MACHINE FOR PROCESSING PRINTING FABRIC

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a machine for further processing printing material with the features of the preamble of claim 1. field of technology

[0002] The invention lies in the technical field of the graphic industry and there in particular in the area of ​​operating a finishing machine, especially a flexographic printing machine with inline finishing such as inline flatbed die-cutting, and of processing initially web-shaped printing material and in particular in the production of blanks for packaging, especially for folding boxes. State of the art

[0003] Printing presses for packaging printing with inline die-cutting modules are already known, e.g., a flexographic printing press with an inline flatbed die-cutter, where the machine first prints a cardboard web and then die-cuts cross-section sheets from it to create folding carton inserts. Modifications may be necessary for such machines, which could change the spacing of certain modules.

[0004] In this context, US9828199B2 discloses a length-variable transfer device between a punching module or its downstream pulling group and a vacuum transport module of a packaging printing machine.

[0005] For example, when processing different (sheet) formats and / or die-cutting formats sequentially, machine modifications may be necessary. These modifications often require significant time and therefore negatively impact production costs. Furthermore, if not executed correctly, such modifications can lead to a reduction in production quality. Technical task

[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improvement over the prior art which in particular makes it possible to make changes to the machine in such a way that these take little time and do not cause any loss of quality in the subsequent production. Inventive solution to the problem

[0007] This problem is solved according to the invention by a device according to claim 1.

[0008] Advantageous and therefore preferred embodiments of the invention are evident from the dependent claims as well as from the description and the drawings.

[0009] A machine according to the invention for further processing of printing material, comprising a die-cutting module for die-cutting the printing material, which has a die-cutting device, a prior first pulling group and a subsequent second pulling group for the printing material, a transport module for further transporting the printing material, which has at least one variable-length transport section, and a transfer device for transferring the printing material from the die-cutting module to a subsequent module, which includes a variable-length transfer section, is characterized in that a stripping module is arranged as a subsequent module between the die-cutting module and the transport module, which can be positioned in the processing direction of the machine depending on a sheet format, and that the transfer device transfers the printing material from the die-cutting module to the stripping module.the length of the transport section and the length of the transfer section are adjustable according to the position of the breakout module. Advantageous forms and effects of the invention

[0010] The invention advantageously makes it possible to make changes to the machine in such a way that these take little time and do not cause any loss of quality in the subsequent production.

[0011] The invention is used, for example, in machines used in industrial, i.e., highly productive and high-quality, packaging printing, or in the production (printing and further processing) of packaging such as folding cartons. The machine preferably processes and transports webs of printed material and, in doing so—preferably during the die-cutting process—produces cross-cut sheets of printed material from the web, which are then further processed and transported.

[0012] A processing machine according to the invention comprises a positionable unit, i.e., the stripping module, and two length-variable units, i.e., the transport section and the transfer section. "Positionable" means that the module is arranged in a first position for one (production) job and in a different position for another job, the two positions differing only horizontally and being (essentially) the same vertically; the module is thus moved horizontally. Positioning is preferably achieved by sliding, e.g., on rails provided for this purpose, and preferably by a motor. "Length-variable" further means that the length is changed in the horizontal direction from one (production) job to another.This change in length is preferably carried out in such a way that changes in distance (essentially) between the machine modules involved, caused by the positioning, are compensated.

[0013] The invention offers the advantage that the printing material being processed by the machine in its processing direction is always guided and transferred safely and in a controlled manner on its way from the die-cutting module to the stripping module, through the stripping module, and to the transport module, thus always remaining in its optimal processing position. This prevents disruptive "floating" of the sheet. As a result, the machine exhibits a high level of overall process reliability, particularly high stripping accuracy, even at high processing speeds. The quality of the produced products, e.g., folding carton inserts, can be improved by the invention, and waste can be prevented or reduced.

[0014] In a machine according to the invention, a sheet punched by the die-cutting module is always guided by rollers on its way from the die-cutting module to the stripping mode: preferably by the traction rollers of the second traction group, optionally by the traction rollers of the third traction group, or optionally (and temporarily) by both traction groups together. If, optionally, no third traction group is present, a pair of rollers of the stripping module can be provided instead to guide the sheet; this pair of rollers can be located within the stripping module.

[0015] The die-cutting module is preferably a flatbed die-cutter. The substrate is preferably web-based and is cut or die-cut crosswise into sheets (except for holding points, which are then torn). The machine can be designed as a flatbed die-cutting machine. The machine can also include upstream printing units, e.g., flexographic printing units; in this respect, the machine can be a flexographic printing press with an inline flatbed die-cutter. The machine can preferably process cardboard in web form and can preferably produce blanks for folding cartons.

[0016] The inventive modification of the length of the transport section and the transfer section when changing over to a new format to be processed can be carried out manually by the operating personnel; alternatively, it can be carried out by motor and preferably automatically. Further developments of the invention

[0017] Preferred embodiments of the invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) are described below. These can also be combined with one another, unless technically precluded.

[0018] Further training can be distinguished by the fact that the stripping module features a third, upstream tension group for the substrate. Such a third tension group can significantly improve the reliable feeding of the sheets.

[0019] A further development can be characterized by the fact that the first traction group comprises at least two cooperating first traction rollers. A further development can be characterized by the fact that the second traction group comprises at least two cooperating second traction rollers. A further development can be characterized by the fact that the third traction group comprises at least two cooperating third traction rollers. For the interaction, the respective rollers are preferably arranged in relation to one another. A further development can be characterized by the fact that each traction group comprises an upper roller and a lower roller. A further development can be characterized by the fact that the upper roller of the second traction group is rubberized. A further development can be characterized by the fact that the lower roller of the second traction group is coated. The upper and lower rollers of the other two traction groups can also be designed in this way.The rubber coating serves in particular to guide the bow being transported safely.

[0020] A further development can be characterized by the fact that the distance between the second train group and the stripping module or the third train group is smaller than the sheet format. A further development can be characterized by the fact that the distance between the stripping module or the third train group and the adjustable roller of the transport section is smaller than the sheet format. Adjusting the respective distances (manually or automatically) to a dimension smaller than the sheet format to be transported, i.e., smaller than the sheet length in the transport direction, serves in particular to ensure the reliable guidance of the sheet being transported, as it is then always guided by at least one roller. The distance between the second train group and the first train group can be larger than the sheet format.A further development process can be characterized by the fact that the web is intermittently pushed from the first train group into the punching module, the web is separated into successive sheets within the punching module – except at stopping points – and the sheets are completely separated from the web and conveyed by the second train group. A further development process can be characterized by the sheets then being taken over by the stripping module or the third train group. A further development process can be characterized by the sheets then being taken over by the transport module, in particular by its vacuum belt and / or (infeed) roller.

[0021] A further development of the machine can be characterized by the inclusion of a control device for controlling the feed rate of the first, second, and / or third feed group (if the latter is present). A further development can be characterized by the second feed group following an acceleration profile of the first feed group. A further development can be characterized by the third feed group following an acceleration profile of either the first or second feed group. The acceleration profiles of the respective feed groups can also follow the acceleration profile of any upstream printing units, particularly during the machine's ramp-up or ramp-down. The respective feed groups can have separate drive motors controlled by the control device. Preferably, all of the aforementioned rollers and cylinders rotate synchronously with each other, i.e., at the same sheet feed rate.

[0022] A further development can be characterized by the machine comprising a swiveling support. The support can be manufactured as a frame or a metal plate; a pair of rails can be arranged on or attached to the frame or plate. The movable modules (blanking module, transport module) can be movably mounted on the rails by means of rollers. A further development can be characterized by the support being swivelable about a vertical pivot axis. The swiveling is preferably motorized. A further development can be characterized by the pivot axis being arranged close to the punching module. A further development can be characterized by the pivot axis being arranged close to the exit side of the punching module. Here, "close" preferably means that the pivot axis is positioned at the minimum possible distance (taking into account the technical and spatial conditions of the machine, including tolerances).A further development system can be characterized by the fact that the stripping module is arranged on the carrier. A further development system can be characterized by the fact that the transport module is also arranged on the carrier. The stripping module and the transport module can thus be pivoted together. This prevents problems during further processing caused by so-called "skew printing," since the modules—and therefore also their components, especially tools and, for example, stripping needles—can be aligned perfectly with the (skew) printed image.

[0023] A further development can be characterized by the fact that the variable-length transport section includes a circulating vacuum belt. A further development can be characterized by the fact that the variable-length transport section includes an adjustable roller for the vacuum belt. A further development can be characterized by the fact that the adjustable roller is a deflection roller for the vacuum belt. A further development can be characterized by the fact that the adjustable roller is adjustable horizontally. A further development can be characterized by the variable-length transport section including a telescopic device for adjusting the position of the roller. In this way, the roller can be positioned close to the stripping module, and the sheet can be guided reliably when transferring from the stripping module to the transport module.A further development can be characterized by the fact that the position of the adjustable roller can be set such that the distance to the breakout module is minimal. A further development can be characterized by the fact that the length-variable transport section includes at least one adjusting roller. Here, "near" preferably means that the positioning is at the minimum possible distance (taking into account the technical and spatial conditions of the machine, including tolerances).

[0024] A further development can be characterized by the fact that the length-adjustable transition section includes a length-adjustable roller blind or tray for supporting the printed material. A further development can be characterized by the fact that the length of the roller blind or tray is adjustable horizontally. The roller blind can include a retraction mechanism; the tray can, for example, be telescopically retracted. A further development can be characterized by the fact that the roller blind or tray includes an element for attaching to the stripping module or its third tension group, or conversely, an element for attaching to the die-cutting module or its second tension group. The attachment element can, for example, be hook-shaped and preferably include one or more hooks. A further development can be characterized by the fact that the roller blind comprises a textile or a film, for example, a woven fabric, a woven-reinforced tarpaulin, or a steel foil.

[0025] A further development can be characterized by the fact that the machine includes a feeding module upstream of the die-cutting module. A further development can be characterized by the fact that the machine includes at least one printing unit, preferably several for CMYK multicolor printing, upstream of the feeding module. A further development can be characterized by the fact that the machine includes a blanking module downstream of the transport module.

[0026] The features and combinations of features disclosed in the above sections Technical Field, Invention and Further Developments, as well as in the following section Exemplary Embodiments, represent – ​​in any combination with one another – further advantageous developments of the invention. Exemplary embodiments of the invention and figures

[0027] The Figure 1 and 2Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the invention and some of its preferred further developments. Corresponding features are identified in the figures by the same reference numerals. For clarity, some reference numerals that are repeated in the figures have been omitted.

[0028] Figure 1 Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a sectional view in the longitudinal direction of a preferred embodiment of a machine according to the invention.

[0029] Figure 2 For the sake of clarity, it shows essentially the same representation with additional reference symbols.

[0030] Figure 1 and Figure 2The illustrations show a machine 1 that processes a substrate 2, transported essentially horizontally, i.e., first a web 2a and then sheets 2b produced by cross-cutting or die-cutting (and tearing). The machine further processes the substrate, for example by die-cutting, stripping, separating, and laying out the resulting blanks. The substrate, e.g., made of cardboard, is preferably already printed in multiple colors by upstream printing units (not shown), e.g., using flexographic printing. The substrate 2 is transported essentially in the direction 3. The machine 1 has at least one motor 4 for this transport. The machine 1 can be used to produce blanks for folding cartons.

[0031] The machine 1 comprises a die-cutting module 10 with an inlet side 10a and an outlet side 10b for the substrate 2, as well as a die-cutting device 11, which in turn comprises a vertically movable die-cutting tool 12. The die-cutting module is preferably fixedly arranged on a floor 92 of a production facility, e.g., a printing plant, i.e., it is not movable (for clarity, the machine is shown with a gap to the floor).

[0032] Furthermore, the machine 1 comprises a stripping module 20 (as the module following the die-cutting module 10) with an inlet side 20a and an outlet side 20b for the substrate 2, as well as with a rotating stripping tool 21. According to the invention, the stripping module 20 is variable, preferably displaceable, in its position 22 in the horizontal direction 90 when processing different jobs of varying formats. For this purpose, the stripping module can be moved on the base 92 or on a support 70. Rails (not shown) can be provided on the base 92 or on the support 70 for this purpose.

[0033] Following the stripping module 20, the machine 1 comprises a transport module 30 with an inlet side 30a and an outlet side 30b for the substrate 2. A transport section 31 of the transport module 30 has a variable length 31a (in the horizontal direction 90°). The transport section 31 comprises a variable-length vacuum belt 32, which is guided around at least one roller 33, preferably around a plurality of more than the two rollers shown, wherein the roller 33 is movable and thus adjustable in the horizontal direction by means of a telescopic device. The roller 33 interacts with a guide roller 35 so that the substrate 2 is guided and, in particular, pulled securely. The vacuum belt 32 can be guided around an adjustable compensating roller (not shown), by adjusting which the path and thus the length of the belt in the direction of the stripping module 20 can be changed or adjusted.

[0034] A transition device 40 with a transition section 41, which has a variable length 41a, e.g., a retractable roller blind 42 made of a fabric or tarpaulin, is arranged between the two modules 10 and 20. The roller blind 42 can be attached to the punching module 10 and hooked onto the knockout module 20 by means of an element 43, or vice versa (as shown).

[0035] The machine 1 preferably comprises three feed groups for transporting the substrate 2: a first feed group 50 with two cooperating first feed rollers 50a; a second feed group 51 with two cooperating second feed rollers 51a; and a third feed group 52 with two cooperating third feed rollers 52a; wherein each pair of feed rollers comprises an upper roller 53 and a lower roller 54 with respect to the substrate 2. Preferably, each feed group is driven by its own servo motor 4. The drive is preferably intermittent and synchronized with the stroke of the die-cutting tool 12. The machine 1 can also preferably comprise only two feed groups, the first feed group 50 and the second feed group 51, i.e., the third feed group can be omitted.

[0036] The two Figure 1 and 2The figures also show different distances: a distance of 60 between the first pull group 50 and the second pull group 51; a distance of 61 between the second pull group 51 and the third pull group 52; a distance of 62 between the third pull group 52 and the roll 33. In addition, the format or length 63 of an exemplary sheet 2b is shown (the sheet is shown above the die-cutting module 10 only for the sake of clarity).

[0037] It is evident that the distances 61 and 62 are shorter than the length 63 of sheet 2b. In practice, the distances 61 and 62 will only be slightly shorter than the length 63 of sheet 2b. This ensures that sheet 2b is always guided by one of the second traction group 51, the third traction group 52, the vacuum belt 32, or the roller 33 (including the guide roller 35) and never "floats." The distance 60 can be slightly larger than the length 63 because sheet 2b is not yet completely separated from web 2a in the area of ​​the punching module 10 and is only torn from web 2a by the advance of the second traction group 51.

[0038] The two Figure 1 and 2Figure 1 also shows a support 70, which is pivotably arranged about a vertically oriented axis 71. The breakout module 20 and the transport module 30 are preferably arranged on this support and thus pivotable with it. A pivoting drive (not shown), e.g., a motor and a drive spindle, can be arranged at the end of the support 70 opposite the pivot axis. The breakout module 20 and the transport module 30 are preferably movably mounted (tracks and rollers) on the support.

[0039] The machine 1 further comprises a control device 72, preferably a digital computer, which controls the individual components of the machine, in particular the modules 10, 20 and 30 together with their traction groups 50, 51 and 52 and also the roller 33, such that the substrate 2 is guided and transported reliably in coordination with the feed of a web 2b and the die-cutting process. An upstream feed module 73, which changes the continuous web feed to an intermittent one, and a downstream blanking module 74 can also be controlled by the control device 72. Reference symbol list

[0040] 1 Machine, converting machine 2 Substrate 2a Web 2b Sheet, cut crosswise from web 3 Processing direction, transport direction 4 Motor(s) 10 Die-cutting module 10a Infeed side 10b Outfeed side 11 Die-cutting device 12 Die-cutting tool 20 Stripping module as subsequent module 20a Infeed side 20b Outfeed side 21 Stripping tool 22 Variable position of the stripping module 30 Transport module 30a Infeed side 30b Outfeed side 31 Transport section 31a Variable length of the transport section 32 Vacuum belt 33 Roller, infeed roller 34 Telescopic device 35 Adjustment roller 40 Transition device 41 Transition section 41a Variable length of the transition section 42 Roller blind or tablet 43 Element for hanging 50 First pull group 50a First pull rollers 51 Second pull group 51a Second draw rollers 52 Optional third draw group 52a Optional third draw rollers 53 Top roller 54 Bottom roller 60 Spacing between first and second draw group 61 Spacing between second and third draw group 62 Spacing between third draw group and roller 63 Sheet format,Arc length 70 Beam 71 Swivel axis 72 Control device 73 Feed module 74 Slot center module 90 Horizontal 91 Vertical 92 Bottom

Claims

1. A machine for further processing printed material, comprising a die-cutting module (10) for die-cutting the printed material (2), which includes a die-cutting device (11), a first feed unit (50) upstream thereof, and a second feed unit (51) downstream thereof for the printed material (2), a transport module (30) for further transporting the printed material (2), which comprises at least one length-adjustable transport section (31), and a transfer device (40) for transferring the printed material (2) from the die-cutting module (10) to a subsequent module (20), which comprises a length-adjustable transfer section (41), characterized in that a stripping module (20) is arranged between the die-cutting module (10) and the transport module (30) as the subsequent module, which, depending on a sheet format (63), can be positioned in the processing direction (3) of the machine (1), and that the transfer device (40) transfers the substrate (2) from the die-cutting module (10) to the stripping module (20), wherein the length (3 la) of the transport section (31) and the length (41a) of the transfer section (41) are adjustable according to the position (22) of the stripping module (20).

2. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the stripping module (20) includes an upstream third feed unit (52) for the printing material.

3. Machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the distance (61) between the second feed unit (51) and the stripping module (20) or the third feed unit (52) is smaller than the sheet size (63), and / or that the distance (62) between the stripping module (20) or the third feed unit (52) and the adjustable roller (33) of the transport section (31) is less than the sheet size (63).

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

5. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the machine (1) comprises a swiveling support (70).

6. Machine according to claim 4, characterized in that the support (70) can pivot about a vertical pivot axis (71).

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

8. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the length-adjustable transport section (31) comprises a revolving vacuum belt (32).

9. Machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the length-adjustable transport section (31) includes an adjustable roller (33) for the vacuum belt (32).

10. Machine according to claim 8, characterized in that the length-adjustable transport section (31) includes a telescoping device (34) for adjusting the position of the roller (33).

11. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the length-adjustable transition section (41) comprises a length-adjustable rolling shutter (42) or tray (42) for supporting the substrate (2), and that the rolling shutter (42) or tray (42) comprises an element (43) for hooking onto the stripping module (20) or to its second feed unit (51).