transversely to the transport direction T, and on a cylinder width corresponding to the print image width in several lines spaced apart from one another in the transport direction T. In the case of a printing unit 04 operating according to flexographic printing, these print images 18 are designed in the form of relief printing, and in the preferred case of a printing unit 04 operating according to screen printing, in the form of stencils.

[0024] The substrate 02 can be fed from the printing unit 04, which applies the optically variable coating agent 06, to the alignment device 07 via conveying means, e.g., one or more conveying devices 12 designed as transport cylinders 12. In the case of web-shaped substrate 02, the conveying means could be formed by one or more positively driven and / or undriven rollers.

[0025] After passing through the alignment device 07 described in detail below, the substrate 02 can be fed directly or via further conveying means, e.g., further transport cylinders, to a further, e.g., second, conveying device 21 and through this conveying device to a product receiving unit 22 for receiving the substrate 02 processed and / or finished in the machine 01, or, in the case of sheet-shaped substrate 02, to a stacking delivery unit 22. For the preferred case of sheet-shaped substrate 02, sheet-conveying means are provided here, e.g., one or more transfer cylinders or drums, or, as shown here, a conveying device 21 designed, e.g., as a gripper conveyor 21, in particular a chain gripper system 21, by which the sheets of substrate 02 are taken from the transport path section of the alignment device 07 via, if necessary, one or more further transport cylinders and fed, e.g., to the stacking delivery unit 22.

[0026] On the transport path leading away from the alignment device 07, at least one drying unit with one or more dryers 23 directed towards the first side of the substrate 02, e.g., radiation dryers 23, and optionally a cooling unit (not shown), e.g., a cooling roller, can be provided. In a further embodiment, an inspection unit, e.g., a sensor unit 153, e.g., a camera 153, e.g., a line scan camera 153, which interacts with a cylinder 152, e.g., a transport cylinder 152, in particular an inspection cylinder 152, can be provided on the transport path between the alignment device 07 and the stack delivery unit 22.

[0027] In an advantageous embodiment, the printing unit 04 and the alignment device 07 can be structurally combined, e.g., in the form of a module, to form a device 16 for generating optically variable image elements. Such a device can, for example, be provided several times in succession in machine 01. In an advantageous modular embodiment, the device 16 is integrated, or can be integrated, into the transport path of the machine 01 to be equipped, with input and output interfaces to corresponding interfaces of an upstream and downstream conveyor system.

[0028] The alignment device 07 described in detail below is, in principle, arbitrary in its designs, variants or configurations, but is preferably provided or foreseen in a machine 01 or printing press 01 described above.

[0029] The alignment device 07 for forming optically variable image elements 03, e.g., for forming the optically variable effect in the optically variable coating agent 06 previously applied to the substrate 02, in particular to the printing material 02, e.g., in the form of printed image elements 08, comprises a defined transport path along which the substrate 02 to be conveyed by the alignment device 07 is brought into operative contact with an alignment device 26, which comprises magnetic field-providing elements 24, hereinafter referred to as magnetic elements 24, as active elements 24.The alignment device 26 can be arranged, preferably such that the magnetic elements 24 of the alignment device 26, which serve for image-forming alignment, and the substrate 02 printed with the printing ink 06 containing the particles P, move synchronously to each other at least on a section of the transport path. The alignment device 26 is designed here as a magnetically active cylinder 26, or magnetic cylinder 26 for short, which has an arrangement of magnetic elements 24 on its circumference and over which the substrate 02 is guided or conveyed from an input area towards an output area of ​​the alignment device 07.

[0030] The magnetic elements 24 can be formed directly by one- or multi-part magnets 27 themselves, or preferably comprise one or more magnets 27 which are arranged in or on a holder 28, e.g., on or in a base 28, preferably detachably. Here, magnets 27 are generally understood to be magnetically active devices that permanently or switchably generate a magnetic field—in particular, a sufficiently strong field for aligning particles P contained in the coating material 06 onto the substrate 02 guided above it as described here—at least towards the side of the transport path. The magnets 27 can be formed by one or more permanent magnets with or without engraving, by electromagnets, or by combinations of one or more permanent and / or one or more electromagnets. Regardless of whether it is a single magnet or a combination of several magnets, e.g.,In the following, when referring to permanent and / or electromagnets, the term "magnet 27" also refers to several magnets 27 assigned to the same magnetic element 24 and forming a single magnetic unit, unless explicitly stated otherwise. The term "magnetic element 24" also includes embodiments with several spaced-apart, single- or multi-part magnets 27 encompassed by the magnetic element 24, such as those that may be used, for example, when the same component 09 is to be subjected to a magnetic field at two different locations. Such a magnet 27, or an arrangement of several magnets 27 of the same magnetic element 24, may be contained within a housing 38 of the magnetic element 24, which may be detachably arranged in or on the holder 28.

[0031] In principle, two such magnetic cylinders 26 can also be provided in the transport path, which are arranged on the same or on different sides of a substrate 02 to be conveyed along the transport path.

[0032] In an advantageous embodiment, the alignment device 07 is associated with a drying and / or curing device 19, e.g. a radiation dryer 19, in particular a UV radiation dryer 19, or UV dryer 19 for short, which is preferably designed as a UV LED dryer 19 and / or is directed towards a point in the transport path where the substrate 02 interacts with the magnetic cylinder 26.

[0033] The magnetic cylinder 26 is preferably arranged on the second side of the substrate 02 to be conveyed in the transport path, so that its first side, in particular coated upstream inline with optically variable coating medium 06, points outwards when passing the magnetic cylinder 26, in particular when transported over the magnetic cylinder 26.

[0034] The magnetic cylinder 26 comprises a single or preferably multi-part cylindrical body 29, on or in which the magnetic elements 24 are arranged, preferably detachably. The single or preferably multi-part cylindrical body 29 is rotatably mounted in a frame. The term "cylindrical body 29" is intended to encompass both closed structures, i.e., with a more or less closed cylindrical surface, and open structures, i.e., framework- or frame-like structures such as, for example, the one described above. Fig. 4 The example presented includes...

[0035] The magnetic cylinder 26 has, in the area of ​​the side facing the substrate path, e.g. in the area of ​​the outer circumference, in particular in the area of ​​an outer cylindrical covering surface of the cylinder body 29, the majority of magnetic elements 24 which serve to orient at least a part of the magnetic or magnetizable particles P of the coating material 06 applied to the passing substrate 02.

[0036] In particular, for the case preferred and presented here of a plurality of uses 09 per substrate section, e.g. per printing material or substrate sheet 02, several, in particular a number m corresponding to the number of columns on the printing material section 02, are viewed axially on the cylinder body 29. m ∈ ℕ > 1 ) of columns or groups, each with several, in particular one corresponding to the number of rows of benefit 09 on the printed material section 02 to be treated ( n ∈ ℕ > 1 ) of axially parallel rows or in the transport direction T of the substrate 02 and / or in the circumferential direction of the cylinder 26, magnetic elements 24 are provided one behind the other in a column or group or arranged in a matrix-like manner, i.e., a number of nxm, in words n times m, are arranged matrix-like on the outer circumference; with n , m ∈ ℕ Magnetic elements 24 are provided. They are preferably arranged such that the same number n of magnetic elements 24 are provided on the circumference of each column or group and arranged in axially parallel rows and / or, in particular, such that, when unfolded on the substrate 02 – assuming correct registration between the substrate position in the transport direction T and the cylinder angular position – they correspond to the pattern of the image elements 03 to be subjected to magnetic fields on the substrate 02. The row- or column-wise arrangement also includes the corresponding grid- or matrix-like arrangement in the case that they are, if necessary, slightly offset from one another in the axially parallel direction for correction or adjustment purposes. The n magnetic elements 24 arranged one behind the other in the columns or groups are arranged in a grid-like or matrix-like arrangement.Groups are arranged circumferentially, for example, at least one behind the other, such that they overlap when unrolled along a circular circumferential line and / or lie in the same column of a substrate to be treated, even if they are slightly offset from each other for correction or adjustment purposes. The same applies to any minor mutual deviations in the circumferential direction that may be present in the axially parallel arrangement.

[0037] By guiding the substrate 02 over a magnetic cylinder 26 designed in this way, wherein, for example, the first side of the substrate faces outwards during transport over the first cylinder 26, it is possible to align or orient particles P in the area of ​​the image elements 03 provided on the utility 09 by means of the magnetic elements 24, here, for example, through the substrate 02.

[0038] The number m of columns or groups is, for example, four to eight, particularly five and seven, e.g., six, and / or the number n of magnetic elements 24 in a column or group is, for example, two to twelve, advantageously five to ten. The magnetic cylinder 26 or its cylindrical body 29 is preferably designed such that the number m of columns or groups and / or the number n of rows or of magnetic elements 24 arranged one behind the other in a column or group – for example, within the limits mentioned above – can be varied in order to adapt them to different requirements.

[0039] Preferably the magnetic elements 24 - preferably in or on a corresponding holder 28 together with this - are detachably arranged or can be arranged on the cylinder 26 in such a way that, in the assembled state, they can be arranged at a defined location on the circumference of the cylinder 26 and preferably can be completely removed from the cylinder 26 and / or can be positioned on the circumference of the cylinder 26 in the axial and / or circumferential direction.

[0040] For a matrix-like arrangement, magnetic elements 24 can be arranged and mounted on or in a cylindrical body 29 such that their axial position relative to the single- or multi-part cylindrical body 29 is variable, at least relative to other magnetic elements 24 in the same column or group of magnetic elements 24. This can be achieved, for example, by means of axially extending guides on the circumference of the cylindrical body 29, in or on which the respective magnetic elements 24 are mounted directly or indirectly and can be moved into different axial positions. Such guides could, in principle, be individually designed for each magnetic element 24 in a row (see, for example, the embodiment according to [reference]). Fig. 11 , however, it may also be provided continuously for several or all magnetic elements 24 of the same row. In this case, the guides could be provided on the aforementioned axially extending support elements that carry all magnetic elements 24 of the same row.

[0041] In an advantageous embodiment, the magnetic elements 24 of a respective row, or preferably of a respective column, are—optionally in addition to the independent axial and / or circumferential positioning of individual or all magnetic elements 24 of the row or column as a whole and independently of an adjacent row or column—variable with respect to their circumferential position in the case of a row, and as a group with respect to their axial position on the magnetic cylinder 26 or on the cylinder body 29 in the case of a column, as described here. For the case of a row grouped together (not shown here), several, preferably the magnetic elements 24 of all rows, are grouped together as circumferentially positionable groups, e.g., on axially extending support elements.In the preferred case of columns grouped together, in particular several, advantageously at least the two end-face nearest of at least three columns, advantageously all columns are mounted as groups axially movable in or on the magnetic element carrier 29, in particular cylindrical body 29.

[0042] In the preferred case of columns grouped together, the magnetic elements 24 can be arranged or arranged – directly or indirectly – in or on several, e.g., a number m of, e.g., four to eight, in particular five to seven, e.g., six, axially spaced apart from one another and preferably partially or all axially positionable on an inner cylindrical body 32, in particular an axially extending cylindrical shaft 32, hereinafter referred to as shaft 32, preferably ring-shaped support elements 31, e.g., ring elements 31, wherein several, e.g., two to twelve, advantageously five to ten, magnetic elements 24 are arranged or arranged in or on these ring elements 31 one behind the other in the circumferential direction and preferably at least partially or all circumferentially positionable (see, e.g., Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 ).

[0043] The magnetic cylinder 26 can be designed without any holding means acting on the substrate 02 in the case of a linear substrate 02, and, for example, with circumferentially closed ring elements 31. In the preferred case of an arc-shaped substrate 02, holding means 33, e.g., grippers 33 of a so-called gripper bar, are preferably provided on the circumference of the cylinder 26. These grippers allow a substrate arc 02, to be conveyed over the cylinder 26, to be picked up by its leading end and held over a rotational angular range during rotation of the cylinder 26. A magnetic cylinder 26 designed in this way simultaneously serves to transport the substrate 02. The ring elements 31 are, for example, as described in... Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 The circumferentially interrupted elements are recognizable as being designed to accommodate the retaining means 33. Therefore, unless explicitly distinguished, the term "ring-like" support elements or "ring elements" here also includes non-closed, ring-segment-like elements. Fig. 5 These may be fastening means used for fastening – such as those used in connection with an embodiment according to the figures. Fig. 15 bis Fig. 18 explained and also for the explanations from the figures Fig. 1 bis Fig. 14 applicable are not shown further.

[0044] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the magnetic cylinder 26, individual building units 36, hereinafter also referred to as working units 36, in particular magnetic unit 36, are provided for several or all magnetic elements 24, which are positioned or positionable in a matrix-like manner in columns and rows on or in the cylinder body 29 in the above sense, and which comprise at least one magnetic element 24 and at least one suction element 34.

[0045] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the device 07 for aligning magnetic or magnetizable particles P, several, in particular all, of the magnetic elements 24 arranged one behind the other with at least one associated suction element 34 are combined in respective building units 36 as working units 36 in several, preferably in all of the m gaps of magnetic elements 24 and as such can be positioned in the circumferential direction and / or detached from the cylinder 26 independently of all other such working units 36.

[0046] The operating units 36 each comprise a magnetic element carrier 37, on or in which the magnetic element 24 is arranged on its outwardly facing side. The at least one suction element 34 can be integrated into the magnetic element carrier 37 as part of it or arranged on it as a separate part. Preferably, the operating unit 36 ​​– viewed in the axial direction of the cylinder 26 – comprises at least one suction element 34 on each side of the magnetic element 24. The respective suction element 34 comprises several suction openings 42 in its outwardly facing surface, i.e., outside the cylinder 26 and / or located at the level of the cylinder enclosing surface, which are, for example, located in a suction air channel 39 (see, e.g., Figure 1). Fig. 11 ) in the suction element 34, preferably detachably attached over the suction channel 39. A channel arrangement, not visible in the figures, leads from the respective suction air channel 39 through the operating unit 36 ​​to a bottom-side line interface 43, which is, for example, formed by at least one recess 43 open towards the inside of the cylinder (see, for example, Fig. 11 ) is formed in a base of the operating unit 36 ​​facing the inside of the cylinder. Through this at least one recess 43 or the line interface 43 formed here and assigned to the operating unit 36, air can be drawn in from the suction openings 42 connected via the channel arrangement and the suction air channel 39.

[0047] The operating units 36 can, in principle, be arranged or arranged in a matrix-like manner, either directly or indirectly, on, for example, a cylindrical surface 44 of the axially extending inner cylinder body 32, in particular the shaft 32. This inner cylinder body has, for example, radially outwardly directed suction air openings 46 on a longitudinal section that directly or indirectly supports the magnetic elements 24. These suction air openings are connected, for example, via radially extending passages 47, such as bores 47, to a channel 48, such as a suction air channel 48, which extends axially in the shaft 32 and is supplied with suction air from at least one end of the cylinder.

[0048] In the event that the operating units 36 are arranged or are to be arranged matrix-like directly, i.e., immediately on the aforementioned lateral surface 44 of the axially extending inner cylinder body 32 or the shaft 32, the operating units 36 are positioned on the lateral surface 44 such that the line interface 43 at the base of the operating unit 36, here e.g. the free cross-section of the aforementioned recess 43 in the base of the respective operating unit 36, overlaps with at least one of the line interfaces 43 formed by, for example, suction air openings 46 in the shaft 32. The aforementioned recess 43 here forms, for example, a chamber 43 bounded on its bottom side by the lateral surface 44, wherein a wall completely surrounding the recess 43 in the base region of the operating unit 36 ​​forms a sealing surface with an opposite region of the lateral surface 44 of the shaft 32, sealing the chamber 43 all around.In this embodiment, air is drawn in from the suction openings 42 in the respective suction element 34 via the suction air duct 39 and the duct arrangement, via the line interface 43 of the operating unit 36 ​​(e.g., formed by the recess 43), at least one suction air opening 46 of the cylinder inner body 32, and the suction air duct 48. For such an embodiment, suitable fastening means, e.g., in the form of clamps or screw connections, must be provided by which the respective operating unit 36 ​​can be fixed to the outer surface 44.

[0049] In the embodiment shown here, which is particularly advantageous, the operating units 36 are not arranged or can be arranged directly on the section of the cylinder inner body 32 or the shaft 32 having the suction air openings 46, but rather several or preferably all of the operating units 36 provided for a respective gap are arranged as a group on or on a support element 31 already mentioned above, in particular a ring-shaped support element 31, e.g. ring element 31, wherein at least the outermost on both sides, but preferably all of the support elements 31 supporting the respective group or gap of operating units 36 on the cylinder inner body 32 or the shaft 32 are variable in their axial position.

[0050] The preferably ring-shaped support elements 31 or ring elements 31 have, on the side facing inwards (i.e., towards the cylinder inner body 32 or the shaft 32 in the assembled state) and on an outwards side, line interfaces 49; 51 each associated with the respective support element 31, as well as a channel arrangement that connects one or more of the inner line interfaces 49 with one or more of the outer line interfaces 51 for the passage of suction air. The line interfaces 49 on the inside are, for example, recesses 49 in a wall 52 facing inwards towards the cylinder, each of which is connected via one or more channels 53 running in the ring element 31 to line interfaces 51 leading through the support element 31 to outer line interfaces 51 and, for example, radially extending passages 54, e.g., bores 54.Although the openings of individual bores 54 could also simultaneously represent the outwardly effective conductor interfaces 51, preferably one or in particular several of the bores 54 also lead on the outside into a recess 51 in the outwardly facing wall 56 of the support element 31, forming, for example, the outer conductor interface 51.

[0051] In a manner particularly relevant to the application of negative pressure to suction openings 42, as explained in more detail below, only during a defined rotational phase, the ring element 31 can comprise segmentally separated line connections between one or more inner line interfaces 49 and one or more outer line interfaces 51, particularly in radially opposite circumferential sections, such that the application of negative pressure to one or more inner line interfaces 49 in a segment 45 only necessitates the presence of negative pressure at one or more outer line interfaces 51 assigned to the same segment 45, in particular independently of the application of negative pressure to one or more inner line interfaces 49 of another or adjacent segment 45.For this purpose, direct line connections between inner and outer line interfaces 49; 51 may be provided, or - as e.g. in . Fig. 5 As shown, the segments 45 are assigned chambers 55, which are separated from each other by walls running between the outer wall 56 and the inner wall 52 of the ring element 31. Depending on the desired gradation, such segments 45 or chambers 55 can extend over a smaller or larger section in the circumferential direction and / or include one or more inner and / or outer line interfaces 49; 51 arranged one after the other in the circumferential direction. Applying negative pressure or suction air to a specific segment 45 then results in suction through suction openings 42 in a corresponding angular segment Δx on the circumference of the cylinder 26.

[0052] The ring elements 31 are positioned, for example, on the outer surface 44 such that the respective line interfaces 49 on the inside of the ring element 31, here, for example, the free cross-section of the aforementioned recess 49, overlap with at least one of the suction air openings 46 in the shaft 32 or the inner cylinder body 32. The aforementioned recess 49 forms, for example, a chamber 49 bounded at its bottom by the outer surface 44, wherein a surface of the inwardly facing wall 52 of the ring element 31 located outside the recess 49 on the inwardly facing side of the ring element 31 forms a sealing surface sealing the chamber 49 with an opposite area of ​​the outer surface 44. Similarly, the following are also positioned: B. the operating units 36 are positioned in particular on the outwardly facing side of the ring element 31 such that the line interface 43 is at the bottom of the operating unit 36, here e.g.The free cross-section of the aforementioned recess 43 in the base of the respective operating unit 36 ​​overlaps with at least one of the outer line interfaces 51 on the outwardly facing side of the ring element 31. The recess 43 forms, for example, a chamber 43 bounded on its bottom side by the outer wall 56, wherein the wall completely surrounding the recess 43 in the base area of ​​the operating unit 36 ​​forms a sealing surface sealing the chamber 43 with an opposing area of ​​the wall 56 of the support element 31. In this embodiment, the air is drawn in from the suction openings 42 in the respective suction element 34 via the suction air duct 39 and the duct arrangement, via the line interfaces 43 and 51 formed, for example, by the overlapping recesses 43 and 51, the duct arrangement of the ring element 31, which... B. the conductor interface 49 formed by the recess 49 on the inner side of the ring and at least one suction air opening 46 as well as the suction air channel 48 and e.g.Air is drawn in via a rotary feedthrough 123 from a suction air source located outside the cylinder 26. A suction air source is understood to be any type of air pressure sink which, via a suitable line connection to suction openings 42, creates a pressure lower than the ambient pressure, i.e., a vacuum, at the respective suction openings 42. This can be, for example, a vacuum pump or, if applicable, a container pressurized with a vacuum.

[0053] The respective pattern of the suction air openings 46 or line interfaces 46 on the cylinder inner body 32 and the position and shape of the cooperating line interface(s) 43 or recess(s) 43 in the bottom area of ​​the operating unit 36 ​​in conjunction with the first variant mentioned above (without support element 31) are preferably coordinated such that continuous positioning of the operating unit 36 ​​in the circumferential direction over at least one adjustment range of two circumferentially spaced suction air openings 46 on the shaft 32 is enabled by the fact that, in the first variant, in each position within the relevant adjustment range, at least one of the suction air openings 46 or line interfaces 46 is completely covered by the underside of the operating unit 36, while at the same time the opening cross-section of the at least one suction air opening 46 or line interface 46 is at least partially covered by the bottom-side line interface 43 orRecess 43 of the working unit 36 ​​overlaps.

[0054] The respective pattern of the suction air openings 46 or line interfaces 46 on the cylinder inner body 32 and the position and shape of the cooperating line interface(s) 49 or recess(s) 49 on the inside of the support element 31, as well as the position and shape of the cooperating line interfaces 51; 43 or recesses 51; 43 on the outside of the support element 31 on the one hand and in the base area of ​​the operating unit 36 ​​on the other hand, in conjunction with the second variant (comprising the support elements 31), are preferably coordinated such that continuous positioning of the operating unit 36 ​​in the second variant is enabled in the circumferential direction over an adjustment range of at least two line interfaces 51 or recesses 51 on the outside of the support element 31 by the fact that at least one line interface 51 or recess 51 on the outside of the support element 31 isThe recess 51 on the outside of the support element 31 is completely covered by the underside of the action unit 36, while at the same time the opening cross-section of the at least one line interface 51 or recess 51 on the outside of the support element 31 overlaps at least partially with the bottom-side line interface 43 or recess 43 of the action unit 36.

[0055] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, in connection with variable positioning, more line interfaces 46; 51 are provided in the axial direction of the cylinder inner body 32 and / or in the circumferential direction on the support elements 31 than would be necessary for a single specific operational configuration. However, to prevent the intake of false air through these line interfaces 46; 51, which are not covered by the operating units 36 or the ring elements 31, sealing means 57; 58 are provided. These sealing means allow for the selective sealing of the passages 47; 54 on the cylinder inner body 32 and / or on the outer circumference of the support element 31 that supply the line interfaces 46; 51 not covered by the operating units 36 or the support elements 31. In the simplest case, these sealing means can be a type of plug that is inserted into the respective passages 47; 54 for sealing and removed from them as needed.

[0056] Preferably, however, closing means 57; 58, designed as valves 57; 58, are provided in the optionally closed passages 47 or 54, which are or can be moved into a closed position in passages 47 or 54 of passages 47 or 54 that are not or only partially directly covered by operating units 36 or by support elements 31, while at least some of the passages 47 or 54 of line interfaces 46; 51 that are completely covered by operating units 36 or by support elements 31 are or can be moved into a flow position.

[0057] A preferred embodiment of such a closure device 57; 58 is designed in the form of a valve 57; 58, which can be selectively moved into a flow-through position and a closed position without requiring removal or insertion. In an advantageous embodiment, the passages 47; 54, which are designed in particular as bores 47; 54, are connected to the suction-side channels 48 and 53 of the cylinder inner body 32 and the support element 31, respectively, only on one side of the clear cross-section. The valve 57; 58 is, for example, in a particularly advantageous embodiment formed by a sleeve 57; 58 which has a recess 61 in the lateral wall 62 on one side, which, in a rotational position representing a flow-through position, allows the passage into the channels 48 and 53 of the cylinder inner body 32 and the support element 31, respectively, on the suction side.in the support element 31, the valve opens the channel 48; 53, while in another rotational position, it interrupts the connection to the respective channel 47; 54 through the sleeve wall. In an advantageous embodiment, the sleeve-like valve 57; 58 has, e.g., at least in a section located further outwards in the assembled state, an actuating interface 63 that can be engaged with a tool 59, via which the valve 57; 58 can be rotated between the open and closed positions by the corresponding tool 59 – in particular without having to remove it. For example, a multi-sided wrench 59 and an inner circumferential section 63 designed as an internal polygon 63 in the sleeve 57; 58 are used as the corresponding tool interface pair 59, 63.

[0058] In a further development of the cylinder 26, a support element 66 is provided between each pair of columns or groups of construction or functional units 36. This support element has a support surface 67; 68 at the level of the cylinder's outer surface for supporting the substrate 02 conveyed via the cylinder 26. The support surface 67 can be the outwardly facing cylindrical surface 67 of an annular support disk 64 or the outwardly facing surface 68 of a support plate 71 arranged on a support disk 69, e.g., made of plastic or metal. The terms "annular" or "ring-like" are also intended to include a support disk 69 that is not completely closed in circumference, i.e., segmented like an annular ring.

[0059] In a particularly advantageous embodiment for attaching magnetic elements 24 to the cylinder 26, wherein several or all magnetic elements 24 of a group are mounted on or attached to a common, ring-shaped support element 31 and can be positioned circumferentially on the support element 31, the magnetic elements 24 or a magnetic element carrier 37 supporting the magnetic elements 24 each comprise, viewed axially, at least one clamping element 72; 73 on both sides, e.g., a clamping lever 72; 73, the clamping ends of which each engage a stop surface 74; 77 which, in the mounted state, extends circumferentially on the respective end face of the ring-shaped support element 31 and is directed inwards, i.e., with its surface normal pointing into the interior of the cylinder, and / or which counteracts radial removal of the magnetic element 24 or magnetic element carrier 37 by interacting with the clamping element 72; 73 in the clamping position.In a particularly advantageous embodiment, this stop surface 74; 77 can be an inwardly directed surface of a circumferentially extending groove 76; 78 on the end face of the support element 31, into which the clamping element 72; 73 engages with its effective end, e.g., claw- or clamp-like. The circumferentially extending stop surface 74; 77 or groove 76; 78 can be, in addition to a stop surface 74; 77 or groove 76; 78 that preferably extends over the entire circumference or, as shown, over the relevant arc segment, also an optionally interrupted stop surface 74; 77 or groove 76; 78 that continues over several arc segments. The latter, however, can limit the variability of the circumferential positioning.The term "inwardly directed" here refers not only to strictly radially inwardly directed surfaces but also to surfaces inclined in this direction, whose surface vector is directed into the interior of the cylinder, but preferably as a circumferential surface on each end face focused on the same point on the cylinder axis line, thereby providing the clamping element 72; 73 with a stop opposing radial removal. In an advantageous embodiment, particularly to increase the stability of the seat, two clamping elements 72; 73 spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction or one clamping element 72; 73 with two claws spaced apart from each other and cooperating with the support element 31 are provided on each side.

[0060] Although the clamping element 72; 73 could in principle also be designed as a single-armed lever 72; 73, it is preferably designed as a two-armed lever 72; 73 pivotable about an axis 81, e.g., a pivot axis 81, mounted on the magnetic element 24 or its holder 28 or a component 36 comprising the magnetic element 24, the lever arm of which is closer to the cylinder center has the part that interacts with the stop surface 74; 77, e.g., a claw- or clamp-like part, and the outer lever arm serves for actuation. Preferably, the clamping element 72; 73 is self-locking, e.g., by a spacer between the lever 72; 73, in particular the outermost lever arm, and the magnetic element 24 or the holder 28 or the assembly 36, a spring element 79, in particular a compression spring 79, is spring-preloaded such that it is in a clamping position in the rest state, i.e. without actuation, and the magnetic element 24 or the assembly 36 is clamped.The bracket 38 or the assembly 36 is held on the support element 31. The described fastening device offers particular advantages in conjunction with an assembly aid 97, which is described in more detail below.

[0061] The aforementioned type of fastening with the described fastening means 72; 73, 74, 77 is fundamentally independent of, but advantageous in conjunction with, the design of the aforementioned components 36, in particular the operating units 36, and / or the specific type of suction air routing or supply, and / or the axial mobility of individual magnetic elements 24 described in more detail below, and / or the circumferential mobility of individual magnetic elements 24 described in more detail below. The clamping elements 72; 73 allow the connection to be released from the outside without having to remove the respective magnetic element 24. Continuous adjustability allows the release to occur just to the extent that the respective magnetic element 24 can be positioned circumferentially against any remaining frictional forces, but without, for example, the risk of tilting, slipping, or falling off.

[0062] On some of the figures, e.g. Fig. 11 ,12 and 14 , is an optional line 84 shown or indicated, which, in the event that the magnet 27 in the magnetic element 24 is designed to be rotatable by a motor, supplies the motor with signals and / or with electrical energy.

[0063] As already mentioned above in connection with Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 As described, each column of image-forming print motifs 18 running circumferentially along the mold cylinder 14 corresponds to the same column of pre-printed units 09 arranged or to be arranged sequentially on the substrate 02. Ideally, these pre-printed units 09 are aligned with each other along the transport direction T and have a uniform width. In cases deviating from this, for example, if a trapezoidal deformation of the substrate 02, which may have already been printed in the pattern of pre-printed units 09, has occurred in an upstream process or due to other mechanical or physical stress, such a changed geometry can be counteracted by a correspondingly varied arrangement of the print motifs 18 on the mold cylinder 14. In such cases, the print motifs 18 of individual columns do not, for example, strictly align with each other circumferentially, but lie, for example, partly on helical lines slightly inclined to the circumferential line (e.g., in a spiral pattern). Fig. 3 (Exaggerated for better perception). The width of the print 09 on the substrate 02 increases, for example, from the leading to the trailing end of the substrate section or substrate sheet 02, or – for example, with a corresponding reverse feed at the inlet of the printing press 01 – possibly vice versa. However, there may also be other reasons for a deviation in the relative position between the axial position of individual magnetic elements 24 and the target position for their effect on the substrate 02, such as a slightly incorrect axial positioning of the magnetic elements 24 on the cylinder 26, etc.

[0064] In principle, regardless of the arrangement of the magnetic element 24 in a component 36 and / or the design of a fastening device and / or its adjustability in the circumferential direction, but preferably in conjunction with one or more of the aforementioned advantageous embodiments, in a particularly advantageous embodiment at least one of the magnetic elements 24 is mounted in at least several, preferably in all, of the circumferentially extending columns or groups of magnetic elements 24, independently of at least one further magnetic element 24 of the same column or group, adjustable or movable at least in the axial direction, directly or indirectly on the cylinder body 29 of the magnetic cylinder 26.Preferably, several, advantageously at least all but one, and particularly advantageously all magnetic elements 24 of the same group are axially movable independently of other magnetic elements 24 of the group, and / or several, advantageously all but one or all magnetic elements 24 of at least the two end faces closest to the magnetic elements, and in particular all columns or groups of at least three columns or groups, are axially movable independently of other magnetic elements 24 of the respective column or group in or on the cylindrical body 29. This allows the aforementioned random or systematic relative deviations of individual magnetic elements 24 in their axial position to be readjusted or corrected. This is particularly advantageous in conjunction with the aforementioned indirect mounting of the magnetic elements 24 via magnetic element carriers 37, which are mounted directly or via the aforementionedIf support elements 31 are provided indirectly on the cylinder body 29, such axially adjustable magnetic elements 24 are preferably axially adjustable on the respective magnetic element carrier 37 relative to it.

[0065] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the cylinder 26 with the matrix-like arranged magnetic elements 24, at least two or all magnetic elements 24 arranged one behind the other in the same column are mounted on or attached to a common support element 31 and are jointly and independently variable with respect to their axial position in or on the cylinder 26, wherein, in addition, the at least two or preferably all magnetic elements 24 of this or preferably each column are arranged on respective magnetic element carriers 37, which can be positioned independently of one another in the circumferential direction on the common support element 31 and / or can be detached from the support element 31, and are mounted on the respective magnetic element carrier 37 so as to be adjustable in the axial direction within an adjustment range, e.g., of a total of at least 1 mm, preferably at least 2 mm.

[0066] In this embodiment, the axially movable magnet 27 or the holder 28 is thus indirectly supported via the associated magnet element carrier 37, which supports the respective, at least axially movable magnet element 24 and is preferably itself variably positionable in the circumferential direction on the ring element 31.

[0067] In a simple and inexpensive embodiment (see e.g. Fig. 10 The respective magnetic element 24 or the holder 28 is fastened in or on the magnetic element carrier 37 or its holder 28 by means of a fastening element 83, e.g., a screw 83, such that after at least partial loosening of the fastening, e.g., by at least partial loosening of the screw 83 using a suitable tool, the magnetic element 24 or the holder 28 is released to such an extent that it is axially movable – at least within a relevant adjustment range on the magnetic element carrier 37. The fastening element 83, e.g., designed as a screw 83, is accessible, for example, through a recess designed as an elongated hole 82 in a base area of ​​the holder 28 that receives the magnetic element 24, after removal of the magnetic element 24.

[0068] However, moving or positioning the magnetic element 24 or the holder 28 encompassed by it in the axial direction is preferably carried out - in contrast to, for example, purely manual and / or tool-free movement - via mechanical positioning means 86, 87, 89, in particular comprising a gear mechanism.

[0069] Although the actuating means 86, 87, 89 that effect an axial movement can be implemented by any suitable mechanisms or gears, in the illustrated and particularly advantageous case these comprise a gear that converts a rotational movement – ​​especially on the input side – into a linear movement – ​​in particular of the magnetic element 24 or the holder 28 supporting the magnetic element 24, e.g., directly or indirectly – in particular an eccentric drive, which converts a rotary movement of an eccentric 86, e.g. formed by an eccentrically mounted shaft section 86, into a linear movement – ​​here axially extending – of a slide 87, e.g., a support element 87 supporting the magnetic element 24 or its holder 28, which is operatively connected via a contact with the effective surface on the eccentric shell side and is linearly movable in or on the magnetic element carrier 37.The eccentric 86 preferably has its axis of rotation radial to the cylinder 26 and / or can be actuated directly or indirectly from the outward-facing side of the cylinder. For this purpose, a shaft 89 encompassing or extending outwards around the eccentric 86 has, for example, an actuating interface 88, e.g., an internal polygon 88, at its outward-facing end, which can be actuated, and in particular pivoted, by means of a corresponding tool, here e.g., a polygonal wrench. Alternatively, instead of the eccentric 86 being radial to the axis of rotation, a tangential position or a position parallel to the tangent is also conceivable, in which case it can be actuated, e.g., from a circumferentially facing side or via a corner gear from the outside.

[0070] An adjustment range in the axial direction, viewed from a central position, is e.g. at least ± 1.0 mm (i.e. a total adjustment range of at least 2 mm), preferably at least ± 1.2 mm, e.g. ± 1.5 mm.

[0071] In the above embodiment, as an operating unit 36 ​​comprising at least one suction element 34, in one embodiment the at least one suction element 34 together with the magnetic element 24 can be axially movable on the magnetic element carrier 37. A corresponding suction air passage must be provided, e.g. via relatively movable sealing surfaces or a flexible line.

[0072] There may also be deviations in the relative position between the position of individual magnetic elements 24 in the circumferential direction of the cylinder 26 and the target position for their effect on the substrate 02 in the transport direction T, which can have a variety of reasons, such as limited possibilities of a rough and / or manual pre-positioning on the cylinder body 29 or in particular on a possibly provided support element 31.

[0073] In principle, regardless of the arrangement of the magnetic element 24 in a component 36 mentioned above and / or the design of a fastening device mentioned above and / or the axial adjustability mentioned above, but preferably in conjunction with one or more of the aforementioned advantageous embodiments, in a particularly advantageous embodiment at least one of the magnetic elements 24 in at least several, preferably in all axially extending rows of magnetic elements 24 is mounted independently of at least one other magnetic element 24 of the same row, at least circumferentially, or movable. Preferably, several, and preferably at least all but one, and especially preferably all, of the magnetic elements 24 of the same row are mounted axially movable independently of other magnetic elements 24 of the same row.

[0074] Instead or additionally, in a particularly advantageous embodiment of the cylinder 26 with the matrix-like arranged magnetic elements 24, at least two magnetic elements 24 arranged one behind the other in the same column are arranged on or in different magnetic element carriers 37 that can be positioned independently of one another in the circumferential direction on the cylinder 26, wherein the at least two, and in particular all, magnetic elements 24 arranged on the respective magnetic element carriers 37 are adjustable in the circumferential direction relative to the magnetic element carrier 37 supporting the magnetic element 24 within an adjustment range, e.g., of a total of at least 1 mm, preferably at least 2 mm. This preferably applies to at least two or all magnetic elements 24 of all columns.

[0075] Moving or positioning the magnetic element 24 or the holder 28 encompassed by it in the circumferential direction is preferably carried out here - in contrast to, for example, purely manual and / or tool-free movement - via mechanical positioning means 91, 92, 94, in particular comprising a gear mechanism.

[0076] In this context, the term "positioning" or "positioning movement in the circumferential direction" encompasses not only movement along a circular arc-like path but also, explicitly, movement along a straight path of motion that runs tangentially or parallel to the tangent around the circumference—over the relevant positioning area. Since the relevant positioning area is typically very small compared to the cylinder diameter, the linear positioning path generally does not lead to unacceptably large imaging errors.

[0077] Although the actuating means 91, 92, 94 that effect a circumferential movement can be implemented by any suitable mechanisms or gears, in the illustrated and particularly advantageous case, these include a gear that converts a rotational movement – ​​especially on the input side – into a linear movement – ​​in particular of the magnetic element 24 or the holder 28 supporting the magnetic element 24, e.g., directly or indirectly – in particular an eccentric drive, which converts a rotary movement of an eccentric 91, e.g. formed by an eccentrically mounted shaft section 91, into a linear movement of a slide 92, e.g. a support element 92, which is operatively connected via a contact with the eccentric-side working surface and is linearly movable in or on the magnetic element carrier 37.In the linear motion described above, this should be either a straight-line motion, which is preferable due to the effort involved, or, if necessary, a motion along a circular arc. The eccentric 91 preferably has its axis of rotation radial to the cylinder 26 and / or can be actuated from the outer side of the cylinder. For this purpose, a shaft 94 encompassing or extending outwards around the eccentric 91 has, for example, an actuating interface 93, e.g., an internal polygon 93, at its outer end, which can be actuated, and in particular pivoted, by means of a corresponding tool, here e.g., a polygon wrench. As an alternative to the eccentric 91 being radial to the axis of rotation, a tangential position or a position parallel to the tangent is also conceivable, in which case it can be actuated, for example, from a circumferential side or from the outside via a corner gear.

[0078] A range of adjustment in circumferential view, viewed from a central position, is e.g. at least ± 1.0 mm (i.e. a total adjustment range of at least 2 mm), preferably at least ± 1.2 mm, e.g. ± 1.5 mm.

[0079] In the above embodiment, as an operating unit 36 ​​comprising at least one suction element 34, the at least one suction element 34 together with the magnetic element 24 can be moved circumferentially on the magnetic element carrier 37 in one embodiment variant. A corresponding suction air passage, e.g. via relatively movable sealing surfaces or a flexible line, must be provided.

[0080] In the event that both axial and circumferential adjustability of the magnetic elements 24 on the respective magnetic element carrier 37 is provided, the two slides 87; 92 can be arranged centrally or directly on top of and / or above each other in the manner of a cross guide.

[0081] In one of the above embodiment variants, the positioning of the relevant magnetic element 24 in the axial and / or circumferential direction can be carried out by a remotely actuated drive means, e.g. an electric motor driving the eccentric 86; 91 for example via a reduction gear.

[0082] In principle, regardless of the arrangement of the magnetic element 24 in a component 36 and / or of its axial adjustability and / or circumferential adjustability, but preferably in conjunction with one or more of the aforementioned advantageous embodiments, a mounting aid 97 mentioned above is provided, which can be placed on the magnetic element 24 or on a magnetic element carrier 37 supporting the magnetic element 24 or on a component 36 comprising the magnetic element 24, and by which the clamping fit or clamping connection between the clamping elements 72; 73 on both sides and the support element 31 can be released. Preferably, the clamping by the mounting aid 97 or a drive element 102 encompassed by the mounting aid 97, which is particularly manually actuated, is not merely releasable and openable in such a way that the magnetic element 24 orThe clamping mechanism allows the comprehensive assembly 36 to be removed from the support element 31 not only in its fully detachable position, but also in an intermediate position with a degree of clamping force or opening such that the magnetic element 24 or the assembly 36 is not yet completely free, but can be positioned circumferentially on the support element 31. The degree of opening can be adjusted such that contact between the clamping elements 72 and 73 still exists, but positioning is possible even after overcoming any minor frictional forces that may remain. For this purpose, the actuating arms 98 are preferably continuously adjustable by the drive means 102 over a range of motion between a clamping position in which the clamping elements 72 and 73 exert their full clamping force on the support element 31, and a position in which the clamping is loosened to such an extent that the magnetic element 24 or the magnetic element carrier 37 supporting it can be removed from the support element 31.

[0083] To enable simple actuation from the outside of the cylinder and / or, in particular, such a defined opening, the assembly aid 97 comprises, in addition to a base 104 which can be placed on the respective magnetic element 24 or the respective assembly 36, actuating arms 98 on both end faces, which extend radially to both end faces of the magnetic element 24 or the assembly 36 and can be moved, or are moved, in operative connection with the respective end-face clamping elements 72; 73 for their actuation. Furthermore, the assembly aid 97 comprises the aforementioned drive means 102, in particular an actuator 102, by which the actuating arms 98 can be moved into a first position in which they—e.g., against the aforementioned spring force—engage the clamping elements 72; 73 open far enough that the magnetic element 24 or the assembly 36 can be attached to the support element 31 orfrom this position completely detachable, to a second position in which the clamping elements 72; 73 exert their full clamping force on the support element 31, without the actuating arms 98 absorbing any force opposing the clamping force. Preferably, all intermediate positions can be set by means of the drive.

[0084] In the aforementioned configuration of the clamping elements 72; 73 as two-armed levers 72; 73, the actuating arms 98 each engage the outermost lever arm either directly or indirectly and can be moved towards each other by the drive means 102 to open the clamping connection, i.e., each towards the support element 31, and apart again to close the clamping connection. In the aforementioned case of two clamping elements 72; 73 arranged side by side, these are coupled to each other, for example, via a coupling element 96 connecting the two outermost lever arms, e.g., a connecting axle 96 mounted in both outermost lever arms, which also serves as the point of application for the respective actuating arm 98. In the case of a single clamping element 72; 73, the respective actuating arm 98 can act directly or indirectly on the outermost lever arm of the clamping element 72; 73 in question.

[0085] In principle, any drive mechanism is conceivable as the drive means 102, by which the two opposing actuating arms 98 can be moved towards and away from each other in the above sense. However, a drive mechanism with a self-locking transmission, such as a screw drive, is preferred here. The drive means 102 thus comprises, for example, a first part 99 supporting the actuating arm 98 on one side (e.g., a first bushing 99), and a second drive part 99 supporting the actuating arm 98 on the other side (e.g., a second bushing 101), which is mounted to prevent rotation but allows axial movement relative to the first part 99, as well as an internally formed screw drive through which, via a (not shown) and, for example,via a manual actuation interface 103, such as a rotary handle 103, a rotatable threaded spindle on one side and an internal thread on the other of the two parts 99; 101 of the drive means 102, the parts carrying the actuation arms 98 can be moved apart and towards each other.

[0086] In the embodiment of the magnetic cylinder 26 with axially variable, in particular ring-shaped, support elements 31, these axially positionable support or ring elements 31 can, in principle, be fastened in any manner that allows a detachable connection between the respective support element 31 and the cylinder inner body 32 and axial relative movement. In particular, a connection is especially advantageous in which, in the area of ​​suction air-conducting line interface pairings consisting of line interfaces 46 on the shaft 32 and cooperating line interfaces 49 on the inwardly facing wall 52 of the ring element 31, the surfaces surrounding these line interfaces 46 and 49 are pressed together by the connection in such a way that they form a sealing surface that is largely closed against suction air ingress.

[0087] In principle, regardless of the arrangement of the magnetic element 24 in a component 36 and / or its axial adjustability and / or circumferential adjustability and / or its clamping device for clamping the magnetic elements 24 or holders 29 or components 36, but preferably in conjunction with one or more of the aforementioned advantageous embodiments, a clamping device is provided in a preferred embodiment for fastening ring elements 31, by which the support or ring element 31 can be clamped onto the cylinder inner body 32, which is designed in particular as a shaft 32, in such a way that a sealing surface can be formed. An embodiment of the ring element 31 that is actually segment-shaped is helpful in this regard.ring element 31 not fully enclosed in circumference such that an inner diameter of the ring element 31 in the segment angle range is slightly larger, e.g. 2 to 50 µm, in particular 5 to 20 µm, than an outer diameter of the cylinder inner body 32 designed as a shaft 32 in the interacting circumferential area.

[0088] In a cylinder 26, as previously described, with magnetic elements 24 arranged in columns, the magnetic elements 24 of several or all columns are provided as a group on or attached to a respective support element 31. The respective support element 31 is explicitly designed as a ring-segment-like support element 31, i.e., interrupted over a circumferential section or intermediate angle, and has a leading and trailing end 106; 107 with respect to a production rotation direction D. The production rotation direction D is defined, for example, by the arrangement of a gripper bar mentioned above, which, at the leading end 106 of the segment-like ring element 31, has grippers 33 that open and close during operation to receive a substrate sheet 02. The respective support element 31 is detachably arranged on the inner cylinder body 32 encompassed by the cylinder 26 and, in the detached state, its axial position can be varied.To secure the support element 31 in a desired position on the cylinder inner body 32, a clamping device 108 is provided in the area between the leading and trailing ends 106; 107 of the ring-segment-like support element 31 on the cylinder inner body 32. This clamping device allows the two circumferentially spaced ends 106; 107 to be subjected to a circumferentially directed force via adjusting means 109 encompassed by the clamping device 108. This presses the segment-like ring element 31 tightly against the outer surface of the shaft 32, possibly with a slight elastic deformation, thus creating a sealing surface.

[0089] The clamping device 108 engages in particular at the two ends 106; 107 of the support element 31 and its length effective for engaging on both sides can be varied in the circumferential direction by means of the adjusting means 109 encompassed by the clamping device 108.

[0090] Preferably, the clamping device 108 comprises a clamping strip 111, which is arranged in the area between the leading and trailing ends 106; 107 of the support element 31 on the circumference of the inner cylinder body 32 and is secured against relative movement to the inner cylinder body 32 in the circumferential direction at least on one side. Preferably, however, the clamping strip 111 and the inner cylinder body 32 are secured against rotation in the circumferential direction by stop pairs effective in both directions of rotation. Such securing can be achieved, for example, by corresponding deviations of the inner circumferential line of the ring element 31 and the outer circumferential line of the inner cylinder body 32, acting as stop pairs. In an advantageous embodiment shown here, however, such relative anti-rotation protection is provided by a so-called key element 112, also commonly referred to as a parallel key 112, which, for example,The clamping strip 111 is anchored in the outer surface of the cylinder inner body 32 and engages with a recess, in particular a groove, in the clamping strip 111, or vice versa. A fitting element 112 with a correspondingly engaging recess is advantageous in that it allows for simple radial mounting of the clamping strip 111 onto the cylinder inner body 32. In addition to the anti-rotation device, fastening means (not shown), e.g., screws, can be provided by which the clamping strip 111 can be radially attached to the cylinder inner body 32.

[0091] Preferably, the clamping strip 111 can then be removed from the inner cylinder body 32 in the relaxed, i.e. force-free state of the clamping device 108 immediately or after loosening the fastening means, with the support element 31 still remaining on the inner cylinder body 32, or, with the ring element 31 already positioned on the inner cylinder body 32, it can be inserted onto the inner cylinder body 32 in the area of ​​the interruption.

[0092] In an advantageous embodiment, the clamping device 108 engages at one of the ends 107; 106, preferably at the trailing end 107, statically, i.e., in a fixed circumferential relative position between the clamping bar 111 and the respective end 107; 106, and at the other, preferably the leading end 106, via the adjusting means 109, variably, i.e., in a variable circumferential relative position between the clamping bar 111 and the respective other end 106; 107. This means, for example, that by adjusting the clamping means, the point of application and thus the respective end 106; 107 can be moved closer to the clamping bar 111 or – e.g., by the elastic restoring force in the ring element 31 – returned to its initial position.

[0093] For static engagement, for example, a circumferentially effective positive locking mechanism is provided via a stop pair acting between the relevant end 107; 106 and the clamping strip 111. The stop pair 106, 107 is formed, for example, by opposing surfaces of a hook-like projection on the clamping strip 111 and a hook-like projection 117 engaging in the opposite direction, e.g., as a suspension edge 117, at the end 107 of the ring element 31.

[0094] In a preferred embodiment, the point of application of the adjusting means 109 at the respective end 106; 107 is located, viewed circumferentially, either directly or with a deviation of no more than 5° at a point where a tangent to the circumference of the inner cylinder body 32 runs parallel to the adjusting direction of the adjusting means 109. This allows, within the small adjusting range present here, the end 106; 107 attracted by the adjusting means 109 to be subjected to a force substantially tangentially, thereby preventing radial deformation, such as might occur due to a force direction deviating from the tangent.

[0095] Although fundamentally possible in other ways, the adjusting means 109 are preferably formed by a threaded drive 113, 114, supported on the clamping strip 111 and, for example, manually operated, e.g., a threaded rod 113, in particular a screw 113, rotatably mounted in the clamping strip 111, and a corresponding thread 114, e.g., a threaded bushing 114, directly in the end region of the ring element 31 or, preferably, in a clamping device 116 engaging the ring element 31 and whose position can be changed in the adjusting direction of the threaded drive 113, 114 via the threaded drive 113, 114, wherein the clamping device 116 is designed and arranged to interact with the respective end 106 via a circumferentially effective stop pair. The stop pair is, for example, B. formed by opposing surfaces of a clamping device 116 designed as a tension bar 116 and a hook-like projection 118 receiving the tension bar 116, e.g. as a suspension edge 118, on the ring element 31.

[0096] In an advantageous embodiment, the tension strip 116, viewed in a cross-section perpendicular to the cylinder axis, dips with at least a part into a recess 122 or indentation 122 in the tension strip 111 corresponding in shape and cross-section, such that a movement of the tension strip 116 along the positioning direction is ensured by the indentation 122.

[0097] In principle, a clamping strip 111 and / or a corresponding clamping device 116 can be provided for each ring element 31 to be fastened. However, in a preferred embodiment, a clamping strip 111 and / or a clamping device 116 extending in the axial direction of the cylinder 26 over several or all of the support elements 31 arranged on the inner cylinder body 32 is provided. This eliminates the need for a fixed numerical or spatial assignment of adjusting devices 109 or threaded drives 113, 114 to a ring element 31. The fastening device can be retained regardless of the number and position of the ring elements 31 with which a continuous or possibly divided clamping device 108 interacts to clamp them. In particular, aClamping device 108 without pull bar 116, i.e. with adjusting means 109 engaging directly into the ring element 31, is less suitable for continuous positioning, since the possible positions depended on the hole spacing for the threaded rods 113.

[0098] The clamping strip 111 can be arranged and designed such that it simultaneously forms the base support of a one- or multi-part gripper strip. For example, bearings 121 supporting a gripper shaft 119 are arranged on the clamping strip 111 forming the base support.

[0099] In a preferred embodiment, such a cylinder 26 is a component of a machine 01 and / or is particularly advantageous in conjunction with one or more aspects for adjusting individual magnetic elements 24 on respective magnetic element carriers 37 in the axial and / or circumferential direction and / or for forming operating units 36 with respective magnetic and suction elements 24; 34 and / or for clamping individual magnetic elements 24 or their holders 28 or magnetic element carriers 37 on the ring element 31.

[0100] Fundamentally independent of the arrangement of the magnetic element 24 in a component 36 and / or of axial adjustability and / or circumferential adjustability and / or of a clamping device for clamping the magnetic elements 24 or holders 29 or components 36, and / or of the design for fastening ring elements 31 with a clamping device, but preferably in conjunction with one or more of the aforementioned advantageous embodiments, in a preferred embodiment the cylinder 26, in particular magnetic cylinder 26, is designed with suction openings 42 and corresponding line connections to a suction air source or air pressure sink such that the suction openings 42 are only open during the passage through or over a defined or definable rotational angular phase, i.e.a defined or definable angular range around the axis of rotation of the cylinder 26 of less than 360°, in line connection to the suction air source or air pressure sink, wherein this angular range or this rotational angular phase is preferably variable in its position and / or size in the circumferential direction. A line interface 123, in particular a rotary feedthrough 123, is provided, through which, when a vacuum is applied on the inlet side, the suction openings 42 provided on the circumference of the cylinder 26 can be pressurized with vacuum as they pass through this rotational angular phase of the cylinder 26, which is also referred to as the active rotational angular phase due to the application of vacuum, wherein the rotary feedthrough 123 is preferably adjustable with respect to the position and / or size of an angular sector Δϕ determining the active rotational angular phase for the passage of the suction air, hereinafter referred to as the passage angular sector Δϕ.

[0101] Here, suction openings 42 are provided around the circumference of the cylinder 26, extending over the circumference or at least a circumferential section, which e.g. extends over at least half of the cylinder circumference, in individual segments Δ x , i.e. subsections of the circumference or the said circumferential section (see e.g. Fig. 5 ), such that, advantageously, suction openings 42 or groups of suction openings 42 in at least one of several successive segments Δx in the circumferential direction of the cylinder 26, e.g., angled or ring segments Δx, can be pressurized with negative pressure or suction air independently of a circumferentially adjacent segment Δx, i.e., can be connected to the suction air source or pressure sink in or out of a duct connection. For this purpose, the separately pressurized angled segments Δx in the cylinder 26 can be pressurized with negative pressure or suction air, e.g., through separate duct paths. This can be realized, for example, via a corresponding circumferentially segmented structure for the passage of the suction air, e.g., in an advantageous embodiment with individual segments 45 for the segmented passage of suction air, for example, in an embodiment above with groups of suction openings opening into separate chambers 55.

[0102] For the purpose of conveying the suction air, the suction openings 42 or groups thereof in the cylinder 07 are connected via corresponding lines, channels and / or chambers to the rotary feedthrough 123 mentioned above. The rotary feedthrough 123 has a cylinder-fixed and rotating part 124, e.g., hereinafter also referred to as the rotor 124 of the rotary feedthrough 123, and a fixed part 126, e.g., hereinafter also referred to as the stator 126 of the rotary feedthrough 123. In the assembled state, the latter interacts with the rotor 124 to convey the suction air in a passage angle sector Δϕ – which is specifically related to its position around the axis of rotation of the rotor 124 or cylinder 26 – and is connected downstream on its suction side, i.e., with a suction-side outlet of the rotary feedthrough, to a suction air source as described above, or can be connected to such a source.

[0103] In this arrangement, the suction openings 42 or groups of suction openings 42 of several or all successive angular segments Δx are located in the circumferential direction of the cylinder 07, e.g., via corresponding segments 45 for the passage, segmentally via separate conduit paths with respective openings, e.g., channel openings 127 of the rotating part 124, i.e., the rotor 124 of the rotary feedthrough 123, which is particularly designed as a multi-channel system, and can thus be supplied with suction air segmentally and separately via the corresponding channel openings 127 and the respective conduit path. The channel openings 127 are preferably arranged off-center, in particular concentrically around the axis of rotation of the cylinder 26 or an axis coinciding with the axis of rotation of the cylinder 26, and viewed in the circumferential direction in a sequence and / or number corresponding to the angular segments Δx or Δx.45 assigned segments of the same sequence and / or number are provided.

[0104] The rotary feedthrough 123 is preferably arranged with its cylinder-fixed part 124 at the end face of a cylinder journal 128 formed by a lateral shaft end 128 of the shaft 32 or otherwise – in particular laterally to the cylinder end face and / or outside the cylinder shell – in a rotationally fixed manner. The channel openings 127 could, in principle, be provided on the circumference of the rotor 124 and interact with recesses on the inner circumference of a stator 126 surrounding the rotor 124, or vice versa. In the embodiment shown here and preferred, however, the channel openings 127 are provided at the end face of the rotor 124, eccentrically and, in particular, concentrically to the axis, and interact at the end face with one or more eccentrically arranged recesses 129 of the stator 126 to guide the suction air or vacuum. The latter is / are connected on the suction side to the suction air source or pressure sink via appropriate conduits.The rotor 124 and stator 126 are connected and arranged off-center such that, by relative rotation of the rotor 124 and stator 126 about the axis of rotation of the cylinder 26 or an axis coinciding with the axis of rotation of the cylinder 26, they can be brought at least partially into alignment with each of the channel openings 127 of the angular segments Δx or segments 45 to be supplied with suction air, at least temporarily. When a channel opening 127 is at least partially in alignment with the recess 129, the suction openings 42 in the respective angular segment Δx or corresponding segment 45 are supplied with suction air or negative pressure, or can be supplied with suction air.

[0105] The stator 126, which is normally non-rotating, can be adjusted in its rotational position about the axis of rotation of the cylinder 26 or an axis coinciding with it, so that the angular position of the recess 129 or recesses 129 that interact with the channel openings 127 for the passage of fluids can be varied about this axis of rotation. If a recess 129 or group of recesses 129 extending over a circular arc segment on the stator 126 is opposite the group of channel openings 127 arranged off-center on the rotor 124 and which can be brought into alignment by relative movement as described above, then the angular position in which a channel opening 127 enters an area of ​​alignment with the or a recess 129 can be varied by rotating the stator 126. In this form of the stator 126 or the rotary feedthrough 123 comprising such a stator 126, the angular position of the exit from the cover is also varied to the same extent by rotating the stator 126.By adjusting the angular position of the recess 129 or recesses 129 that interact with the channel openings 127 for the passage of air, by rotating the stator 126, the position of the passage angle sector Δϕ and thus the position of the above active rotational angular phase around the rotation axis of the cylinder 26 can be varied, within which suction openings 42 are in line with the suction air source or air pressure sink when the cylinder 26 rotates during passage.

[0106] The stator 126 is designed in multiple parts such that a free cross-section for the passage of suction air through the recess 129 or recesses 129 can be varied by means of a relative rotational movement between a first stator part 131, which, for example, comprises the recess 129 or recesses 129, and a second stator part 132, which, for example, depending on its relative rotational position to the first stator part 131, closes off a variable portion of the recess 129 or recesses 129 of the first stator part 131 against the passage of suction air. The relative rotational movement is effected about an axis of rotation parallel or aligned with the axis of rotation of the cylinder 26 by rotating the second stator part 132.

[0107] The rotary feedthrough 124 is designed in this two-part version such that, by positioning the two stator parts 131; 132, each independently and relative to each other, an beginning of the active rotational angle phase, i.e., when the cylinder 26 is rotated, the rotational angle for the beginning of suction, and an end of the active rotational angle phase, i.e., when the cylinder 26 is rotated, the rotational angle for the end of suction, can be selected or adjusted independently of each other over at least one respective adjustment range.

[0108] In a presented and preferred first variant (see e.g. Fig. 19 bis Fig. 21 The first stator part 131 comprises a recess 129, preferably extending circumferentially in the shape of an annular segment over at least part of its length, and is arranged axially adjacent to the rotor 124 such that the channel openings 127 of the rotor 124 and an end-face opening of the particularly annular segment-shaped recess 129 are at least partially directly opposite each other when their relative positions are appropriately aligned. In this embodiment, the second stator part 132, provided on the end face of the first stator part 131 facing away from the rotor 124, comprises a cover element 133, e.g., a circular disk sector 133 – arranged, for example, within a closed annulus – which, depending on the rotational position, forms a variable portion of the recess 129.whose annular segment-shaped portion on the side facing away from the rotor 124, as well as a locking element 134 arranged on one side of the cover element 133 in the direction of rotation, which, with respect to the cross-sectional profile of the recess 129, engages in the annular segment-shaped recess 129 or at least its annular segment-shaped section in a form complementary to the annular segment-shaped longitudinal extent, such that it prevents the free passage of suction air between the covered and the free part of the recess 129 within the recess 129. This is also intended to include embodiments in which, for example, residual quantities may still pass through due to tolerances.Depending on the relative rotational position between the first and second stator part 131; 132, a variable part of the recess 129 is covered on the suction side against suction air passage in the axial direction, and a significant passage of suction air from the covered part of the recess 129 is prevented by the locking element 134 engaging in the recess 129 in the above sense. Suction air therefore only enters – at least to a significant extent – ​​within the coverage area of ​​the free recess 129 through the stator 126 and thus through the rotary feedthrough 123. In addition to the above, the variation of the position of the rotational angular phase around the axis of rotation of the cylinder 26, within which suction openings 42 or underlying segments 45 are connected to the suction air source during rotation of the cylinder 26, is achieved by varying the circumferentially effective size of the free part of the recess 129 that interacts with the channel openings 127 for the passage of air.Air pressure sink, by relative rotation between first and second stator part 131; 132, the size of the passage angle sector Δϕ and thus of the above active in circumferential direction can also be varied.

[0109] In an alternative embodiment, not shown here, the second stator part 132 with the cover element 133 is directly adjacent to the rotor 124 and the first stator part 131 is arranged on its side facing away from the rotor 124, and the cover element 133 is provided, for example, as a circular ring segment 133 or a circular disk sector 133 arranged within a circular ring, whereby, however, due to the arrangement of the cover element 133 on the side of the rotor 124, a locking element 134 can be omitted.

[0110] To position the two-part stator 126 or the first stator part 131, which has at least one recess 129, adjusting means 136, 141 are provided, e.g., an adjusting shaft 136, for example in the form of a hollow shaft 136 or sleeve 136, which is rotationally fixed to the stator 126 or the first stator part 131, and an adjusting lever 141, by means of which, for example, the adjusting shaft 136 can be pivoted. By pivoting the stator 126 or the first stator part 131, the angular position of the at least one recess 129 and thus the position of the passage angle sector Δϕ or the active rotational phase can be varied in the manner described above, in which openings are pressurized with negative pressure or suction air when the cylinder 26 rotates. For example, to improve reproducibility, a pointer 148 connected to the adjusting lever 141 may be provided, which interacts with a frame-fixed scale 149.

[0111] Since the stator 126 comprises two stator parts 131, 132 as described above, further actuating means 137, 139 are provided, e.g., a further actuating shaft 137 connected to the second stator part 132, e.g., a hollow or slotted shaft 137 which conducts the suction air from the suction-side outlet of the rotary feedthrough 123 formed by the stator 126 and the cooperating rotor 124, and which e.g. runs inside the aforementioned hollow shaft 136, and for example, a further actuating lever 139, by means of which e.g. the actuating shaft 137 can be pivoted. By pivoting the second stator part 132 while the first stator part 131 remains stationary, the length of the cross-section free for passage of the recess 129 in the circumferential direction and thus the size of the passage angle sector Δϕ of the rotary feedthrough 123 or the active rotation angle phase can be varied in the manner described above, in which openings are subjected to negative pressure or suction air when the cylinder 26 rotates.To improve reproducibility, for example, a pointer 146 connected to the adjusting lever 139 via a sleeve or rod 146 may be provided, which interacts with a frame-mounted scale 147. To prevent unintentional adjustment of the adjusting lever 139, a clamping element 143, for example in the form of a screw nipple, may be provided, by which the adjusting lever 141 can be selectively secured against adjustment.

[0112] A frame-mounted sleeve can be provided between the two adjusting shafts 136; 137 for their support.

[0113] The line connection that carries the suction air through to the rotary feedthrough 123, e.g. a corresponding actuating shaft 136; 137, is in line connection in the area of ​​its end e.g. via an air chamber with a suction air line 142, which in turn is in line connection with the suction air source or air pressure sink.

[0114] The cylinder 26, in its assembled state, is received, for example, in one or more bearing shells 151, which are rotatably mounted in the side frame via a radial bearing not visible here, with the rotor 124 (see e.g. Fig. 4 or Fig. 15 ) and the stator 126 (see e.g. Fig. 19 or Fig. 20 ) at the front face, in the manner described above, they cooperate to guide the suction air through.

[0115] The above embodiment of a cylinder 26 with suction openings 42 or groups of suction openings 42, which are only in duct connection to the suction air source or air pressure sink during the passage through or sweeping over of an above-mentioned active rotational angular phase, i.e., a defined or definable angular range around the rotational axis of the cylinder 26 of less than 360°, wherein the passage angle sector Δϕ or the active rotational angular phase is preferably variable in its position and / or size in the circumferential direction, is indeed described above in connection with a preferred embodiment of the cylinder 26 as a magnetic cylinder 26, but, insofar as it can be transferred without contradiction, is also effective in further particularly advantageous embodiments for other cylinders 12; 17; 153, in particular as transport cylinders 12; 17; 153, and e.g.Holding means 33 for gripping substrate sheets 02 having cylinders 12; 17; 153 of a sheet-processing and / or processing machine 01, in particular a security machine 01, e.g. printing machine 01 or in particular a security printing machine 01, to be used.

[0116] The machine 01 can be configured as described above with, for example, a magnetic cylinder 26 configured as described above. In addition to or instead, however, the counter-pressure cylinder 17, which acts as a transport cylinder 17 in the case of an arc-shaped substrate 02, and / or a cylinder 152, which acts as a transport cylinder 152 and interacts with a sensor device 153, e.g., a camera 153, in particular a line scan camera 153, e.g., an inspection cylinder 152, can be configured with suction openings 42 or groups of suction openings 42 as described above, which are only connected to the suction air source during the passage through or over a defined or definable angular phase around the rotation axis of the cylinder 26 of less than 360°.Air pressure sink, wherein the rotational angle phase is preferably variable in its position and / or size in the circumferential direction as described above using the example of the magnetic cylinder 26. All these cylinders 26; 17; 152 have in common that they are part of a device that acts on or inspects the substrate sheet 02 and require a particularly secure support and optimized sheet transfer behavior.

[0117] In principle, the adjustability of an active rotation angle phase in position and / or size can also be advantageous for pure transport cylinders 12, which do not have to fulfill any other function besides the transfer of substrate sheets, due to the optimizable transfer behavior.

[0118] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, such a rotary feedthrough 123 is provided on each end face of the cylinder 26; 17; 152; 12 in order to, for example, apply a vacuum to the respective suction openings 42 or groups of suction openings 42 from both sides during the active rotation phase. The chambers 55 can be pressurized from both sides or divided axially and pressurized separately. Reference symbol list

[0119] 01 Machine, security printing machine, printing press, security printing press 02 Substrate, printing material, printing material section, printing material sheet, substrate sheet 03 Image element 04 Application unit, printing unit, flexographic printing unit, screen printing unit 05- 06 Coating agent, printing ink, varnish 07 Device for aligning magnetic particles in image elements, alignment device 08 Printing image element 09 Inert, security, banknote 10- 11 Printing point 12 Conveyor, transport cylinder 13 Substrate template, sheet feeder 14 Printing unit cylinder, forming cylinder, screen printing cylinder 15- 16 Device for generating optically variable image elements 17 Cylinder, impression cylinder, transport cylinder 18 Printing element, printing subject 19 Drying and / or curing unit, radiation dryer, UV radiation dryer, UV dryer, UV LED dryer 20- 21 Conveyor, Gripper conveyor, chain gripper system 22 Product intake, stacking discharge 23 Dryer, radiation dryer 24 Active element, element,Magnetic element 25-26 Alignment device, cylinder, magnetic cylinder 27 Magnet 28 Holder, base 29 Cylinder body 30-31 Support element, ring element 32 Cylinder inner body, cylinder shaft, shaft 33 Holding means, gripper 34 Suction element 35-36 Component, working unit, magnetic unit 37 Magnetic element carrier 38 Housing 39 Suction air duct 40-41 Cover element 42 Suction opening 43 Cable interface, recess, chamber 44 Shell surface (32) 45 Segment 46 Cable interface, suction air opening (32) 47 Feedthrough, bore 48 Channel, suction air duct 49 Cable interface, recess 50-51 Cable interface, recess 52 Wall 53 Channel 54 Feedthrough, bore 55 Chamber 56 Wall 57 Closure, valve, sleeve 58 Closure, valve, sleeve 59 Tool, multi-sided key 60-61 Recess 62 Wall 63 Actuating interface, internal multi-sided, internal circumferential section 64 Support washer 65-66 Support element 67 Support surface, area 68 Support surface 69 Support washer 70-71 Support plate 72 Clamping element, clamping lever, lever 73 Clamping element,Clamping lever, lever 74 Stop surface 75-76 Groove 77 Stop surface 78 Groove 79 Spring element, compression spring 80-81 Axis, pivot axis 82 Slotted hole 83 Fastening means, screw 84 Line 85-86 Eccentric, shaft section 87 Slide, support element 88 Actuating interface, internal polygon 89 Shaft 90-91 Eccentric, shaft section 92 Slide, support element 93 Actuating interface, internal polygon 94 Shaft 95-96 Coupling element, connecting axis 97 Mounting aid 98 Actuating arm 99 Part, first, bushing 100-101 Part, second, bushing 102 Drive means, actuator 103 Actuating interface, rotary handle 104 Base 105-106 End, leading (31) 107 End, trailing (31) 108 Clamping device 109 Actuating means 110- 111 Clamping bar 112 Key element, parallel key 113 Threaded rod, screw 114 Thread, threaded bushing 115- 116 Clamping means, pull bar 117 Projection, hook edge 118 Projection, hook edge 119 Gripper shaft 120- 121 Bearing 122 Recess, cutout 123 Cable interface, rotary feedthrough 124 Part, first (123),Rotor 125-126 Part, second (123), Stator 127 Channel opening 128 Shaft end, cylinder journal 129 Recess 130-131 Stator part, first (126) 132 Stator part, second (126) 133 Cover element, ring segment, disc sector 134 Locking element 135-136 Control shaft, hollow shaft, sleeve 137 Control shaft, hollow shaft, slotted shaft 138-139 Control lever 140-141 Control lever 142 Suction air line 143 Clamping element 144 Clamping element 145-146 Pointer 147 Scale 148 Pointer 149 Scale 150-151 Bearing shell 152 Cylinder, transport cylinder, inspection cylinder 153 Sensor device, camera, line camera Δ x segment, ring segment, angle segment (x = 1, 2, 3, ...) D Production rotation direction PP particles, pigment particles R Rotation axis T Transport direction Δϕ Angle sector, passage angle sector

Claims

1. Cylinder (26; 17; 152; 12) for a sheet-feeding and / or sheet-processing machine (01), which comprises on its circumference retaining means (33) by which a substrate sheet (02) to be transported over the cylinder (26; 17; 152; 12) can be picked up at its leading end and, during a rotation of the cylinder (26; 17; 152; 12), can be held or is able to be held over a rotational angular range between a take-over of the substrate sheet (02) and its downstream release, and comprising a rotary leadthrough (123) which comprises a rotor (124) co-rotating with the cylinder (26; 17; 152; 12) which is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner at an end face on a shaft end (128) of a shaft (32) driving the cylinder (26; 17; 152; 12) or on a cylinder journal (128) at the end face, as well as an operationally non-rotating stator (126), wherein, via the rotary leadthrough (123), suction openings (42) or groups of suction openings (42) provided on the circumference of the cylinder (26; 17; 152; 12) are subjected to negative pressure during passage through an active rotational angular phase of the cylinder (26; 17; 152; 12) about its axis of rotation (R), characterised in that the rotary leadthrough (123) is adjustable with respect to a size of a pass-through angular sector (Δϕ) determining the size of the active rotational angular phase and / or with respect to a position determining the position of the active rotational angular phase of the pass-through angular sector (Δϕ), wherein the stator (126), as a multi-part stator (126), is formed with a first and a second stator part (131; 132) which are both adjustable in their rotational position relative to each other and relative to the axis of rotation about an axis of rotation of the cylinder (26; 17; 152; 12) or an axis coinciding therewith.

2. Cylinder according to claim 1, characterised in that the rotary leadthrough (123) is of multi-channel design on the side of the rotor (124), wherein the fluid connections departing from the cylinder side of this multi-channel rotor (124) lead via channel openings (127) to different suction openings (42) or groups of suction openings (42) arranged successively in the circumferential direction.

3. Cylinder according to claim 2, characterised in that the stator (126) comprises, for the passage of suction air, a recess (129) or group of recesses (129) which, depending on the rotational position of the rotor (124) co-rotating with the cylinder (26), is in registration with a changing portion of the channel openings (127) of this rotor (124).

4. Cylinder according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the stator (126) is designed for the passage of suction air with a recess (129) or a group of recesses (129) such that, during a rotation of the cylinder (26; 17; 152; 12) and of the rotor (124) of the rotary leadthrough (123) co-rotating therewith, only that portion of the channel openings (127) which is in fluid connection with a free cross-section of the recess (129) or the group of recesses (129) of the stator (126) is always in fluid connection, which is connected via corresponding connection paths to suction openings (42) or groups of suction openings (42) located within the rotational angular phase of the cylinder (26; 17; 152; 12) about its axis of rotation (R) of less than 360°.

5. Cylinder according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that the stator (126) having the recess (129) or group of recesses (129) is pivotable about the axis of rotation (R) of the cylinder (26) or an axis coinciding therewith in order to vary the position of the pass-through angular sector (Δϕ) and thus the position of the defined rotational angular phase and / or in order to vary the position of the channel openings (127) simultaneously in registration with this recess (129) or this group of recesses (129) and of the suction openings (42) or groups of suction openings (42) connected in fluid communication therewith about the axis of rotation (R) of the cylinder (26) or an axis coinciding therewith.

6. Cylinder according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, characterised in that the position and size determining the position and size of the active rotational angular phase of the pass-through angular sector (Δϕ) and / or a start and an end of the active rotational angular phase are selectable or adjustable, via at least one respective adjustment range, by a positioning of the two stator parts (131; 132) relative to each other and in their respective angular position about the axis of rotation or an axis coinciding therewith.

7. Cylinder according to claim 3, 4, 5 or 6, characterised in that the stator (126) as a multi-part stator (126) having a first stator part (131) with a recess (129) or a group of recesses (129) and having a second stator part (132) with a cover element (133) is formed, wherein the first and the second stator parts (131, 132) are arranged so as to be variable in angular position in order to vary the size of the pass-through angular sector (Δϕ) and thus the size of the defined rotational angular phase and / or in order to vary the size of the free passage cross-section through the recess (129) and thus the proportion of the channel openings (127) simultaneously in registration with this recess (129).

8. Cylinder according to claim 7, characterised in that the second stator part (132) is pivotable relative to the first stator part (131) and / or in that a blocking element (134) engaging into the recess of the first stator part (131) is comprised, which separates a portion of the recess (129) not covered by the cover element (133) from a covered portion of the recess (129).

9. Cylinder according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8, characterised in that the second stator part (132) is pivotable by means of adjusting means (137, 139) relative to the first stator part (131) and / or about the axis of rotation (R) of the cylinder (26) or an axis coinciding therewith and / or in that the first stator part (131) is pivotable by means of adjusting means (136, 141) about the axis of rotation (R) of the cylinder (26) or an axis coinciding therewith and / or relative to the second stator part (132) and / or in that the stator (126) is pivotable by means of adjusting means (136, 141) about the axis of rotation (R) of the cylinder (26) or an axis coinciding therewith.

10. Cylinder according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9, characterised by its embodiment as a magnetic cylinder (26) comprising in the region of its outer circumference a number of n x m (where n, m ∈ ℕ) magnetic elements (24) arranged in a matrix, which are arranged in axially parallel rows and in columns extending in the circumferential direction.

11. Cylinder according to claim 10, characterised in that several or all of the magnetic elements (24) of columns extending in the circumferential direction are arranged on or in a respective ring-shaped, open or closed support element (31) received on a cylinder shaft (32), wherein the ring-shaped support element (31), viewed in the circumferential direction, comprises successively a plurality of chambers (55) which are each independently in fluid connection with one another via corresponding connection paths to the rotor (124) of the rotary leadthrough (123) and to at least one group of suction openings (42) opening onto the circumference.

12. Cylinder according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or 11, characterised in that in the shaft (32) carrying the cylinder (26; 17; 152; 12) or in the cylinder journal (128) at the end face, a plurality of channels (48) leading into the interior of the cylinder are provided, which are in fluid connection with channel openings (127) at the end face of the rotor (124).

13. Machine (01) for the processing and / or treatment of sheet-form substrate (02), comprising a substrate supply (13), at least one printing unit (04) by which a substrate (02) guided on a transport path through the machine (01) can be printed on at least a first side in a matrix-like manner with copies (09) in a number of m columns and a number of n rows and / or can be so printed, a product delivery (22) by which processed substrate (02) can be combined into bundles, and at least one transport cylinder (26; 17; 152; 12) provided in the substrate path between the substrate supply (13) and the product delivery (22), characterised by the embodiment of the transport cylinder (26; 17; 152; 12) in accordance with a cylinder (26; 17; 152; 12) according to one of claims 1 to 12.

14. Machine according to claim 13, characterised in that in the substrate path a transport cylinder (26) in accordance with a cylinder (26) according to one of claims 1 to 12 is provided, which is embodied as a magnetic cylinder (26) arranged between a printing unit (04) and a product delivery (22) and an alignment device (07) for aligning magnetic or magnetisable particles (P), which comprises in the region of its outer circumference a number of n x m (where n , m ∈ ℕ) magnetic elements (24) arranged in a matrix which are arranged in axially parallel rows and in columns extending in the circumferential direction.

15. Machine according to claim 13 or 14, characterised in that in the substrate path a transport cylinder (17) in accordance with a cylinder (17) according to one of claims 1 to 12 is provided, which serves as an impression cylinder (17) of a printing unit (04), as a forme cylinder (14) of a printing unit and forms therewith a printing nip (11) and / or in that in the substrate path a transport cylinder (152) in accordance with a cylinder (152) according to one of claims 1 to 12 is provided, which, as an inspection cylinder (152), provides a support for the transported substrate (02) and cooperates, as part of an inspection device, with a sensor device (153) directed at the substrate path.