Sheet processing machine, use of the sheet processing machine and method for conveying sheets

Abstract

The invention relates to a sheet-processing machine (1) with sheet-processing units, wherein the machine (1) includes at least two printing units (2) for processing sheets, wherein the printing units (2) each include a rubber cylinder (6) and a plate cylinder, and a rubber cylinder (6) of a printing unit (2) interacts with a sheet guide cylinder (5), wherein a sheet conveying system (7) is provided between two sheet guide cylinders (5), wherein the sheets are conveyed along a sheet conveying path by the sheet guide cylinders (5) and the sheet conveying systems (7) of the machine (1), wherein a sheet guide element starting in the area of ​​the sheet guide cylinder (5) is provided below and along the sheet conveying path in one or all printing units (2) and / or a delivery unit (4).wherein a deionization device (8) is associated with the first section of the sheet guide element and wherein the machine (1) includes at least one unit designed as a primer unit. The invention also relates to a use of the sheet-processing machine (1) and a method for conveying sheets.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a sheet-processing machine, a use of the sheet-processing machine and a method for conveying sheets in a sheet-processing machine.

[0002] For example, in sheet-fed printing presses, especially at high speeds, increased electrostatic charging of the sheets can occur, particularly in the printing units. This causes a printed sheet to attract the following sheet guide plates due to the charge, even with air cushions present, and the fresh ink from the underside smears onto the sheet guide plates.

[0003] Even in the turning area, especially at high speeds, the printed sheets can become electrostatically charged. This causes the sheets to enter the cylinder gaps between the turning drum / printing cylinder, or the subsequent printing zone, with a wavy appearance. During a flattening process on the printing cylinder surface, the sheet can no longer be pushed and is folded.

[0004] From EP 0 306 682 A2, a device for conveying sheets through the pressure zone of the rubber cylinder and the printing cylinder of a sheet-fed rotary printing press is known. To neutralize the sheets, deionization bars are arranged upstream of the two ionization bars that generate opposite charges. These deionization bars are directed at the sheet from below and above, respectively, and both are supplied, for example, with a suitable alternating voltage. This neutralization of the charges creates unambiguous starting conditions for the subsequent positive charging of the sheet. To break the frictional connection between the sheet and a cover, another deionization bar is arranged shortly before the point where the printed sheet is transferred to the gripper system of the sheet take-off drum. The arrangement is quite complex and increases the adhesion of the sheets to the cylinder.

[0005] From EP 1 155 834 A2, a device for removing electrical charges from flat material is known, wherein the positive charge of a printing plate lying on a metal plate is compensated by means of first ionizer tips. Due to the remaining negative charge on the underside of the printing plate, it aligns itself with the discharged surface against another metal plate, the negative charge being compensated by the downstream ionization bar. This complex arrangement is not suitable for sheet guide elements in sheet-processing machines, in particular in turning devices of sheet-processing machines.

[0006] From EP 1 679 187 B1 and US 2006 / 150841 A1, a sheet guide with an electrically insulated, comb-shaped rim is known, wherein a discharge device for discharging the printed material sheets is arranged in the area of ​​the rim. The arrangement in the rim close to the printing cylinder results in reduced effectiveness. The rim, made of non-conductive material, is subject to increased wear, particularly in the critical area of ​​the sheet take-up zone, and leads to stability weaknesses in the event of a crash. Furthermore, the arrangement of the discharge device in the concentric guide path makes it difficult to maintain the optimal electrode spacing, which leads to reduced effectiveness.

[0007] From DE 197 55 745 A1, a device for electrostatically influencing signatures is known, wherein a flat charging electrode is applied to the conductive surface of an arc guide plate. The device is intended to attract the arcs to the arc guide plate and keep them suspended by a stream of blown air. In reality, a stable suspension height of the arcs cannot be maintained constantly with such a device. Furthermore, the flat contact electrode interferes with the nozzle distribution, which must be designed according to the requirements of arc support.

[0008] From DE 100 38 774 A1, a fan unit in a printing press is known, which includes controllable ion fans. In a sheet-turning unit, a sheet of printed material can also be guided and turned by means of a generated negative pressure on the turning drum. For this purpose, fan units containing ion fans can be arranged inside a cylinder or integrated into its surface. This is complex and not sufficiently effective.

[0009] From DE 10 2007 049 643 A1, a device for turning a sheet during transport through a printing press is known, wherein a braking arrangement for a sheet is fixed to the frame. The braking arrangement consists of a generator for an alternating magnetic field and a pneumatic guide for the sheet. As the sheet passes the generator, a current is supposed to be induced in the ferromagnetic material of the sheet or the printing ink on the sheet. A magnetic field emanating from the eddy current is supposed to oppose the field of the generator, so that the sheet is braked. The effectiveness of this principle is questionable. The sheets are also not discharged, since no ions are emitted by the generator.

[0010] From DE 10 2010 028 702 A1 a turning device of a sheet-fed printing machine is known, wherein an ionization device is assigned to the sheet transport path on or in connection with a storage drum, wherein the sheets guided on the storage drum or fed to the storage drum can be charged with electrical charges.

[0011] DE 100 56 018 A1 shows a device for supporting the guidance and placement of the sheet, wherein an air-blowing sheet guidance element encloses a deionizing device inside.

[0012] DE 10 2008 001 165 A1 shows an arc-guiding cylinder of a processing machine, wherein the cylinder contains a base body on which a cylinder jacket electrically insulated from it is arranged.

[0013] The invention is based on the objective of creating an alternative sheet-processing machine or an alternative method for conveying sheets in a sheet-processing machine, or of improving sheet guidance in general in a sheet-processing machine, in particular in a turning unit of a sheet-processing machine. In particular, the reliable sheet guidance, especially in the area of ​​a turning unit, is to be improved, particularly with low grammage or foil sheets.

[0014] According to the invention, the problem is solved by the features of an independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings. At this point, all embodiments of the invention disclosed in the claims of the originally submitted documents are explicitly included in the description.

[0015] The invention has the advantage of providing an alternative sheet-processing machine or an alternative method for conveying sheets in a sheet-processing machine. In particular, the sheet guidance is further improved, especially in the area of ​​a turning unit, which can advantageously lead to a significant increase in the performance of a sheet-processing machine, for example, a sheet-fed printing press, particularly a sheet-fed offset printing press.

[0016] Particularly preferably, deionization of a sheet can be achieved after it has been detached from a sheet guide cylinder, especially a storage drum, in a turning device. The machine can be suitable or equipped for processing sheets with a low basis weight and / or for processing foil sheets. The machine can process sheet material with a basis weight of more than 250 g / m², but preferably less than 250 g / m², particularly preferably less than 150 g / m², and most preferably less than 80 g / m², in particular printing and / or varnishing.

[0017] Preferably, one, two, or more discharge electrodes can be arranged in the area of ​​the arc guide element, in particular an arc guide plate of a turning device. The arrangement can be in the form of a cassette. For example, one or more discharge electrodes can be mounted on the arc guide plate, or one or more discharge electrodes can be embedded in the arc guide plate. Embedded electrodes are preferably positioned between insulators whose surfaces are tangentially connected to the arc guide plate.

[0018] Preferably, the sheet guide element, in particular a sheet guide plate, limits the long side of a turning chamber of a turning device downwards. The sheet guide element, in particular a sheet guide plate, is preferably spaced from the cylinder tangent between a storage drum and a turning drum such that the distance to the sheet corresponds to the optimal electrode spacing. Furthermore, a device, in particular a tensioning device on the storage drum, can be provided which additionally tensions the sheet near the cylinder tangent between the storage drum and the turning drum.tightens, so that not only is the optimal electrode distance maintained over the entire arc length, but the influence can be applied to the arc where it remains free of ion-binding contact with mass-bearing machine parts on the top and bottom, so that the ions can pass into the activated deionizing ambient air with minimal obstruction, ultimately leading to a maximum possible discharge of the arc.

[0019] Preferably, a discharge cassette is integrated into the sheet guide element, in particular a sheet guide plate, below the turning point to discharge the sheets. A discharged sheet is thereby freed from electrostatic forces and can be flattened so that it can pass through a subsequent processing station or printing zone without waves or creases.

[0020] In machines containing perfecting units, it is particularly advantageous when processing low-grammage or foil substrates to provide deionization units not only in the perfecting unit but also in other, or preferably all, printing units and, if necessary, additional units and / or a delivery unit, since the substrate is constantly recharged in a printing zone. Preferably, sheet guide elements designed as sheet guide plates containing deionization units are used for this purpose. Positioned at a suitable distance from the sheet conveyor path, these elements advantageously ensure both optimal discharge and guidance of the substrates.

[0021] The invention will now be explained by way of example. The accompanying drawings schematically illustrate the following: Fig. 1: Detail of a sheet-processing machine with a sheet guide element associated with a sheet conveying system of a printing unit; Fig. 2: Enlarged view of a sheet guide plate with comb fingers and deionization device; Fig. 3: Perspective view of the sheet guide plate with comb fingers and deionization device; Fig. 4: Enlarged view of a sheet guide plate with a cover; Fig. 5: Cover for deionization device; Fig. 6: Perspective view of a sheet guide plate with a cover; Fig. 7: Detail of a sheet-processing machine with a turning unit and a sheet guide element with a deionization device; Fig. 8a: Design of a sheet guide plate of the turning unit with an attached discharge electrode; Fig. 8b: Design of a sheet guide plate of the turning unit with integrated discharge electrodes; Fig.Fig. 9: Section of a sheet-processing machine with a final sheet guide cylinder and a delivery; Fig. 10: Sheet guide cylinder with a downstream sprocket shaft and a sheet guide plate arranged below the sprocket shaft; Fig. 11: Sheet guide cylinder with a downstream sprocket shaft and a sheet guide plate with a cover arranged below the sprocket shaft.

[0022] The Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows, for example, a section of a sheet-fed processing machine 1, in particular a sheet-fed printing press, specifically a sheet-fed offset rotary printing press, preferably in a modular or series configuration, especially for processing foil sheets. In a preferred embodiment, the machine 1 is a foil sheet processing machine, particularly with appropriate equipment. An offset printing press 1 can be operated using the offset process, but other printing processes such as screen printing, inkjet printing, etc., can also be used in the machine 1. The machine 1 contains any number of sheet-fed processing units, which can be configured, for example, as setup, priming, printing, coating, drying, inspection, and / or finishing units, such as inline processing units.In the aggregate and series design, the successively arranged units of machine 1 are preferably largely identical in construction, for example, by using identical substructure modules. Furthermore, machine 1 can include a feeder for sheet feeding and / or an output device for ejecting the processed sheets. Machine 1 could also include inline processing units and / or one or more inline processing units, which may be configured, for example, as foil finishing units, cold foil units, calender units, die-cutting units, numbering units, screen printing units, perforating units, embossing units, etc. A turning unit 3 is arranged between two units of machine 1, with which the sheets are turned in a perfecting mode. Machine 1 is preferably designed to be switchable between perfecting mode and perfecting mode.

[0023] The machine 1 includes, in particular, at least two or a plurality of printing units 2 and / or one or more coating units for processing sheets. Preferably, the printing units 2 of the machine 1 each include a transfer cylinder or rubber cylinder 6 and a form cylinder or plate cylinder (not shown). A rubber cylinder 6 of a printing unit 2 interacts with a sheet guide cylinder, in particular a printing cylinder 5. A sheet conveying system, preferably a sheet conveying drum 7 or a transfer drum or a transfer cylinder, is provided between two sheet guide cylinders, in particular printing cylinders 5. The printing cylinders 5 and the sheet conveying drum 7 are double-sized, and the rubber cylinders 6 and the plate cylinders are single-sized. Single-sized cylinders can accommodate approximately one sheet, and double-sized cylinders can accommodate approximately two sheets of maximum format simultaneously.Alternatively, the sheet guide cylinders, in particular printing cylinder 5, or transfer drums could also be single-sized, triple-sized or larger.

[0024] The double-sized pressure cylinders 5 and the sheet feed drum 7 preferably each have two gripper systems for securing sheets to be conveyed, in particular sheets of film. These gripper systems, arranged diametrically opposite each other, for example in gripper channels, hold the sheet to be processed for conveying. The gripper systems preferably have fixed gripper strikes that interact with gripper fingers, which can be moved via roller levers, for example by means of control cams and cam rollers, to clamp the sheets. The gripper strikes of pressure cylinder 5 and sheet feed drum 7 describe a gripper strike path during their respective rotations, which largely corresponds to the sheet conveying path. During conveying, the sheets can rest on the respective cylinder or the cylinder surface of a sheet guide cylinder, in particular pressure cylinder 5.The sheets are preferably transferred between the sheet guide cylinders, in particular printing cylinders 5, and the sheet conveying systems, in particular sheet conveying drums 7, of the printing units 2 of machine 1 by means of a gripper connection. A delivery unit 4 with a delivery chain circuit is preferably arranged downstream of the last unit of machine 1. This delivery chain circuit uses a gripper carriage to take the sheets from the last sheet guide cylinder, in particular a printing cylinder 5, and conveys them to a delivery stack. For example, a last unit of machine 1 upstream of the delivery unit 4 can be configured as a printing, coating, drying, inspection, or finishing unit, such as an inline converting unit.

[0025] In the printing units 2 of machine 1, the rubber cylinders 6 are operatively connected to the plate cylinders, and known inking units or inking and dampening units are arranged, which apply the corresponding printing ink to a printing plate stretched on the respective plate cylinder. A plate cylinder is inked by at least one, but preferably several, rollers of the associated inking unit or inking and dampening unit during its rotation. As the plate cylinder rolls along the rubber cylinder 6, the printing ink is transferred in the correct orientation onto the rubber cylinder 6, which is covered with a rubber blanket. A printing gap or printing zone is formed between a rubber cylinder 6 and a printing cylinder 5, through which the sheet to be printed is conveyed from the printing cylinder 5 by means of the gripper systems. In the printing gap, the printing ink is transferred from the rubber cylinder 6 to the sheet in the correct orientation.The printing cylinder 5 has in particular a full-surface surface for carrying the sheets to be conveyed, which forms the printing gap with the rubber blanket of the rubber cylinder 6.

[0026] A plate cylinder and a rubber cylinder 6 of each printing unit 2 of the machine 1 preferably each have a cylinder journal on both sides, via which the cylinders are rotatably mounted in the frame of the respective printing unit 2. Both plate cylinders and rubber cylinders 6 preferably each have Schmitz rings (not shown) arranged on both sides. The plate cylinder Schmitz rings are in contact with the rubber cylinder Schmitz rings during the printing process and roll against each other under pressure. The Schmitz rings are preferably dimensioned such that no significant torque transmission takes place between the cylinders during printing, i.e., no predetermined torque is transmitted via the Schmitz rings.

[0027] Preferably, the machine 1 has a drive gear train, which particularly preferably acts as a continuous drive gear train to drive the sheet guide cylinders, especially printing cylinders 5, of the printing units 2. Preferably, the sheet conveying systems, especially the sheet conveying drums 7 or transfer drums, are also driven by the drive gear train. For this purpose, the printing cylinders 5 and the sheet conveying drums 7 each have meshing gears that form the drive gear train. The drive gear train is driven by at least one main drive motor, which is driven centrally or preferably in the area of ​​the front units of the machine 1. For example, the drive of the main drive motor can be located in the first printing unit 2 immediately following the system unit in the sheet conveying direction BFR, in particular onto the gear assigned to the shaft of the first printing cylinder 5. The continuous drive gear train drives the cylinders or...Drums driven around their respective axis of rotation.

[0028] Preferably, the rubber cylinders 6 of the printing units 2 are also driven by the drive gear train. Other rotating bodies or rollers of the machine 1 or the printing units 2 can also be driven, at least temporarily, by the drive gear train, and these can also be designed to be coupled to the drive gear train.

[0029] For example, each or every plate cylinder of a printing unit 2 can be assigned an individual drive, in particular a plate cylinder direct drive. Direct drives are, in particular, individual drives whose rotors are aligned and concentrically mounted, preferably directly to the assigned cylinders. During printing, the respective plate cylinder can then be electronically synchronized with the rubber cylinder 6, which is preferably driven by the main drive motor via the drive gear train. For this purpose, a rotary encoder can be assigned to the plate cylinder and / or rubber cylinder 6, which can be connected to a quality control device, a control unit of the printing unit 2, and / or the machine control system. Alternatively, the drive of the plate cylinder(s) can also be effected via the drive gear train from the main drive motor, for example, via couplings.

[0030] In a sheet-processing machine 1, sheet substrate containing film material or sheet substrate consisting entirely of film material is processed, in particular printed and / or varnished. For processing sheet-processing machines, the machine 1 is equipped with suitable features. The sheet-processing machine is preferably designed as a sheet-processing printing machine, at least for printing on sheet-processing machines. In particular, the machine 1 can have a sheet-processing package that is specifically adapted to the film material. For example, the machine 1 can include at least one primer unit, for example, upstream of the printing units 2, and / or a special double-sheet control device, and / or the gripper systems of the machine 1 can be adapted to the thinness of the sheet-processing material, and / or the printing inks and / or varnishes or dryers used can be adapted to the film material.The film material can be, for example, PVC, PP, PS, or PET. Furthermore, specialty papers, laminated papers, or cardboard could also be processed by machine 1.

[0031] Particularly in foil printing, the foil sheets are charged in each active printing unit 2 of the machine 1. In this process, the foil sheets are recharged to an extremely high static charge, especially during each printing cycle. Therefore, deionization devices 8 are provided, at least in the printing units 2 and / or coating units of the machine 1, which are located downstream of the printing gap of the first printing unit 2 of the machine 1 with respect to the sheet feed direction (BFR). Preferably, deionization devices 8 are provided in all units of the machine 1 downstream of the first printing unit 2. However, a deionization device 8 can also be assigned to a feed unit and / or the first printing unit 2 of the machine 1. The deionization devices 8 are provided, in particular, in each printing unit 2 and / or coating unit, with only one deionization device 8 being arranged in each printing unit 2 and / or coating unit.It is also preferred that one or more such deionization devices 8 be provided in each of the additional plants, such as the paint, drying, inspection, or finishing plants. Charging devices for the targeted charging of cylinders or sheets are specifically not provided.

[0032] The sheets, especially foil sheets, are conveyed or transported along a sheet conveying path by the sheet guide cylinders, in particular printing cylinders 5, and the sheet conveying systems, in particular sheet conveying drums 7, of machine 1. A sheet guide element, starting in the area of ​​the sheet guide cylinder, in particular printing cylinder 5, is provided below and along the sheet conveying path in one or all printing units 2. Such a sheet guide element is preferably designed as a sheet guide plate 9, in particular made of metal, which extends in particular across the width of the machine. In particular, such a sheet guide plate 9 has comb fingers 10 in the area facing the sheet guide cylinder, in particular printing cylinder 5.With regard to the sheet conveying direction BFR, a deionization device 8 is connected to each of the comb fingers 10, wherein the comb fingers 10 of the sheet guide plate 9 are made, in particular, partially or completely of metallic material. Furthermore, the comb-shaped areas of the sheet guide elements could be provided with blowing air openings and, in particular, be switchable to blowing air, so that a pneumatic force acting on the sheets can be generated in these areas. In particular, the sheets, especially foil sheets, could therefore be peeled from the outer surface of the upstream sheet guide cylinder, in particular pressure cylinder 5, by the pneumatically acting comb fingers 10. Blowing air openings that can be pressurized are thus assigned to the sheet guide surfaces of the comb fingers 10. In particular, the overpressure, which is higher than ambient pressure, exerts a blowing air effect on the sheets conveyed along the sheet conveying path.

[0033] A sheet guide element, in particular a sheet guide plate 9, located below a sheet conveying system, in particular a sheet conveying drum 7, can consist of a single sheet or be composed of several sections. For example, an upstream guide section can form a first area and a downstream guide section a second area for sheet guidance. A first section or sheet can extend from the outer surface of the sheet guide cylinder, in particular a pressure cylinder 5, to a vertical position below the axis of rotation of the sheet conveying drum 7. A second section or sheet can extend in the sheet conveying direction (BFR) and reach to the outer surface of the downstream sheet guide cylinder, in particular a pressure cylinder 5. A deionization device 8 is specifically associated with the first section of the sheet guide element. In particular, the deionization device 8 is associated with the sheet guide element.the sheet guide surface of the sheet guide element in the area of ​​the upstream sheet guide cylinder, in particular pressure cylinder 5. The deionization device 8 preferably forms the sheet guide surface in its area of ​​arrangement.

[0034] In particular, the section downstream of the sheet conveying direction (BFR), or a second area of ​​the sheet guide element, especially sheet guide plate 9, is designed concentrically to the axis of rotation of the sheet conveying system, especially the sheet conveying drum 7. Specifically, the sheet guide surface of the second section of the sheet guide element, especially the sheet guide plate 9, is designed concentrically around the axis of rotation or the gripper impact path of the sheet conveying drum 7. The first section of the sheet guide element, especially the sheet guide plate 9, can have a sheet guide surface in or from the area of ​​the sheet guide cylinder, especially the pressure cylinder 5, that continuously approximates the axis of rotation of the sheet conveying system, especially the sheet conveying drum 7. The sheet guide element is thus spirally designed. The first section can also be designed concentrically around an axis spaced apart from the axis of rotation of the sheet conveying drum 7.

[0035] In particular, at least one fan 14 can be assigned to a sheet guide element, especially a sheet guide plate 9, which can be controlled, in particular, to generate blowing and / or suction air. Preferably, a fan 14 is arranged on the sheet guide element, especially a sheet guide plate 9, such that it generates blowing and / or suction air in the area of ​​the sheet guide surface of the sheet guide element, especially the sheet guide plate 9. The sheet guide element, especially the sheet guide plate 9, is assigned corresponding openings, for example, Venturi nozzles, facing the sheet conveying path. Outside of any openings provided, the sheet guide element, especially the sheet guide plate 9, preferably has a closed sheet guide surface.

[0036] In particular, a sheet guide element, especially a sheet guide plate 9, can be designed such that a sheet guide surface extends in the region of the outer surface of the sheet guide cylinder, especially a pressure cylinder 5, starting and extending to the downstream sheet guide cylinder, especially a pressure cylinder 5, below the sheet conveying system, especially the sheet conveying drum 7. A first region of the sheet guide element, especially the sheet guide plate 9, beginning in the region of the upstream sheet guide cylinder, especially a pressure cylinder 5, can have the comb fingers 10 and be spaced further away from the axis of rotation of the sheet conveying system, especially the sheet conveying drum 7, than a subsequent second region of the sheet guide element, especially the sheet guide plate 9. Preferably, a largely closed sheet guide surface for the sheets is formed by the comb fingers 10 and the first region of the sheet guide plate 9.

[0037] The first section of the sheet guide plate 9 can begin within a rotational angular range of the sheet feeder drum 7, which is spaced between 15° and 25°, particularly approximately 20°, from the transfer center formed by the gripper engagement between the upstream pressure cylinder 5 and the sheet feeder drum 7. The sheet guide plate 9, or the comb fingers 10, can be arranged at a distance of, for example, 2 mm to 50 mm, particularly between 25 mm and 30 mm, from the sheet conveying path formed by the gripper impacts of the sheet feeder drum 7. The first section of the sheet guide plate 9 preferably approaches the axis of rotation of the sheet feeder drum 7, or the sheet conveying path, continuously.

[0038] In a second section of the sheet guide plate 9, which follows the first section in the sheet conveying direction BFR, the sheets are preferably guided concentrically to the axis of rotation of the sheet conveying drum 7, or parallel to the gripper impact path of the sheet conveying drum 7, or parallel to the sheet conveying path. The second section of the sheet guide plate 9 can, for example, be positioned 5 mm to 10 mm away from the sheet conveying path. The second section of the sheet guide plate 9 can, for example, begin at a distance of 60° to 90° from the transfer point between the pressure cylinder 5 and the sheet conveying drum 7. The sheet guide element, in particular the sheet guide plate 9, can thus be designed such that its first section, which is positioned upstream of the sheet conveying direction BFR, has a multiple, for example, double or triple, distance to the gripper impact path.to the curved conveyor path in comparison to the downstream second area.

[0039] Preferably, a deionization device 8 is arranged in the first region of the sheet guide plate 9, and if comb fingers 10 are provided, it is positioned downstream of the comb fingers 10 in the sheet conveying direction BFR. The comb fingers 10 can, for example, extend over a rotational angular range of the sheet conveying drum 7 of approximately 5°. The deionization device 8 can be directly connected to the comb fingers 10 or extend over a rotational angular range of the sheet conveying drum 7 of at least approximately 10°. The sheet guide surface of the sheet guide plate 9 formed by the comb fingers 10 and / or the deionization device 8 approaches the axis of rotation of the sheet conveying drum 7, its gripper impact path, or the sheet conveying path continuously in the sheet conveying direction BFR.For example, the first section of the sheet guide plate 9 can transition into the second section, which is largely concentric to the sheet conveying path, within a rotational angle range of the sheet conveying drum 7 of, for example, approximately 60°. The machine 1 can have further units or printing units 2, wherein some or preferably all units or printing units 2 include or contain sheet guide elements, in particular sheet guide plates 9, for sheet guidance. The sheet guide elements, in particular sheet guide plates 9, of the machine 1 are preferably of identical construction.

[0040] The Fig. 2 Figure 1 shows an enlarged view of a sheet guide element designed as a sheet guide plate 9 with a deionization device 8. The deionization device 8 comprises a cassette arranged in the sheet guide plate 9 with at least one discharge electrode 12. Preferably, the cassette can be recessed into the sheet guide plate 9 below a sheet conveying system, in particular the sheet conveying drum 7, and can also have several, preferably identical, discharge electrodes 12. Preferably, the cassette has two discharge electrodes 12. The cassette is preferably arranged downstream of, in particular, metallic comb fingers 10, wherein an upstream guide surface section 9.1 can also be formed between the comb fingers 10 and the cassette. In the sheet conveying direction (BFR), a downstream guide surface section 9.2 of the sheet guide plate 9 preferably adjoins the cassette of the deionization device 8 directly.In this arrangement, the upstream guide surface section 9.1 and the downstream guide surface section 9.2 are part of a common guide surface of the arc guide element 9. It is particularly preferred that the upstream guide surface section 9.1 and / or the downstream guide surface section 9.2 is also made of metal.

[0041] Preferably, the sheet guide element, in particular the sheet guide plate 9, surrounds the sheet conveying system, in particular the sheet conveying drum 7, for example a surfaceless transfer drum, in a spiral shape. This means that the front part of the sheet guide element, in particular the sheet guide plate 9, is held further away from an axis of rotation of the sheet conveying system, in particular the sheet conveying drum 7, than the subsequent part of the sheet guide element, in particular the sheet guide plate 9. Subsequently, the sheet guide element, in particular the sheet guide plate 9, preferably transitions tangentially into a concentric radius with the sheet conveying system, in particular the sheet conveying drum 7, in order to achieve the optimal electrode spacing in the areas of the furthest distance of the guide plate spiral, excluding the comb fingers 10.This means that the guide surface of the bow guide element 9 approaches the radius of the bow conveying drum 7 in the bow conveying direction BFR and then guides itself concentrically around the radius of the bow conveying drum 7.

[0042] The Fig. 3 Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the sheet guide element, in particular sheet guide plate 9, with comb fingers 10 and deionization device 8. The comb fingers 10, facing a sheet guide cylinder, in particular the printing cylinder 5, contain spaced-apart finger elements, preferably metallic, between which the movable gripper fingers of the gripper systems of the sheet guide cylinder, in particular the printing cylinder 5, can be passed. The comb fingers 10 can be arranged, for example, at a distance of a few millimeters, for example between 1 and 10 mm, preferably between 2 mm and 3 mm, from the outer surface of the printing cylinder 5. The deionization device 8 is located downstream of the comb fingers 10 with respect to the sheet conveying direction (BFR). The deionization device 8 preferably includes both insulators 11 and one or more discharge electrodes 12 provided with electrical connections.The discharge electrodes 12 are connected to a controllable generator, in particular a high-voltage generator.

[0043] The insulators 11 of the deionization device 8 are each arranged transversely to the sheet conveying direction BFR, preferably across the entire width of the sheet guide plate 9, and have surfaces arranged perpendicular to the sheet conveying path or to the sheet guiding surface of the sheet guide plate 9. Each discharge electrode 12 is arranged here, in particular, between two insulators 11. An insulator 11 located forward with respect to the sheet conveying direction BFR connects with its perpendicular or tangential surface to the comb fingers 10, which are preferably metallic. Downstream of the deionization device 8, the sheet guide plate 9 preferably connects directly to a perpendicular or tangential surface of a rear insulator 11, or, with respect to the sheet conveying direction BFR, the last insulator 11.

[0044] The Fig. 4 Figure 1 shows an enlarged view of an arc guide element, in particular an arc guide plate 9, which has a cover. The complete deionization unit 8 or the complete discharge cassette can be arranged interchangeably within the arc guide plate 9. Alternatively, the deionization unit 8 can also be fixed in place, for example, or displaced within the arc guide element, with a cover, for example a cover part 13, closing the opening. For example, the discharge-generating elements are covered by a cover made of non-conductive material, in particular plastic, which has openings or cutouts. The cutouts are preferably arranged so that the charge carriers of the discharge electrodes 12 are not affected.An arrangement above the discharge cassette is preferably such that the ions can exit through preferably narrow slots and thus reach the underside of the arc.

[0045] The Fig. 5 Figure 13 shows, for example, a cover for a deionization unit 8 of a sheet-processing machine, as described above. The cover is arranged as a cover element 13 transversely to the sheet feed direction (BFR) over the deionization unit 8 (not shown), in particular a discharge electrode 12, and is preferably made entirely of a non-conductive material, especially plastic. The cover element 13 has a plurality of preferably uniformly arranged elongated slots oriented transversely to the sheet feed direction (BFR), which here, for example, have a dimension of 25 mm transversely to the sheet feed direction (BFR) and 8 mm in the sheet feed direction (BFR). In particular, each elongated slot is associated with a positively ion-emitting and a negatively ion-emitting electrode tip of the deionization unit 8, in particular the discharge electrode 12.The electrode tips indicated here extend through the elongated holes, but in particular do not protrude into the arc-guiding surface of the cover. The electrode tips are therefore preferably arranged below the surface or at a distance from the arc-guiding surface of the cover part 13. A discharge electrode 12 here has alternating positive and negative ion-emitting electrode tips, arranged in an equal-spaced manner, which can operate with or without compressed air assistance.

[0046] The Fig. 6 Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a sheet guide element, in particular a sheet guide plate 9, having a cover part 13. The cover part 13 is inserted into the sheet guide plate 9 in such a way that a sheet guide surface is formed that is as free from interference as possible, preferably continuous. Blow-out air openings in the sheet guide element, in particular the sheet guide plate 9, may be provided and are not shown. Preferably, however, Venturi nozzles are provided in the sheet guide surface of the sheet guide element, in particular the sheet guide plate 9, preferably blowing to the side. These are particularly preferably arranged on the inlet and / or outlet side with a blow-direction component towards the edges of the sheet guide surface. This enables a resulting balanced floating height of the sheets on an air cushion, which lies approximately in the gripper impact path, i.e.The pressure forces of the flow on the bow are merely a counterpart to its surface load, which, for example, is only 1 Pa for a bow with a density of 100 g / m² and almost 0 Pa for a bow with a density of 28 g / m². The forces acting on the bow through the Venturi nozzles are therefore dependent on the flow gap between the bow guide surface and the bow. If the bow deviates from the balanced suspension height, the force always acts to realign it back to this balanced suspension height. The increase in pressure forces below the suspension height as the bow approaches the bow guide surface is comparatively higher than the increase in suction forces as the bow moves away from the guide surface beyond the suspension height.

[0047] The mechanism of action is that disturbances are caused by the extreme adhesive forces resulting from the pressure between the sheet, especially a sheet of film, and the sheet guide cylinder, especially pressure cylinder 5. When the sheets are transferred from the sheet guide cylinder, especially pressure cylinder 5, to the sheet feed system, especially the sheet feed drum 7, they are difficult to detach because the release forces act only tangentially. As the sheet progresses, the release forces cause it to intersect the radius of the sheet feed drum as a secant, and the resulting excess of unwound sheet length allows the sheet, still adhering to the surface of the pressure cylinder, to continue following the pressure cylinder 5.This increases the radial components of the previously tangential release force, which are the only components that actually detach the sheet, but these are still small, and the sheet continues to follow the surface of the printing cylinder until the sheet's release loop is peeled off by the pneumatically acting forces of the comb plate, particularly without mechanical contact. The air cushion generated by the Venturi nozzles cannot contribute to the sheet's release from printing cylinder 5, as the suction potential of the air cushion does not act on the regular sheet path or the balanced floating height.

[0048] Furthermore, when the sheet is pulled from the sheet guide cylinder, in particular the pressure cylinder 5, by electrostatic charge, it is attracted to the sheet guide element, in particular the sheet guide plate 9, and would come into contact with it. The existing air cushion of the sheet guide plate 9, acting as a surface load, could not create equilibrium against the unevenly distributed field forces of the electrostatic charge, and thus could not achieve a state of suspension. This would result in areas of intense contact with the sheet guide plate 9. However, any intense contact with the sheet guide plate 9 leads to visible scratches on the surface of the sheets, especially foil sheets, or to smearing, particularly on paper sheets. However, the special design of the sheet guide element, in particular a sheet guide plate 9, described above, provides an effective measure for maintaining distance and ensuring scratch-free or...A lubrication-free guidance of sheets, especially foil sheets, is achieved on the sheet guide surface under a sheet conveying system, especially the sheet conveying drum 7, after the sheet has detached from the sheet guide cylinder, especially the pressure cylinder 5. The solution provided prevents contact between the sheet, especially foil sheets, and the sheet guide element, especially the sheet guide plate 9, specifically with the comb and the subsequent guide surface components, thus preventing scratches or smearing.

[0049] Machine 1 can further include a control system or an automatic sensor-controlled regulation of one, several, or all discharge electrodes 12 of one, several, or all deionization units 8 of machine 1. For example, individual discharge electrodes 12 or several discharge electrodes 12 of a deionization unit 8, or several or all deionization units 8 of the machine, can be connected to a generator, in particular a high-voltage generator. The discharge effect can be adjusted by controlling the generator. For example, the intensity of the deionization unit 8 can be controlled or regulated by measurement technology so that the discharge can be adapted to the existing static pressure on the sheet, in particular a foil sheet.Furthermore, particularly with interchangeable discharge cassettes, these can be arranged at a different location within machine 1. In particular, such a cassette or deionization unit 8 can be used in the turning area. The discharge cassettes can thus be designed to be interchangeable or modular within machine 1.

[0050] The Fig. 7 Figure 1 shows a section of a sheet-processing machine 1 equipped, for example, for processing foil sheets, in particular as described above, with a turning device 3 and a sheet guide element. The turning device 3 is designed here as a three-drum turning unit and comprises a transfer drum 15, a storage drum 16, and a turning drum 17. The turning device 3 is preferably arranged between printing units 2 of the machine 1, wherein a sheet guide cylinder, in particular a printing cylinder 5, of a printing unit 2 is arranged directly upstream of the transfer drum 15, and a sheet guide cylinder, in particular a printing cylinder 5, of the following printing unit 2 is arranged downstream of the turning drum 17. The printing cylinders 5 are in turn operatively connected to a rubber cylinder 6, and this in turn to a plate cylinder (not shown) in the printing units 2, as described above.Machine 1 can be switched between the operating modes of single-sided printing and single-sided printing, whereby in the single-sided printing mode sheet transport without turning takes place by transferring the leading edge of the sheet between the drums.

[0051] The transfer drum 15 and the turning drum 17 of the turning device 3 are, for example, single-sized, and the storage drum 16 is, for example, double-sized. For sheet conveying, the transfer drum 15 has a gripper system (not shown) arranged in a gripper channel for clamping the sheets at the leading edge. The sheets are transferred to a gripper system (also not shown) arranged in a gripper channel of the storage drum 16. From the storage drum 16, the sheets are clamped at the leading edge and fed to the turning drum 17 during the rotation of the storage drum 16. The turning drum 17 contains a gripper system (also not shown) for sheet conveying, in particular grippers and / or suction cups, which are pivotably mounted in the turning drum 17. Alternatively, the turning drum 17 can also contain a gripper clamp system for picking up and conveying the sheets. Other cylinder arrangements or...Other cylinder sizes can be used. For example, the transfer drum 15 can also be double-sized.

[0052] In perfecting mode, the sheets are picked up at the leading edge by the gripper system of the perfecting drum 17 in a transfer center and then transferred to a gripper system of the storage drum 16. When a sheet is turned over in perfecting mode, it is guided past the transfer center by the storage drum 16 and gripped at the trailing edge by the gripper system of the perfecting drum 17. This gripped sheet is then turned over during the rotation of the perfecting drum 17 according to the principle of trailing-edge turning, so that its old trailing edge becomes the new leading edge after the reversal of its movement, and the old leading edge lying on the storage drum 16 becomes the new trailing edge. A sheet guide element is assigned to the perfecting device 3 to assist sheet guidance, particularly in perfecting mode.For example, a sheet guide element, in particular designed as a sheet guide plate 9, can be arranged below the storage drum 16 and the turning drum 17 to support sheet guidance. The sheet guide element, in particular the sheet guide plate 9, can also be designed, for example, as a sheet guide element, in particular the sheet guide plate 9, that can be moved depending on the operating mode. Such a movable sheet guide element, in particular the sheet guide plate 9, can be positioned along the sheet conveying path, at least in the facing and facing printing mode, to guide the sheet.

[0053] The storage drum 16, not shown in detail, can, for example, have format-adjustable shell segments that interlock like a comb when the format is adjusted, forming the sheet-bearing shell surface. The two gripper systems of the double-sized storage drum 16, arranged diametrically opposite each other, for the sheet leading edges are located on preferably fixed front shell segments. Fixing systems, in particular suction systems such as rotary suction cups and / or tensioning suction cups, can be provided on the rear shell segments, which are adjustable relative to the front shell segments, for gripping and guiding the sheet trailing edges. Rotary suction cups can tighten the sheets, particularly longitudinally and / or transversely, while they are lying on the storage drum 16 from the transfer drum 15 to the turning drum 17.Even when the turned sheet is pulled from the storage drum 16 by the turning drum 17, the sheet can preferably be tightened by the fixing systems, in particular suction systems such as the rotary suction cups or also tightening suction cups in the tines of the rear adjustable jacket segments of the storage drum 16.

[0054] To assist sheet guidance in front and back printing, the sheet guide element arranged below the storage drum 16 and the turning drum 17 can be adjustable so that its sheet guide surface is aligned at least approximately parallel to the sheet conveying path. The sheet conveying path corresponds at least approximately to a surface that is tangential to both the outer surface of the storage drum 16 and the turning drum 17. The sheet guide surface of the sheet guide element, in particular the sheet guide plate 9, can also be slightly closer to the turning drum 17. The sheet guide element, in particular the sheet guide plate 9, has at least a partially planar guide surface 9.3, which is particularly preferably located below the turning drum 17, especially below the axis of rotation of the turning drum 17. The sheet guide element, in particular the planar guide surface 9, is thus...3 of the arc guide plate 9, a deionization device 8 is assigned. The deionization device 8 has at least one discharge electrode 12 for discharging an arc. The deionization device 8, in particular the at least one discharge electrode 12, causes a discharged arc to be freed from electrostatic forces so that it can be smoothed, such that it can pass through the subsequent pressure gap or pressure zone without waves or creases.

[0055] The Fig. 8a Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a sheet guide plate 9 of the turning device 3 with an attached discharge electrode 12. The discharge electrode 12 is preferably arranged transversely to the sheet conveying direction BFR, extending across the width of the machine, and is provided with corresponding electrical connections. The discharge electrode 12 is preferably associated with the flat guide surface 9.3 of the sheet guide plate 9, with a region approaching the turning drum 17 adjoining the flat guide surface 9.3 in the sheet conveying direction BFR. Preferably, at least one fan 14 can be associated with the sheet guide element, in particular the sheet guide plate 9, which can be controlled, in particular, to generate blowing and / or suction air. Corresponding openings, for example, Venturi nozzles, are associated with the sheet guide element, in particular the sheet guide plate 9, facing the sheet conveying path. In particular, suction and / or blowing air can be supplied by the fan 14, at least in the region of the flat guide surface 9.The fan 14 is generated at the arc guide plate 9. It can be located in the area of ​​the discharge electrode 12 on the side of the arc guide plate 9 facing away from the discharge electrode. The arc guide element, in particular the arc guide plate 9, can be made in one piece or consist of several sections, and a fan 14 can also be assigned to a section located upstream, largely below the storage drum 16.

[0056] The Fig. 8b Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a sheet guide plate 9 of the turning device 3 with an integrated deionization device 8. The deionization device 8 may have a cassette, preferably one that is interchangeable, embedded in the sheet guide plate 9. Preferably, the deionization device 8 has several discharge electrodes 12, which are spaced apart from each other transversely to the sheet conveying direction (BFR), preferably across the width of the machine. Insulators 11 are preferably positioned between the discharge electrodes 12, the surfaces of which terminate tangentially with the sheet guide plate 9, particularly as described above. The sheet guide element, in particular the sheet guide plate 9, may preferably be assigned at least one fan 14 for generating blowing and / or suction air, particularly at least in the area of ​​the flat guide surface 9.3, as described above.Furthermore, a cover can be provided for the at least one recessed discharge electrode 12 to create a largely closed arc guide surface in the area of ​​the discharge electrode 12. A cover element (not shown) with openings adapted to one or more discharge electrodes 12 can be assigned to the arc guide plate 9, particularly directly above the discharge electrode 12 or discharge electrodes 12, especially as described above. The cover element (not shown) can be designed and arranged as described above.

[0057] One of the described sheet guide elements, in particular a sheet guide plate 9, is assigned to the transfer area between the storage drum 16 and the turning drum 17 in the machine 1. A sheet guide plate 9, in particular, limits the long side of the turning area downwards and is spaced from the cylinder tangent between the storage drum 16 and the turning drum 17 such that the distance to the sheet corresponds to the optimal electrode spacing. Furthermore, the fixing systems, in particular suction systems such as rotary suction cups and / or tensioning suction cups, can provide for fixing the sheet lying on the storage drum 16, so that the sheet is additionally stretched or tightened near the cylinder tangent between the storage drum 16 and the turning drum 17.This makes it possible, in particular, to ensure that not only is the optimal electrode spacing maintained along the entire arc length, but also that the treatment can be applied precisely where the arc remains free of ion-binding contact with inert machine parts on both the top and bottom surfaces. This advantageously allows the ions to pass into the activated, deionizing ambient air with minimal obstruction.

[0058] The Fig. 9 Figure 1 shows, for example, a section of a sheet-processing machine 1, in particular a foil-processing machine 1, for example as described above, with a delivery unit 4. The machine 1 is preferably equipped for foil-processing and is specifically designed as a foil-processing machine, as already described above. The delivery unit 4 contains a sheet-feeding system (not shown in detail) that takes the sheets processed in the machine 1, for example printed and / or varnished, from the last sheet guide cylinder and conveys or transports them to a delivery stack (not shown in detail). This sheet-feeding system is preferably designed as a chain conveyor system with two delivery chains, each guided laterally on the frame of the delivery unit 4, between which gripper carriages are arranged equally spaced and parallel to each other.The gripper carriages feature sheet-fixing systems that grip the sheets to be conveyed at their leading edge. The gripper carriages can take over the sheet leading edges from the last sheet guide cylinder of machine 1 during gripper closure. The continuously rotating, driven, and guided gripper carriages have gripper fingers that are movable against fixed gripper impacts, preferably at the leading edge, to take over the sheets from the last sheet guide cylinder of machine 1.

[0059] In delivery stage 4, the gripper carriages are guided by the delivery chains along a gripper carriage track in the sheet conveying direction (BFR) to above the delivery stack, where the gripper carriages release the sheets for placement. To release the sheets, the clamped leading edges are released by lifting the gripper fingers from the gripper stops fixed to the gripper carriage. The movement of the gripper fingers can be controlled via cams and levers over a gripper shaft to which the gripper fingers are fixedly attached. Preferably, a sheet brake is arranged upstream of the delivery stack in the sheet conveying direction (BFR). This brake slows the sheets to be placed from machine speed to placement speed after their release. After deceleration by the sheet brake, the sheets are aligned, for example, against front, back, and / or side edge stops and neatly placed onto the delivery stack.The delivery stack is lowered by a stack lift drive during the sheet placement process in such a way that the delivery stack surface forms an at least approximately constant placement level for the incoming sheets.

[0060] On the sheet conveying path to the delivery stack, at least one mechanical sheet guide is arranged in the delivery unit 4 below the sheet conveying path. This guide guides the sheets after the last sheet guide cylinder on their way to the delivery stack. The sheets, printed on both sides in machine 1, for example, are conveyed from the last sheet guide cylinder to the delivery stack by the continuously circulating gripper carriages of the chain conveyor system. The gripper impacts circulating with the gripper carriages describe a gripper impact path that largely corresponds to the sheet conveying path or limits and thus defines it on one side. The last sheet guide cylinder of machine 1 is, in particular, a printing cylinder 5 of the last printing, coating, drying, inspection, or finishing unit, which, in particular, has a surface that is at least approximately closed.The printing cylinder 5 is preferably twice the size and contains two gripper systems arranged diametrically opposite each other in gripper channels, as described above. These gripper systems also feature movable gripper fingers corresponding to the gripper overhangs that limit or define the sheet conveying path. The sheet leading edges are picked up by the gripper carriages of the chain conveying system from these gripper systems in a gripper engagement. To pick up the sheet leading edge, the gripper fingers of the printing cylinder 5 are positioned with a gap between them and the gripper fingers of the gripper carriages. This transfer of the sheet leading edge takes place in a transfer center, where the sheet leading edge is briefly fixed by both grippers.

[0061] The chain conveyor system in the delivery unit 4 has a sprocket shaft located adjacent to the last sheet guide cylinder, in particular the printing cylinder 5, with two coaxially and spaced-apart sprockets 18, which are rigidly connected to the sprocket shaft. The delivery chains run over the sprockets 18 and can be driven by them in a continuous loop. The sprocket shaft can, for example, be driven via the continuous drive gear train together with sheet conveyor systems and sheet guide cylinders in the units or printing units 2 of the machine 1. Below the sprocket shaft, between the sprockets 18, is the sheet guide element, which is preferably designed as a sheet guide plate 9 extending across the width of the machine and arranged between the side walls. This sheet guide plate 9 preferably has a surface that is at least approximately closed for sliding and / or floating guidance of the sheets.The curved guide plate 9 can be provided with a color-repellent coating.

[0062] Furthermore, nozzle openings, in particular Venturi nozzles, can be assigned to the bow guide plate 9 for pneumatic guidance of the bows.

[0063] For example, one or more blowing boxes or fans 14 can be arranged below the sheet guide plate 9, which can also be formed from joined partial guide plates. These blowing air nozzles of the sheet guide plate 9 can be supplied with blowing air and / or suction air, so that a cushion of supporting air can be formed between the sheet guide plate 9 and the sheets conveyed or transported by the gripper carriages, particularly for front and back printing. A preferably deactivatable smoothing device can be assigned to the sheet guide element, in particular the sheet guide plate 9. Such a smoothing device can be deactivated or is not used when sheets with fresh ink, for example in front and back printing, or when foil sheets are transported or guided. The sheet guide elements, in particular the sheet guide plates 9, of the machine 1 are preferably of identical construction.To prevent the sheets from sticking together on the delivery stack, dryers and / or powdering devices (not shown) can be provided in the delivery unit. It is also possible to integrate a coolant circuit into the sheet guide element to control or regulate its heating.

[0064] The sprocket shaft in the delivery unit 4 does not have a circumferential surface for supporting the sheets. In addition to the sprockets 18 for the circulating delivery chains, the sprocket shaft can include two or more support discs or suction discs, or even individual suction cups, such as corner suction cups. For example, the support discs, with or without corner suction cups, or the suction discs, can be axially displaceable and adjustable to the respective sheet edges. Such discs can also be adjusted axially automatically and / or independently of one another. These discs have support surfaces on their circumference that have a minimal axial extension. This axial extension of the support discs allows each sheet to be fixed to the circumferential surface of the sheet guide cylinder, particularly the printing cylinder 5, during sheet transfer.This prevents the sheet from falling as long as it remains between the discs and the last sheet guide cylinder, in particular the pressure cylinder 5. Preferably, the sheets are pressed against the outer surface of the pressure cylinder 5 in small press gaps by support elements arranged on brackets. The support elements can have elastic surfaces. Such discs are preferably also twice the size and can preferably have recesses for the circulating gripper carriages of the chain conveyor system.

[0065] The Fig. 10 Figure 1 shows a final sheet guide cylinder, in particular printing cylinder 5, of machine 1 with a downstream sprocket 18 of the sprocket shaft and a sheet guide element arranged below the sprocket shaft, in particular a sheet guide plate 9 described above. A connecting line is drawn between the axis of rotation of the sprocket 18 and the axis of rotation of the printing cylinder 5, on which the transfer center is located in the transfer area. The sheet guide plate 9 is arranged below the sprocket shaft, and in the area facing the printing cylinder 5, it has comb fingers 10, in particular made of metal, as already described for printing unit 2. In the area of ​​the sheet guide cylinder, in particular printing cylinder 5, the sheet guide plate 9 is preferably spaced further away from the axis of rotation of the sprocket shaft or the sprocket 18 than the areas of the sheet guide plate 9 that follow in the sheet conveying direction (BFR).The comb fingers 10 can, for example, be arranged at a distance of a few millimeters, for example between 1 and 10 mm, preferably between 2 mm and 3 mm, from the outer surface of the printing cylinder 5. In particular, the sheet guide plate 9 in the delivery unit 4 is designed to be at least approximately identical in construction to the sheet guide plates 9 in the printing units 2 or units of the machine 1. This preferably ensures the same favorable sheet guiding conditions throughout the entire machine 1.

[0066] The Fig. 11Figure 1 shows a sheet guide cylinder, in particular a pressure cylinder 5, for example as described above, with a downstream sprocket shaft and a sheet guide element, in particular a sheet guide plate 9, arranged below the sprocket shaft and having a cover, as described above. The sheet guide plate 9, shown in side view, has a cover, in particular a cover part 13 containing or consisting of non-conductive or non-metallic material as described above. The deionization device 8 can, for example, be removed from the sheet guide element, in particular the sheet guide plate 9. The deionization device 8 can, for example, be removed from below or between sprockets 18 of the sprocket shaft. The deionization device 8 can, for example, be removed laterally and / or by displacing at least part of the sheet guide plate 9.The cover, in particular the cover part 13, closes the opening required by the deionization device 8. The cover is preferably dimensioned or positioned such that a continuous or nearly full-surface arc guide surface of the arc guide plate 9 is created. The cover part 13 can be designed or arranged as described above.

[0067] Regarding the mode of operation: A sheet conveying system in the turning unit 3 and / or in a printing unit 2, in particular a turning drum 17 or sheet conveying drum 7 or a gripper carriage in the delivery unit 4, takes the sheets from a sheet guide cylinder, in particular a storage drum 16 or a printing cylinder 5, and guides them along the sheet guide element, in particular the sheet guide plate 9, past a deionization unit 8 on the sheet conveying path. A further device may be provided in the area of ​​a transfer drum or a sprocket shaft, which additionally guides the sheet past the gripper impact path, holding it only at the edges, so that the optimal electrode distance is maintained over the entire sheet length and the sheet does not prematurely contact the sheet guide plate 9 and fall below the aforementioned optimal electrode distance.

[0068] The sheets, especially foil sheets, are released from the outer surface of the sheet guide cylinder, especially the printing cylinder 5, by the sheet guide element, especially the sheet guide plate 9, preferably with a spiral shape. In particular, the comb fingers 10 of the sheet release loop deflect at a suitable distance as it is pulled from the outer surface. Allowing a minimal release loop advantageously increases the radial component of the release forces. The arrangement of the Venturi nozzles along the guide contour of the sheet guide element, in conjunction with the corresponding balanced suspension height of the sheets under the gripper impact track, allows the suction forces of the air cushion to act on the sheet located on the regular sheet path. This keeps the sheet on the outer radius of the gripper impact track and minimizes the release loop.

[0069] The discharge electrode 12, embedded particularly at the beginning of the guide plate, ensures charge equalization on the sheet until sufficient charge neutrality is achieved, preventing the sheet from being attracted to the sheet guide element, in particular the sheet guide plate 9, as an electrical conductor. The deionization device 8 provides positive and negative ions to balance the fluctuating charge states on the sheet surface. A deionization device 8 is used in each printing unit 2 or unit of the machine 1 because the sheet, especially the foil sheet, becomes extremely recharged during each printing process.

[0070] The sheets are optimally discharged, in particular by the deionization device 8 of each printing unit 2, preferably of each unit, the turning unit 3, and / or the delivery unit 4. This discharge process allows the sheet to be continuously suspended before being fed to the next conveying system, for example, a printing cylinder 5 or a gripper carriage, without the sheet being scratched by contact with the sheet guide element, in particular a sheet guide plate 9. The one or more discharge electrodes 12 of each deionization device 8 ensure active discharge with both positive and negative ions. The generators used preferably operate in a range of 3 to 6 kV, ideally with a high voltage of at least approximately 4.5 kV. The high voltage can also be adjusted depending on the measured electrostatic charge.The deionization devices 8 discharge each sheet, so that the deionized sheets lie flattened and free from electrostatic forces onto the sheet guide plate 9 or the air cushion generated by the sheet guide plate 9. The sheets remain free from deformation and smearing across the entire machine 1. List of reference symbols used

[0071] 1 Machine 2 Printing unit 3 Turning device 4 Delivery 5 Printing cylinder 6 Rubber cylinder 7 Sheet feed drum 8 Deionization unit 9 Sheet guide plate 9.1 Upstream guide surface section 9.2 Downstream guide surface section 9.3 Flat guide surface 10 Comb finger 11 Insulators 12 Discharge electrodes 13 Cover part 14 Fan 15 Transfer drum 16 Storage drum 17 Turning drum 18 Sprocket BFR Sheet feed direction

Claims

1. Sheet-processing machine (1) comprising sheet-processing units, wherein the machine (1) includes at least two printing units (2) for processing sheets, wherein each of the printing units (2) comprises a blanket cylinder (6) and a plate cylinder, and a blanket cylinder (6) of a printing unit (2) cooperates with a respective sheet guide cylinder (5), wherein a sheet conveyor system (7) is provided between two sheet guide cylinders (5), wherein the sheets are conveyed along a sheet conveyor path by the sheet guide cylinders (5) and the sheet conveyor systems (7) of the machine (1), wherein a sheet guide element (9), which starts in the region of the sheet guide cylinder (5), is provided beneath and along the sheet conveyor path in one or all printing units (2) and / or in a delivery (4), wherein a deionization device (8) is assigned to the first segment of the sheet guide element (9), wherein the machine (1) includes at least one unit configured as a primer unit, and wherein the machine (1) includes a double-sheet detector unit.

2. Sheet-processing machine according to claim 1, wherein deionization devices (8) are provided at least in the printing units (2) of the machine (1) that are arranged downstream from the press nip of the first printing unit (2) of the machine (1) with respect to the sheet-conveying direction (BFR).

3. Sheet-processing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the machine (1) includes a multiplicity of printing units (2) and one or more coating units for processing sheets, and deionization devices (8) are provided at least in the printing units (2) and coating units of the machine (1) that are arranged downstream from the press nip of the first printing unit (2) of the machine (1) with respect to the sheet-conveying direction (BFR).

4. Sheet-processing machine according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein such a deionization device (8) is also provided in each case in one or each additional unit, such as a drying, inspection or finishing unit.

5. Sheet-processing machine according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein a deionization device (8) is also assigned to an infeed unit and / or the first printing unit (2) of the machine (1) .

6. Sheet-processing machine according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein one deionization device (8) is exclusively arranged in each printing unit (2) and / or coating unit.

7. Sheet-processing machine according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, wherein the sheet guide elements (9), in particular sheet guide plates (9), of the machine (1) are configured to be identical.

8. Sheet-processing machine according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7, wherein the sheet guide plate (9) in the delivery (4) is configured to be at least approximately identical to the sheet guide plates (9) in the printing units (2) or units of the machine (1).

9. Sheet-processing machine according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8, wherein the entire deionization device (8), or the entire discharge cassette, is exchangeably arranged in the sheet guide plate (9).

10. Sheet-processing machine according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9, wherein the discharge cassettes are configured to be exchangeable among one another in the machine (1) or have a modular configuration.

11. Sheet-processing machine according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10, wherein such a sheet guide element (9) is configured as a sheet guide plate (9) and has comb fingers (10) in the region facing the sheet guide cylinder (5), wherein, with respect to the sheet-conveying direction (BFR), a respective deionization device (8) adjoins the comb fingers (10) .

12. Sheet-processing machine according to claim 11, wherein the sheet guide surfaces of the comb fingers (10) are assigned blower air openings, to which an overpressure can be applied.

13. Sheet-processing machine according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12, wherein the first segment of the sheet guide element (9), starting in the region of the sheet guide cylinder (5), has a sheet guide surface that steadily approaches the axis of rotation of the sheet conveyor system (7) .

14. Sheet-processing machine according to claim 11, 12 or 13, wherein the comb fingers (10) of the sheet guide plate (9) are made partially or completely of metallic material.

15. Sheet-processing machine according to claim 11, 12, 13 or 14, wherein a first region of the sheet guide element (9), which starts in the region of the upstream sheet guide cylinder (5), has the comb fingers (10) and is arranged at a greater distance from the axis of rotation of the sheet conveyor system (7) than a subsequent second region of the sheet guide element (9) .

16. Sheet-processing machine according to claim 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15, wherein a substantially closed sheet guide surface for the sheets is formed by comb fingers (10) and the first region of the sheet guide plate (9).

17. Sheet-processing machine according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16, wherein the sheet guide plate (9) or the comb fingers (10) are arranged at a distance of 2 mm to 50 mm, in particular between 25 mm and 30 mm, from the sheet conveyor path formed by gripper pads of a sheet conveyor drum (7).

18. Sheet-processing machine according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 or 17, wherein the sheet guide surface of the sheet guide plate (9), which is formed by the comb fingers (10) and / or deionization device (8), steadily approaches the axis of rotation of the sheet conveyor drum (7), or the sheet conveyor path, as viewed in the sheet-conveying direction (BFR).

19. Sheet-processing machine according to claim 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 or 18, wherein the comb fingers (10) are arranged at a distance of between 1 and 10 mm, preferably between 2 mm and 3 mm, with respect to the lateral surface of an impression cylinder (5).

20. Sheet-processing machine according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 or 19 for processing foil sheets, comprising a delivery (4), wherein a delivery (4) comprising a delivery chain loop (18) is arranged downstream from the last unit of the machine (1) , the loop taking the sheets from the last sheet guide cylinder (5) by means of gripper carriages and conveying them to a delivery pile, wherein, on the sheet conveyor path to the delivery pile, at least one mechanical sheet guide element (9) is arranged in the delivery (4) beneath the sheet conveyor path, which guides the sheets downstream from the last sheet guide cylinder (5) on the path to the delivery pile, and wherein a deionization device (8) is assigned to the first segment of the sheet guide element (9) .

21. Sheet-processing machine according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20, wherein the machine (1) comprises a foil sheet processing package, which is specifically matched to the foil material, in particular a foil made of PVC, PP, PS or PET.

22. Sheet-processing machine according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 or 21, wherein the gripper systems of the machine (1) are matched to the thin nature of the foil sheet material, and / or printing inks and / or coating materials or dryers that are used are matched to the foil material.

23. Sheet-processing machine according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 or 22, wherein the machine (1) includes at least one primer unit arranged upstream from the printing units (2).

24. Sheet-processing machine according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 or 23, wherein a deactivatable smoothing device is assigned to the sheet guide element (9) in the delivery (4).

25. Sheet-processing machine according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 or 24, wherein the discharge-generating elements are covered by means of a cover (13) made of non-conducting material.

26. Sheet-processing machine according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 or 25, wherein the discharge-generating elements are covered by means of a cover (13) made of plastic material.

27. Sheet-processing machine according to claim 25 or 26, wherein the cover (13) has openings or cut-outs, which are arranged in such a way that the charge carriers of the discharge electrodes (12) are not influenced.

28. Sheet-processing machine according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 or 27, wherein the intensity of the deionization device (8) is controlled by closed-loop or open-loop control by way of measuring equipment in such a way that it is possible to control the discharge in a manner that is matched to the static electricity at the sheet, in particular the foil sheet.

29. Sheet-processing machine according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 or 28, comprising a turning device (3), wherein in the turning device (3) sheets can be taken from a sheet guide cylinder (16) by a sheet conveyor system (17) and can be conveyed in a sheet-conveying direction (BFR) on a sheet conveyor path, wherein a sheet guide element (9) is provided beneath and / or along the sheet conveyor path, and wherein a deionization device (8) is assigned to the sheet guide element (9) .

30. Use of the sheet-processing machine according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 or 29 for processing foil sheets, wherein the foil material is a foil made of PVC, PP, PS or PET.

31. Method for conveying sheets in a sheet-processing machine (1), wherein the machine (1) includes at least one unit configured as a primer unit, wherein sheets are taken from a sheet guide cylinder (5, 16) by a sheet conveyor system (7, 17, 18) and are conveyed in a sheet-conveying direction (BFR) on a sheet conveyor path along a sheet guide element (9), wherein the sheets are guided by the sheet guide element (9), wherein the sheets are guided past a deionization device (8) assigned to the sheet guide element (9), wherein the deionization device (8) provides positive and negative ions in order to equalize the alternating charge states on the sheet surface, and wherein the discharge by one or more deionization devices (8) is matched to the static electricity of a respective sheet or of a plurality of sheets by a closed-loop or open-loop control device, and wherein, depending on the current job, a cover (13) with or without openings is used to produce a sheet guide surface on the deionization device (8).

32. Method according to claim 31, wherein print substrates of less than 150 g / m2 or of less than 80 g / m2 and / or foil sheets are processed or printed by the machine (1).

33. Method according to claim 31 or 32, wherein a smoothing device assigned to a sheet guide element (9) is deactivated or is not used when sheets containing fresh ink, for example in recto and verso printing, or foil sheets are guided.

34. Method according to claim 31, 32 or 33, wherein in a unit (2) and / or a delivery (4) of the machine (1) the sheets are taken from a sheet guide cylinder (5) by a sheet conveyor system (7, 18) and are conveyed in the sheet-conveying direction (BFR) on a sheet conveyor path, wherein the sheets are guided by a sheet guide element (9), which starts beneath and along the sheet conveyor path, in particular in the region of the sheet guide cylinder (5), wherein the sheets are guided first by a sheet guide surface of the sheet guide element (9) that is arranged at a greater distance from the axis of rotation of the sheet conveyor system (7, 18) and then by a sheet guide surface of the sheet guide element (9) that is arranged closer to the axis of rotation of the sheet conveyor system (7, 18).

35. Method according to claim 31, 32, 33 or 34, wherein in at least one unit (2) and / or a delivery (4) of the machine (1) the sheets are taken from a sheet guide cylinder (5) by a sheet conveyor system (7, 18) and are conveyed in the sheet-conveying direction (BFR) on a sheet conveyor path, wherein the sheets are guided by a sheet guide element (9) arranged beneath and along the sheet conveyor path, wherein the sheets are guided first on a sheet guide surface of the sheet guide element (9) that has a deionization device (8), which sheet guide surface is arranged at a greater distance from an axis of rotation of the assigned sheet conveyor system (7, 18) than a subsequent sheet guide surface of the sheet guide element (9) in the sheet-conveying direction (BFR).

36. Method according to claim 34 or 35, wherein the sheets are peeled off the lateral surface of the sheet guide cylinder (5) by in particular pneumatically acting and / or metallic comb fingers (10) of the sheet guide element (9), which starts in the region of the sheet guide cylinder (5), and are guided to a or the deionization device (8).

Images