Cylinder for a sheet-working and / or sheet-processing machine comprising suction air openings, and machine for working and / or processing sheet-like substrates using such a cylinder

Abstract

The invention relates to a cylinder (26; 17; 152; 12) for a sheet-working and / or sheet-processing machine (01), the periphery of said cylinder being provided with holding means (33), using which a substrate sheet (02) to be conveyed over the cylinder (26; 17; 152; 12) is or can be received with its leading end and is or can be held during a rotation of the cylinder (26; 17; 152; 12) over a rotational angle range between acquiring the substrate sheet (02) and delivering said sheet downstream. The cylinder has a rotary union (123) which comprises: a rotor (124) which rotates with the cylinder (26; 17; 152; 12) and the end face of which is mounted, in a rotationally fixed manner, on a lateral shaft end (128) of a shaft (32) that drives the end face of the cylinder (26; 17; 152; 12) or on an end-face cylinder pin (128); and a stator (126) that does not rotate during operation. By means of said rotary union (123), suction openings (42) or groups of suction openings (42) provided around the periphery of the cylinder (26; 17; 152; 12) can be subjected to negative pressure during an active rotational angle phase of the cylinder (26; 17; 152; 12) about its axis of rotation (R). The invention is characterised in that the rotary union (123) can be adjusted with respect to the size of a passage angle sector (Δϕ) that determines the size of the active rotational angle phase and / or with respect to the position of the passage angle sector (Δϕ) that determines the position of the active rotational angle phase.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Cylinder for a sheet-processing and / or sheet-forming machine with suction air openings and machine for processing and / or forming sheet-forming substrates with such a cylinder

[0003] The invention relates to a cylinder for a sheet-processing and / or sheet-forming machine with suction air openings and to a machine for processing and / or forming sheet-forming substrates with such a cylinder according to the preamble of claim 1 or 15.

[0004] DE 102018212 429 B4 discloses a printing press with a screen printing unit and a device for aligning magnetic or magnetizable particles contained in the printing ink or varnish. The device comprises a cylinder with a plurality of elements on the circumference that create a magnetic field and are arranged in several axially adjustable ring elements. The ring elements have suction air openings at the level of the cylinder envelopes. These openings serve to hold conveyed sheets and are connected, or can be connected, to a vacuum line or source via a rotary union.

[0005] DE 11 2012 006 348 B4 relates to a combination printing press and discloses, among other things, a magnetic cylinder with suction openings on the circumference of a rotating cylinder outer body, which are supplied with suction air during rotation from an air chamber extending over an angular range within the interior as the cylinder sweeps over the angular range. The air chamber is delimited by two dividing strips fixedly attached to an inner shaft and extending in the axial direction.

[0006] DE 102012 220401 B4 discloses a transfer drum for transporting a printed sheet, comprising an inner tube and an outer tube arranged coaxially with the inner tube and rotatably thereon, which outer tube is provided with suction openings on its circumference. Coaxially with the rotationally fixed inner tube, between the inner tube and the rotatable outer tube, there is an intermediate tube which is adjustable relative to the inner tube by a limited angle of rotation, the intermediate tube enclosing the outer surface of the inner tube with its inner wall. The intermediate tube has at least one groove in the circumferential direction, which extends along only part of the circumference of the inner tube or the intermediate tube and, by rotating the intermediate tube, changes its position in the circumferential direction and thus the position of the angular range for the passage of the suction air.

[0007] DE 1 917 795 A relates to a suction air transport device for sheet-shaped objects, wherein a roller shell provided with radial channels is rotatably mounted on an internal stator in the manner of a rotary valve, which has a suction line permanently connected to a suction air source.

[0008] DE 102014 001 969 B4 relates to a device for changing the format of a sheet transport drum, which has an outer sleeve with pneumatic nozzle channels and an inner sleeve with a cover segment for covering the nozzle channels depending on the format.

[0009] The invention is based on the object of creating a cylinder for a sheet-handling and / or processing machine with suction air openings and a machine for handling and / or processing sheet-shaped substrates with such a cylinder.

[0010] The object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claim 1 and 15 respectively.

[0011] The advantages achievable with the invention include, for example, that sheet transport on the cylinder can be particularly precise and / or reliable, particularly without the possibility of uncontrolled movements. This is achieved by suction onto the cylinder over at least one rotational angle phase.

[0012] A particularly advantageous feature is that sheet transport can be optimized, particularly with regard to receiving and / or transferring from or to other sheet conveying devices. This is particularly achievable by allowing the rotation angle phase, with activated suction openings (i.e., with negative pressure applied), to be varied, at least within certain limits, with respect to its position and / or size around the cylinder's rotational axis.

[0013] The rotary union, which is preferably arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on the front side of a shaft driving the cylinder or on a front-side cylinder journal, makes complex cylinder installations and / or adjusting mechanisms unnecessary and / or can be retrofitted to existing cylinders.

[0014] A cylinder according to the invention for a sheet-handling and / or processing machine comprises holding means on the circumference, by means of which a substrate sheet to be conveyed via the cylinder is received with its leading end and is or can be held during rotation of the cylinder over a rotation angle range between a takeover of the substrate sheet and its downstream discharge, and a rotary feedthrough, via which - in particular when a negative pressure is applied on the inlet side and / or a connected suction air source - suction openings provided on the circumference of the cylinder can be subjected to negative pressure during an active and / or defined rotation angle phase of the cylinder, wherein the rotary feedthrough is designed at least with respect to a size of an angular sector for the passage of the suction air, in short the passage angle sector, which determines the size of the defined and / or active rotation angle phase.and / or adjustable with respect to a position of a transmission angle sector that determines the position of the defined and / or active rotation angle phase. Advantageous with regard to high accuracy and / or good adjustability during substrate handling and / or processing, particularly during the production of optically variable image elements, is the above-mentioned solution with a rotation angle phase that is variable in position and / or size, or a transmission angle sector that is variable in position and / or size, in conjunction with a clamping device that fixes the ring elements (also described below), and / or with a design of magnet and suction elements as structural units (also described below), and / or with a mobility of individual or all magnet elements in the axial and / or circumferential direction (also described below), and / or with a clamping device that clamps the magnet elements or structural units (also described below).

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the cylinder is designed as a magnetic cylinder and comprises, in the region of its outer circumference, a number, e.g. nxm (with n, me N), of magnetic elements arranged in a matrix-like manner in rows running parallel to the axis and in columns running in the circumferential direction, as well as suction elements with outward-facing suction openings. In an advantageous further development, several or all of the magnetic elements of columns running in the circumferential direction are arranged on or on a respective, open or closed ring-like support element received on a cylinder shaft, wherein the ring-like support element, viewed in the circumferential direction, comprises several chambers one behind the other, each of which is independently connected via corresponding line paths to the rotor of the rotary feedthrough on the one hand and to at least one group of suction openings opening out at the circumference on the other.

[0016] A machine according to the invention for working and / or processing, in particular, sheet-shaped substrate comprises a substrate template, in the case of a possibly web-shaped starting substrate, for example a cross cutter, at least one printing unit, by means of which substrate guided on a transport path through the machine is and / or can be printed in a matrix-like manner on at least a first side using a number m of columns and a number n of rows, a product holder, by means of which processed substrate can be gathered into bundles, and at least one transport cylinder provided in the substrate path between the substrate template and the product holder in the substrate path, which transport cylinder is designed in the above-mentioned manner with suction openings and a rotary feedthrough connected to these.

[0017] Further details and design variants can be found in the examples.

[0018] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are described in more detail below.

[0019] They show:

[0020] Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a machine for generating optically variable image elements on a substrate;

[0021] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a substrate printed in printing elements with optically variable coating agent, wherein a) shows a state with not yet oriented magnetic or magnetizable particles and b) shows a state after alignment of an image-forming part, here exemplarily in the form of a number “1”;

[0022] Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of a printing and downstream alignment process with an imaging printing cylinder and a cylinder having magnetic elements, shown by way of example with a substrate sheet widening trapezoidally toward the trailing end; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a magnetic cylinder;

[0023] Fig. 5 is a detailed view of a support element equipped with several exemplary magnetic elements arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction;

[0024] Fig. 6 is a sectional view through a support element equipped with a magnetic element, but in a narrower version than Fig. 5;

[0025] Fig. 7 is a section of a longitudinal section through a cylinder according to Fig. 4;

[0026] Fig. 8 shows an embodiment of a valve that selectively opens and closes a suction air opening;

[0027] Fig. 9 shows an embodiment of an active unit comprising a magnetic element and a suction element in a less complex design;

[0028] Fig. 10 is a plan view of an active unit according to Fig. 9, but without magnet and housing;

[0029] Fig. 11 shows a section through an embodiment of an active unit comprising a magnetic element and a suction element with a recognizable adjusting mechanism for axially adjusting the magnetic element;

[0030] Fig. 12 shows a section through an embodiment of an active unit comprising a magnetic element and a suction element with a recognizable adjusting mechanism for adjusting the magnetic element in the circumferential direction;

[0031] Fig. 13 is a perspective view of an assembly aid for attaching or removing and / or positioning an active unit; Fig. 14 is a perspective view of an active unit arranged on a ring element with the assembly aid from Fig. 13 attached;

[0032] Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a cylinder inner body equipped with six ring elements;

[0033] Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a cylinder with an inner cylinder body, a ring-segment-like support element arranged thereon and, by way of example, ten active units arranged on the latter;

[0034] Fig. 17 shows a detail enlarging the fastening device for the support element;

[0035] Fig. 18 shows a detail of the fastening device for the support element;

[0036] Fig. 19 is a perspective view of a frontal connection for a cylinder with an operationally non-rotating stator of a rotary union;

[0037] Fig. 20 shows the operationally non-rotating part of the rotary union according to Fig. 19 with the shafts continuing outwards;

[0038] Fig. 21 shows an enlarged section of the two-part stator of the rotary union from Fig. 20;

[0039] Fig. 22 is a perspective side view of a connection comprising the rotary feedthrough for a cylinder with adjusting means for adjusting the stator. A machine 01, in particular a security machine 01, e.g. a printing press 01, in particular a security printing press 01, which processes and / or processes a web-shaped or in particular sheet-shaped substrate 02, preferably for producing optically variable image elements 03 on a substrate 02, e.g. a particularly sheet-shaped printing material 02, comprises, for example, an application device 04, e.g. a printing unit 04, by means of which optically variable coating agent 06, e.g. optically variable printing ink 06 or varnish 06, is applied at least one application point, e.g. printing point 11, to at least one first side of the substrate 02, e.g.of the printing substrate 02, over the entire surface or in partial areas in the form of print image elements 08, and in the case of a machine 01 for producing optically variable image elements 03, a device 07 for aligning particles P contained in the optically variable coating agent 06 applied to the substrate 02 and responsible for the optical variability (see, for example, Fig. 1). This device 07 is also referred to below as alignment device 07 or, since it creates an image for the optically variable pattern or motif through defined alignment of the particles P, also as imaging alignment device 07. An application of coating agent 06 containing particles P to the printing substrate 02 and an image element 03 obtained by subsequent imaging alignment of previously randomly oriented particles P is shown schematically, for example, in Fig. 2 using a representation of the number “1”.In this case, a) represents a state in which the coating agent 06 has been applied and is, for example, still randomly oriented and b) a state in which an image-forming alignment has taken place.

[0040] The printed image elements 08 made of variable coating agent 06, which are applied to the substrate 02 by the application device 04 prior to treatment by the alignment device 07, can correspond in size and position to the optically variable image elements 03 to be produced or, if necessary, can be larger than these, possibly even extending over the surface of several panels 09. In the case of larger printed image elements 08, for example, an optically variable image element 03 is not produced by alignment on the entire surface coated with optically variable coating agent 06.

[0041] The particles P responsible for the optical variability contained in the coating agent 06, e.g. the printing ink 06 or the varnish 06, are magnetic or magnetizable, non-spherical particles P, e.g. pigment particles P, hereinafter also referred to as magnetic flakes.

[0042] The machine 01 is preferably designed for producing blanks 09, e.g., securities 09, in particular banknotes 09. This should also include, in particular, the production of intermediate security products, e.g., the production of printing substrate 02, in particular in the form of web- or sheet-shaped printing substrate sections 02, in particular printing substrate sheets 02, with print images of multiple securities 09. The substrate 02 can be formed by paper—e.g., paper based on or at least containing cellulose or preferably cotton fibers—a plastic polymer, or a hybrid product thereof. It can be uncoated or already coated prior to coating in the above-mentioned application device 04; it can be unprinted or already printed once or multiple times in one or more upstream processes, or otherwise mechanically processed.On a printing material section 02 formed by a longitudinal section of web-shaped substrate 02 or a sheet of a sheet-shaped substrate 02, a plurality of blanks 09, e.g. banknotes 09 to be produced or their printed images, are preferably arranged in a matrix-like manner in rows running transversely to the transport direction T next to one another and in columns running one behind the other in the transport direction T or are to be arranged in the course of the processing of the substrate 02 (indicated e.g. in Fig. 2 and in Fig. 3).

[0043] The machine 01 designed as a printing press 01 can basically comprise one or more printing units 04 using any printing process. In the embodiment shown here, however, for the sake of simplicity, it comprises a printing unit 04, in particular a printing unit 04 operating according to the flexographic printing process or preferably according to the screen printing process, by means of which the optically variable coating agent 06 is or can be applied to a first side of the printing substrate 02. By means of the aforementioned printing processes, in particular the screen printing process, a greater layer thickness can be applied, for example, compared to other printing processes. The term “first side” of the substrate 02 or of the printing material 02 is chosen arbitrarily and is intended to designate the side of the printing material 02 on which the optically variable coating agent 06 to be treated downstream by the alignment device 07 is or was or can be applied.

[0044] In the illustrated and preferred embodiment, the printing press 01 comprises a substrate template 13, preferably designed as a sheet feeder 13, from which the substrate 02, designed, for example, as a sheet-shaped printing material 02, is or can be fed - optionally via further printing or processing units - to the at least one printing unit 04, e.g. flexographic or preferably screen printing unit 04, which applies the optically variable coating agent 06 and which forms a printing point 11 for printing, for example, a first side of the printing material 02 between a printing unit cylinder 14, in particular a forme cylinder 14, e.g. a screen printing cylinder 14, and a common cylinder 17, e.g. impression cylinder 17 (see, for example, Fig. 1).

[0045] The printing unit 04 preferably comprises, as the imaging cylinder, a forme cylinder 14 with a plurality of, in particular similar and / or identical, imaging printing elements 18, hereinafter also referred to as printing subjects 18, or, in particular similar and / or identical, groups of imaging printing elements 18 or printing subjects 18 on the circumference, which are arranged on a circumferential length corresponding to the print image length in several columns, e.g. a number, e.g. from four to eight, in particular five to seven, e.g. six, spaced from one another transversely to the transport direction T, and on a cylinder width corresponding to the print image width in several rows spaced from one another in the transport direction T. In the case of a printing unit 04 operating according to the flexographic printing method, these printing subjects 18 are designed in the manner of letterpress reliefs and, in the preferred case of a printing unit 04 operating according to the screen printing method, in the manner of screen printing stencils.

[0046] From the printing unit 04 applying the optically variable coating agent 06, the printing substrate 02 can be fed to the alignment device 07 via conveying means, e.g., one or more conveying devices 12 configured as transport cylinders 12. In the case of web-shaped printing substrate 02, the conveying means could be formed by one or more positively driven and / or non-driven rollers.

[0047] After passing through the alignment device 07 described in detail below, the printing substrate 02 can be fed directly or via further conveying means, e.g. further transport cylinders, to a further, e.g. second conveying device 21 and can be fed by this to a product holder 22 for receiving the printing substrate 02 processed and / or finished in the machine 01, in the case of sheet-shaped printing substrate 02 to a stack delivery 22. For the preferred case of sheet-shaped printing substrate 02, sheet-conveying means, e.g. one or more transfer cylinders or drums or, as shown here, a conveying device 21 designed, e.g. as a gripper circulating conveyor 21, in particular a chain gripper system 21, are provided as conveying means, by means of which the printing substrate sheets 02 are taken over from the transport path section of the alignment device 07 via, if necessary, one or more further transport cylinders and fed, e.g. to the stack delivery 22.

[0048] At least one drying device with one or more dryers 23 directed toward the first side of the printing substrate 02, e.g., radiation dryers 23, and optionally a cooling device (not shown), e.g., a cooling roller, can be provided on the transport path leading away from the alignment device 07. In a further development, an inspection device, e.g., a sensor device 153 interacting with a cylinder 152, e.g., a transport cylinder 152, in particular an inspection cylinder 152, e.g., a camera 153, in particular, a line scan camera 153, can be provided on the transport path between the alignment device 07 and the stack delivery 22.

[0049] In an advantageous further development, the printing unit 04 and the alignment device 07 can be structurally combined, e.g., in the form of a module, to form a device 16 for generating optically variable image elements. Such a device can, for example, be provided several times in succession in the machine 01 in one further development. In an advantageous embodiment in the form of a module, the device 16 is or can be inserted into the transport path of the machine 01 to be equipped, with input and output interfaces to corresponding interfaces of a conveyor system extending upstream and downstream.

[0050] The alignment device 07 described in detail below is, in principle, arbitrary in its designs, variants or configurations, but is preferably provided or can be provided in a machine 01 or printing machine 01 described above.

[0051] The alignment device 07 for forming optically variable image elements 03, e.g. for forming the optically variable effect in the optically variable coating agent 06 previously applied - e.g. in the form of print image elements 08 - to the substrate 02, in particular to the printing material 02, comprises a defined transport path along which the substrate 02 to be conveyed by the alignment device 07 is brought into operative connection in a defined manner from an input area, in which the substrate 02 to be treated and having optically variable coating agent 06 on its first side is fed or can be fed, with an alignment device 26, which comprises elements 24 providing magnetic fields as active elements 24, in short magnetic elements 24.can be, preferably in such a way that the magnetic elements 24 of the alignment device 26, which serve for image-forming alignment, and the printing substrate 02 printed with the printing ink 06 containing the particles P move synchronously with one another at least over a section of the transport path. The alignment device 26 is designed here as a magnetically active cylinder 26, or magnetic cylinder 26 for short, which has an arrangement of magnetic elements 24 on its circumference and via which the printing substrate 02 is guided or conveyed from an input region towards an output region of the alignment device 07.

[0052] The magnetic elements 24 can be formed directly by single-part or multi-part magnets 27 themselves or preferably comprise one or more magnets 27 which are arranged - preferably detachably - in or on a holder 28, e.g. on or in a base 28. Magnets 27 are generally understood here to be magnetically effective devices which permanently or switchably create a magnetic field at least towards the side of the transport path - in particular a magnetic field which is sufficiently strong for aligning particles P contained in the coating agent 06 on the substrate 02 guided thereover as described here. The magnets 27 can be formed by one or more permanent magnets with or without engraving, by electromagnets or by combinations of one or more permanent magnets and / or one or more electromagnets. Regardless of whether it is a single magnet or a combination of several magnets, e.g.Since the term “magnet 27” is used below to refer to permanent magnets and / or electromagnets, the term “magnet 27” is also used to refer to a plurality of magnets 27 assigned to the same magnetic element 24 and as a whole forming a magnetic unit, unless explicitly stated otherwise. The term “magnet element 24” is also intended to include designs having a plurality of single-part or multi-part magnets 27 spaced apart from one another and encompassed by the magnetic element 24, as can be used, for example, in the case where the same panel 09 is to be subjected to a respective magnetic field at two different points. Such a magnet 27 or an arrangement of a plurality of magnets 27 of a same magnetic element 24 can be accommodated in a housing 38 of the magnetic element 24, which housing is arranged, for example, in or on the holder 28 so as to be detachable from the holder 28.In principle, two such magnetic cylinders 26 can also be provided in the transport path, which are arranged on the same or on different sides of a substrate 02 to be conveyed along the transport path.

[0053] In an advantageous embodiment, the alignment device 07 is assigned a drying and / or curing device 19, e.g. a radiation dryer 19, in particular UV radiation dryer 19, or UV dryer 19 for short, which is preferably designed as a UV-LED dryer 19 and / or is directed at a point in the transport path at which the substrate 02 interacts with the magnetic cylinder 26.

[0054] The magnetic cylinder 26 is preferably arranged on the second side of the transport path of the substrate 02 to be conveyed, so that its first side, which is coated in particular upstream inline with optically variable coating agent 06, points outwards when passing the magnetic cylinder 26, in particular during transport via the magnetic cylinder 26.

[0055] The magnetic cylinder 26 comprises a single-part or preferably multi-part cylinder body 29, on or upon which the magnetic elements 24 are arranged, preferably detachably. The single-part or preferably multi-part cylinder body 29 can be rotatably mounted or is mounted in a frame. The term "cylinder body 29" is intended to encompass both closed structures, i.e., with a more or less closed cylinder surface, and open structures, i.e., scaffold- or frame-like structures such as the example presented in Fig. 4.

[0056] The magnetic cylinder 26 has, in the region of the side facing the substrate path, e.g., in the region of the outer circumference, in particular in the region of an outer cylindrical envelope surface of the cylinder body 29, the plurality of magnetic elements 24, which serve to orient at least some of the magnetic or magnetizable particles P of the coating agent 06 applied to the passing printing substrate 02.

[0057] Particularly for the case, which is preferred and explained here, of a plurality of blanks 09 per substrate section, e.g. per printing material or substrate sheet 02, a plurality of columns or groups, in particular a number m corresponding to the number of columns on the printing material section 02 (me N > 1), each with a plurality of axially parallel rows, in particular a number n corresponding to the number of rows of blanks 09 on the printing material section 02 to be treated (ne N > 1), or magnetic elements 24 arranged one behind the other in a column or group, viewed in the transport direction T of the substrate 02 and / or in the circumferential direction of the cylinder 26, are provided on the cylinder body 29 or arranged in a matrix-like manner, ie a number of nxm, in other words n times m; with n, me N, magnetic elements 24 are provided on the outer circumference in a matrix-like manner. They are preferably arranged in such a way that per column orgroup, the same number n of magnetic elements 24 are provided on the circumference and are arranged in rows running parallel to the axis and / or in particular in such a way that, when developed on the substrate 02 - assuming correct registration between the substrate position in the transport direction T and the cylinder angular position - they correspond to the pattern of the image elements 03 on the substrate 02 to be subjected to magnetic fields. The row- or column-wise arrangement should also be understood to mean the corresponding grid- or matrix-like arrangement in the event that they are slightly offset from one another in the axis-parallel direction for correction or adjustment purposes. The n magnetic elements 24 of the columns orGroups are then arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction, for example, at least in such a way that they at least overlap when unrolling along a circular circumferential line and / or are located in panels 09 of the same column of a substrate 02 to be treated, even if they are partially offset from one another for correction or adjustment purposes. The same applies to the axially parallel arrangement for any minor mutual deviations in the circumferential direction.

[0058] By guiding the substrate 02 over a magnetic cylinder 26 designed in this way, wherein, for example, the first substrate side points outwards during transport over the first cylinder 26, an alignment or orientation of particles P in the area of ​​the image elements 03 provided on the blank 09 can be effected by means of the magnetic elements 24, in this case, for example, through the substrate 02.

[0059] The number m of columns or groups is, for example, four to eight, in particular five to seven, e.g., six, and / or the number n of magnetic elements 24 in a column or group is, for example, two to twelve, advantageously five to ten. The magnetic cylinder 26 or its cylinder body 29 is preferably designed such that the number m of columns or groups and / or the number n of rows or magnetic elements 24 arranged one behind the other in a column or group can be varied—for example, within the above-mentioned limits—in order to adapt them to different requirements.

[0060] Preferably, the magnetic elements 24 - preferably in or on a corresponding holder 28 together with the latter - are arranged or can be arranged detachably on the cylinder 26 in such a way that, in the assembled state, they can be arranged at a defined location on the circumference of the cylinder 26 and preferably can be completely removed from the cylinder 26 and / or can be positioned on the circumference of the cylinder 26 in the axial and / or circumferential direction.

[0061] For a matrix-like arrangement as mentioned above, magnetic elements 24 can be arranged and mounted on or in a cylinder body 29 in such a way that they are mounted on or in a manner that is variable in their axial position relative to the single-part or multi-part cylinder body 29, at least relative to other magnetic elements 24 in the same column or group of magnetic elements 24. This can be achieved, for example, via axially extending guides on the circumference of the cylinder body 29, in or on which the respective magnetic elements 24 are mounted directly or indirectly and can be brought into different axial positions. Such guides could, in principle, be provided individually for individual magnetic elements 24 in a row (see, for example, the embodiment according to Fig. 11), but could also be provided continuously for several or all magnetic elements 24 in the same row. In this case, the guides on the above-mentionedaxially extending support elements may be provided which support all magnetic elements 24 of the same row.

[0062] In an advantageous embodiment, the magnetic elements 24 of a respective row or, preferably, of a respective column - optionally in addition to an independent axial and / or circumferential positionability of individual or all magnetic elements 24 of the row or column as a whole and independently of an adjacent row or column, in the case of the row with regard to their position in the circumferential direction and, in the case of the column presented here, as a group with regard to their axial position on the magnetic cylinder 26 or on the cylinder body 29 - as explained in more detail below, can be varied. For the case of a row combined as a group, not shown here, in particular several, preferably the magnetic elements 24 of all rows are combined row by row as groups that can be positioned together in the circumferential direction, for example on axially extending support elements.In the preferred case of columns combined as groups, in particular several, advantageously at least the two columns closest to the end face of at least three, advantageously all columns as groups are mounted in this way in or on the magnetic element carrier 29, in particular cylinder body 29, so as to be axially movable.

[0063] In the preferred case of columns combined into groups, the magnetic elements 24 can be arranged or can be arranged - directly or indirectly - in or on several, e.g. a number m of e.g. four to eight, in particular from five to seven, e.g. six, preferably ring-like support elements 31, e.g. ring elements 31 here, which are axially spaced from one another and preferably partially or entirely positionable in the axial direction on an inner cylinder body 32, in particular an axially extending cylinder shaft 32, or shaft 32 for short, wherein in or on these ring elements 31 in turn several, e.g. two to twelve, advantageously five to ten, magnetic elements 24 are arranged or can be arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction and preferably at least partially or entirely positionable in the circumferential direction (see e.g. Fig. 4 and Fig. 5).

[0064] In the case of a web-shaped substrate 02, the magnetic cylinder 26 can be designed without any holding means acting on the substrate 02 and, for example, with ring elements 31 closed in the circumferential direction. For the case of a sheet-shaped substrate 02, which is preferred here, holding means 33, e.g. grippers 33 of a so-called gripper bar, are preferably provided on the circumference of the cylinder 26, by means of which holding means 33 a substrate sheet 02 to be conveyed via the cylinder 26 can be picked up by its leading end and is held over a rotation angle range during rotation of the cylinder 26. A magnetic cylinder 26 designed in this way simultaneously serves to transport the substrate 02. The ring elements 31 are interrupted in the circumferential direction, for example, as can be seen in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, to accommodate the holding means 33. Therefore, the term “ring-like” support elements orUnless explicitly distinguished, the term "ring elements" may also include non-closed, i.e., ring-segment-like elements. In Fig. 5, any fastening means serving for fastening—such as those presented, for example, in connection with an embodiment according to Figs. 15 to 18 and also applicable to the embodiments in Figs. 1 to 14—are not further illustrated.

[0065] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the magnetic cylinder 26, individual structural units 36 are provided for several or all of the magnetic elements 24, which are positioned or positionable in a matrix-like manner in columns and rows on or in the cylinder body 29 in the above sense, hereinafter also referred to as active units 36, in particular magnetic unit 36, which each comprise at least one magnetic element 24 and at least one suction element 34. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the device 07 for aligning magnetic ormagnetizable particles P are combined in several, preferably in all of the m columns of magnetic elements 24, in particular all of the magnetic elements 24 arranged one behind the other with at least one associated suction element 34 in respective structural units 36 as active units 36 and as such can be positioned as a whole and independently of all other such active units 36 in the circumferential direction and / or detached from the cylinder 26.

[0066] The active units 36 each comprise a magnetic element carrier 37, on or in which the magnetic element 24 is arranged on its outward-facing side. The at least one suction element 34 can be integrated into the magnetic element carrier 37 as part of the latter or arranged thereon as a separate part. Preferably, the active unit 36 ​​comprises at least one suction element 34 on each side of the magnetic element 24 - viewed in the axial direction of the cylinder 26. The respective suction element 34 comprises a plurality of suction openings 42 in the surface directed outwards, i.e., outside the cylinder 26 and / or at the level of the cylinder envelope, which are provided, for example, in a cover element 41 covering a suction air channel 39 (see, for example, Fig. 11) in the suction element 34 and preferably detachably fastened above the suction channel 39.A duct arrangement (not visible in the figures) leads from the respective suction air duct 39 through the active unit 36 ​​to a bottom-side line interface 43, which is formed, for example, by at least one recess 43 open toward the cylinder interior (see, for example, Fig. 11) in a bottom of the active unit 36 ​​facing the cylinder interior. Through this at least one recess 43 or the line interface 43 formed thereby and assigned to the active unit 36, air can be sucked in from the suction openings 42 connected via the duct arrangement and the suction air duct 39.

[0067] In an embodiment not shown, the active units 36 can basically be arranged or can be arranged in a matrix-like manner, directly or indirectly on, for example, a cylindrical outer surface 44 of the axially extending cylinder inner body 32, in particular the shaft 32. This or these has, for example, on a longitudinal section that directly or indirectly supports the magnetic elements 24, suction air openings 46 directed radially outward as line interfaces 46 that carry suction air, which are connected, for example, via radially extending passages 47, e.g. bores 47, to a channel 48, e.g. suction air channel 48, that runs, for example, axially in the shaft 32 and is to be supplied with suction air from at least one cylinder end.

[0068] In the event that the active units 36 are or are to be arranged in a matrix-like manner directly, i.e. directly on the above-mentioned outer surface 44 of the axially running cylinder inner body 32 or the shaft 32, the active units 36 are or will be positioned on the outer surface 44 in such a way that the line interface 43 on the base of the active unit 36, here for example the free cross section of the above-mentioned recess 43 in the base of the respective active unit 36, overlaps with at least one of the line interfaces 43 formed by for example suction air openings 46 in the shaft 32. The above-mentioned recess 43 forms here for example B. a chamber 43 delimited on the bottom side by the lateral surface 44, wherein a wall completely surrounding the recess 43 in the foot region of the active unit 36 ​​forms a sealing surface sealing the chamber 43 all around with an opposite region of the lateral surface 44 of the shaft 32.In this embodiment, the air is sucked in from the suction openings 42 in the respective suction element 34 via the suction air channel 39 and the channel arrangement, via the line interface 43 of the active unit 36 ​​formed, for example, by the recess 43, and at least one suction air opening 46 of the cylinder inner body 32, as well as the suction air channel 48. For such an embodiment, suitable fastening means, e.g., in the form of clamp or screw connections, must be provided, by means of which the respective active unit 36 ​​can be fixed to the outer surface 44.

[0069] In the particularly advantageous embodiment shown here, however, the active units 36 are not arranged or can be arranged directly on the section of the cylinder inner body 32 or the shaft 32 having the suction air openings 46, but several or preferably all of the active units 36 provided for a respective column as a group on or on an already mentioned, in particular annular support element 31, e.g. ring element 31, wherein advantageously at least the outermost on both sides, but preferably all of the support elements 31 carrying the respective group or column of active units 36 on the cylinder inner body 32 or the shaft 32 can be varied in their axial position.

[0070] The preferably ring-like support elements 31 or ring elements 31 have, on the side facing inwards, i.e. in the assembled state towards the inner cylinder body 32 or the shaft 32, as well as on an outwards-facing side, line interfaces 49; 51 assigned to the respective support element 31, as well as a channel arrangement which connects one or more of the inside line interfaces 49 to one or more of the outside line interfaces 51 for the passage of suction air. On the inside, for example, recesses 49 are provided as line interfaces 49 in a wall 52 facing towards the interior of the cylinder, which are each connected via one or more channels 53 running in the ring element 31 to passages 54, e.g. bores 54, which lead through the support element 31 to outside line interfaces 51 and which run radially, for example.Although the openings of individual bores 54 could also simultaneously represent the outwardly effective line interfaces 51, one or in particular several of the bores 54 preferably also lead on the outside into a recess 51 in the outwardly facing wall 56 of the support element 31, for example, forming the outer line interface 51.

[0071] In particular with regard to the application of negative pressure to suction openings 42 only during passage through a defined rotation angle phase, as explained in more detail below, the ring element 31 can comprise line connections separated in segments between one or more inner line interfaces 49 and one or more outer line interfaces 51, in particular in radially opposite circumferential sections, so that the application of negative pressure to one or more inner line interfaces 49 in a segment 45 only requires the presence of a negative pressure at one or more outer line interfaces 51 assigned to the same segment 45, in particular independently of the application of one or more inner line interfaces 49 of another or adjacent segment 45.For this purpose, direct line connections can be provided between inner and outer line interfaces 49; 51 or - as shown, for example, in Fig. 5 - chambers 55 assigned to the segments 45, which are separated from one another by walls extending between the outer wall 56 and the inner wall 52 of the ring element 31. Depending on the desired gradation, segments 45 or chambers 55 formed in this way can extend over a smaller or larger section in the circumferential direction and / or comprise one or more inner and / or outer line interfaces 49; 51 provided one behind the other in the circumferential direction. The application of vacuum or suction air in a specific segment 45 then results in suction through suction openings 42 in a corresponding angular segment A. x on the circumference of the cylinder 26.

[0072] The ring elements 31 are or will be positioned, for example, on the casing surface 44 in particular in such a way that the respective line interfaces 49 on the inside of the ring element 31, here, for example, the free cross section of the above-mentioned recess 49, overlap with at least one of the suction air openings 46 in the shaft 32 or the cylinder inner body 32. The above-mentioned recess 49 forms, for example, a chamber 49 delimited on the bottom side by the casing surface 44, wherein a surface of the inward-facing wall 52 of the ring element 31 lying outside the recess 49 on the inward-facing side of the ring element 31 forms a sealing surface that seals the chamber 49 with an opposite region of the casing surface 44. In a similar way, for example, B. the active units 36 are positioned in particular on the outward-facing side of the ring element 31 so that the line interface 43 is at the bottom of the active unit 36, here e.g.the free cross-section of the above-mentioned recess 43 in the base of the respective active unit 36 ​​overlaps with at least one of the outer line interfaces 51 on the outward-facing side of the ring element 31. The recess 43 forms, for example, a chamber 43 delimited on the base side by the outer wall 56, wherein the wall completely surrounding the recess 43 in the base region of the active unit 36 ​​forms, with an opposite region of the wall 56 of the support element 31, a sealing surface sealing the chamber 43. In this embodiment, the air is drawn in from the suction openings 42 in the respective suction element 34 via the suction air channel 39 and the channel arrangement, via the line interfaces 43; 51 formed, for example, by the overlapping recesses 43 and 51, the channel arrangement of the ring element 31, which, for example, B. line interface 49 formed by the recess 49 on the inside of the ring and at least one suction air opening 46 as well as the suction air channel 48 and e.g.via a rotary union 123 from a suction air source located outside the cylinder 26. A suction air source is understood to be any type of air pressure sink which, via a corresponding line connection to suction openings 42, creates a pressure lower than the ambient pressure, i.e., a negative pressure, at the respective suction openings 42. This can be, for example, a vacuum pump or, if necessary, a container subjected to negative pressure.

[0073] The respective pattern of the suction air openings 46 or line interfaces 46 on the inner cylinder body 32 and the position and shape of the interacting line interface(s) 43 or recess(es) 43 in the bottom region of the active unit 36 ​​in conjunction with the first above-mentioned variant (without support element 31) are preferably coordinated with one another in such a way that a continuous positioning of the active unit 36 ​​in the circumferential direction over at least one adjustment range of two suction air openings 46 on the shaft 32 that are spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction is made possible by the fact that in the first variant, in each position lying in the respective adjustment range, at least one of the suction air openings 46 or line interfaces 46 is completely covered by the underside of the active unit 36, while at the same time the opening cross-section of the at least one suction air opening 46 or line interface 46 is at least partially covered by the bottom-side line interface 43 orRecess 43 of the active unit 36 ​​overlaps.

[0074] The respective pattern of the suction air openings 46 or line interfaces 46 on the inner cylinder body 32 and the position and shape of the interacting line interface(s) 49 or recess(es) 49 on the inside of the support element 31 as well as the position and shape of the interacting line interfaces 51; 43 or recesses 51; 43 on the outside of the support element 31 on the one hand and in the bottom area of ​​the active unit 36 ​​on the other hand in conjunction with the second variant (comprising the support elements 31) are preferably coordinated with one another in such a way that in the circumferential direction a continuous positioning of the active unit 36 ​​in the second variant over an adjustment range of at least two line interfaces 51 or

[0075] Recesses 51 on the outside of the support element 31 is made possible in that at least one line interface 51 or recess 51 on the outside of the support element 31 is completely covered by the underside of the active unit 36, while at the same time the opening cross-section of the at least one line interface 51 or recess 51 on the outside of the support element 31 at least partially overlaps with the bottom-side line interface 43 or recess 43 of the active unit 36.

[0076] In connection with variable positioning, in a particularly advantageous further development, line interfaces 46; 51 are provided at more locations in the axial direction of the cylinder inner body 32 and / or in the circumferential direction on the support elements 31 than would be necessary for a single specific operational configuration. However, in order to prevent any false air from being sucked in through these line interfaces 46; 51 not covered by the active units 36 or ring elements 31, closure means 57; 58 are provided, by means of which passages 47; 54 on the cylinder inner body 32 and / or on the outer circumference of the support element 31, supplying line interfaces 46; 51 not covered by the active units 36 or the support elements 31, can be selectively closed. In the simplest case, this can be a type of plug that is inserted into the relevant passages 47; 54 for closing and removed from them again as needed.

[0077] Preferably, however, closure means 57; 58, designed as valves 57; 58, for example, are provided in the passages 47 and 54, which are to be closed selectively, which are or can be brought into the closed position in passages 47 and 54 of passages 47 and 54 which are not or only partially covered directly by active units 36 or by support elements 31, while at least some of the passages 47 and 54 of line interfaces 46; 51 which are completely covered by active units 36 or by support elements 31 are or can be brought into a pass-through position.

[0078] A preferred embodiment of such a closure means 57; 58 is designed in the manner of a valve 57; 58, which can be brought into a through position and a closed position as required - without the need to remove or insert it. In an advantageous embodiment, the passages 47; 54, which are designed in particular as bores 47; 54, are in line connection on only one side of the clear cross-section with the channels 48 and 53 of the inner cylinder body 32 or the support element 31, which adjoin on the suction side. The valve 57; 58 is formed, for example, in a particularly advantageous embodiment by a sleeve 57; 58, which has on one side a recess 61 in the lateral wall 62, which, in a rotational position representing a through position, forms the path into the passage located on the suction side in the inner cylinder body 32 orin the support element 31, while in another rotational position it interrupts the connection to the relevant channel 47; 54 through the sleeve wall. In an advantageous embodiment, the sleeve-like valve 57; 58 has, e.g. at least in a section located further outwards in the assembled state, an actuating interface 63 engageable with a tool 59, via which the valve 57; 58 can be rotated between the open and closed positions by the corresponding tool 59 - in particular without it having to be removed. The corresponding tool interface pair 59, 63 used here is, for example, a polygonal wrench 59 and an inner peripheral section 63 in the sleeve 57; 58 designed as an internal polygon 63.

[0079] In a further development of the cylinder 26, a support element 66 is provided between each two columns or groups of structural or active units 36, which support element has a support surface 67; 68 at the level of the cylinder envelope for supporting the substrate 02 conveyed via the cylinder 26. The support surface 67 can be the outwardly directed cylindrical surface 67 of an annular support disk 64 or the outwardly directed surface 68 of a support plate 71 arranged on a support disk 69, e.g. made of plastic or metal. The term "annular" or "ring-like" is also intended to include a support disk 69 which is not entirely closed around its circumference, i.e. which is similar to a circular ring segment.

[0080] In a particularly advantageous embodiment for the fastening of magnetic elements 24 on the cylinder 26, wherein several or all of the magnetic elements 24 of a group are mounted on or on a common, ring-like support element 31 and can be positioned on the support element 31 in the circumferential direction, the magnetic elements 24 or a magnetic element carrier 37 carrying the magnetic elements 24, viewed in the axial direction, comprise on both sides at least one clamping element 72; 73, e.g. a clamping lever 72; 73, the ends of which act for clamping each engage under a stop surface 74; 77 which, in the mounted state, runs in the circumferential direction on the respective end face of the ring-like support element 31 and is directed inwards, i.e. with its surface normal pointing into the interior of the cylinder, and / or counteracts a radial removal of the magnetic element 24 or magnetic element carrier 37 by interacting with the clamping element 72; 73 in the clamping position.In a particularly advantageous embodiment, this stop surface 74; 77 can be an inwardly directed surface of a groove 76; 78 running in the circumferential direction on the end face of the support element 31, into which groove the clamping element 72; 73 engages with its effective, e.g., claw-like or clamp-like end. In this case, the circumferentially extending stop surface 74; 77 or groove 76; 78 should include, in addition to a stop surface 74; 77 or groove 76; 78 preferably continuous over the entire circumference or, as shown, the relevant circular arc section, a possibly interrupted stop surface 74; 77 or groove 76; 78 continuing in several circular arc sections. However, the latter can limit the variability of the positioning in the circumferential direction.An "inwardly" directed surface here includes, in addition to surfaces pointing strictly radially inward, surfaces inclined thereto, whose surface vector is directed into the cylinder interior, but preferably as a circumferential surface focused on the same point on the cylinder axis line for each end face, thus providing the clamping element 72; 73 with a stop directed against radial removal. In an advantageous embodiment, particularly to increase the stability of the seat, two clamping elements 72; 73 spaced apart in the circumferential direction or one clamping element 72; 73 with two claws spaced apart from one another and cooperating with the support element 31 are provided on each side.

[0081] Even if the clamping element 72; 73 could in principle also be designed as a one-armed lever 72; 73, it is preferably designed in the manner of a two-armed lever 72; 73 which can be pivoted about an axis 81, e.g. pivot axis 81, which is mounted on the magnetic element 24 or its holder 28 or a structural unit 36 ​​comprising the magnetic element 24, the lever arm of which closer to the cylinder center has the part, e.g. claw-like or clamp-like part, which interacts with the stop surface 74; 77, and the lever arm further out serves for actuation. The clamping element 72; 73 is preferably self-locking, e.g. by a lever 72; 73, in particular the lever arm located further outwards, and the magnetic element 24 or the holder 28 or the structural unit 36, a spring element 79, in particular a compression spring 79, is spring-loaded in such a way that it is in the clamping position in the rest state, ie without actuation, and the magnetic element 24 or.the bracket 38 or the assembly 36 is held on the support element 31. The described fastening device offers particular advantages when used in conjunction with an assembly aid 97, which is described in more detail below.

[0082] The above-mentioned type of fastening with the fastening means 72; 73, 74, 77 is fundamentally independent of, but advantageous in conjunction with, the design of the above-mentioned structural units 36, in particular active units 36, and / or the special type of suction air guidance or supply and / or an axial mobility of individual magnetic elements 24, as described in more detail below, and / or a mobility of individual magnetic elements 24 in the circumferential direction, as described in more detail below. The clamping elements 72; 73 make it possible to release the connection from the outside without having to remove the respective magnetic element 24. Due to continuous adjustability, release can take place just far enough that the respective magnetic element 24 can be positioned in the circumferential direction against any frictional forces that may still exist, but without, for example, the risk of tipping, slipping, or falling off.

[0083] In some of the figures, e.g., Fig. 11, 12 and 14, an optionally provided line 84 is shown or indicated, which, in the event that the magnet 27 in the magnetic element 24 is designed to be rotatable by a motor, supplies the motor with signals and / or with electrical energy.

[0084] As already explained above in connection with Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, respective columns of image-forming print subjects 18 running in the circumferential direction of the forme cylinder 14 relate to a same column of blanks 09 provided or to be provided one after the other on the substrate 02. These blanks 09 are ideally aligned with one another along the transport direction T and have a uniform width. In cases deviating from this, for example if a trapezoidal deformation of the substrate 02, which may already have been printed in the pattern of the blanks 09, has occurred in an upstream process or due to other mechanical or physical stress, such a changed geometry can be counteracted by a correspondingly varied arrangement of the print subjects 18 on the forme cylinder 14. The print subjects 18 of individual columns are then aligned, e.g.not strictly in the circumferential direction, but lie, for example, partly on helical lines slightly inclined against the circumferential line (e.g., exaggerated in Fig. 3 for better visibility). The width of the blanks 09 on the substrate 02 increases, for example, from the leading to the trailing end of the substrate section or substrate sheet 02 or - e.g., with correspondingly reversed feed at the entrance to the printing press 01 - possibly vice versa. However, there may also be other reasons for a deviation in the relative position between the axial position of individual magnetic elements 24 and the target position for their effect on the substrate 02, such as, for example, slightly incorrect axial positioning of the magnetic elements 24 on the cylinder 26, etc.

[0085] Basically independent of an arrangement of the magnetic element 24 in an above-mentioned structural unit 36 ​​and / or of the design of an above-mentioned fastening device and / or an adjustability in the circumferential direction, but preferably in conjunction with one or more of the advantageous embodiments mentioned, in a particularly advantageous embodiment at least in several, preferably in all of the columns or groups of magnetic elements 24 running in the circumferential direction, at least one of the magnetic elements 24 is mounted independently of at least one further magnetic element 24 of the same column or group, at least in the axial direction, adjustably or movably, directly or indirectly on the cylinder body 29 of the magnetic cylinder 26.Preferably, several, advantageously at least all but one, but particularly advantageously all, magnetic elements 24 of a same group are axially movable independently of other magnetic elements 24 of the group and / or several, advantageously all but one or all, magnetic elements 24 of at least the two closest to the end face, in particular all columns or groups of at least three columns or groups are mounted axially movable in or on the cylinder body 29 independently of other magnetic elements 24 of the respective column or group. In this way, the aforementioned random or systematic relative deviations of individual magnetic elements 24 in the axial position can be readjusted or corrected. In particular in conjunction with the aforementioned indirect mounting of the magnetic elements 24 via magnetic element carriers 37, which are directly or via the aforementionedSupport elements 31 are provided indirectly on the cylinder body 29, such axially adjustable magnetic elements 24 are preferably axially adjustable on the respective magnetic element carrier 37 relative to the latter.

[0086] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the cylinder 26 with the nxm magnetic elements 24 arranged in a matrix, at least two or all of the magnetic elements 24 provided one behind the other in a same column are mounted on or on an above-mentioned common support element 31 and can be varied together with this and independently of an adjacent group with regard to their axial position in or on the cylinder 26, wherein in addition to this, the at least two or preferably all of the magnetic elements 24 of this or preferably each column are arranged on respective magnetic element carriers 37 which can be positioned independently of one another in the circumferential direction on the common support element 31 and / or detachable from the support element 31 and are mounted on the respective magnetic element carrier 37 so as to be adjustable in the axial direction within an adjustment range, for example of a total of at least 1 mm, preferably at least 2 mm.

[0087] In this embodiment, the axially movable magnet 27 or the holder 28 is thus carried indirectly via the associated magnetic element carrier 37, which carries the respective, at least axially movable magnetic element 24 and is preferably itself variably positionable in the circumferential direction on the ring element 31.

[0088] In a simple and inexpensive embodiment (see, for example, Fig. 10), the respective magnetic element 24 or the holder 28 is fastened in or on the magnetic element carrier 37 or its holder 28 by means of a fastening means 83, e.g., a screw 83, in such a way that after at least partially loosening the fastening, e.g., by at least partially loosening the screw 83 using a suitable tool, the magnetic element 24 or the holder 28 is released to such an extent that it is axially movable - at least within a relevant adjustment range on the magnetic element carrier 37. The fastening means 83, e.g., designed as a screw 83, can be reached, for example, through a recess designed as an elongated hole 82 in a base region of the holder 28 receiving the magnetic element 24 after removal of the magnetic element 24.

[0089] However, a movement or positioning of the magnetic element 24 or the holder 28 encompassed by it in the axial direction is preferably carried out - in contrast to, for example, a purely manual and / or tool-free movement - via mechanical actuating means 86, 87, 89, in particular comprising a gear.

[0090] Although the actuating means 86, 87, 89 causing an axial movement can be implemented by any suitable mechanisms or gears, in the illustrated and particularly advantageous case they comprise a gear that converts a rotational movement - in particular on the input side - into a linear movement - in particular of the magnetic element 24 or the holder 28 supporting the magnetic element 24, e.g. directly or indirectly - in particular an eccentric drive, which converts a rotary movement of an eccentric 86, e.g. formed by an eccentrically mounted shaft section 86, into a linear movement - here axially extending - of a carriage 87, e.g. a support element 87 that directly or indirectly supports the magnetic element 24 or its holder 28, which is directly or indirectly operatively connected via a contact with the active surface on the eccentric casing side and is mounted for linear movement in or on the magnetic element carrier 37.The eccentric 86 preferably runs with its axis of rotation radially to the cylinder 26 and / or can be actuated directly or indirectly from the outward-facing cylinder side. For this purpose, for example, a shaft 89 surrounding the eccentric 86 or continuing outwards has, in the region of its outward-facing end, an actuating interface 88, e.g., a polygon socket 88, which can be actuated, in particular pivoted, by means of a corresponding tool, here e.g., a polygon wrench. As an alternative to the eccentric 86 being arranged radially with the axis of rotation, a tangential position or a position parallel to the tangent is also conceivable, in which case it can then be actuated, for example, from a side facing in the circumferential direction or from the outside via a corner gear.

[0091] An adjustment range in the axial direction, viewed from a central position, is, for example, at least ± 1.0 mm (i.e. a total adjustment range of at least 2 mm), preferably at least ± 1.2 mm, e.g. ± 1.5 mm.

[0092] In the above embodiment, as an active unit 36 ​​comprising at least one suction element 34, in one embodiment variant, the at least one suction element 34 can be axially movable together with the magnetic element 24 on the magnetic element carrier 37. A corresponding suction air passage must be provided, e.g., via relatively movable sealing surfaces or a flexible line.

[0093] There may also be deviations in the relative position between the position of individual magnetic elements 24 in the circumferential direction of the cylinder 26 and the target position for their effect on the substrate 02 in the transport direction T, which may have a variety of reasons, such as limited possibilities for rough and / or manual pre-positioning on the cylinder body 29 or in particular on a possibly provided support element 31. Basically independent of an arrangement of the magnetic element 24 in an above-mentioned structural unit 36 ​​and / or of the design of an above-mentioned fastening device and / or an above-mentionedAdjustability in the axial direction, but preferably in conjunction with one or more of the advantageous embodiments mentioned, therefore, in a particularly advantageous embodiment, at least in several, preferably in all axially extending rows of magnetic elements 24, at least one of the magnetic elements 24 is mounted so as to be adjustable or movable at least in the circumferential direction, independently of at least one other magnetic element 24 of the same row, directly or indirectly on the cylinder body 29 of the magnetic cylinder 26. Preferably, in several, in particular all, rows, several, advantageously at least all but one, but particularly advantageously all, magnetic elements 24 of the same row are mounted so as to be axially movable, independently of other magnetic elements 24 in the row.

[0094] Instead or in addition to this, in a particularly advantageous embodiment of the cylinder 26 with the matrix-like arranged magnetic elements 24, at least two magnetic elements 24 provided one behind the other in the same column are arranged on or in different magnetic element carriers 37 that can be positioned independently of one another in the circumferential direction on the cylinder 26, wherein the at least two, in particular all, magnetic elements 24 arranged on the respective magnetic element carriers 37 are mounted so as to be adjustable in the circumferential direction relative to the magnetic element carrier 37 carrying the magnetic element 24 within an adjustment range, e.g., of a total of at least 1 mm, preferably at least 2 mm. This preferably applies to at least two or all magnetic elements 24 of all columns.

[0095] In contrast to, for example, purely manual and / or tool-free movement, movement or adjustment of the magnetic element 24 or the holder 28 encompassed by it in the circumferential direction is preferably effected via mechanical actuating means 91, 92, 94, in particular comprising a gear. In the present sense, actuating or adjustment movement in the circumferential direction is intended to include not only a movement along a circular arc-like path but also explicitly a movement along a rectilinear movement path running tangentially or parallel to the tangent over the relevant adjustment range. Since this is generally a very small relevant adjustment range compared to the cylinder diameter, the linear adjustment path does not generally lead to unacceptably large imaging errors.

[0096] Although the actuating means 91, 92, 94 causing a movement in the circumferential direction can be implemented by any suitable mechanisms or gears, in the illustrated and particularly advantageous case they comprise a gear that converts a rotational movement - in particular on the input side - into a linear movement - in particular of the magnetic element 24 or the holder 28 supporting the magnetic element 24, e.g. directly or indirectly - in particular an eccentric drive that converts a rotary movement of an eccentric 91, e.g. formed by an eccentrically mounted shaft section 91, into a linear movement of a carriage 92, e.g. a support element 92 that directly or indirectly supports the magnetic element 24 or its holder 28, via contact with the active surface on the eccentric casing side, and is mounted for linear movement in or on the magnetic element carrier 37.The linear movement in the above sense should be both a rectilinear movement, which is preferable due to the complexity, but also, if necessary, a movement along a circular arc. The eccentric 91 preferably runs with its axis of rotation radially to the cylinder 26 and / or can be actuated from the outward-facing cylinder side. For this purpose, for example, a shaft 94 surrounding the eccentric 91 or continuing outwards has, in the region of its outward-facing end, an actuating interface 93, e.g., a polygon socket 93, which can be actuated, in particular pivoted, by means of a corresponding tool, here, for example, a polygon wrench. As an alternative to the eccentric 91 being arranged radially with the axis of rotation, a tangential position or a position parallel to the tangent is also conceivable, in which case it can then be actuated, for example, from a side facing in the circumferential direction or from the outside via a corner gear.

[0097] An adjustment range in circumferential view, viewed from a central position, is, for example, at least ± 1.0 mm (i.e. a total adjustment range of at least 2 mm), preferably at least ± 1.2 mm, e.g. ± 1.5 mm.

[0098] In the above embodiment, as an active unit 36 ​​comprising at least one suction element 34, in one embodiment variant, the at least one suction element 34 can be movable in the circumferential direction together with the magnetic element 24 on the magnetic element carrier 37. A corresponding suction air passage must be provided, e.g., via relatively movable sealing surfaces or a flexible line.

[0099] In the event that both axial and circumferential adjustability of the magnetic elements 24 on the respective magnetic element carrier 37 is provided, the two carriages 87; 92 can be arranged directly or indirectly on and / or above one another in the manner of a cross guide.

[0100] In one of the above-mentioned embodiments, the respective magnetic element 24 can be positioned in the axial and / or circumferential direction by a remotely operable drive means, e.g., an electric motor driving the eccentric 86; 91, for example, via a reduction gear.

[0101] Basically independent of an arrangement of the magnetic element 24 in an above-mentioned structural unit 36 ​​and / or of an above-mentioned adjustability in the axial direction and / or an above-mentioned adjustability in the circumferential direction, but preferably in conjunction with one or more of the advantageous embodiments mentioned, an assembly aid 97 as already mentioned above is provided, which can be placed on the magnetic element 24 or a magnetic element carrier 37 carrying the magnetic element 24 or a structural unit 36 ​​comprising the magnetic element 24 and by means of which the clamping fit or a clamping connection between the clamping elements 72; 73 on both sides and the support element 31 can be released. Preferably, the clamping by the assembly aid 97 or a drive means 102 comprised by the assembly means 97, in particular a drive means which can be operated manually, is not only releasable and openable in such a way that the magnetic element 24 orthe structural unit 36 ​​encompassing it is removable from the support element 31, but can also be released in an intermediate position in terms of the strength or degree of opening of the clamping to such an extent that the magnetic element 24 or the structural unit 36 ​​is not yet completely free, but can nevertheless be positioned overall in the circumferential direction on the support element 31. In this case, the degree of opening can be adjusted just so that there is still contact between the clamping elements 72; 73, but positioning is possible by overcoming any slight frictional forces that may still exist. For this purpose, the actuating arms 98 can be positioned by the drive means 102, preferably continuously over an adjustment path between a clamping position in which the clamping elements 72; 73 exert the full clamping force on the support element 31, and a position in which the clamping is released to such an extent that the magnetic element 24 or the magnetic element carrier 37 carrying it can be removed from the support element 31.

[0102] In order to be able to carry out simple actuation from the outside of the cylinder and / or in particular also such a defined opening, the assembly aid 97 comprises, in addition to a base 104 which can be placed on the relevant magnetic element 24 or the relevant structural unit 36, actuating arms 98 on both end sides which run in the radial direction to both end sides of the magnetic element 24 or the structural unit 36 ​​and can be brought into operative connection with the respective end-side clamping element(s) 72; 73 for actuating them. Furthermore, the assembly aid 97 comprises the above-mentioned drive means 102, in particular an actuator 102, by means of which the actuating arms 98 can be brought into a first position in which they - e.g. counter to the above-mentioned spring force - clamp the clamping elements 72; 73 open so far that the magnetic element 24 or the assembly 36 can be attached to the support element 31 orcan be completely released from it, up to a second position in which the clamping elements 72; 73 exert the full clamping force on the support element 31 without the actuating arms 98 absorbing any force counteracting the clamping force. Preferably, all intermediate positions can be adjusted by the drive.

[0103] In the above-mentioned embodiment of the clamping elements 72; 73 as two-armed levers 72; 73, the actuating arms 98 each engage directly or indirectly on the outermost lever arm and can be moved towards one another by the drive means 102 to open the clamping connection, i.e. in the direction of the support element 31, and apart again to close the clamping connection. In the above-mentioned case of two clamping elements 72; 73 arranged next to one another, these are coupled to one another, for example via a coupling member 96 connecting the two outermost lever arms to one another, for example a connecting axis 96 mounted in both outer lever arms, which simultaneously serves as an engagement point for the respective actuating arm 98. In the case of a single clamping element 72; 73, the respective actuating arm 98 can act directly or indirectly on the outermost lever arm of the respective clamping element 72; 73.

[0104] As drive means 102, any drive mechanism is conceivable in principle, by means of which the two opposing actuating arms 98 can be moved towards and away from one another in the above sense. However, a drive mechanism with a self-locking gear is preferred here, as is the case, for example, with a screw drive. The drive means 102 thus comprises, for example, a first part 99, for example, a first bushing 99, which carries the actuating arm 98 on one side, and a second drive part 99, for example, a second bushing 101, which is mounted so as to be rotated relative to the first part 99 but is axially movable and carries the actuating arm 98 on the other side, as well as a screw drive formed inside, by means of which, via a not shown, for examplevia a manual actuation interface 103, such as a rotary handle 103, a rotatable threaded spindle on the one hand and an internal thread on the other of the two parts 99; 101 of the drive means 102, the parts carrying the actuation arms 98 can be moved apart and towards each other.

[0105] In the embodiment of the magnetic cylinder 26 with support elements 31, in particular ring-like ones, whose axial position can be varied, these axially positionable support or ring elements 31 can in principle be fastened in any way that enables a detachable connection between the respective support element 31 and the cylinder inner body 32 and an axial relative movement. In particular, a connection is particularly advantageous in which, in the region of line interface pairs passing through suction air, consisting of line interfaces 46 on the shaft 32 and cooperating line interfaces 49 on the inwardly facing wall 52 of the ring element 31, the surfaces surrounding these line interfaces 46; 49 are pressed together by the connection in such a way that they together form a sealing surface that is largely closed against the passage of suction air.

[0106] Basically independent of an arrangement of the magnetic element 24 in an above-mentioned structural unit 36 ​​and / or of an above-mentioned adjustability in the axial direction and / or an above-mentioned adjustability in the circumferential direction and / or of an above-mentioned clamping device for clamping the magnetic elements 24 or holders 29 or structural units 36, but preferably in conjunction with one or more of the advantageous embodiments mentioned, in a preferred embodiment for the fastening of ring elements 31, a clamping device is provided for fastening, by means of which the support or ring element 31 can be clamped onto the cylinder inner body 32, which is designed in particular as a shaft 32, so that an above-mentioned sealing surface can be formed. Helpful in this case is an embodiment of the circular ring segment-like design, ienot completely closed in the circumference formed ring element 31 such that an inner diameter of the ring element 31 in the segment angle range is slightly, for example 2 to 50 μm, in particular 5 to 20 μm larger than an outer diameter of the cylinder inner body 32 formed as a shaft 32 in the cooperating circumferential area.

[0107] In a cylinder 26 with magnetic elements 24 arranged in columns, as already described, the magnetic elements 24 of several or all columns are provided as a respective group on or on a respective support element 31. The respective support element 31 is explicitly designed here as a ring-segment-like support element 31, i.e., annular support element 31 interrupted over a circumferential section or intermediate angle, and has a leading and trailing end 106; 107 with respect to a production direction of rotation D. The production direction of rotation D is defined, for example, by the arrangement of a gripper bar, as already mentioned above, which has grippers 33 at the leading end 106 of the segment-like ring element 31 that open and close during operation to pick up a substrate sheet 02. The respective support element 31 is detachably arranged on the cylinder inner body 32 encompassed by the cylinder 26 and, in the released state, can be varied in its axial position.In order to fasten the support element 31 in a desired position on the cylinder inner body 32, a clamping device 108 is provided in the region between the leading and trailing ends 106; 107 of the ring-segment-like support element 31 on the cylinder inner body 32 when the support element 31 is mounted on the cylinder inner body 32. By means of said clamping device, the two ends 106; 107 spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction can be subjected to a force directed towards one another in the circumferential direction via adjusting means 109 encompassed by the clamping device 108. As a result, the segment-like ring element.

[0108] 31 via a slight elastic deformation close to the outer surface of the shaft

[0109] 32 pressed so that the above-mentioned sealing surface is created.

[0110] The clamping device 108 engages in particular at the two ends 106; 107 of the support element 31 and can be varied in the circumferential direction in its length, which is effective for engaging both sides, via the adjusting means 109 comprised by the clamping device 108. Preferably, the clamping device 108 comprises a clamping bar 111, which is arranged in the region between the leading and trailing ends 106; 107 of the support element 31 on the circumference of the cylinder inner body 32 and is secured at least on one side against relative movement to the cylinder inner body 32 in the circumferential direction. Preferably, however, the clamping bar 111 and the cylinder inner body 32 are secured against rotation in the circumferential direction by stop pairs effective in both directions of rotation. Such a securing can be realized, for example, by corresponding deviations of the inner circumferential line of the ring element 31 and the outer circumferential line of the cylinder inner body 32 acting as stop pairs.In an advantageous embodiment shown here, however, such relative anti-twist protection is provided by a so-called fitting element 112, also commonly referred to as a feather key 112, which is anchored, for example, in the outer surface of the cylinder inner body 32 and interacts with a recess, in particular a groove, in the clamping bar 111, or vice versa. A fitting element 112 with a correspondingly interacting recess is advantageous in that it enables simple radial fitting of the cylinder inner body 32 with the clamping bar 111. In addition to the anti-twist protection, fastening means (not shown), e.g. screws, can be provided, by means of which the clamping bar 111 can be radially attached to the cylinder inner body 32.

[0111] Preferably, the clamping bar 111 can then be removed from the cylinder inner body 32 in the relaxed, ie force-free, state of the clamping device 108 immediately or after the release of the above-mentioned fastening means with the support element 31 still remaining on the cylinder inner body 32 or can be inserted onto the cylinder inner body 32 in the region of the interruption with the ring element 31 already positioned on the cylinder inner body 32.

[0112] In an advantageous embodiment, the clamping device 108 engages one of the ends 107; 106, preferably the trailing end 107, statically, i.e. in a fixed relative circumferential position between the clamping bar 111 and the respective end 107; 106, and the other, preferably the leading end 106, via the adjusting means 109 in a distance-variable manner, i.e. in a variable relative circumferential position between the clamping bar 111 and the respective other end 106; 107. This means, for example, that with the adjustment, the point of engagement and thus the respective end 106; 107 can be displaced closer to the clamping bar 111 or - e.g. by the elastic restoring force in the ring element 31 - can be returned to the starting position.

[0113] For static engagement, a circumferentially effective positive locking is provided via a stop pair acting between the respective end 107; 106 and the clamping bar 111. The stop pair 106, 107 is formed, for example, by opposing surfaces of a hook-like projection on the clamping bar 111 and a hook-like projection 117 engaging in the opposite direction, e.g., as a suspension edge 117, at the end 107 of the ring element 31.

[0114] In a preferred embodiment, a point of engagement via the adjusting means 109 at the respective end 106; 107 is located, viewed in the circumferential direction, straight or at least with no more than a 5° deviation at a point at which a tangent applied to the circumference of the cylinder inner body 32 runs parallel to the adjustment direction of the adjusting means 109. This allows, in the small adjustment range present here, the end 106; 107 attracted by the adjusting means 109 to be subjected to a force essentially tangentially, thus preventing radial deformation, which may occur due to a force direction deviating from the tangent.

[0115] Although in principle they can also be implemented in other ways, the adjusting means 109 are preferably formed by a screw drive 113, 114 which is supported on the clamping bar 111 and can be operated manually, for example, e.g. a threaded rod 113, in particular a screw 113, which is rotatably mounted in the clamping bar 111, and a corresponding thread 114, e.g. a threaded bushing 114, directly in the end region of the ring element 31 or preferably in a clamping means 116 which acts on the ring element 31 and is positionally variable in the adjusting direction of the screw drive 113, 114 via the screw drive 113, 114, wherein the clamping means 116 is designed and arranged to cooperate with the relevant end 106 via a pair of stops which act in the circumferential direction. B. by opposing surfaces of a tensioning means 116 designed as a tension bar 116 and a hook-like projection 118 receiving the tension bar 116, e.g. as a suspension edge 118, on the ring element 31.

[0116] In an advantageous further development, the tension bar 116, viewed in a cross-section perpendicular to the cylinder axis, dips with at least a part into a recess 122 or cutout 122 in the tension bar 111 corresponding in shape and cross-section in such a way that a movement of the tension bar 116 guided by the cutout 122 along the adjustment direction is ensured.

[0117] In principle, a respective clamping bar 111 and / or a respective associated clamping means 116 can be provided for each ring element 31 to be fastened. In a preferred embodiment, however, a clamping bar 111 extending in the axial direction of the cylinder 26 over several or all of the support elements 31 arranged on the cylinder inner body 32 and / or a clamping means 116 extending in the axial direction of the cylinder 26 over several or all of the support elements 31 arranged on the cylinder inner body 32 is provided. In this case, there is no longer any need for a fixed numerical or spatial allocation of the adjusting means 109 or screw drives 113, 114 to be assigned to a ring element 31. The fastening device can be retained, regardless of the number and position of the ring elements 31, with which a continuous or possibly split clamping device 108 cooperates for clamping them. In particular, an above-mentionedClamping device 108 without tension bar 116, ie with adjusting means 109 engaging directly into the ring element 31, is less suitable for continuous positioning, since the possible positions depend on the hole spacing for the threaded rods 113.

[0118] The clamping bar 111 can be arranged and configured such that it simultaneously forms the base support of a single- or multi-part gripper bar. For example, bearings 121 supporting a gripper shaft 119 are arranged on the clamping bar 111 forming the base support.

[0119] In a preferred embodiment, such a cylinder 26 is a component of the above-mentioned machine 01 and / or is particularly advantageous in conjunction with one or more aspects for the adjustability of individual magnetic elements 24 on respective magnetic element carriers 37 in the axial and / or circumferential direction and / or for the formation of the above-mentioned active units 36 with respective magnetic and suction elements 24; 34 and / or the clamping of individual magnetic elements 24 or their holders 28 or magnetic element carriers 37 on the ring element 31.

[0120] Basically independent of an arrangement of the magnetic element 24 in an above-mentioned structural unit 36 ​​and / or of an above-mentioned adjustability in the axial direction and / or an above-mentioned adjustability in the circumferential direction and / or of an above-mentioned clamping device for clamping the magnetic elements 24 or holders 29 or structural units 36, and / or of the above-mentioned design for the fastening of ring elements 31 with a clamping device, but preferably in conjunction with one or more of the advantageous embodiments mentioned, in a preferred design the cylinder 26, in particular magnetic cylinder 26, is designed with suction openings 42 and corresponding line connections to a suction air source or air pressure sink, so that the suction openings 42 are only during the passage through or sweeping over a defined or definable rotation angle phase, iea defined or definable angular range around the rotational axis of the cylinder 26 of less than 360°, are in line connection to the suction air source or air pressure sink, wherein this angular range or this rotational angle phase is preferably variable in its position and / or size in the circumferential direction. A line interface 123, in particular a rotary feedthrough 123, is provided, via which, when a negative pressure is applied on the inlet side, the suction openings 42 or a part of them on the circumference of the cylinder 26 can be subjected to negative pressure when passing through this rotational angle phase of the cylinder 26, which, for example, is also referred to as the active rotational angle phase due to the application of negative pressure, wherein the rotary feedthrough 123 is preferably adjustable with regard to a position and / or size of an angular sector Ac|> determining the active rotational angle phase for passing the suction air, hereinafter referred to as the passage angle sector Ac|>.

[0121] Here, suction openings 42 in individual segments A are provided on the circumference of the cylinder 26 over the circumference or at least a circumferential section, which extends, for example, at least over half of the cylinder circumference. x , ie partial sections of the circumference or of the said circumferential section (see e.g. Fig. 5), are provided in such a way that advantageously suction openings 42 or groups of suction openings 42 are provided in at least one of several segments A following one another in the circumferential direction of the cylinder 26. x , e.g. angle or ring segments A x , independent of a circumferentially adjacent segment A x can be supplied with vacuum or suction air, ie can be brought into or out of line connection with the suction air source or air pressure sink. For this purpose, the angle segments A, which can be supplied separately from one another, are xin the cylinder 26, for example, can be subjected to vacuum or suction air through separate line paths. This can be achieved, for example, via a structure that is correspondingly segmented in the circumferential direction for the passage of the suction air, e.g., in an advantageous embodiment with individual segments 45 for the segmented passage of suction air, for example, in an above embodiment with groups of suction openings opening into separate chambers 55.

[0122] To pass the suction air, the suction openings 42 or groups are connected via corresponding lines, channels and / or chambers in the cylinder 07 to the above-mentioned rotary union 123, which has a cylinder-fixed and co-rotating part 124, e.g. also referred to below as rotor 124 of the rotary union 123, and an operationally positioned part 126, e.g. also referred to below as stator 126 of the rotary union 123. In the assembled state, the latter interacts with the rotor 124 to pass the suction air in a passage angle sector Δt|> - particularly related to the position about the rotation axis of the rotor 124 or cylinder 26 - and is on its suction side, i.e. with a suction-side outlet of the rotary union, downstream in line connection with a suction air source in the above sense or can be brought into line connection with such.

[0123] In the circumferential direction of the cylinder 07, the suction openings 42 or groups of suction openings 42 of several or all consecutive angle segments A x , e.g. via corresponding segments 45 for the passage, segment by segment via separate line paths with respective openings, e.g. channel openings 127 of the rotating part 124, i.e. of the rotor 124 of the rotary feedthrough 123, which is in particular designed with multiple channels, in line connection and can thereby be supplied with suction air segment by segment, separately from one another, via the corresponding channel openings 127 and the respective line path. The channel openings 127 are preferably arranged off-center, in particular concentrically around the axis of rotation of the cylinder 26 or an axis coinciding with the axis of rotation of the cylinder 26, and viewed in the circumferential direction in an angle corresponding to the sequence and / or number of the corresponding angular segments A xor assigned segments 45 in the same sequence and / or number.

[0124] The rotary feedthrough 123 is preferably arranged with its cylinder-fixed part 124 on the end face of a cylinder journal 128 formed by a lateral shaft end 128 of the shaft 32 or otherwise - in particular laterally to the cylinder end face and / or outside the cylinder shell - in a rotationally fixed manner. The channel openings 127 could in principle be provided on the circumference of the rotor 124 and interact with recesses on the inner circumference of a stator 126 surrounding the rotor 124, or vice versa. In the preferred embodiment shown here, however, the channel openings 127 are provided on the end face and, in the above-mentioned manner, off-center and, in particular, concentrically to the axis on the rotor 124 and interact on the end face with one or more off-center recesses 129 of the stator 126 to conduct the suction air or the negative pressure. The latter is / are connected on the suction side to the suction air source or air pressure sink via corresponding line paths.connectable and arranged off-center in such a way that by relative rotation of rotor 124 and stator 126 about the axis of rotation of the cylinder 26 or an axis coinciding with the axis of rotation of the cylinder 26, they are at least temporarily connected to each of the channel openings 127 of the angle segments A to be supplied with suction air. x or segments 45 can be at least partially aligned. When the channel opening 127 is at least partially aligned with the recess 129, the respective angle segment A x , or corresponding segment 45, the suction openings 42 are or can be supplied with suction air or negative pressure.

[0125] In a preferred embodiment, the operationally non-rotating stator 126 is adjustable in its rotational position about the axis of rotation of the cylinder 26 or an axis coinciding therewith, so that the angular position of the recess 129 or recesses 129 which cooperate with the channel openings 127 for the passage can be varied about this axis of rotation. If a recess 129 or group of recesses 129 on the stator 126 extending over a circular arc segment is opposite the group of channel openings 127 arranged off-center on the rotor 124 and which can be brought into alignment by relative movement as described above, the angular position in which a channel opening 127 enters an area of ​​overlap with the recess or recesses 129 can be varied by rotating the stator 126. In this form of the stator 126 orIn the rotary feedthrough 123 comprising such a stator 126, the angular position of the outlet from the cover is simultaneously varied to the same extent as the stator 126 is rotated. By adjusting the angular position of the recess 129 or recesses 129 cooperating with the channel openings 127 for passage, by rotating the stator 126, a corresponding arrangement of the angle segments A to be supplied with suction air or vacuum via the channel openings 129 can be achieved. x or segments 45 provided - the position of the passage angle sector At|> and thus the position of the above-mentioned active rotation angle phase can be varied around the rotation axis of the cylinder 26, within which suction openings 42 are in line connection to the suction air source or air pressure sink when the cylinder 26 rotates during the passage.

[0126] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, in which, for example, the sheet travel of the substrate sheets 02 to be transported can be further improved, the stator 126 is designed in several parts such that a free cross-section for the passage of suction air through the recess 129 or recesses 129 can be varied via a relative rotational movement between a first stator part 131, which, for example, comprises the recess 129 or recesses 129, and a second stator part 132, which, for example, closes off a variable part of the recess 129 or recesses 129 of the first stator part 131 against the passage of suction air, depending on the relative rotational position to the first stator part 131. The relative rotational movement occurs, for example, about an axis of rotation parallel to, in particular aligned with, the axis of rotation of the cylinder 26, preferably by rotating the second stator part 132.

[0127] The rotary feedthrough 124 is designed in this multi-part, in particular two-part, embodiment such that by positioning the two stator parts 131; 132 individually and relative to one another, a start of the active rotation angle phase, i.e., the rotation angle for the start of suction during rotation of the cylinder 26, and an end of the active rotation angle phase, i.e., the rotation angle for the end of suction during rotation of the cylinder 26, can be selected or adjusted independently of one another over at least one respective adjustment range. In an illustrated and preferred first variant (see, for example, Fig. 19 to Fig.21), the first stator part 131 comprises a recess 129 which preferably extends in the circumferential direction in the manner of a circular ring segment over at least part of its length and, viewed in the axial direction, is arranged directly adjacent to the rotor 124 in such a way that the channel openings 127 of the rotor 124 and an end-face opening of the recess 129, which is in particular in the shape of a circular ring segment, are at least partially directly opposite one another when the relative position is appropriate. The second stator part 132, which in this embodiment is provided on the end face of the first stator part 131 facing away from the rotor 124, comprises a cover element 133, e.g. a circular disk sector 133 - arranged, for example, within a closed circular ring - which covers a variable part of the recess 129 orwhich covers the part of the cover element 133 shaped like a circular ring segment on the side facing away from the rotor 124, as well as a blocking element 134 arranged on one side of the cover element 133 as seen in the direction of rotation, which blocking element 134 engages in the circular ring segment-like recess 129 or at least its ring segment-like section in a shape complementary to the cross-sectional profile of the recess 129, perpendicular to the circular ring segment-shaped longitudinal extension, such that it prevents the free passage of suction air between the covered and the free part of the recess 129 within the recess 129. This also includes designs in which, for example, residual quantities still pass through or can pass through due to tolerances.Depending on the relative rotational position between the first and second stator parts 131; 132, a variable part of the recess 129 is covered on the suction side against the passage of suction air in the axial direction and a significant passage of suction air from the covered part of the recess 129 is prevented by the blocking element 134 engaging in the recess 129 in the above sense. Suction air therefore only passes - at least to a significant extent - in the coverage area of ​​the free recess 129 through the stator 126 and thus through the rotary feedthrough 123. In addition to the above-mentioned variation in the position of the above-mentioned rotation angle phase around the rotation axis of the cylinder 26, within which suction openings 42 or underlying segments 45 are in line connection to the suction air source orAir pressure sink, by relative rotation between the first and second stator part 131; 132 also the size of the conduction angle sector At|> and thus the above-mentioned active in the circumferential direction can be varied.

[0128] In an alternative design variant not shown here, the second stator part

[0129] 132 with the cover element 133 directly adjacent to the rotor 124 and the first stator part 131 on its side facing away from the rotor 124, and as a cover element

[0130] 133, for example, a circular ring segment 133 or a circular disk sector 133 arranged within a circular ring is provided, although due to the arrangement of the cover element 133 on the side of the rotor 124, the above-mentioned locking element 134 can be omitted.

[0131] To adjust the stator 126 or, if constructed in two parts, the first stator part 131 having at least one recess 129, adjusting means 136, 141 are provided, e.g., an adjusting shaft 136, for example in the form of a hollow shaft 136 or sleeve 136, which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the stator 126 or the first stator part 131, and an adjusting lever 141, via which, for example, the adjusting shaft 136 can be pivoted. By pivoting the stator 126 or the first stator part 131, the angular position of the at least one recess 129 and thereby the position of the passage angle sector Δt|> or the active rotation angle phase, in which openings are subjected to vacuum or suction air when the cylinder 26 rotates, can be varied in the manner described above. For example, in order to improve reproducibility, a pointer 148 connected to the setting lever 141 can be provided, which interacts with a set scale 149.In the case of a one-piece stator 126, the suction air can be passed, for example, through the adjusting shaft 139, which is designed as a hollow shaft 136. To prevent unintentional adjustment, a clamping element 144, for example in the form of a screw nipple, can be provided, by which the adjusting lever 141 can be optionally secured against adjustment.

[0132] If the stator 126 comprises two stator parts 131, 132 as described above, further adjusting means 137, 139 are provided, for example a further adjusting shaft 137 connected to the second stator part 132, for example a hollow or slotted shaft 137 which conducts the suction air from the suction-side outlet of the rotary feedthrough 123 formed by the stator 126 and the cooperating rotor 124, which runs for example within the above-mentioned hollow shaft 136, and for example a further adjusting lever 139, via which for example the adjusting shaft 137 can be pivoted. By pivoting the second stator part 132 while the first stator part 131 remains at rest, the length of the cross section of the recess 129 free for passage in the circumferential direction and thereby the size of the passage angle sector Δt|> of the rotary feedthrough 123 or the active rotation angle phase can be varied in the above-mentioned manner, in which openings are closed with negative pressure orSuction air is applied. For example, to improve reproducibility, a pointer 146 connected to the adjusting lever 139 via a sleeve or rod 146 can be provided, which interacts with a set scale 147. To prevent unintentional adjustment of the adjusting lever 139, a clamping element 143, for example in the form of a screw nipple, can be provided, by which the adjusting lever 141 can be optionally secured against adjustment.

[0133] A fixed sleeve can be provided between the two adjusting shafts 136; 137 for their mounting.

[0134] The line connection that carries the suction air into the rotary union 123, e.g. a respective actuating shaft 136; 137, is connected in the region of its end, e.g. via an air chamber, to a suction air line 142, which in turn is connected to the suction air source or air pressure sink.

[0135] In the assembled state, the cylinder 26 is accommodated, for example, in one or more bearing shells 151, which are rotatably mounted in the side frame via a radial bearing not visible here, wherein the rotor 124 (see, for example, Fig. 4 or Fig. 15) and the stator 126 (see, for example, Fig. 19 or Fig. 20) cooperate at the front in the manner described above to pass the suction air.

[0136] The above-mentioned embodiment of a cylinder 26 with suction openings 42 or groups of suction openings 42, which are only in line connection to the suction air source or air pressure sink while passing through or sweeping over an above-mentioned active rotation angle phase, i.e. a defined or definable angular range around the rotation axis of the cylinder 26 of less than 360°, wherein the passage angle sector A(|) or the active rotation angle phase is preferably variable in its position and / or size in the circumferential direction, is indeed presented above in connection with a preferred embodiment of the cylinder 26 as a magnetic cylinder 26, but insofar as it can be transferred without contradiction, in further particularly advantageous embodiments also to other cylinders 12; 17; 153, in particular as transport cylinders 12; 17; 153 effective, and e.g.Holding means 33 for gripping substrate sheets 02 on the circumference of cylinders 12; 17; 153 of a sheet-handling and / or processing machine 01, in particular a security machine 01, e.g. printing machine 01 or in particular a security printing machine 01.

[0137] In this case, the machine 01 can be designed as described above, for example with a magnetic cylinder 26 designed as described above. In addition to this or instead of this, however, the impression cylinder 17, which in the case of a sheet-shaped substrate 02 acts as a transport cylinder 17, and / or a cylinder 152, which acts as a transport cylinder 152 and interacts with an above-mentioned sensor device 153, e.g. camera 153, in particular line scan camera 153, e.g. inspection cylinder 152, can be designed as described above with suction openings 42 or groups of suction openings 42, which are only in line connection to the suction air source or while passing through or sweeping over an above-mentioned active rotation angle phase, i.e. a defined or definable angular range around the rotation axis of the cylinder 26 of less than 360°.Air pressure drop, wherein the rotation angle phase is preferably variable in its position and / or size in the circumferential direction, as described above using the example of the magnetic cylinder 26. All of these cylinders 26; 17; 152 have in common that they are components of a device acting on the substrate sheet 02 or inspecting the substrate sheet 02 and require a particularly secure support and optimized sheet transfer behavior.

[0138] In principle, the above-mentioned adjustability of an active rotation angle phase in position and / or size can also be advantageous for pure transport cylinders 12 due to the optimizable transfer behavior, which do not have to fulfill any further function besides the transfer of substrate sheets.

[0139] In a particularly advantageous development, such a rotary feedthrough 123 is provided on each end face of the cylinder 26; 17; 152; 12, in order, for example, to apply or be able to apply negative pressure to the respective suction openings 42 or groups of suction openings 42 from both sides during the active rotation angle phase. The chambers 55 can be applied from both sides or can be divided in the axial direction and applied with negative pressure separately.

[0140] List of reference symbols

[0141] 01 machine, security machine, printing machine, security printing machine

[0142] 02 Substrate, printing material, printing material section, printing material sheet, substrate sheet

[0143] 03 Image element

[0144] 04 Application device, printing unit, flexographic printing unit, screen printing unit

[0145] 05

[0146] 06 Coating agents, printing inks, varnish

[0147] 07 Device for aligning magnetic particles in image elements,

[0148] Alignment device

[0149] 08 Print image element

[0150] 09 Benefit, security, banknote

[0151] 10

[0152] 11 pressure point

[0153] 12 Conveyor system, transport cylinder

[0154] 13 Substrate template, sheet feeder

[0155] 14 printing cylinders, forme cylinders, screen printing cylinders

[0156] 15

[0157] 16 Device for generating optically variable image elements

[0158] 17 cylinders, impression cylinder, transport cylinder

[0159] 18 Print element, print subject

[0160] 19 Drying and / or curing device, radiation dryer, UV radiation dryer, UV dryer, UV-LED dryer

[0161] 20

[0162] 21 Conveyor system, gripper conveyor, chain gripper system

[0163] 22 Product intake, stacking delivery

[0164] 23 dryers, radiation dryers

[0165] 24 active element, element, magnetic element

[0166] 25 Alignment device, cylinder, magnetic cylinder

[0167] magnet

[0168] Bracket, base

[0169] Cylinder body

[0170] Supporting element, ring element

[0171] Cylinder inner body, cylinder shaft, shaft

[0172] Holding devices, grippers -

[0173] suction element

[0174] structural unit, active unit, magnetic unit

[0175] Magnetic element carrier

[0176] Housing

[0177] Suction air duct

[0178] Cover element

[0179] Suction opening

[0180] Line interface, recess, chamber

[0181] Shell surface (32)

[0182] segment

[0183] Line interface, suction air opening (32)

[0184] Implementation, drilling

[0185] duct, suction air duct

[0186] Cable interface, recess

[0187] Cable interface, recess

[0188] Wall

[0189] channel

[0190] Implementation, drilling chamber

[0191] Wall

[0192] Closure, valve, sleeve

[0193] Closure, valve, sleeve

[0194] tool, polygon wrench

[0195] recess

[0196] wall

[0197] Actuating interface, polygon socket, inner peripheral section

[0198] Support disc

[0199] Support element

[0200] Support surface, area

[0201] Support surface

[0202] Support disc

[0203] support plate

[0204] clamping element, clamping lever, lever

[0205] clamping element, clamping lever, lever

[0206] Stop surface

[0207] Nut

[0208] Stop surface

[0209] Nut

[0210] spring element, compression spring

[0211] Axis, swivel axis

[0212] slot

[0213] Fasteners, screw cable

[0214] Eccentric, shaft section

[0215] carriage, supporting element

[0216] Actuating interface, polygon socket

[0217] Wave

[0218] Eccentric, shaft section

[0219] carriage, supporting element

[0220] Actuating interface, polygon socket

[0221] Wave

[0222] coupling link, connecting axis

[0223] Assembly aids

[0224] Actuating arm

[0225] part, first, socket

[0226] part, second, socket

[0227] drive means, actuator

[0228] Actuation interface, rotary handle

[0229] base

[0230] End, leading (31)

[0231] End, trailing (31)

[0232] clamping device

[0233] Settling agent

[0234] clamping bar

[0235] Shim, key, threaded rod, screw

[0236] thread, threaded bushing

[0237] clamping device, tension bar

[0238] Overhang, hanging edge

[0239] Overhang, hanging edge

[0240] gripper shaft

[0241] warehouse

[0242] recess, cutout

[0243] Cable interface, rotary union

[0244] Part, first (123), rotor

[0245] Part, second (123), stator

[0246] Channel opening

[0247] Shaft end, cylindrical journal

[0248] recess

[0249] Stator part, first (126)

[0250] Stator part, second (126)

[0251] Cover element, circular ring segment, circular disc sector

[0252] Locking element

[0253] Control shaft, hollow shaft, sleeve

[0254] Control shaft, hollow shaft, slotted shaft

[0255] Adjusting lever

[0256] Adjusting lever 142 suction air line

[0257] 143 clamping element

[0258] 144 clamping element

[0259] 145 -

[0260] 146 hands

[0261] 147 scale

[0262] 148 hands

[0263] 149 scale

[0264] 150 -

[0265] 151 bearing shell

[0266] 152 cylinders, transport cylinders, inspection cylinders

[0267] 153 Sensor device, camera, line scan camera

[0268] A x Segment, ring segment, angle segment (x = 1, 2, 3, ...)

[0269] D Production direction of rotation

[0270] P particles, pigment particles

[0271] R rotation axis

[0272] T Transport direction

[0273] A(j> angle sector, transmission angle sector

Claims

Claims 1. Cylinder (26; 17; 152; 12) for a sheet-handling and / or processing machine (01), which comprises holding means (33) on its circumference, by means of which a substrate sheet (02) to be conveyed via the cylinder (26; 17; 152; 12) is received with its leading end and is or can be held during rotation of the cylinder (26; 17; 152; 12) over a rotation angle range between a takeover of the substrate sheet (02) and its downstream discharge, and with a rotary feedthrough (123) which comprises a rotor (124) rotating with the cylinder (26; 17; 152; 12), which is fixed on the end face to a shaft end (128) of a shaft (32) driving the cylinder (26; 17; 152; 12) or to a cylinder journal (128) on the end face. is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner, and an operationally non-rotating stator (126), wherein via the rotary feedthrough (123) on the circumference of the cylinder (26; 17; 152;12) provided suction openings (42) or groups of suction openings (42) can be subjected to negative pressure while the cylinder (26; 17; 152; 12) passes through an active rotational angle phase about its rotational axis (R), characterized in that the rotary feedthrough (123) is adjustable with respect to a size of a passage angle sector (Ac|>) determining the size of the active rotational angle phase and / or with respect to a position of the passage angle sector (Ac|>) determining the position of the active rotational angle phase.

2. Cylinder according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotary feedthrough (123) on the side of the rotor (124) is designed to have multiple channels, wherein the line connections leading from channel openings (127) of this multi-channel rotor (124) on the cylinder side lead to various suction openings (42) or groups of suction openings (42) arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction. Cylinder according to claim 2, characterized in that the stator (126) comprises a recess (129) or group of recesses (129) serving to pass through suction air, which recesses, depending on the rotational position of the rotor (124) rotating with the cylinder (26), are in alignment with a changing part of the channel openings (127) of this rotor (124).Cylinder according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the stator (126) is designed with a recess (129) or a group of recesses (129) for the passage of suction air, such that during rotation of the cylinder (26; 17; 152; 12) and of the rotor (124) of the rotary feedthrough (123) rotating together with it, only that part of the channel openings (127) is in line connection with a free cross section of the recess (129) or group of recesses (129) of the stator (126) which is connected via corresponding line paths to suction openings (42) or groups of suction openings (42) which are located within the rotational angle phase of the cylinder (26; 17; 152; 12) around its rotational axis (R) of less than 360°.Cylinder according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the stator (126) having the recess (129) or group of recesses (129) is pivotable about the rotational axis (R) of the cylinder (26) or an axis coinciding therewith in order to vary the position of the passage angle sector (Ac|>) and thus the position of the defined rotational angle phase and / or in order to vary the position of the channel openings (127) simultaneously located in register with this recess (129) or group of recesses (129) and the suction openings (42) or groups of suction openings (42) connected thereto. Cylinder according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, characterized in that the stator. (126) is designed as a multi-part stator (126) with a first and a second stator part (131; 132), both of which are adjustable in their rotational position relative to one another and relative to the rotational axis about a rotational axis of the cylinder (26; 17; 152; 12) or an axis coinciding therewith. Cylinder according to claim 6, characterized in that the position and size of the transmission angle sector (Ac|>) determining the size and position of the active rotational angle phase and / or a beginning and an end of the active rotational angle phase are selectable or adjustable over at least one respective adjustment range by positioning the two stator parts (131; 132) relative to one another and in their respective angular position assumed about the rotational axis or an axis coinciding therewith.Cylinder according to claim 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7, characterized in that the stator (126) is designed as a multi-part stator (126) with a first stator part (131) having a recess (129) or a group of recesses (129) and with a second stator part (132) having a cover element (133), wherein the first and the second stator part (131, 132) are arranged so as to be variable with respect to their relative rotational position in order to vary the size of the passage angle sector (Ac|>) and thus the size of the defined rotational angle phase and / or in order to vary the size of the free passage cross-section through the recess (129) and thus the proportion of the channel openings (127) that are simultaneously in registration with this recess (129).Cylinder according to claim 8, characterized in that the second stator part (132) is pivotable relative to the first stator part (131) and / or comprises a locking element (134) engaging in the recess of the first stator part (131), which separates a part of the recess (129) not covered by the cover element (133) from a covered part of the recess (129). Cylinder according to claim 6, 7, 8 or 9, characterized in that the second stator part (132) is pivotable via adjusting means (137, 139) relative to the first stator part (131) and / or about the rotational axis (R) of the cylinder (26) or an axis coinciding therewith and / or that the first stator part (131) via adjusting means (136, 141) about the rotation axis (R) of the cylinder (26) or an axis coinciding therewith and / or relative to the second stator part (132) is pivotable. Cylinder according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10, characterized in that the stator (126) is pivotable about the axis of rotation (R) of the cylinder (26) or an axis coinciding therewith via adjusting means (136, 141). Cylinder according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or 11, characterized in that its design as a magnetic cylinder (26) with, in the region of its outer circumference, a number of nxm (with n, me N) magnetic elements (24) arranged in a matrix-like manner, which are arranged in axially parallel rows and in circumferentially extending columns.Cylinder according to claim 12, characterized in that several or all of the magnetic elements (24) of circumferentially extending gaps are arranged on or on a respective, open or closed ring-like support element (31) received on a cylinder shaft (32), wherein the ring-like support element (31) viewed in the circumferential direction comprises several chambers (55) one behind the other, which are each independently of one another via corresponding line paths in line connection to the rotor (124) of the rotary feedthrough (123) and to at least one group of suction openings (42) opening out at the circumference. Cylinder according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or 13, characterized in that in the shaft (32) carrying the cylinder (26; 17; 152; 12) or in the front cylinder pin (128) a plurality of channels (48) leading into the cylinder interior are provided, which are in line connection to front channel openings (127) of the rotor (124).Machine (01) for processing and / or working with sheet-shaped substrates (02), comprising a substrate template (13), at least one printing unit (04) by means of which a substrate (02) guided along a transport path through the machine (01) is and / or can be printed in a matrix-like manner with blanks (09) having a number m of columns and a number n of rows at least on a first side, a product holder (22) by means of which processed substrate (02) can be gathered into bundles, and at least one transport cylinder (26; 17; 152; 12) provided in the substrate path between the substrate template (13) and the product holder (22), characterized by the design of the transport cylinder (26; 17; 152; 12) according to a cylinder (26; 17; 152; 12) according to one of claims 1 to 14.Machine according to claim 15, characterized in that a transport cylinder (26) according to a cylinder (26) according to one of claims 1 to 15 is provided in the substrate path, which transport cylinder is designed as a magnetic cylinder (26) of an alignment device (07) provided between the printing unit (04) and the product holder (22) for aligning magnetic or magnetizable particles (P), which magnetic cylinder comprises, in the region of its outer circumference, a number of nxm (with n, me N) matrix-like arranged magnetic elements (24) which are arranged in axially parallel rows and in circumferentially extending columns. Machine according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that a transport cylinder (17) according to a cylinder (17) according to one of claims 1 to 15 is provided in the substrate path. Claims 1 to 15 is provided, which, as an impression cylinder (17) of the printing unit (04), serves as an abutment for a printing unit cylinder (14) and forms a printing point (11) with the latter. Machine according to claim 15, 16 or 17, characterized in that a transport cylinder (152) according to a cylinder (152) according to one of claims 1 to 15 is provided in the substrate path, which, as an inspection cylinder (152), offers a base for the conveyed substrate (02) and, as a component of an inspection device, cooperates with a sensor device (153) directed toward the substrate path.

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