Method for actuating a processing machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for actuating a processing machine (01). At least one axially adjustable transport section (706) of at least one aligning section (750) of the processing machine (01) has at least one adjustment phase which describes an axial adjustment process of the at least one axially adjustable transport section (706) within a machine cycle in order to axially align a substrate (02). The at least one aligning section (750) is arranged downstream of at least one processing assembly (600; 900) of the processing machine (01), and the processing assembly (600; 900) has at least one processing phase within the machine cycle, each said processing phase comprising the sum of the successive process steps and / or sequences within the processing assembly (600; 900) by means of which a respective substrate (02) is processed and / or can be processed when present. The processing machine (01) is actuated such that within the machine cycle, the number of processing phases of the processing assembly (600; 900) is greater than the number of adjustment phases of the at least one axially adjustable transport section (706). The invention additionally relates to a method for actuating the processing machine (01), wherein the processing machine changes or can change between a first and second operating mode.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to methods for controlling a processing machine according to the preamble of claim 1 and the preamble of claim 13.

[0002] Various processing units are used in converting machines, especially those for sheets such as corrugated board. The sheets are coated with printing fluid by at least one application unit and additionally or alternatively modified in mass, shape, and / or contour by at least one forming unit. One possible application method is flexographic printing. Flexographic printing is characterized by a printing cylinder with a flexible printing plate. A common forming unit is a die-cutting machine, particularly a rotary die-cutting machine. To ensure high quality of the final product, precise registration of the substrate within the converting machine is essential.

[0003] The substrate is aligned before it reaches a processing unit. Typically, this alignment takes place within the machine itself, i.e., before the first processing unit. For example, EP 2 456 698 B1 shows such a machine with a feeder positioned in front of the first processing unit. The feeder has a side drive for lateral movement and two longitudinal drive devices for longitudinal movement.

[0004] Particularly due to the processing of the substrate by the processing units or also due to the transport of the substrate by means of transport, its positioning relative to an ideal orientation along the transport path by the processing machine can change, especially after at least one first

[0005] Modify the processing unit.

[0006] DE 2 046 602 A1 discloses a device for feeding and aligning sheets in printing presses. A measuring control system, which is located downstream of a measuring head, causes a lateral displacement of the sheet away from the measuring head. Once the sheet has achieved the correct lateral register, it can be transferred to a printing cylinder.

[0007] German patent DE 10 2017 012 279 B3 discloses a sheet-fed processing machine comprising alignment devices. One or more offset printing units may also be provided between a feeder and a delivery unit. A first alignment device has a stop that rotates at the transport speed of the sheet guide system. A second alignment device comprises one or more transport devices and a control device. This enables alignment of the sheet with respect to the transport direction, lateral position, and skew.

[0008] DE 28 08 528 A1 discloses a sheet gripping device for impression cylinders and transfer drums of sheet-fed rotary printing presses, comprising several sheet grippers for grasping the leading edge of a printed sheet between gripper fingers and gripper supports. The sheet grippers are movable axially along a gripper spindle and a gripper support rail for laterally aligning the printed sheets. A control cam moves the sheet gripping device once with each revolution of the printing cylinder from its outermost right to its outermost left position, or vice versa.

[0009] DE 10 2019 119 372 A1 discloses a processing machine in which at least one sheet sensor upstream of the application unit is assigned to the application unit. This sensor detects the arrival time of the sheet at the position of the sheet sensor in order to compensate for registration errors in the transport direction. However, compensation for registration errors in the transverse direction, i.e., in the case of lateral displacement of the sheet, and / or compensation for registration errors due to a tilt of the sheet is not possible.

[0010] US Patent 3,384,011 A discloses a sheet-fed rotary offset printing press. A stop drum, serving as the sheet transport mechanism, is equipped with two gripper systems and performs half a revolution per sheet, followed by a standstill. This conveys the sheets to a continuously rotating blanket cylinder, which has two gripper systems and two blankets on its circumference and can therefore carry two sheets.

[0011] DE 10 2021 118 033 A1 describes a method for setting the printing length and / or processing length of a substrate using at least one application unit and / or at least one forming unit of a processing machine. The printing length and / or processing length of the substrate is set by changing the speed ratio between the forming cylinder and the substrate.

[0012] DE 10 2020 127 154 A1 discloses a sheet processing machine. For lateral alignment of sheets, a drawing device comprising a suction plate is provided, which moves a sheet in and / or against the transverse direction against a side stop. A machine cycle comprises a processing step of a sheet within a unit, as well as the transport of the sheet to the respective processing point and / or the transport from the respective processing point to a subsequent unit.

[0013] WO 2016 / 174221 A1 teaches a machine arrangement with several processing stations for processing sheets, wherein at least one of these processing stations is designed as a non-impact printing unit. In the transport direction of the sheets between the non-impact printing unit and a processing station downstream of the non-impact printing unit, an alignment device is arranged, wherein this alignment device aligns the sheets, at least in their axial register and / or in their circumferential register, relative to a processing position of the processing station downstream of the non-impact printing unit.

[0014] The invention is based on the objective of creating methods for controlling a processing machine.

[0015] The problem is solved according to the invention by the features of claim 1 and claim 13. The dependent claims describe advantageous further developments and / or embodiments of the solution found.

[0016] A method for controlling a machine tool is created. The method preferably has at least one operating mode.

[0017] The processing machine has at least one processing unit. Preferably, the processing machine has at least two processing units, which preferably perform different processing processes. Preferably, at least one processing unit, for example, a front processing unit, is designed as a coating unit. Preferably, at least one processing unit, for example, a subsequent processing unit, is designed as a forming unit. In the transport direction of the substrate, at least one processing unit designed as a coating unit is preferably followed by at least one processing unit, preferably designed as a forming unit, in particular a punching unit, or as a coating unit, preferably without any further processing units in between.

[0018] At least one alignment section of the processing machine is arranged upstream of at least one processing unit of the processing machine. In a preferred embodiment, the alignment section is arranged between the at least one upstream processing unit, preferably the processing unit designed as a coating unit, and the at least one downstream processing unit, preferably the processing unit designed as a forming unit. In the transport direction from the substrate to the at least one processing unit designed as a coating unit, the at least one processing unit, preferably designed as a forming unit, in particular a punching unit, or as a coating unit, preferably follows. Advantageously, the alignment of the substrate takes place as close as possible to a downstream processing unit, thereby increasing the machining accuracy.Advantageously, alignment is achieved between two processing units to adjust and / or readjust the substrate orientation after at least the first processing step. This also advantageously simplifies substrate handling.

[0019] The at least one alignment track has at least one transport section. The at least one alignment track preferably has at least two, more preferably at least four, and more preferably at least six, and in particular a plurality, transport sections arranged one after the other and / or consecutively in the transport direction. The at least one transport section of the transport sections preferably has at least one first transport sub-section and at least one second transport sub-section in the transverse direction. The at least one alignment track preferably has at least one, and more preferably at least two, transport units.At least one transport unit, preferably one alignment section, preferably at least two transport units, is preferably arranged between the at least one processing unit designed as an application unit and the at least one subsequent processing unit, preferably designed as a forming unit, in particular a punching unit.

[0020] Preferably, at least one substrate, in particular an arc, is aligned by the at least one alignment section. Preferably, alignment is performed with respect to the inclination and / or the axial position and / or the circumferential position relative to a target position. Advantageously, the accuracy of the substrate alignment is increased during the ongoing machining process. This advantageously increases the machining accuracy and thus the quality of the manufactured product. Advantageously, the productivity of the machining machine is increased by the alignment in the at least one alignment section. Advantageously, a substrate misalignment is corrected while the substrate is transported along the at least one alignment section, preferably while being transported by the at least one transport unit.Advantageously, the substrate is aligned by at least one alignment section in the transport direction and / or in the transverse direction and / or with respect to an inclination.

[0021] By aligning the substrate in multiple steps, the accuracy of the alignment steps is advantageously increased and / or the control of the components involved is simplified. For example, at least two steps for aligning a substrate are performed in parallel, which advantageously results in faster alignment.

[0022] Advantageously, substrate alignment is enabled after it has passed through at least one application unit. Advantageously, substrate alignment takes place, preferably in addition to alignment in a first unit of the processing machine, for example, a substrate feed device, particularly before the at least one forming unit. This ensures, in particular, high accuracy in the processing of the substrate by the at least one forming unit, for example, at least one die-cutting contour, relative to the processing of the substrate by the at least one application unit, for example, at least one printed image.

[0023] By using at least one alignment section in combination with at least one rotary die cutter, the manufacturing costs are advantageously reduced significantly in a direct comparison between production on a flatbed die cutter and a rotary die cutter, since in particular the production output is increased by adapted format sizes and / or by higher machine speeds and / or because there are lower tooling costs.

[0024] The at least one alignment section, preferably the at least one transport unit, and in particular the at least one transport segment, preferably comprises at least one transport element. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one first transport segment and the at least one second transport segment each comprise at least one transport element. Preferably, each transport segment comprises at least one transport element. Advantageously, the substrate is transported along the transport path by preferably direct contact between the substrate and the at least one transport element.

[0025] At least one transport section, in particular the at least one transport element, of the transport sections of the alignment section is axially adjustable. Advantageously, this aligns the at least one substrate in the axial direction or allows it to be axially aligned, preferably relative to at least one tool of the subsequent machining unit. The at least one alignment section preferably has at least one individual drive for at least one transport section. Advantageously, the at least one individual drive enables individualized axial adjustment of the transport sections. In particular, the at least one alignment section preferably has at least one individual drive for the axial adjustment of at least one transport section, preferably at least one transport element.Preferably, the at least one transport section has at least one individual drive for axial adjustment. Preferably, the at least one transport unit comprises the at least one transport section and at least one further transport section arranged behind and / or in front of it in the transport direction, each of which has an individual drive for axial adjustment. The at least one individual drive is preferably configured to axially adjust the at least one transport section of the transport sections. The at least one individual drive preferably adjusts the at least one transport section of the transport sections axially.

[0026] Advantageously, the positioning of the at least one transport section is achieved with high accuracy by the at least one individual drive. Advantageously, the generated movement can be adapted as needed, particularly with regard to speed and / or travel distance. Advantageously, lubrication of a mechanical transmission between the at least one individual drive and the at least one transport section is eliminated. Advantageously, wear on the mechanical components is reduced.

[0027] The at least one individual drive is preferably configured to generate an axial force, preferably exclusively an axial force. The at least one individual drive is preferably configured not to generate a torque that produces a rotary motion. Advantageously, the accuracy of the adjustment is increased. Advantageously, the wear of the mechanical components is reduced.

[0028] The at least one alignment section, preferably its at least one transport unit, preferably has at least two, more preferably at least four, and more preferably a plurality of transport sections, each with at least one transport element. Preferably, the at least two, and more preferably the plurality, of transport sections are individually axially adjustable or axially adjustable in groups. The at least two, and more preferably the plurality, of transport sections are preferably adjusted axially individually, or alternatively, the at least two, and more preferably the plurality, of transport sections are adjusted axially in groups. Advantageously, this achieves individual alignment of the at least one substrate according to its current position. The individual axial adjustment advantageously increases the accuracy of the substrate alignment.Group-based adjustment advantageously simplifies the control algorithm and / or reduces the number of required actuators. Fast control with short response times is advantageously achieved through axial adjustment within groups.

[0029] The at least one alignment section preferably has at least one main drive for driving the at least one transport section in the circumferential direction, preferably for rotating, in particular rotary, motion. Advantageously, the at least one main drive enables a cost-effective and / or simple drive of the transport sections in the circumferential direction. The at least one alignment section preferably has the at least one main drive for driving the at least one transport section in the circumferential direction, preferably for rotating motion, and the at least one individual drive for axially adjusting the at least one transport section.The at least two drives, at least one main drive and at least one individual drive, which are operatively connected to the at least one transport section, advantageously allow the circumferential movement, preferably the rotary movement, and the axial movement to be adjusted independently of each other. This advantageously enables individual response to the positioning of each substrate to be aligned.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one first transport section and the at least one second transport section are preferably driven at different speeds relative to each other in the circumferential direction, preferably rotating, and / or are driven at different speeds. At least one main drive of the at least one first transport section preferably drives the at least one first transport section at a first speed, while at least one main drive of the at least one second transport section drives the at least one second transport section at a second speed. Advantageously, the at least one substrate within a transport section can be subjected to at least two different speeds.Advantageously, this allows for the simple alignment of the inclination of at least one substrate relative to the at least one transport path and / or at least one tool of the subsequent processing unit.

[0031] First and second transport sections, in particular the first and second transport sections of a transport section, preferably have different main drives. The at least one alignment section preferably has at least one main drive for driving the at least one first transport section in the circumferential direction, preferably for rotating, in particular rotary, driving, and / or the at least one alignment section preferably has at least one main drive for driving the at least one second transport section in the circumferential direction, preferably for rotating, in particular rotary, driving. Preferably, the at least one transport section is operatively connected to at least one main drive; more preferably, the at least one first transport section is operatively connected to the first main drive and the at least one second transport section is operatively connected to the second main drive.In particular, the at least one main drive generates a circumferential movement, preferably a rotating, especially rotary, movement of the at least one transport element.

[0032] At least one component of the alignment path, preferably at least one alignment section of the alignment path, and more preferably at least one transport section, is preferably controlled based on acquired data. Preferably, at least one sensor for substrate alignment is provided along the alignment path. Preferably, the at least one alignment path has at least one first sensor for substrate alignment and / or at least one second sensor for substrate alignment and / or at least one third sensor for substrate alignment. Alternatively, for example, at least one sensor for substrate alignment is arranged at only one position along the transport direction through the processing machine, preferably along the transport direction along the at least one alignment path.Depending on the determined data, preferably depending on the detection of at least one substrate by the at least one substrate detection sensor, the at least one alignment path is preferably controlled. Advantageously, the use of multiple substrate alignment sensors at several positions in the transport direction increases the accuracy of the achievable alignment. Advantageously, the alignment process is readjusted based on further sensor detection. At least one substrate alignment sensor preferably detects at least one imaging element, preferably at least one print mark, of the substrate. Advantageously, the alignment is thus coordinated with the print image. Advantageously, the accuracy of the alignment is increased compared to alignment based on a detected edge of the substrate.

[0033] The at least one transport section, in particular the at least one transport element, is preferably adjusted axially depending on acquired data, preferably depending on the detection of the at least one imaging element, which is preferably designed as a print mark. The at least one control unit regulates and / or controls the at least one individual drive for the axial adjustment of the at least one transport section, preferably depending on acquired data, preferably depending on the detection of the substrate by the at least one sensor for substrate alignment. Advantageously, the control of the transport sections, and thus in particular the alignment, is individualized and adapted to the respective substrate, especially to its current position.

[0034] Preferably, at least one sensor for detecting a leading edge of the substrate is connected to at least one main drive of at least one transport section of the alignment path by means of at least one control unit. Advantageously, the control of the transport sections, and thus in particular the alignment, is individualized and adapted to the respective substrate.

[0035] Advantageously, the substrate is aligned in a substrate feed device, preferably by means of at least one fixed or movable stop. Advantageously, the substrate is aligned by means of the at least one alignment section in addition to the alignment in the substrate feed device.

[0036] The subsequent processing unit preferably comprises at least one forming cylinder. The at least one forming cylinder of the subsequent processing unit, preferably designed as a forming unit, more preferably as a punching unit, or as an application unit, preferably has at least one drive for axial adjustment of the forming cylinder. Preferably, the forming cylinder also has at least one drive in the circumferential direction. Advantageously, the relative position of the at least one forming cylinder relative to a substrate to be processed is optimized. Advantageously, optimal fit of the register is enabled by correct positioning of the forming cylinder in its axial position and / or relative to a guide axis value.

[0037] Advantageously, at least one sensor for detecting a leading end, preferably a leading edge, of the substrate is arranged upstream of at least one processing unit, preferably each processing unit. Preferably, the arrival time of a processing area of ​​the substrate and the arrival time of a processing tool of the processing unit at a processing point are set and / or adjustable relative to each other based on this at least one sensor. Advantageously, this sensor is space-saving, particularly, for example, compared to image acquisition devices. Advantageously, the processing machine has at least one inspection device, preferably at least one print image control system and / or at least one register control system and / or at least one die-cutting control system.Preferably, the at least one inspection device is connected to at least one drive of the processing machine and / or to at least one deflector for substrate rejection and / or at least one other component of the processing machine. Preferably, the at least one drive of the processing machine and / or the at least one deflector for substrate rejection and / or the at least one other component of the processing machine is controlled and / or regulated depending on the substrate inspection performed by the at least one inspection device.

[0038] Preferably, the at least one processing unit, more preferably the at least one application unit and / or the at least one forming unit, and more preferably each processing unit, in particular an application unit and / or a processing unit following an application unit, has at least one drive for axially adjusting the at least one forming cylinder of the processing unit. More preferably, the at least one processing unit, more preferably the at least one application unit and / or the at least one forming unit, and more preferably each processing unit, in particular an application unit and / or a processing unit following an application unit, has at least one drive in the circumferential direction of the at least one forming cylinder of the processing unit.Advantageously, adjustment of the forming cylinder of the processing unit in the axial direction and / or in the circumferential direction, preferably its rotational speed, and / or adjustment to compensate for an inclination of the forming cylinder is made possible.

[0039] The processing machine is controlled in at least one operating mode.

[0040] In one operating mode, hereinafter referred to, for example, as the second operating mode, the machine tool is controlled such that within a machine cycle, the number of machining phases of the at least one machining unit, in particular the machining unit following the alignment section, is greater, preferably twice as large, as the number of adjustment phases of the at least one axially adjustable transport section, in particular a single axially adjustable transport section. The at least one axially adjustable transport section of the at least one alignment section of the machine tool has at least one adjustment phase within a machine cycle. The adjustment phase describes an axial adjustment process of the at least one, in particular a single, axially adjustable transport section for the axial alignment of a, in particular a single, substrate.Preferably, the at least one axially adjustable transport section performs an axial movement during the adjustment phase from a relative starting position at the beginning of a first machine cycle, via a basic position and via a relative adjustment position back to its relative starting position, and / or it performs an axial movement from a relative starting position at the beginning of a first machine cycle, at least via a relative adjustment position, into a relative starting position of the subsequent machine cycle.The at least one alignment section is followed by at least one processing unit of the processing machine, wherein the at least one processing unit, i.e. in particular the downstream processing unit, has at least one processing phase, preferably at least two processing phases, within a machine cycle, each of which comprises the sum of those successive process steps and / or sequences within the at least one processing unit by which a substrate is processed and / or can be processed in the event of its presence.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment, in this operating mode, in at least one processing phase, preferably in at least one of the at least two processing phases, of the machine cycle, a substrate is processed by the at least one subsequent processing unit, and in at least one further processing phase, preferably in at least one second processing phase of the at least two processing phases, of the machine cycle, no substrate is processed, preferably by the subsequent processing unit.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment of the, preferably second, operating mode, at least one substrate feed unit of the processing machine supplies substrate to the at least one subsequent processing unit, in particular via the at least one alignment section. The processing machine is preferably controlled such that the at least one substrate feed unit has at least one feed phase within at least one machine cycle, in which at least one element of the at least one substrate feed unit is activated for supplying a substrate, and that within one machine cycle the number of adjustment phases of the at least one axially adjustable transport section of the at least one alignment section is equal to the number of feed phases of the at least one substrate feed unit.

[0043] Advantageously, the distance between two successive substrates is increased by the operating mode designated as the second operating mode compared to a first operating mode. The second operating mode advantageously simplifies the return movement of the at least one axially adjustable transport section. Advantageously, a longer time period is available for the return movement. Advantageously, particularly large corrective movements are possible and / or long substrates can be processed and aligned. Advantageously, substrate processing in the at least one processing unit is coordinated with the alignment in the at least one alignment section. Advantageously, the substrate is aligned along the at least one alignment section without negatively affecting the processing speed of the processing machine.

[0044] The machine tool preferably has at least two operating modes. These operating modes preferably describe methods for controlling the machine tool. Preferably, the machine switches between the operating mode designated as the second operating mode and a further operating mode, preferably subsequently designated as the first operating mode, or it can switch between the operating modes. In the further operating mode, the machine tool is controlled such that, within a machine cycle, the number of machining phases of the at least one machining unit, in particular the subsequent machining unit, is equal to the number of adjustment phases of the at least one axially adjustable transport section. Advantageously, the further operating mode increases the machining speed compared to the other operating mode, i.e., the second operating mode.Advantageously, longer substrates can be processed in the second operating mode than in the first operating mode.

[0045] Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the drawings. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are described in more detail below.

[0046] They show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a processing machine which has an alignment section between a final application unit and a forming unit; Fig. 2 a schematic representation of an application unit with at least one upstream sensor; Fig. 3 a schematic representation of an application unit to which a drying device and two inspection devices are downstream; Fig. 4 a schematic representation of a sheet with a first and second register mark each arranged in their reference position for, for example, four application units; Fig. 5 a schematic representation of a sheet with a first and a second register mark each, which deviate from the reference position, for, for example, four application units; Fig.6. A schematic representation of a forming device and a delivery unit with at least one inspection device in the transport direction after the forming device, wherein a sensor arranged upstream of the forming device is shown; Fig. 7. A schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a suction transport means designed as a roller suction system between two application units with a main drive and several individual drives of the transport sections; Fig. 8. A schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of an alignment section arranged between an application unit and a forming unit with a transport unit for aligning substrate and inspection devices arranged upstream of this on a further transport unit; Fig.9 a schematic representation of a preferred embodiment of an alignment of substrate on an exemplary transport unit of an alignment section with lateral offset, wherein a substrate with lateral offset arrives at the transport unit; Fig. 10 a schematic representation of the alignment of substrate on a transport unit with lateral offset according to . Fig. 9 , wherein transport sections in contact with the substrate are axially adjusted; Fig. 11 a schematic representation of the alignment of substrate on a transport unit with lateral offset according to Fig. 9 und Fig. 10 , wherein transport sections in contact with the substrate are axially adjusted and wherein transport sections which no longer have contact with the substrate are returned from the adjusted position to a starting position; Fig. 12 a schematic representation of a preferred embodiment of substrate alignment on an exemplary transport unit of an alignment section when the substrate is inclined, wherein the at least one transport section is coupled to a main drive and wherein a substrate arrives at the transport unit in an inclined position; Fig. 13 a schematic representation of the substrate alignment on a transport unit when the substrate is inclined according to Fig. 12 , wherein transport sections are axially adjusted to compensate for the inclination; Fig. 14 a schematic representation of the alignment of substrate on a transport unit when the substrate is inclined according to Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 , wherein transport sections are axially adjusted to compensate for the inclination, and wherein a transport section which no longer has contact with the substrate is returned from the adjusted position to a starting position; Fig. 15 a preferred embodiment of an alignment section with two transport units for aligning substrate along the transport path with sensors for substrate alignment, wherein the transport units each have a main drive for circumferential driving, the transport sections and the transport sections of the transport units have individual drives for axial adjustment; Fig. 16 a schematic representation of another preferred embodiment of an alignment section between two processing units with several transport units for aligning substrate; Fig. 17 a representation of part of the preferred embodiment of the alignment section according to Fig. 16 , wherein several transport sections each have individual drives for axial adjustment and wherein at least some of the transport sections have two transport subsections with different main drives; Fig. 18 an enlarged view from Fig. 17 , which shows a single drive and its drive train to a transport section; Fig. 19 an enlarged view from Fig. 17 , which shows a space between two transport sections of a transport section, which is designed to transmit axial motion, but does not transmit rotational motion from one transport section to the other; Fig. 20 enlarged view from Fig. 17 , which shows a space between two transport sections of a transport section, which does not transmit any rotational motion from one transport section to the other; Fig. 21 enlarged view from Fig. 17 , which shows a space between two transport sections of a transport section, which transmits a rotary motion as well as an axial motion from one transport section to the other; Fig. 22 a schematic representation of a gear train with gears and intermediate gears, wherein a main drive engages a rotational axis of a gear; Fig. 23 a schematic representation of a preferred embodiment of an alignment of substrate on an exemplary transport unit of an alignment track with the substrate in an inclined position, wherein a transport section has two transport sections, the transport sections each being coupled to a main drive, the two main drives each driving the coupled transport sections with an output velocity in the circumferential direction, wherein a substrate arrives at the transport unit in an inclined position; Fig.24 a schematic representation of the alignment of substrate on a transport unit when the substrate is inclined according to . Fig. 23 , wherein, to compensate for the inclination, the main drive of the first transport sections drives them at a first speed in the circumferential direction and the main drive of the second transport sections drives them at a second speed in the circumferential direction; Fig. 25 a schematic representation of the orientation of substrate on a transport unit when the substrate is inclined according to Fig. 23 and Fig. 24 , wherein the substrate is transported in a state aligned with respect to its inclined position; Fig. 26 a schematic representation of a preferred embodiment of substrate alignment by an alignment section with axial offset of the substrate, a substrate advancing in the transport direction is already aligned while a subsequent substrate arrives in the at least one detection area of ​​sensors for substrate alignment, wherein a transport section adjusted for aligning the advancing substrate performs a return movement to its home position; Fig. 27 a schematic representation of the preferred embodiment of substrate alignment with axial offset according to Fig. 26 , wherein a first group of transport sections begins an adjustment movement and wherein, for the purpose of aligning the advancing substrate, adjusted transport sections of a second group of transport sections perform a return movement to their home position; Fig. 28 a schematic representation of the preferred embodiment of substrate alignment with axial offset according to Fig. 26 , and Fig. 27 , wherein a first group of transport sections performs the adjustment movement and wherein a previously adjusted, substrate-free transport section of a second group of transport sections performs a return movement to its home position; Fig. 29 a schematic representation of the preferred embodiment of substrate alignment with axial offset according to Fig. 26 , Fig. 27 and Fig. 28 , wherein a first group of transport sections performs the adjustment movement and wherein a previously adjusted, substrate-free transport section of a second group of transport sections performs a return movement to its home position; Fig. 30 a schematic representation of the preferred embodiment of substrate alignment with axial offset according to Fig. 26 , Fig. 27 , Fig. 28 and Fig. 29 , wherein a first group of transport sections performs the adjustment movement and wherein previously adjusted, substrate-free transport sections of a second group of transport sections perform a return movement to their home position; Fig. 31 a schematic representation of the preferred embodiment of substrate alignment in case of axial displacement Fig. 26 , Fig. 27 , Fig. 28 , Fig. 29 and Fig. 30, wherein the alignment of the substrate is completed and the transport sections containing the substrate in their area of ​​operation remain in their adjustment position, wherein previously adjusted, substrate-free transport sections of a second group of transport sections perform a return movement to their basic position.

[0047] A processing machine 01 is preferably configured as a printing machine 01 and / or as a forming machine 01, in particular a die-cutting machine 01, more preferably as a rotary die-cutting machine. The printing machine 01 is preferably configured as a flexographic printing machine 01.

[0048] The processing machine 01 is preferably referred to as a printing machine 01 if it has at least one application unit 614, preferably configured as a printing unit 614, and / or at least one printing unit 600, preferably configured as an assembly 600, in particular regardless of whether it has further assemblies for processing substrate 02. For example, a processing machine 01 configured as a printing machine 01 additionally has at least one further such assembly 900, for example at least one forming assembly 900, preferably configured as a punching assembly 900, more preferably as a punching device 900. The processing machine 01 is preferably referred to as a forming machine 01 if it has at least one forming unit 914 and / or at least one forming assembly 900, in particular regardless of whether it has further assemblies 600 for processing substrate 02.Preferably, the processing machine 01 is referred to as a punching machine 01 if it has at least one punching unit 914 designed as a forming unit 914 and / or at least one punching unit 900 and / or at least one punching device 900, in particular regardless of whether it has further units 600 for processing substrate 02. For example, a processing machine 01 designed as a forming machine 01 or punching machine 01 additionally has at least one further unit 600 for processing substrate 02, for example at least one printing unit 600 and / or at least one printing unit 614.

[0049] The processing machine 01 preferably has at least two processing units 600; 900, which preferably perform different processing processes. Preferably, at least one processing unit 600, for example, at least one front processing unit 600, is designed as a coating unit 600. Preferably, at least one subsequent processing unit 900 is designed as a forming unit 900. Preferably, the at least one coating unit 600 and / or the at least one punching unit 900 are each a processing unit 600; 900 of the processing machine 01, preferably for processing substrate 02. The processing of a substrate 02, as described above and below, preferably involves changing at least one property of the substrate 02 with respect to its physical properties and / or material properties, in particular its mass and / or shape and / or appearance.The substrate 02 can be transformed into at least one further processable intermediate product and / or end product through at least one processing operation. An existing substrate 02 can be further processed into an intermediate product or end product through processing operations. The processing machine 01 can therefore, for example, also be referred to as a processing machine for processing preferably arc-shaped substrate 02. Preferably, the at least one processing unit 600; 900, more preferably the at least one application unit 600 and / or the at least one forming unit 900, more preferably each processing unit 600; 900, in particular an application unit 600 and / or a processing unit 600; 900 following an application unit 600, has at least one drive for the axial adjustment of the at least one forming cylinder 616; 901 of the processing unit 600; 900.The at least one drive for axially adjusting the at least one forming cylinder 616; 901 of the processing unit 600; 900 is preferably configured to axially adjust the forming cylinder 616; 901 of the processing unit 600; 900. Preferably, the forming cylinder 616; 901 of the at least one processing unit 616; 900 is axially adjusted by means of the at least one drive for axially adjusting the forming cylinder 616; 901. Preferably, the at least one processing unit 600; 900, more preferably the at least one coating unit 600 and / or the at least one forming unit 900, and more preferably each processing unit 600; 900, in particular a coating unit 600 and / or a processing unit 600; 900 following a coating unit 600, has at least one drive in the circumferential direction of the at least one forming cylinder 616; 901 of the processing unit 600; 900 on.The at least one circumferential drive of the at least one forming cylinder 616; 901 of the processing unit 600; 900 is preferably configured to accelerate and / or decelerate the forming cylinder 616; 901 of the processing unit 600; 900 in the circumferential direction and / or is preferably configured to adapt a processing length of the processing unit 600; 900 by accelerating and / or decelerating the forming cylinder 616; 901 in the circumferential direction. Preferably, the at least one circumferential drive of the at least one forming cylinder 616; 901 of the processing unit 600; 900 accelerates and / or decelerates the forming cylinder 616; 901 of the processing unit 600; 900 in the circumferential direction.Preferably, or additionally or alternatively, the at least one drive in the circumferential direction of the at least one forming cylinder 616; 901 of the processing unit 600; 900 adjusts a processing length of the processing unit 600; 900 by accelerating and / or decelerating the forming cylinder 616; 901 in the circumferential direction. Preferably, the at least one drive of the forming cylinder 616; 901, preferably at least the axial adjustment and / or the speed in the circumferential direction, is controlled by at least one inspection device 726; 728; 916, preferably by the pass control system 728 and / or the punch control system 916.

[0050] In a preferred embodiment, the processing machine 01, in particular a sheet processing machine 01, preferably comprises a unit 100 designed as a feeder 100, more preferably as a sheet feeder 100, and / or at least one printing unit 614 designed as an application unit 614 for applying at least one printed image to substrate 02. If the processing machine 01 has at least one printing unit 614 and / or at least one printing unit 600 on the one hand and at least one forming unit 914 and / or at least one forming unit 900 on the other hand, it is therefore designed as both a printing machine 01 and a forming machine 01.Provided that the processing machine 01 has at least one printing unit 614 and / or at least one printing unit 600 on the one hand and at least one punching unit 914 and / or at least one punching unit 900 and / or at least one punching device 900 on the other hand, it is therefore designed as both a printing machine 01 and a forming machine 01, in particular a punching machine 01.

[0051] Preferably, the processing machine 01 is designed as a sheet processing machine 01, i.e., as a processing machine 01 for processing sheet-shaped substrate 02 or sheets 02, in particular sheet-shaped printing material 02. For example, the sheet processing machine 01 is designed as a sheet-fed printing machine 01 and / or as a sheet forming machine 01 and / or as a sheet die-cutting machine 01. The processing machine 01 is further preferably configured as a corrugated board sheet processing machine 01, i.e., as a processing machine 01 for processing sheet-shaped substrate 02 or sheets 02 made of corrugated board 02, in particular sheet-shaped printing material 02 made of corrugated board 02. The processing machine 01 is further preferably configured as a sheet-fed printing machine 01, in particular as a corrugated board sheet-fed printing machine 01, i.e., as a printing machine 01 for coating and / or printing sheet-shaped substrate 02 or sheets 02 made of corrugated board 02, in particular sheet-shaped printing material 02 made of corrugated board 02.For example, printing machine 01 is designed as a printing machine 01 that operates according to a printing form-bound printing process.

[0052] The processing machine 01 is preferably configured to process substrate 02, preferably an arc-shaped substrate 02. Preferably, the substrate 02 has at least one recess. A recess is preferably that area of ​​the substrate 02 which is designed as a product of the processing machine 01, in particular as an intermediate product for the manufacture of an end product, and / or is further processed, for example, into a desired or required end product, and / or is designed to be further processed. Preferably, the desired or required end product, which is preferably produced by further processing of the respective recess, is a folding carton and / or packaging.Unless explicitly stated otherwise, the term "sheet-shaped substrate 02," in particular "printing material 02," is intended to encompass any substrate 02 that is planar or in sections, including substrates 02 that are in sheet or plate form. The sheet-shaped substrate 02, as defined above, is, for example, made of paper or cardboard, i.e., as a sheet of paper or cardboard, or formed by sheets, plates, or possibly plates of plastic, cardboard, glass, or metal. More preferably, the substrate 02 is corrugated board 02, in particular a sheet of corrugated board 02. Preferably, at least one sheet 02 is made of corrugated board 02. Where the term "sheet 02" is used in the preceding and following text, it is preferably understood to mean any sheet-shaped substrate 02 as defined above.The thickness of a sheet 02 is preferably understood to be a dimension orthogonal to a largest surface of the sheet 02. This largest surface is also referred to as the main surface. Preferably, printing fluid is applied to at least part of and / or at least one side of the sheet 02 on at least one main surface. The thickness of the sheets 02 is, for example, at least 0.1 mm (0.1 mm), more preferably at least 0.3 mm (0.3 mm), and even more preferably at least 0.5 mm (0.5 mm). Significantly greater thicknesses are also common, especially for corrugated cardboard sheets 02, for example, at least 4 mm (4 mm) or even 10 mm (10 mm) and more. Corrugated cardboard sheets 02 are comparatively stable and therefore not very flexible. Appropriate modifications to the processing machine 01 therefore facilitate the processing of sheets 02 of greater thickness.For example, the arc-shaped substrate 02, in particular an arc 02, has a length of at least 50.0 cm (fifty centimeters), preferably at least 52.0 cm, more preferably at least 60.0 cm, more preferably at least 100.0 cm (one hundred centimeters), more preferably at least 120.0 cm (one hundred twenty centimeters), more preferably at least 130.0 cm (one hundred thirty centimeters), more preferably at least 150.0 cm (one hundred fifty centimeters). For example, the substrate 02 has a maximum length of 200.0 cm, preferably a maximum of 180.0 cm, in particular a maximum of 170.0 cm. The length preferably describes the length of the substrate 02 along the transport direction T within the processing machine 01, i.e., preferably the distance from its leading end to its trailing end.For example, the arc-shaped substrate 02, in particular an arc 02, has a width of at least 50.0 cm, preferably at least 60.0 cm, more preferably at least 100.0 cm (one hundred centimeters), more preferably at least 120.0 cm (one hundred twenty centimeters), more preferably at least 130.0 cm (one hundred thirty centimeters), more preferably at least 150.0 cm (one hundred fifty centimeters), even more preferably at least 200 cm (two hundred centimeters), even more preferably at least 250 cm (two hundred fifty centimeters), and even more preferably at least 280 cm (two hundred eighty centimeters). For example, the maximum width of the substrate 02 is 350.0 cm, in particular 300.0 cm. The width preferably describes the width of the substrate 02 along the working width, i.e., in the transverse direction A, within the processing machine 01.

[0053] Preferably, each sheet 02, preferably at least one, is made of paper, cardboard, or carton. More preferably, each sheet 02 is made of cardboard, preferably corrugated cardboard. According to DIN 6730, paper is a sheet-like material consisting essentially of fibers, mostly of plant origin, which is produced by dewatering a fibrous suspension on a screen. This creates a fiber mat, which is then dried. The basis weight of paper is preferably a maximum of 225 g / m² (two hundred and twenty-five grams per square meter). According to DIN 6730, cardboard is a sheet-like material consisting essentially of fibers of plant origin, which is produced by dewatering a fibrous suspension on one or between two screens. The fiber structure is compacted and dried. Cardboard is preferably manufactured by gluing or pressing together pulp and / or other materials.Preferably, the cardboard is designed as solid board or corrugated board 02. Corrugated board 02, as defined above and below, is cardboard made of one or more layers of corrugated paper glued to one layer or between several layers of another, preferably smooth, paper or cardboard. Preferably, the basis weight of cardboard is greater than 225 g / m² (two hundred and twenty-five grams per square meter). The term "cardboard" as defined above and below refers to a preferably single-sided coated paper sheet, preferably with a basis weight of at least 150 g / m² (one hundred and fifty grams per square meter) and at most 600 g / m² (six hundred grams per square meter). Preferably, cardboard has a high strength relative to paper.

[0054] A leading end of a substrate 02 is preferably the region of the substrate 02 that leads in the transport direction T, with an extent in the transport direction T of a maximum of 15%, preferably a maximum of 10%, and more preferably a maximum of 5%, of the length of the substrate 02 in the transport direction T. Preferably, the leading edge 03 is part of the leading end. A trailing end of a substrate 02 is preferably the region of the substrate 02 that trails in the transport direction T, with an extent in the transport direction T of a maximum of 15%, preferably a maximum of 10%, and more preferably a maximum of 5%, of the length of the substrate 02 in the transport direction T. Preferably, the trailing edge 04 is part of the trailing end.

[0055] The processing machine 01 preferably comprises several units 100, 300, 600, 700, 900, and 1000. A unit is preferably understood to be a group of devices that functionally interact, in particular to enable a preferably self-contained processing operation of sheet 02. For example, at least two, and preferably at least three, and more preferably all of the units 100, 300, 600, 700, 900, and 1000 are designed as modules 100, 300, 600, 700, 900, and 1000, or at least each is assigned to one such module.A module is understood in particular to mean a respective unit or a structure consisting of several units, which preferably has at least one means of transport and / or at least its own controllable and / or adjustable drive and / or is designed as an independently functional module and / or a machine unit or functional assembly manufactured and / or assembled separately.A controllable and / or adjustable drive of an assembly or module is understood to be, in particular, a drive that serves to drive movements of components of this assembly or module and / or that serves to effect the transport of substrate 02, in particular arc 02, through this respective assembly or module and / or through at least one area of ​​influence of this respective assembly or module and / or that serves to directly or indirectly drive at least one component of the respective assembly or module intended for contact with arc 02. Preferably, the controllable and / or adjustable drive of an assembly or module is designed to drive movements of components of this assembly or module and / or to effect the transport of substrate 02 and / or to directly or indirectly drive at least one component of the respective assembly or module intended for contact with arc 02.These drives of the units 100, 300, 600, 700, 900, and 1000 of the machine tool 01 are preferably designed as position-controlled electric motors. A main drive M is preferably connected to at least two components of the machine tool 01 and / or is preferably configured to drive at least two components, preferably at least two different units or preferably at least two different transport sections 706, which are further preferably mechanically and / or virtually coupled or synchronizable with each other. A single drive ME is preferably configured to drive one component, preferably independently of other drives and / or components.A single drive, preferably at least one single drive ME of a transport section 706, and in particular at least one single drive ME of a transport element 701, is preferably a position-controlled electric motor, for example alternatively an angle-controlled one. A main drive, preferably at least one main drive M of the transport unit 700, preferably one which is connected to at least two transport sections 706, is preferably a position-controlled electric motor, for example alternatively an angle-controlled one.

[0056] Preferably, each unit 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 has at least one drive control and / or at least one drive regulator, which is assigned to the respective at least one drive of the respective unit 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000. The drive controls and / or drive regulators of the individual units 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 are preferably operable individually and independently of one another. Furthermore preferably, the drive controls and / or drive regulators of the individual units 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 circuit-technical, in particular by means of at least one BUS system, are linked and / or linkable to each other and / or to a machine control of the processing machine 01 in such a way that coordinated control and / or regulation of the drives of several or all units 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 of the processing machine 01 is carried out and / or can be carried out.The individual units 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 and / or, in particular, modules 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 of the machine tool 01 are therefore preferably electronically coordinated and / or operated, at least with respect to their drives, in particular by means of at least one virtual and / or electronic master axis. Preferably, the master axis, more preferably the virtual master axis, specifies a machine cycle. Preferably, the virtual and / or electronic master axis is specified for this purpose, for example, by a higher-level machine control of the machine tool 01. Alternatively or additionally, the individual units 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 of the machine tool 01 are, at least with respect to their drives, for example, mechanically synchronized and / or synchronizable with one another.Preferably, the individual units 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 of the processing machine 01 are mechanically decoupled from each other, at least with regard to their drives.

[0057] The space provided for the transport of substrate 02, which the substrate 02 occupies at least temporarily when present, is the transport path. Preferably, the transport path is defined by at least one device for guiding the substrate 02 in an operating state of the processing machine 01. Unless otherwise described, the units 100, 300, 600, 700, 900, and 1000 of the processing machine 01 are preferably characterized in that the section of a transport path provided for transporting sheets 02, defined by the respective unit 100, 300, 600, 700, 900, and 1000, is at least substantially flat and more preferably completely flat.A substantially flat section of the transport path intended for transporting sheet 02 is understood to be a section having a minimum radius of curvature of at least two meters, more preferably at least five meters, more preferably at least ten meters, and more preferably at least fifty meters. A completely flat section has an infinitely large radius of curvature and is therefore also substantially flat and thus also has a minimum radius of curvature of at least two meters. Unless otherwise described, the units 100, 300, 600, 700, 900, and 1000 of the processing machine 01 are preferably characterized in that the section of the transport path intended for transporting sheet 02 defined by the respective unit 100, 300, 600, 700, 900, and 1000 is at least substantially horizontal and more preferably exclusively horizontal.This transport path preferably extends in one direction T, in particular transport direction T. A substantially horizontal transport path provided for the transport of sheets 02 means, in particular, that the provided transport path in the entire area of ​​the respective unit 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 has exclusively one or more directions that deviate by at most 30° (thirty degrees), preferably by at most 15° (fifteen degrees), and more preferably by at most 5° (five degrees) from at least one horizontal direction. The transport path provided for the transport of sheets 02 preferably begins at a point where sheets 02 are removed from a feeder stack 104.

[0058] The direction T of the transport path, in particular the transport direction T, is specifically the direction T in which the sheets 02 are transported at the point where direction T is measured. The transport direction T provided, in particular for the transport of sheets 02, is preferably the direction T, which is preferably at least substantially and more preferably completely horizontally oriented and / or which preferably extends from a first unit 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 of the processing machine 01 to a last unit 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 of the processing machine 01, in particular from a sheet feeder unit 100 or a substrate feeder 100 on the one hand to a delivery unit 1000 or a delivery unit 1000 on the other.on the other hand, a substrate dispensing device 1000, and / or which preferably points in a direction in which the sheets 02 are transported, apart from vertical movements or vertical components of movements, in particular from a first contact with an aggregate 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 of the processing machine 01 downstream of the substrate supply device 100 or first contact with the processing machine 01 until a final contact with the processing machine 01. Regardless of whether the system 300 is an independent aggregate 300 or module 300 or is part of the substrate supply device 100, the transport direction T is preferably the direction T in which a horizontal component points in a direction oriented from the system 300 to the substrate dispensing device 1000.

[0059] A direction A, preferably the transverse direction A, is preferably oriented orthogonally to the transport direction T of the sheets 02 and / or orthogonally to the intended transport path of the sheets 02 through the at least one application unit 600 and / or through the at least one forming unit 900 and / or through the at least one sheet delivery unit 1000. The transverse direction A is preferably a horizontally oriented direction A. Preferably, a longitudinal axis of the at least one forming cylinder 616 is oriented parallel to the transverse direction A. Preferably, the transverse direction A is an axial direction.The working width of the processing machine 01 and / or the at least one application unit 600 and / or the at least one forming unit 900 and / or the at least one sheet delivery unit 1000 is preferably a dimension that extends preferably orthogonally to the intended transport path of the sheets 02 through the at least one application unit 600 and / or the at least one forming unit 900 and / or the at least one sheet delivery unit 1000, and more preferably in the transverse direction A. The working width of the processing machine 01 preferably corresponds to a maximum width that a sheet 02 may have in order to still be processed by the processing machine 01, i.e., in particular, a maximum sheet width that can be processed by the processing machine 01. The width of a sheet 02 is understood to mean, in particular, its dimension in the transverse direction A.This is preferably independent of whether the width of the sheet 02 is greater or smaller than an orthogonal horizontal dimension of the sheet 02, which further preferably represents the length of this sheet 02 in the transport direction T. The working width of the processing machine 01 preferably corresponds to the working width of the at least one application unit 600 and / or the at least one forming unit 900 and / or the at least one sheet delivery unit 1000.The working width of the processing machine 01, in particular sheet processing machine 01, is preferably at least 100 cm (one hundred centimeters), more preferably at least 130 cm (one hundred thirty centimeters), more preferably at least 150 cm (one hundred fifty centimeters), even more preferably at least 160 cm (one hundred sixty centimeters), even more preferably at least 200 cm (two hundred centimeters) and even more preferably at least 250 cm (two hundred fifty centimeters), even more preferably at least 280 cm (two hundred eighty centimeters).

[0060] A vertical direction V preferably denotes a direction that is preferably directed perpendicularly upwards from a base. The vertical direction V is preferably arranged parallel to the normal vector of a plane spanned by the transport direction T and the transverse direction A. Preferably, components have their height in the vertical direction V. For example, in the area of ​​the forming device 900, the vertical direction V is preferably oriented such that it points from the printing material 02 arranged in a processing location 910 towards a forming cylinder 901 of the forming device 900.

[0061] A direction X preferably denotes the direction along the lateral extent of the substrate 02. Preferably, direction X, when the substrate 02 is arranged in the processing machine 01, is oriented parallel to the transverse direction A, i.e., an axial direction. Preferably, direction X points from a first side edge of the substrate 02 to a second side edge of the substrate 02 opposite the first side edge. A direction Y preferably denotes the direction along the longitudinal extent of the substrate 02. When the substrate 02 is arranged in the processing machine 01, direction Y is preferably oriented parallel to the transport direction T, i.e., preferably points in the direction of the transport path. Preferably, direction Y points from a trailing edge 04 of the substrate 02 to its leading edge 03.The front edge 03 is preferably the edge 03 of the substrate 02, which, along the transport path in the processing machine 01, comes into contact as the first edge of the substrate 02 with the respective units 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000, in particular with the processing locations 621; 910.

[0062] The processing machine 01 preferably has at least one substrate feed device 100, which is further preferably configured as an assembly 100, in particular a substrate feed assembly 100, and / or as a module 100, in particular a substrate feed module 100. Particularly in the case of a sheet processing machine 01, the at least one substrate feed device 100 is preferably configured as a sheet feeder 100 and / or sheet feeder assembly 100 and / or sheet feeder module 100. Preferably, the at least one substrate feed device 100 is the first assembly 100 of the processing machine 01, in particular in the transport direction T. Preferably, the substrate feed device 100 is configured to feed substrate 02, preferably sheets 02, to at least one subsequent processing unit 600; 900, more preferably to subsequent processing units 600; 900.The at least one substrate feed unit 100 is preferably connected to at least one control unit, which preferably controls at least one element of the substrate feed unit 100, preferably at least one accelerator, for substrate feed, and in a preferred embodiment activates or deactivates it.

[0063] The substrate feed unit 100 preferably has a storage area 166 in which substrates 02 are present in the form of at least one stack or in a shingled arrangement, i.e., overlapping with at least one edge 03; 04. Preferably, the substrate feed unit 100 separates the substrates 02 so that the substrates 02 are transported sequentially, preferably spaced apart from one another, through the processing machine 01. The at least one substrate feed unit 100 preferably has at least one acceleration means, preferably at least one primary acceleration means and / or at least one secondary acceleration means, for accelerating the substrate 02 to processing speed.Preferably, at least one accelerator of the substrate feed unit 100 is designed as a primary accelerator, which extracts a single substrate 02 from the storage area 166 and / or accelerates the single substrate 02 to a processing speed of the processing units 600; 900. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one primary accelerator is at least one conveyor belt, or alternatively, for example, a vibrating gripper. Preferably, the substrate 02 is extracted from the stack in the storage area 166; more preferably, the bottom substrate 02 of the stack is extracted. For example, as an alternative to extraction from the stack, the foremost substrate 02 of the shingled arrangement is extracted by the at least one accelerator.The at least one acceleration means, in particular the at least one primary acceleration means, is preferably connected to a control unit which preferably activates or deactivates the acceleration means and / or which preferably adjusts the speed of the acceleration means. For example, the at least one secondary acceleration means is configured to align a substrate 02 in the circumferential direction, i.e., in the transport direction T, in particular by adjusting the speed of the substrate by accelerating, preferably depending on at least one sensor 164 detecting the substrate 02. For example, as an alternative to the at least one secondary acceleration means, an alignment section 750 is arranged at its position, the components of which preferably correspond to those of the alignment section 750 described below upstream of the at least one subsequent processing unit 600; 900.

[0064] Preferably, the at least one substrate feed device 100 has at least one front stop and / or at least one side stop and / or at least one rear stop, which preferably aligns the at least one substrate 02. For example, at least one stop is fixed or movable, directed towards and / or away from the substrate 02. Preferably, the at least one substrate 02 is aligned in the at least one substrate feed device 100 by means of the at least one fixed or movable stop. The processing machine 01 has, for example, at least one unit designed as a conditioning device, in particular a conditioning unit, which is further preferably designed as a module, in particular as a conditioning module.Such a conditioning unit is designed, for example, as a preparation unit, in particular as a preparation unit for applying primer, or as a post-treatment unit, in particular as a post-treatment unit for applying paint. The processing machine 01 preferably has at least one unit designed as a preparation unit, in particular a preparation unit, which is further preferably designed as a module, in particular as a preparation module, and represents a conditioning unit. The processing machine 01 preferably has at least one post-treatment unit. The processing machine 01 preferably has at least one unit 300, more preferably a system unit 300, which is further preferably designed as a system unit 300 and / or system module 300.The at least one system 300 is alternatively configured as a component of the substrate feed system 100 or another unit. The substrate feed system 100 preferably comprises the system unit 300. Preferably, the system unit 300 has at least one feed stack 104. The feed stack 104 preferably comprises a plurality of sheets 02, which are preferably stacked at least temporarily in the storage area 166. Preferably, the alignment of the at least one substrate 02 takes place here. More preferably, the at least one fixed or movable stop for alignment is arranged in the system 300.

[0065] The processing machine 01 has at least one processing unit 600; 900. The processing machine 01 has, for example, at least one, preferably at least two, more preferably at least four, more preferably at least six, for example eight, units 600, e.g., the application unit 600, which is preferably designed as a module 600, in particular an application module 600. An application unit 600 is preferably an embodiment of a processing unit 600. The at least one application unit 600 is preferably arranged and / or constructed according to its function and / or application process. The at least one application unit 600 preferably serves to apply at least one respective application fluid or coating agent to the entire surface and / or at least a partial surface of the sheets 02.An example of an application unit 600 is a printing unit 600 or printing module 600, which is used in particular for applying printing ink and / or ink to substrate 02, especially sheets 02. In particular, the at least one application unit 600 is configured to apply the application fluid, preferably printing ink and / or ink, for example, over the entire surface and / or partially over the surface of the sheets 02. In the preceding and following, an optionally arranged priming unit and / or an optionally arranged coating unit are also considered application units 600 or printing units 600. The at least one application unit 600 preferably includes the at least one application unit 614. Preferably, at least one first application unit 600 in the transport direction T is configured as a priming unit. Preferably, at least one last application unit 600 in the transport direction T is configured as a coating unit.Preferably, at least one, and more preferably at least four, application units 600, which are preferably arranged downstream of the priming unit and / or upstream of the coating unit, are designed as printing units 600. Preferably, the at least one application unit 600 is referred to in the preceding and following as the front processing unit 600. In particular, at least one downstream processing unit 900, preferably designed as a forming unit 900, is arranged downstream of the at least one front processing unit 600, which is preferably designed as an application unit 600. Preferably, at least one substrate 02, in particular a sheet 02, is printed and / or coated and / or primed in the at least one front processing unit 600, which is preferably designed as an application unit 600.

[0066] Particularly independent of the function of the printing fluid to be applied, application units 600 can preferably be distinguished with regard to their application methods. An example of an application unit 600 is a form-based application unit 600, which in particular has at least one fixed, physical, and preferably replaceable printing form for applying printing fluid. Form-based application units 600 preferably operate according to a planographic printing process, in particular an offset planographic printing process, and / or according to a gravure printing process, and / or according to a relief printing process, in particular preferably a flexographic printing process. The corresponding application unit 600 is preferably a flexographic application unit 600 or flexographic printing unit 600, in particular a flexographic application module 600 or flexographic printing module 600. In a further preferred embodiment, the at least one application unit 600 is designed as an offset printing unit 600.For example, the processing machine also has various application units 600 for different printing processes, which are preferably arranged one after the other along the transport direction T. A preferred embodiment of the application unit 614 is designed to apply application fluid to the substrate 02, in particular sheets 02 and / or substrate 02, from below, for example, to print on it. In this preferred embodiment of the application unit 614, the printing cylinder 616 is preferably arranged below the impression cylinder 617. In an alternative embodiment, the sheets 02 are printed from above. In this case, the printing unit 600 is preferably designed in a mirror-image arrangement with structural modifications. Preferably, the sheets 02 are die-cut on the side opposite the printed image. Therefore, printing from below is the preferred embodiment.

[0067] The at least one application unit 600, preferably each application unit 600, preferably has at least one drive. The at least one application unit 600, preferably each application unit 600, preferably has at least one drive in the circumferential direction of the at least one forming cylinder 616 of the processing unit 600. The at least one drive in the circumferential direction of the at least one forming cylinder 616 of the processing unit 600, preferably of the forming cylinder 616 of the application unit 600, is preferably configured to accelerate and / or decelerate the forming cylinder 616 of the processing unit 600, preferably of the forming cylinder 616 of the application unit 600, in the circumferential direction.Additionally or alternatively, the at least one drive in the circumferential direction of the at least one forming cylinder 616 of the processing unit 600, preferably of the forming cylinder 616 of the application unit 600, is preferably configured to adjust a processing length of the processing unit 600, preferably a processing length of the forming cylinder 616, by accelerating and / or decelerating the forming cylinder 616 in the circumferential direction. Preferably, the at least one drive in the circumferential direction of the at least one forming cylinder 616 of the processing unit 600 accelerates and / or decelerates the forming cylinder 616 of the processing unit 600 in the circumferential direction. Preferably, additionally or alternatively, the at least one drive in the circumferential direction of the at least one forming cylinder 616 of the processing unit 600 adjusts a processing length of the processing unit 600 by accelerating and / or decelerating the forming cylinder 616 in the circumferential direction.Preferably, the at least one forming cylinder 616 can be accelerated and / or decelerated in the circumferential direction by means of the at least one drive, preferably a single drive. Preferably, the at least one forming cylinder 616 has at least one drive, preferably a single drive, and more preferably a position-controlled electric motor, for axial adjustment of the forming cylinder 616. The at least one processing unit 600, preferably designed as an application unit 600, preferably has at least one drive for axial adjustment of the at least one forming cylinder 616 of the processing unit 600. The at least one drive for axial adjustment of the at least one forming cylinder 616 of the processing unit 600 is preferably configured to adjust the forming cylinder 616 of the processing unit 600 axially, preferably in the transverse direction A. Preferably, the at least one forming cylinder 616 is axially adjustable.Preferably, the at least one forming cylinder 616 of the at least one application unit 600 is axially adjusted by means of the at least one drive for axial adjustment of the forming cylinder 616. Preferably, the axial adjustment takes place at least during the setup of the processing machine 01 for a new processing job. More preferably, the axial adjustment also takes place, or alternatively, during the processing of substrate 02. For example, the axial adjustment is controlled manually by an operator. Preferably alternatively, the at least one drive of the forming cylinder 616, preferably at least the axial adjustment, is controlled by the at least one inspection device 726; 728; 916, preferably by the registration control system 728.

[0068] The processing machine 01, for example, has at least one unit designed as a drying device, in particular a drying unit, which is further preferably designed as a module, in particular as a drying module. Alternatively or additionally, for example, at least one drying device 506 and / or at least one post-drying device is part of at least one unit 100, 300, 600, 700, 900, 1000, preferably designed as a module 100, 300, 600, 700, 900, 1000. For example, at least one coating unit 600 has at least one drying device 506 and / or has at least one unit 700 designed as a transport device 700 and / or at least one unit 700 designed as a transport unit 700. For example, the at least one drying device 506 is arranged on a transport unit 700 following the processing unit 600.For example, at least one inspection device 726; 728 is additionally arranged on this transport unit 700. Alternatively, the at least one inspection device 726; 728 is arranged on a further, for example subsequent, transport unit 700. Preferably, at least one drying unit is arranged downstream of at least one application unit 600, more preferably at least the last application unit 600 of the processing machine 01, and more preferably each application unit 600, in the transport direction T. For example, the drying unit is designed as an IR radiation dryer, UV dryer, or heat radiation dryer, preferably depending on the applied printing fluid, in particular for its drying.

[0069] The machine tool 01 preferably has at least one transport device 700, which is further preferably designed as an assembly 700, in particular the transport assembly 700, and / or as a module 700, in particular as a transport module 700. The transport device 700 is also referred to as transport means 700. Additionally or alternatively, the machine tool 01 preferably has transport devices 700, for example, as components of other assemblies and / or modules. Preferably, the at least one transport device 700 has at least one drive, preferably a single drive, for example, at least one single drive ME for axial adjustment of at least one transport element 701, and / or at least one main drive, for example, at least one main drive M for driving in the circumferential direction, preferably for rotary, in particular, rotational, driving of at least one transport element 701.Preferably, at least one transport unit 700 of an alignment section 750 has at least one individual drive ME. For example, at least one transport unit 700 between two application units 600 has at least one main drive M, and in a preferred embodiment, additionally at least one individual drive ME. Preferably alternatively, the at least one transport unit 700 between two application units 600 has no individual drive ME and only at least one main drive M.

[0070] The processing machine 01 preferably has at least one forming unit 900, which is further preferably configured as an assembly 900, in particular a forming unit 900 or a punching unit 900, and / or as a module 900, in particular a forming module 900 or a punching module 900, and / or as a punching unit 900. A forming unit 900 is preferably an embodiment of a processing unit 900. Preferably, the processing machine 01 has at least one forming unit 900 configured as a punching unit 900. The at least one forming unit 900 is preferably configured as a rotary punching unit 900 and / or preferably has at least one forming element 914 or punching unit 914, more preferably a rotary punching unit. A forming unit 900 shall also be understood to include an embossing unit and / or a creasing unit. Preferably, a perforating device is also a form of a punching device 900.Preferably, a punching unit 900 comprises at least one punching tool and / or creasing tool and / or perforating tool and / or embossing tool, with at least one punching tool being preferred. The at least one punching unit 900 preferably comprises at least one forming unit 914, preferably designed as a punching unit 914. Preferably, the forming unit 914, designed as a punching unit 914, comprises at least one forming cylinder 901, preferably designed as a punching cylinder 901. Preferably, the forming cylinder 901 of the forming unit 900 comprises at least one associated drive, preferably a single drive, and more preferably a position-controlled electric motor.

[0071] Preferably, the at least one forming unit 900 is referred to in the preceding and following as the subsequent processing unit 900. Preferably, at least one substrate 02, in particular a sheet 02, is punched and / or scored and / or embossed and / or perforated in the at least one preferably subsequent processing unit 900, which is preferably designed as a forming unit 900.

[0072] The at least one forming unit 900, preferably the processing unit 900 following an application unit 600, preferably has at least one drive in the circumferential direction of the at least one forming cylinder 901 of the processing unit 900. The at least one drive in the circumferential direction of the at least one forming cylinder 616; 901 of the processing unit 600; 900, preferably of the forming cylinder 901 of the punching unit 900, is preferably configured to accelerate and / or decelerate the forming cylinder 616; 901 of the processing unit 600; 900, preferably the forming cylinder 901 of the punching unit 900, in the circumferential direction.Additionally or alternatively, the at least one drive in the circumferential direction of the at least one forming cylinder 616; 901 of the processing unit 600; 900, preferably of the forming cylinder 901 of the punching unit 900, is preferably configured to adapt a processing length of the processing unit 600; 900, preferably a processing length of the forming cylinder 616; 901, by accelerating and / or decelerating the forming cylinder 616; 901 in the circumferential direction. Preferably, the at least one drive in the circumferential direction of the at least one forming cylinder 901 of the processing unit 900 accelerates and / or decelerates the forming cylinder 901 of the processing unit 900 in the circumferential direction.Preferably, additionally or alternatively, the at least one drive adjusts the circumferential speed of the at least one forming cylinder 901 of the processing unit 900 by accelerating and / or decelerating the forming cylinder 901 in the circumferential direction. Preferably, the at least one forming cylinder 901 can be accelerated and / or decelerated in the circumferential direction by means of the at least one drive, preferably a single drive.

[0073] Preferably, the at least one forming cylinder 901 has at least one drive, preferably a single drive, and more preferably a position-controlled electric motor, for axial adjustment of the forming cylinder 901. The at least one processing unit 900, preferably a subsequent one configured as a punching unit 900, preferably has at least one drive for axial adjustment of the at least one forming cylinder 901 of the processing unit 900. The at least one drive for axial adjustment of the at least one forming cylinder 901 of the processing unit 900 is preferably configured to adjust the forming cylinder 901 of the processing unit 900 axially, preferably in the transverse direction A. Preferably, the at least one forming cylinder 901 is axially adjustable. Preferably, the at least one forming cylinder 901 of the at least one forming unit 900 is axially adjusted by means of the at least one drive for axial adjustment of the forming cylinder 901.Preferably, the axial adjustment takes place at least during the setup of the processing machine 01 for a new processing job. More preferably, the axial adjustment also takes place, or alternatively, during the processing of substrate 02. For example, the axial adjustment is controlled manually by an operator. Alternatively, for example, the axial adjustment is controlled by the at least one inspection device 726; 728; 916, preferably by the punch control system 916.

[0074] The at least one forming unit 900, preferably the at least one subsequent processing unit 900, preferably has at least one drive for at least one counter-punch cylinder 902 of the processing unit 900. The at least one drive of the counter-punch cylinder 902 of the processing unit 900 is preferably configured to adapt to a processing length of the processing unit 900 by accelerating and / or decelerating the counter-punch cylinder 902 in the circumferential direction. Advantageously, the at least one forming cylinder 901 of the forming device 900 is arranged vertically V above the at least one counter-punch cylinder 902.Advantageously, gravity is used to support the application of force in the machining process.

[0075] Preferably, the sheet processing machine 01 is characterized in that, along the transport path provided for the transport of sheets 02, after the at least one forming station 910, at least one separation device 903 is arranged for removing at least one waste piece from at least one sheet 02. The separation device 903 is preferably designed for the complete removal of waste pieces from the respective sheet 02. The at least one separation device 903 thus serves in particular to separate the residual pieces, especially the former parts of the sheet 02 that have already been completely or partially separated from the sheet 02 and are to be removed from the sheet 02, particularly those parts of the sheet 02 that are to continue to be treated as sheets 02 and, if necessary, further processed.The at least one separation device 903 is designed, for example, as a separation unit 903 and / or as a separation module 903. Alternatively, the at least one separation device 903 is a component of another unit 900 or module 900, in particular of the at least one forming unit 900 or forming module 900.

[0076] The at least one separation device 903 preferably comprises at least one transport means 904 designed as a separation transport means 904, in particular for transporting sheets 02. The at least one separation transport means 904 preferably serves to transport the respective sheets 02 along the transport path provided for the transport of sheets 02 and / or in the transport direction T, while waste pieces are removed from the respective sheets 02. The waste pieces are preferably transported in a direction that has at least one component oriented orthogonally to the transport direction T, preferably opposite a vertical direction V, for example, vertically downwards. Preferably, gravity is also used to remove such waste pieces from the respective sheets 02.Preferably, only one force needs to be applied to separate the respective piece of waste from the respective arc 02, and gravity then carries the respective piece of waste away in a direction that has at least one component oriented orthogonally to the transport direction T, preferably downwards.

[0077] The processing machine 01 preferably has at least one unit 1000 designed as a substrate delivery device 1000, in particular a delivery unit 1000, in particular a sheet delivery unit 1000, in particular a delivery unit 1000, which is further preferably designed as a module 1000, in particular as a delivery module 1000. In the transport direction T after the at least one forming unit 900, more preferably after the at least one separation device 903, and more preferably following the at least one transport means 906, the at least one substrate delivery device 1000 is preferably arranged. Preferably, the substrate delivery device 1000 comprises at least one delivery stack carrier 48 and at least one discharge delivery 51.Preferably, the substrate delivery device 1000, configured as a delivery unit 1000, has at least one preferably adjustable and / or controllable sheet diverter 49, which is designed to guide sheets 02 either to the delivery stack carrier 48 or the discharge delivery unit 51. Preferably, the products, preferably products that can be further processed into end products, are placed on the at least one delivery stack carrier 48. Preferably, at least one sample sheet and / or waste sheet is placed in the at least one discharge delivery unit 51. For example, the at least one sheet diverter 49 controls the transport path so that the processed sheet 02 is placed either on the delivery stack carrier 48 or in the discharge delivery unit 51.

[0078] The processing machine 01, for example, has at least one unit designed as a downstream processing unit, in particular a downstream processing unit, which is further preferably designed as a module, in particular as a downstream processing module. Preferably, the downstream processing unit is arranged in the transport direction T downstream of the at least one forming unit 900. For example, the downstream processing unit is arranged in the transport direction T downstream of the at least one sheet delivery unit 1000. For example, the at least one downstream processing unit is designed as a gluing unit and / or a folding unit.

[0079] The processing machine 01 preferably has transport means 700; 904; 906 at one or more locations. Preferably, the at least one transport unit 700 is a transport means 700. The at least one transport means 700; 904; 906 is preferably a substrate 02, more preferably sheets 02, and more preferably individual sheets 02, designed to move, preferably along the transport path through the processing machine 01. Preferably, at least one transport means 700, more preferably at least one suction transport means 700, is arranged between each pair of successive processing units 600; 900. Preferably, the at least one transport means 700; 904; 906 has at least one, more preferably at least two, more preferably at least five, more preferably at least nine, and more preferably at least eleven, transport element 701. Preferably, the at least one transport element 701 is in contact with the substrate 02, at least when the substrate is present.Preferably, the at least one transport element 701 is designed to move the substrate 02.

[0080] At least one of these transport means 700; 906 is preferably designed as a suction transport means 700; 906, in particular as a suction belt and / or as a suction box belt and / or as a roller suction system and / or as a suction roller. The at least one transport unit 700 is preferably designed as a suction transport means 700. Such suction transport means 700; 906 preferably serve to move substrate 02 forward in a controlled manner and / or to enable movements while the substrate 02 is held against at least one counter-pressure surface of the corresponding suction transport means 700; 906. A relative vacuum is preferably used to pull and / or push the substrate 02, preferably the sheet 02, against at least one transport surface 702. Preferably, a transport movement of the substrates 02 is generated by a corresponding, in particular, rotating movement of the at least one transport surface 702.Alternatively or additionally, the substrate 02 is held in its path, for example along the transport path provided for the transport of substrate 02, by the at least one suction transport means 700; 906, and a transport movement of the substrate 02 is generated by a force specified by another, for example upstream and / or downstream, transport means 700; 904; 906. The negative pressure is in particular a negative pressure relative to an ambient pressure, especially relative to atmospheric pressure. The suction transport means 700; 906 is therefore preferably understood to be a device that has at least one counter-pressure surface, which is further preferably designed as a sliding surface and / or as a particularly movable transport surface 702 and which is, for example, at least partially movable at least in the transport direction T.

[0081] Furthermore, the respective suction transport means 700; 906 preferably has at least one vacuum chamber, which is further preferably connected to at least one vacuum source by means of a suction line. The vacuum source includes, for example, a blower. The at least one vacuum chamber has at least one suction opening 703, which serves to draw in the substrate 02. Depending on the embodiment of the suction transport means 700; 906 and the size of the substrates 02, the substrates 02 are either drawn into a position that closes the at least one suction opening 703 or merely drawn against a transport surface 702 in such a way that ambient air can still pass the substrate 02 and enter the suction opening 703. For example, the transport surface 702 has one or more suction openings.The suction openings preferably serve to transmit a negative pressure from the suction opening 703 of the vacuum chamber to the transport surface 702, particularly without pressure losses or with very low pressure losses. Alternatively or additionally, the suction opening 703 acts on the substrate 02 to be transported in such a way that it is drawn against the transport surface 702, preferably without the transport surface 702 having any suction openings. For example, at least one deflection means is arranged that directly or indirectly ensures a circular movement of the at least one transport surface 702. Preferably, the at least one deflection means and / or the transport surface 702 itself is driven and / or driveable, particularly to ensure movement of the substrate 02 in the transport direction T. Alternatively, the transport surface 702 allows substrate 02 to slide along the transport surface 702.

[0082] A first embodiment of a suction conveying device 700; 906 is a suction belt. A suction belt is understood to be a device comprising at least one flexible conveying belt, the surface of which serves as a conveying surface 702. The at least one conveying belt is preferably deflected by deflecting means designed as deflecting rollers and / or deflecting cylinders and / or is preferably enclosed, in particular such that an endless cycle is possible. The at least one conveying belt preferably has a plurality of suction openings. The at least one conveying belt preferably covers the at least one suction opening 703 of the at least one vacuum chamber in at least one section of its circular path. More preferably, the vacuum chamber is then connected to an environment and / or to substrate 02 only via the suction openings of the at least one conveying belt.Preferably, support means are arranged that prevent the at least one conveyor belt from being drawn too far or at all into the vacuum chamber and / or that ensure that the transport surface 702 assumes a desired shape, for example, such that it forms a flat surface at least in the area where its suction openings are connected to the vacuum chamber. A circumferential movement of the at least one conveyor belt then results in a forward movement of the transport surface 702, whereby the substrate 02 is securely held on the transport surface 702 precisely in the area where it is opposite the suction opening 703, which is covered by the at least one conveyor belt except for the suction openings.

[0083] A second, preferred embodiment of the transport means 700; 906, preferably a suction transport means 700; 906, is a roller suction system. A roller suction system is understood to be a device in which the at least one transport surface 702 is formed from at least sections of the outer surfaces of a plurality of transport rollers 701 and / or transport cylinders 701. Preferably, the at least one transport element 701 is designed as at least one transport roller 701 or transport cylinder 701. The transport rollers 701 and / or transport cylinders 701 thus each form, for example, closed and / or rotating parts of the transport surface 702. The roller suction system preferably has a plurality of suction openings 703. These suction openings 703 are preferably arranged at least between adjacent transport rollers 701 and / or transport cylinders 701.For example, at least one cover mask is arranged, which preferably forms a boundary of the vacuum chamber. The cover mask preferably has a plurality of suction openings 703. The cover mask preferably forms a substantially flat surface. Preferably, the transport rollers 701 and / or transport cylinders 701 are arranged such that they are intersected by this flat surface and, further preferably, project only a small portion, for example, only a few millimeters, beyond this flat surface, particularly in a direction away from the vacuum chamber. The suction openings 703 are then preferably frame-shaped and each surround at least one of the transport rollers 701 and / or transport cylinders 701.A circumferential movement, preferably a circumferential or rotating, preferably rotary, movement of the transport rollers 701 and / or transport cylinders 701 results in a forward movement of the corresponding parts of the transport surface 702. The substrate 02, preferably a sheet 02, is held securely on the transport surface 702, preferably precisely in the area where it faces the suction openings 703. Preferably, there is a linear contact area between the substrate 02 and the at least one transport roller 701 or transport cylinder 701 in the area of ​​the transport surface 702. Preferably, the driving forces are transmitted from the at least one transport element 701 to the substrate 02 by frictional engagement. Preferably, the transport unit 700 is designed as at least one suction transport element 700 with at least one roller suction system. The roller suction system is preferably also referred to as a suction box.

[0084] A third embodiment of a suction conveying device 700; 906 is a suction box conveyor. A suction box conveyor is understood to be a device comprising a plurality of suction boxes, in particular movable in their circumferential arrangement, each having an outer surface serving as a conveying surface 702.

[0085] A fourth embodiment of a suction conveying means 700; 906 is at least one suction roller. A suction roller is understood to be a roller whose outer surface serves as a conveying surface 702 and has a plurality of suction openings and which has at least one vacuum chamber inside, which is connected, for example, by means of a suction line to at least one vacuum source.

[0086] A fifth embodiment of a suction conveying device 700; 906 is at least one sliding suction device. The sliding suction device is preferably designed as a passive conveying device and serves in particular to define boundary conditions regarding the position of a respective substrate 02 without setting the substrate 02 itself in motion. The respective sliding suction device preferably has at least one sliding surface, at least one vacuum chamber, and at least one suction opening. This at least one sliding surface then serves as a counter-pressure surface and as a conveying surface 702. In the case of the sliding suction device, the conveying surface 702, which is designed as a sliding surface, is preferably not moved. The sliding surface serves as a counter-pressure surface against which the corresponding substrates 02 are pressed.The substrates 02 can still be moved along the sliding surface, especially if they are subjected to a force oriented at least parallel to the sliding surface. For example, a sliding suction device can bridge a gap between two driven suction conveying means 700; 906.

[0087] It is possible to combine different embodiments of suction transport means 700; 906. These can, for example, have at least one common vacuum source and / or at least one common vacuum chamber and / or act together as a suction transport means 700; 906 and / or be arranged one behind the other and / or next to each other. Such combinations are then preferably assigned to at least two of the embodiments of suction transport means 700; 906.

[0088] Regardless of the embodiment of the respective suction transport means 700; 906, at least two arrangements of the respective suction transport means 700; 906 described below are possible.

[0089] In a first, preferred, arrangement, a section of the transport path provided for the transport of substrate 02, defined by the transport unit 700, preferably the respective suction transport means 700; 906, is located below the preferably movable transport surface 702 of the transport unit 700. The transport surface 702 preferably serves as a counter-pressure surface and is, for example, at least partially movable at least in the transport direction T. For example, the suction openings 703 or intake openings of the suction transport means 700; 906 preferably point downwards at least also or only downwards, at least during their connection with the at least one vacuum chamber, and / or its suction action is preferably directed upwards at least also or only upwards. The substrates 02 are then preferably transported suspended by the suction transport means 700; 906.

[0090] In a second arrangement, a section of the transport path intended for transporting substrate 02, defined by the transport unit 700, preferably the respective suction transport means 700; 906, is located above the transport surface 702, which is particularly movable. The transport surface 702 preferably serves as a counter-pressure surface and is, for example, at least partially movable, at least in the transport direction T. For example, the suction openings 703 or intake openings of the suction transport means 700; 906 preferably point upwards, at least during their connection with the at least one vacuum chamber, and / or its suction action is preferably directed downwards, at least also or only downwards. The substrates 02 are then preferably transported horizontally by the suction transport means 700; 906.

[0091] Preferably, at least one, for example at least two, transport units 700 are arranged between two successive processing units 600; 900. Preferably, at least one transport unit 700 is arranged upstream of the first application unit 600 in the transport direction T. Between a last processing unit 600, preferably configured as an application unit 600, and at least one unit 900, preferably configured as a forming unit 900, at least two, preferably at least four, and more preferably at least five, transport units 700 are arranged. In the transport direction T after the first transport unit 700, preferably at least one processing unit 600; 900, preferably the at least one application unit 600 with the at least one application unit 614 configured as a printing unit 614, is arranged. Preferably, the at least one application unit 600 is configured to apply at least one printed image to the substrate 02.Preferably, at least one printed image is visible, for example, in color. Additionally or alternatively, at least one application unit 600 transfers at least one colorless printed image, for example, a varnish application, onto the at least one substrate 02. The at least one application unit 600 preferably comprises at least one printing unit 614 with the forming cylinder 616. Preferably, the forming cylinder 616 has an associated drive, preferably at least one individual drive, and more preferably at least one position-controlled electric motor. Preferably, the at least one application unit 600 has at least one drive for axially adjusting the at least one forming cylinder 616 of the at least one application unit 600 and / or at least one drive in the circumferential direction of the at least one forming cylinder 616 of the at least one application unit 600.The at least one application unit 600 is preferably configured as a flexographic application unit 600 or as an offset printing unit 600. Preferably, the processing machine 01 has at least four application units 600, in particular flexographic application units 600. For example, the processing machine 01 comprises at least six, for example eight and / or a maximum of ten, application units 600, wherein the individual application units 600 preferably differ at least partially in the printing fluid processed by them and / or in a printed image element applied by them to the substrate 02. Preferably, at least one transport means 700 is arranged between each pair of application units 600. The at least one printing unit 614 is preferably configured as a flexographic printing unit, which is designed in particular according to the principle of the flexographic printing process for applying printing fluid to the sheet 02.In a preferred embodiment, the printing unit 614 comprises at least one printing cylinder 616, at least one impression cylinder 617, and more preferably, at least one anilox roller 618 and at least one ink fountain 619. The ink fountain 619 preferably contains printing fluid and is configured to dispense the printing fluid to the anilox roller 618. The anilox roller 618 is configured to transfer the printing fluid to at least one printing plate of the printing cylinder 616 for printing a substrate 02. Preferably, the printing cylinder 616 and the impression cylinder 617 define a processing area 621 of the printing unit 614. The processing area 621, preferably designed as a printing gap 621, is defined by a surface of the printing cylinder 616 and a surface of the impression cylinder 617, through which sheets 02 can preferably pass through the printing unit 614.The pressure gap 621 is preferably the area in which the respective forming cylinder 616 on the one hand and the respective counter-pressure cylinder 617 on the other hand are closest to each other.

[0092] In a preferred embodiment of the processing machine 01, at least one printing unit 600, preferably the printing unit 614, has at least one forming cylinder 616. The at least one forming cylinder 616 of the at least one printing unit 600 has at least one working area. The working area of ​​the forming cylinder 616 is preferably that area of ​​the cylinder circumference, in particular the cylindrical surface, of the forming cylinder 616 which is configured to process at least one substrate 02, i.e., preferably comes into contact with a substrate 02 at least at one time and thereby preferably modifies it with respect to its shape and / or mass and / or surface structure and / or printing. The forming cylinder 616 preferably has at least one printing form. The forming cylinder 616 further preferably has at least one printing form and at least one holder 626 for the at least one printing form.The working area of ​​the forming cylinder 616 is preferably that area of ​​the at least one printing form, in particular its lateral surface, which is configured to process at least one substrate 02, i.e., preferably comes into contact with a substrate 02 at least at one time and thereby preferably modifies it with respect to its shape and / or mass and / or surface structure and / or printing. Preferably, the circumferential length of the printing form exceeds the length of the working area, for example, to allow the printing form to be secured by the at least one holder 626. The circumferential length of the working area is preferably substantially equal to the length of at least one substrate 02, preferably exactly one substrate 02.The length of the working area in the circumferential direction is preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 85%, more preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%, of the length of the at least one substrate 02, more preferably of exactly one substrate 02. In the case of the form cylinder 616 of the printing unit 614, the working area is preferably the processing, more preferably printing, area of ​​the form cylinder 616. Preferably, the cylinder circumference of the at least one form cylinder 616 is matched to the length of the at least one substrate 02. Preferably, at least one substrate 02, more preferably exactly one substrate 02, is processed with a complete rotation of the at least one form cylinder 616. The working area is preferably between 20% and 95%, more preferably between 30% and 90%, of the length in the circumferential direction of the cylinder circumference, in particular the lateral surface, of the form cylinder 616.The remaining cylinder circumference, in particular the remaining lateral surface, of the forming cylinder 616 in the circumferential direction, which does not correspond to the working area, preferably forms the machining-free area of ​​the forming cylinder 616. In the case of the forming cylinder 616 of the printing unit 614, the machining-free area is preferably the non-printing area of ​​the forming cylinder 616.

[0093] The holder 626 of the printing form is designed, for example, as a clamping device. Preferably, the non-machining area of ​​the printing cylinder 616 includes the holder 626 of the printing form. The non-machining area, preferably the non-printing area, of the printing cylinder 616 preferably has a length in the circumferential direction of the printing cylinder 616 which is preferably at least 3%, more preferably at least 5%, further preferably at least 8%, and / or a maximum of 15%, more preferably a maximum of 10%, of the circumferential length of the printing cylinder 616. In a preferred embodiment, the non-printing area corresponds to a cylinder channel of the at least one printing cylinder 616. Preferably, the at least one counter-pressure cylinder 617 has at least one holder 627.

[0094] In the non-printing area of ​​the cylindrical surface of the printing cylinder 616, no transfer of printing fluid from the cylindrical surface of the printing cylinder 616 to the sheet 02 preferably occurs during printing operation of the processing machine 01. Only within that area of ​​the cylindrical surface of the printing cylinder 616 which has the at least one printing form, particularly within the working area, does a transfer of printing fluid from the printing cylinder 616 to the sheet 02 preferably occur. Along the circumferential direction of the cylindrical surface of the printing cylinder 616, the at least one printing form, more preferably exactly one printing form, and the at least one non-printing area, more preferably exactly one non-printing area, are preferably arranged one behind the other.In the direction of rotation of the forming cylinder 616, the holder 626 is preferably arranged in front of the printing area of ​​the forming cylinder 616; more preferably, a rear edge of the non-printing area of ​​the forming cylinder 616 is arranged in front of the printing area of ​​the forming cylinder 616 in the direction of rotation of the forming cylinder 616. Preferably, a front edge of the printing area of ​​the forming cylinder 616 is identical to the rear edge of the non-printing area of ​​the forming cylinder 616.

[0095] In the transport direction T of substrate 02, at least one further processing unit 600; 900 preferably follows the at least one processing unit 600 designed as an application unit 600. Preferably, at least one second application unit 600, and preferably at least four further application units 600, follow a first application unit 600. Preferably, at least one forming unit 900, and preferably at least one die-cutting unit 900, follows the at least one application unit 600, and more preferably the last application unit 600 of the application units 600. The at least one subsequent processing unit 600; 900 is thus preferably designed as an application unit 600, preferably with a flexographic printing unit, or a die-cutting unit 900, preferably with a rotary die-cutting unit.

[0096] In the transport direction T after the at least one application unit 600, preferably after the last application unit 600, the at least one forming device 900 with the at least one forming unit 914 is preferably arranged. The at least one forming device 900 is preferably designed as a punching device 900 and / or as a rotary punching device 900. For example, exactly one forming device 900, in particular a punching device 900 and / or a rotary punching device 900, is arranged. The at least one forming device 900 preferably has at least one, and more preferably exactly one, processing area 910, preferably designed as a forming point 910, which is formed by at least one, and more preferably exactly one, forming cylinder 901, in particular designed as a punching cylinder 901, on the one hand, and at least one counter-pressure cylinder 902, preferably a counter-punching cylinder 902, on the other hand.The forming area 910 is preferably the area where the respective forming cylinder 901 and the respective counter-pressure cylinder 902 are closest to each other. The at least one forming area 910 is preferably designed as at least one punching area 910.

[0097] During punching, the punching cylinder 901 is preferably arranged in the punching position. During a job change, the punching cylinder 901 preferably remains in its punching position or is moved to a standby position, preferably in the vertical direction V. During operation of the processing machine 01, preferably at least one tool of the punching cylinder 901, more preferably its punching blade, comes into contact with the punching surface of the counter-punch cylinder 902 in the punching position. This position of the counter-punch cylinder 902 is referred to as the punching position or working position of the counter-punch cylinder 902. During operation of the machine 01, the punching cylinder 901 and the counter-punch cylinder 902 are arranged in the punching position. Preferably, the counter-punch cylinder 902 has at least one drive, for example, at least one actuator.The counter-punch cylinder 902 is preferably arranged to be moved from the punching position to a disengaged position by means of the actuator. In a preferred embodiment, the counter-punch cylinder 902 is adjustable on a linear guide 953, predominantly in the vertical direction V. The disengaged position is a position in which the counter-punch cylinder 902 is brought out of contact with the punching cylinder 901. The counter-punch cylinder 902 thus preferably remains essentially in its punching position. Preferably, the counter-punch cylinder 902 is disengaged only to the extent that it is out of contact. Preferably, the actuator disengages the counter-punch cylinder 902 by only 15 to 30 cm. Preferably, the actuator has a stroke of a maximum of 50 cm, more preferably 30 cm.Preferably, the punching cylinder 901 and / or the counter-punching cylinder 902 is serviced, in particular its tool is changed, when the counter-punching cylinder 902 is arranged in the parked position.

[0098] Preferably, the forming device 900, in particular the forming unit 914, comprises at least one tool; more preferably, the at least one forming cylinder 901 includes the at least one tool. In a preferred embodiment, the tool of the forming device 900, in particular of the forming unit 914, and more preferably the tool of the forming cylinder 901, is in direct contact with the counter-pressure cylinder 902, at least temporarily, particularly in the area of ​​the forming point 910. The at least one forming cylinder 901 is preferably designed as a punching cylinder 901. The at least one tool of the forming cylinder 901 is preferably designed as a forming tool, in particular a punching tool. The at least one forming cylinder 901 designed as a punching cylinder 901 preferably comprises the at least one punching tool, which preferably has at least one blade, more preferably vertically arranged blades.The knives are preferably arranged discontinuously and differ depending on the die-cutting job. The at least one counter-pressure cylinder 902, designed as a counter-die cylinder 902, preferably has a lift or die-cutting lining. Preferably, the die-cutting lining is made of a plastic and / or rubber and has slightly elastic properties. Preferably, the die-cutting lining is made of a plastic such as polyurethane or similar. Preferably, the die-cutting lining is, for example, slightly compressible and can partially return to its original shape.

[0099] The at least one forming cylinder 901 of the forming device 900 has at least one working area. The working area of ​​the forming cylinder 901 is preferably that area of ​​the cylinder circumference, in particular the cylindrical surface, of the forming cylinder 901 which is configured to process at least one substrate 02, i.e., preferably comes into contact with a substrate 02 at least at one time and thereby preferably modifies it with respect to its shape and / or mass and / or surface structure and / or imprint. Preferably, the at least one forming cylinder 901 has a tool length of its at least one tool with which the at least one substrate 02 is processed. The forming length or tool length is, for example, between 450 mm and 1600 mm. The at least one forming cylinder 901, which is particularly designed as a punching cylinder 901, preferably has the at least one tool designed as a forming tool, preferably as a punching tool.The at least one tool preferably defines the at least one working area. The working area is preferably the area of ​​the forming cylinder 901 equipped with machining elements. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one forming tool is mounted on a mounting plate. Preferably, a forming cylinder 901 of a forming unit 900 has several holes and / or bores on which the mounting plate and / or the forming tool can be directly mounted and / or preferably is already mounted. Preferably, the working area of ​​the forming tool is defined as a surface whose position in the radial direction runs through the outermost tool shapes. Preferably, the forming tool has several machining elements, preferably punching elements. Such punching elements are, for example, designed as cutting dies. Preferably, the punching elements have a height between 10 mm and 30 mm.Preferably, the working area has a circumferential dimension. Preferably, the working area extends circumferentially around the mold cylinder 901 from a tool beginning to a tool end. Preferably, the tool beginning is defined by the start of raised sections of machining elements and / or punching elements and / or tool parts, in particular punching dies, which are provided for machining a substrate 02. Preferably, the tool end is defined by the circumferential end of a final raised section of machining elements and / or punching elements and / or tool parts for machining a substrate 02. The circumferential length of the working area is preferably substantially equal to the length of at least one substrate 02, preferably exactly one substrate 02.The length of the working area in the circumferential direction is preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 85%, more preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%, of the length of the at least one substrate 02, more preferably of exactly one substrate 02. In the case of the forming cylinder 901 of the forming device 900, the working area is preferably the processing, more preferably punching, area of ​​the forming cylinder 901. Preferably, the cylinder circumference of the at least one forming cylinder 901 is matched to the length of the at least one substrate 02. Preferably, at least one substrate 02, more preferably exactly one substrate 02, is processed with a complete rotation of the at least one forming cylinder 901. The working area is preferably between 20% and 95%, more preferably between 30% and 90%, of the length in the circumferential direction of the cylinder circumference, in particular the lateral surface, of the forming cylinder 901.By "covering," we mean in particular the projection of the working area directly onto the cylindrical surface in the radial direction. The remaining circumference, especially the remaining cylindrical surface, of the forming cylinder 901 in the circumferential direction, which does not correspond to the working area, preferably forms the non-machining area of ​​the forming cylinder 901. In the case of the forming cylinder 901 of the forming device 900, the non-machining area is preferably the non-punching area of ​​the forming cylinder 901.

[0100] Preferably, the working area can be divided into several sections with lengths in the circumferential direction. The working area of ​​the forming tool preferably has several sections with working lengths for processing consecutively arranged sections on a substrate 02. The number of sections depends on the number of processing sections of the order or the sections on a sheet 02. Accordingly, each processing length of a section is assigned a section length of the working area. The at least one forming cylinder 901 preferably has an inner radius between 175 mm and 300 mm. The radius, in particular the radius including the die-cutting elements, preferably has a radius between 190 mm and 350 mm. The circumference of the forming cylinder 901 of the die-cutting unit 914, for example also or alternatively of the forming cylinder 616 of the printing unit 614, is preferably 1600 mm ±10%.

[0101] Preferably, the surface of the at least one tool is curved. Preferably, the at least one tool, preferably designed as a punching tool, is shell-shaped, more preferably semi-shell-shaped. Preferably, the inner diameter of the at least one tool is adapted to the diameter of the surface of the at least one forming cylinder 901, so that the at least one forming cylinder 901 can preferably be fitted with the at least one tool. Preferably, at least two, for example at least three, tools are arranged on the at least one punching cylinder 901, in particular one behind the other in the circumferential direction of the punching cylinder 901. Preferably, the at least two shell-shaped tools have the same length in the circumferential direction. Preferably, all positions of the at least one punching cylinder 901 that are provided for tools are fitted with tools during the processing of substrate 02.

[0102] The processing machine 01 preferably has several sensors 164, 622, 704, 722, 726, 728, 922, 916. These sensors preferably detect the at least one substrate 02, preferably its arrival and / or the substrate 02 itself, at specific locations on the machine. Preferably, at least one sensor 164, 622, 704, 722, 726, 728, 922, 916 is connected, at least electronically, to at least one control unit. Preferably, a monitoring result from the at least one sensor 164, 622, 704, 722, 726, 728, 922, 916, or preferably from all sensors 164, 622, 726, 728, 922, 916, is displayed. 704; 722; 726; 728; 922; 916, displayed on at least one monitor and / or its function is monitored via the at least one monitor and / or the at least one sensor 164; 622; 704; 722; 726; 728; 922; 916 is controlled via at least one control station of the processing machine 01.

[0103] At least one sensor 164; 622; 704; 722; 726; 728; 922; 916 is configured to acquire data. Depending on the configuration of the sensor 164; 622; 704; 722; 726; 728; 922; 916, this data may include, for example, image data, data establishing a relationship between the printed image and the edge of the substrate 02, data regarding the positioning of the substrate 02, data regarding the positioning of at least one component of the processing machine 01, and / or data regarding the speed of at least one component of the processing machine 01. The acquired data is preferably transmitted to at least one control unit and / or preferably stored in it. Preferably, the acquired data is evaluated in the at least one control unit.At least one component of the processing machine 01, for example at least one transport section 706 and / or at least one forming cylinder 616; 901, is preferably controlled depending on the determined data.

[0104] Preferably, depending on its function and / or position, at least one sensor 704; 726; 728; 916 of the sensors 164; 622; 704; 722; 726; 728; 922; 916 is configured as an image acquisition device, preferably as a camera, more preferably as a color camera, more preferably as a line scan camera, more preferably as at least one CMOS sensor and / or at least one CCD sensor. Preferably, a sensor 704; 726; 728; 916 configured as an image acquisition device inspects the processing result of the substrate 02 and / or at least one section of the substrate 02. Preferably, the at least one sensor 704; 726; 728; 916 configured as an image acquisition device is an inspection device 704; 726; 728; 916 for inspecting the substrate 02. Preferably, at least one sensor 704; 726; 728; 916 designed as an image acquisition device is assigned at least one illumination 727, for example a line illumination or a ring illumination.Preferably, a sensor 704; 726; 728; 916, designed as an image acquisition device, captures at least one image of the substrate 02, preferably at least one image of the part of the substrate 02 that is within the detection range of the sensor 704; 726; 728; 916 during the acquisition. Preferably, the sensor 704; 726; 728; 916, designed as an image acquisition device, sends a signal, preferably in the form of an image, to the at least one control unit of the processing machine 01 upon detecting the substrate 02 passing through it. Preferably, the control unit evaluates the at least one signal, preferably the at least one image, and / or controls at least one component of the processing machine 01 depending on the received signal.Preferably, at least one alignment section 750 and / or preferably at least one transport section 706 of at least one transport unit 700 is controlled and / or regulated by at least one signal. Preferably, the cylinders of the application units 600 and / or the cylinders of the forming unit 900 are controlled and / or regulated by the signals. For the removal of substrate 02 from the processing machine 01, the processing machine 01 preferably has at least one sheet diverter 49 and / or at least one discharge tray 51. In the event of deviations in print quality and / or die-cutting quality, for example, the sheet diverter 49 is controlled by means of at least one signal from the sensors 726, 728, 916, and the substrate 02, which deviates from its target state, is deflected in the transport path and preferably thus conveyed into the discharge tray 51.

[0105] Preferably, the at least one application unit 600 is configured to apply at least one printed image to the substrate 02. Preferably, at least one sensor 726, preferably configured as an image acquisition device, is configured as a printed image control system 726. Preferably, the substrate 02, or more preferably the at least one printed image of the substrate 02, which is further preferably applied to the substrate 02 before inspection by the at least one application unit 600, is inspected by the image acquisition device configured as a printed image control system 726. Preferably, the printed image control system 726 inspects the substrate 02, or more preferably each passing substrate 02, for defects in the substrate 02 as such and / or for defects in the processing of the respective substrate 02 and / or for defects in the at least one printed image of the respective substrate 02.Defects of the substrate 02 as such include, for example, surface deformations, such as holes or bulges in the surface, and / or the base color of the substrate 02, for example, the color of the substrate 02 without further fluid application during processing in the processing machine 01. Defects of the printed image include, in particular, missing and / or additional image-forming elements of at least one printed image element and additionally or alternatively, the color of the printed image, in particular the color quality, and / or of the respective printed image elements and additionally or alternatively, splashes of printing fluid, for example, in unintended positions. The at least one inspection device 726, designed as a printed image control system 726, is preferably arranged after the at least one application unit 600, more preferably after the last application unit 600, and further preferably additionally before the at least one forming unit 900.Preferably, the at least one print image control system 726 is connected, preferably via a control unit, to the at least one sheet diverter 49 for the ejection of substrate 02 and / or to at least one feed inlet of the substrate feed device 100 and / or to at least one marking device. If there is a slight deviation within a tolerance range of the inspected substrate 02, preferably at least its print image, from a reference, the operation of the processing machine 01 is preferably continued. In the event of a serial defect, i.e., a defect occurring consecutively on several substrates 02, with respect to a deviation of the inspected substrate 02, preferably at least its print image, from a reference, the feed inlet for introducing new substrates 02 to be processed into the processing machine 01 is preferably stopped.Depending on its detection by the at least one print image control system 726, the substrate 02 is preferably either placed on a delivery stack carrier 48 or diverted to an alternative transport path by means of at least one sheet diverter 49. If the substrate 02 corresponds to the target value, in particular if it shows no deviation from its target value within tolerance limits, the substrate 02 is preferably placed on the delivery stack carrier 48. Preferably, if the inspected substrate 02 deviates from its reference, for example due to a defect in the substrate 02 itself and / or due to a processing error and / or due to a defect in the print image, the substrate 02 is preferably diverted, preferably by means of the control of the at least one sheet diverter 49.For example, this substrate 02 is guided along an alternative transport path, preferably deposited onto a stack in the output tray 51. For example, additionally or alternatively, the at least one print image inspection system 726 is connected, via the at least one control unit, to the at least one marking device, which is preferably arranged along the transport path downstream of the print image inspection system 726. If the inspected substrate 02 deviates from its reference, the marking device preferably marks the substrate 02, for example, at least one portion of the substrate 02 that deviates from its reference. Preferably, this enables subsequent separation of the substrate 02, preferably at least the portion, from further substrates 02 corresponding to the reference.Preferably, depending on the detection of the substrate 02 by the at least one print image control system 726, the substrate 02 is either placed on a delivery stack carrier 48 or diverted to an alternative transport path by means of at least one sheet diverter 49, and / or the insertion of a substrate feed device 100 is stopped and / or a marking device marks the substrate 02.

[0106] Preferably, or additionally or alternatively, at least one sensor 728 of the sensors 704, 726, 728, 916, which are preferably configured as image acquisition devices, is configured as a registration control system 728. The at least one inspection device 728 configured as a registration control system 728 is preferably arranged downstream of the at least one application unit 600, more preferably downstream of the last application unit, and more preferably additionally upstream of the at least one forming unit 900. The at least one registration control system 728 preferably inspects register marks 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24 and / or at least one imaging element of the substrate 02 to check the register and / or the register. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one registration control system 728 inspects the register marks 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23; 24, preferably for checking the passport and / or the register.For example, alternatively or additionally to at least one registration mark 16; 17; 18; 19; 21; 22; 23; 24, the at least one registration control system 728 inspects at least one imaging element of the substrate 02, for example, at least one partial area of ​​a printed image, which preferably differs from its surroundings in color and / or contrast, preferably for checking the registration and / or the register. In the preceding and following, the term registration mark 16; 17; 18; 19; 21; 22; 23; 24 refers to a mark for checking the registration and / or the color register.Preferably, at least one registration mark 16; 17; 18; 19; 21; 22; 23; 24 is applied to at least one sheet 02 for each printing unit 600 and / or each printing unit 614, preferably at least two registration marks 16; 17; 18; 19; 21; 22; 23; 24, preferably exactly two registration marks 16; 17; 18; 19; 21; 22; 23; 24, for example, a first registration mark 16; 17; 18; 19 and a second registration mark 21; 22; 23; 24 for each printing unit 614. According to DIN 16500-2, for example in multicolor printing, a registration mark is a precisely aligned combination of individual print image elements and / or image-forming elements and / or color separations to form a print image. The register is also called a color register. Circumferential registers, lateral registers, and diagonal registers are preferably color registers with respect to specific spatial directions.

[0107] The registration marks 16; 17; 18; 19; 21; 22; 23; 24, and, for example, additionally or alternatively, the at least one imaging element, are preferably compared with a reference. The reference is, for example, its target position designated as reference position 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12; 13; 14. Preferably, the at least one, for example, two, registration marks 16; 21, and, for example, additionally or alternatively, the at least one imaging element, of a first color, the base color, are first compared with its target position 06; 11. The base color preferably corresponds to the application unit 600 with the largest fluid application onto the substrate 02 during the present processing process. Preferably, the base color is a high-contrast color, for example, black, brown, or blue. Preferably, the base color's printing cylinder is set manually.The position of the base color, preferably its target position, is preferably aligned relative to the leading edge 03 of the substrate, for example additionally or alternatively relative to the processing of the at least one forming unit 900. Preferably, the further registration marks 17; 18; 19; 21; 22; 23; 24, for example additionally or alternatively also the at least one imaging element, are evaluated with respect to their position relative to this at least one registration mark 16; 21, i.e., the registration mark of the base color. Preferably, by means of the inspection of the registration marks 16; 17; 18; 19; 21; 22; 23; 24, for example additionally or alternatively also the at least one imaging element, the application units 600 are aligned to each other, preferably the application units 600 with respect to the application unit 600 of the base color.Preferably, a plurality of substrates 02 are evaluated using the pass control system 728 and their measurement results are averaged. Preferably, the application units 600 are aligned depending on the averaged measurement result, preferably for the subsequent substrates 02 to be processed.

[0108] The at least one pass control system 728 is preferably connected to at least one drive via at least one control unit. Preferably, the at least one pass control system 728 is connected via the at least one control unit to at least one drive for axially adjusting the at least one forming cylinder 616 of the at least one application unit 600 and / or to at least one adjustment device for the position of at least one printing form of the forming cylinder 616 and / or to at least one drive in the circumferential direction of the at least one forming cylinder 616 of the at least one application unit 600. Preferably, the at least one drive for axially adjusting the at least one forming cylinder 616 of the at least one application unit 600 positions the forming cylinder 616 in the transverse direction A.Preferably, the at least one drive moves the at least one mold cylinder 616 in the circumferential direction, preferably in a rotary motion. Depending on the inspection by the at least one pass control system 728, the at least one drive of at least one application unit 600 for the axial positioning of its mold cylinder 616 and / or at least one adjustment device for the position of at least one printing plate of the mold cylinder 616 and / or at least one drive moving the mold cylinder 616 in the circumferential direction is preferably controlled by means of the at least one control unit.

[0109] A circumferential register preferably describes the orientation of the substrate 02 in the transport direction T. Preferably, the circumferential register is determined by the position of the register marks 16; 17; 18; 19; 21; 22; 23; 24 in the transport direction T, preferably along the direction Y from the rear edge 04 to the front edge 03 of the substrate 02, in particular by a distance ay in the direction Y, preferably by the registration control system 728. If the circumferential register deviates, a position in the circumferential direction of the at least one forming cylinder 616 causing the deviation is preferably rotated relative to its guide axis value. Thus, a new position of the forming cylinder 616 is preferably assigned to the guide axis value. A lateral register preferably describes the orientation of the substrate 02 in the transverse direction A.Preferably, the lateral register is determined by the position of the register marks 16; 17; 18; 19; 21; 22; 23; 24 in the transverse direction A, preferably along the direction X from one side edge of the substrate 02 to the other side edge, in particular by a distance ax in the direction X, preferably by the register control system 728. Preferably, at least one, preferably each, mold cylinder 616 has at least one drive for lateral adjustment of the mold cylinder 616. In the event of a deviation of the lateral register, the mold cylinder 616 generating the deviation is preferably adjusted axially relative to the mold cylinder 616 of the base color. Preferably, the at least one drive adjusts the mold cylinder 616 axially, i.e., in the transverse direction A, when a deviation of the lateral register of the respective mold cylinder 616 is present. A diagonal register preferably describes an inclined position of the substrate 02.Preferably, the diagonal register is determined by the position of the front register marks 16; 17; 18; 19 relative to the position of the rear register marks 21; 22; 23; 24 of the same color, in particular by a displacement angle w, preferably by the register control system 728. If the diagonal register deviates, the printing form of the printing cylinder 616, which caused the deviation, is preferably aligned. Preferably, the alignment of the printing form is achieved by shifting the trailing edge relative to the leading edge of the printing form, for example by lifting the printing form from the printing cylinder 616 using compressed air.Preferably, the registration control system 728 additionally or alternatively inspects a print length I2 of the substrate 02, preferably via the position and / or the distance of the front register marks 16; 17; 18; 19 relative to the position and / or the distance of the rear register marks 21; 22; 23; 24 of the same print unit, preferably of the same color. The print length of each color is preferably determined with respect to the print length of the base color. This actually printed print length I2 is preferably compared with a reference length I1, the target distance of the register marks defined by the distance between the register marks of the base color.Preferably, if there is a deviation in the processing length, preferably the printing length I2, i.e., the period during which the substrate 02 is processed in the processing location 621 of the application unit 600, the forming cylinder 616 that causes the deviation is accelerated and / or decelerated while it is in contact with the substrate 02 being processed. Preferably, the forming cylinder 616 has at least one individual drive for adjusting the speed. Preferably, the printed image produced by the respective forming cylinder 616 is thus stretched or compressed, in particular adapted to the printed image of the base color. The printing length I2 is preferably corrected over the entire substrate 02. For example, if the actual value of the printing length I2 is shortened compared to the target value of the printing length I1, the speed of the forming cylinder 616 is increased and operated at a higher speed compared to the guide axis. This adjustment is made via the rotation or...During the cycle of the forming cylinder 601, a gap is created in the area of ​​the cylinder channel. Due to the changing speed, the phase relationship to the guide axis changes. However, the printed image must be applied precisely to a forming cylinder 601, which is why the arrival time of the substrate 02 must be exactly correct again. Accordingly, the forming cylinder 616 must be decelerated and accelerated again in the gap to correct the phase relationship. In a preferred embodiment, the printing length I2 can also be adjusted in sections.

[0110] Preferably, or additionally or alternatively, the at least one pass control system 728 is connected, preferably via a control unit, to the at least one individual drive ME and / or to the at least one main drive M. Depending on the inspection by the at least one pass control system 728, the at least one individual drive ME is preferably controlled for the axial adjustment of the at least one transport element 701 and / or the at least one main drive M is preferably controlled for accelerating or decelerating the at least one transport element 701 in the transport direction T. For example, by means of the at least one pass control system 728, set values ​​for the axial adjustment of the at least one transport element 701, preferably the axially adjustable transport elements 701, which are adopted for at least two, preferably at least ten, for example at least twenty, substrates 02.Preferably, these defined setpoints form a basic adjustment, which are preferably summed for each substrate 02 with individual setpoints, which individual setpoints are preferably determined depending on the individual detection of the individual substrates 02 by the at least one sensor 704 assigned to the transport unit 700 and in particular to the at least one transport element 701 for substrate alignment.

[0111] For example, the print image control system 726 and the register control system 728 are a single image acquisition device; alternatively, they are separate image acquisition devices. Preferably, the print image control system 726 and / or the register control system 728 is arranged after the last application unit 600 and before the at least one forming unit 900. Preferably, no further alignment of the substrate 02 takes place between the last application unit 600 and the print image control system 726 or the register control system 728.

[0112] Preferably, additionally or alternatively, at least one sensor 916 of the sensors 704; 726; 728; 916, which are preferably designed as image acquisition devices, is designed as a die-cutting image inspection system 916. The at least one inspection device 916 designed as a die-cutting inspection system 916 is preferably arranged downstream of the at least one downstream processing unit 900 designed as a die-cutting unit 900. Preferably, the at least one die-cutting image inspection system 916 is arranged along the transport path downstream of the at least one forming unit 900, preferably downstream of the last processing unit 600; 900 of the processing machine 01. Preferably, the at least one die-cutting image inspection system 916 is arranged upstream of the delivery unit 1000.Preferably, the at least one die-cutting image inspection system 916 inspects the substrate 02 for any unremoved die-cutting residue or waste pieces, and / or for the die-cut contour, and / or for the position of the at least one printed image relative to the position of the at least one die-cutting image, and / or for the position of the at least one die-cut relative to the edges of the substrate 02, and / or for wear of the die-cutting tool, and / or for wear of a cylinder lift of the counter-die-cutting cylinder 902, and / or for a change in the die-cutting length. The die-cutting examples used here are preferably equally applicable to grooving, embossing, and / or other processing methods of the forming unit 900, according to the respective configuration.

[0113] The at least one punch control system 916 is preferably connected, preferably by means of a control unit, to the at least one deflector 49 for diverting substrate 02 and / or to at least one feed inlet of the substrate feed device 100 and / or to at least one output device generating a quality report and / or to the at least one drive for axial adjustment of the at least one forming cylinder 901 of the punching unit 900 and / or to at least one drive in the circumferential direction of the at least one forming cylinder 901 of the punching unit 900 and / or to at least one drive of the at least one counter-punching cylinder 902 of the punching unit 900 and / or to the at least one individual drive ME and / or to the at least one main drive M.The at least one die-cutting control system 916 preferably controls, depending on the detection of the substrate 02, at least one deflector 49 for the ejection of substrate 02 and / or at least one feed inlet of the substrate feed device 100 and / or at least one output device generating a quality report and / or the at least one drive for an axial adjustment of the at least one forming cylinder 901 of the die-cutting unit 900 and / or at least one drive in the circumferential direction of the at least one forming cylinder 901 of the die-cutting unit 900 and / or at least one drive of at least one counter-pressure cylinder 902 of the die-cutting unit 900 and / or the at least one individual drive ME of the transport unit 700 for substrate alignment and / or the at least one main drive M of the transport unit 700 for substrate alignment by means of at least one control unit.Preferably, if the mold cylinder 901 is laterally displaced relative to its target position, it is adjusted laterally to reach its target position. For axial adjustment of the mold cylinder 901 of the molding unit 900, the mold cylinder 901 preferably has at least one individual drive, preferably a position-controlled electric motor. For example, the axial adjustment of the mold cylinder 901 of the molding unit 900 is performed at least when setting up the processing machine 01 after a job change. Additionally or alternatively, the axial adjustment of the mold cylinder 901 is preferably performed for each substrate 02 that follows the inspected substrate 02. This can be done, for example, after calculating an average adjustment value by inspecting at least two, for example, at least ten, substrates 02.

[0114] Preferably, a processing length, more preferably the punching length, i.e., the period during which the substrate 02 is processed in the processing location 910 of the forming unit 900, is set by the relative speed of the counter-punching cylinder 902 to the forming cylinder 901. Preferably, if the punching length deviates from its target length, the counter-punching cylinder 902, or alternatively or additionally the forming cylinder 901, is accelerated and / or decelerated while in contact with at least one substrate 02. Preferably, the object cylinder 902 has a separate drive for adjusting the speed in the circumferential direction. Alternatively or additionally, the forming cylinder 901 has a separate drive for adjusting the speed in the circumferential direction. Preferably, the punching length is set for each of the substrates 02 that follow the inspected substrate 02.To set the start of processing a substrate 02 at the processing point 910, the substrate 02 to be processed is preferably accelerated or decelerated by the transport unit 700 located upstream of the processing point 910, preferably so that the arrival time of the area of ​​the substrate 02 to be processed coincides with the arrival time of the tool at the processing point 910. Preferably, the start of processing a substrate 02 at the processing point 910 of the forming device 900 is set depending on the detection of the substrate 02, preferably its leading edge 03, by the at least one sensor 922 for detecting the leading edge 03.

[0115] Preferably, depending on its function and / or position, at least one sensor 164; 622; 704; 722; 922 of the sensors 164; 622; 704; 722; 726; 728; 922; 916 is configured as a photoelectric sensor, preferably comprising at least one photocell, more preferably as a light barrier and / or as a contrast detection sensor and / or as a transmitted light sensor. For example, the photoelectric sensor, in particular the at least one photoelectric sensor, is configured as a reflective photoelectric sensor. Preferably, a sensor 164; 622; 704; 722; 922, preferably configured as a photoelectric sensor, detects a substrate 02, preferably an edge 03, passing along the transport path of the sensor 164; 622; 704; 722; 922. 04, in particular the front edge 03 and / or the rear edge 04, of the substrate 02 and / or at least one imaging element, preferably a printing mark and / or registration mark 16; 17; 18; 19; 21; 22; 23; 24 and / or an element of a printed image of the substrate 02 that is distinguishable from its surroundings.For example, the substrate 02 is detected based on the difference in contrast to the surroundings of the object to be detected, for example, the edge 03; 04 or the imaging element to the surface of the substrate 02 surrounding the object. Preferably, the arrival of the sheet is detected. Preferably, the sensor 164; 622; 704; 722; 922, designed as a photoelectric sensor, sends a signal to a control unit of the processing machine 01 upon detecting the passing substrate 02, in particular the object to be detected.

[0116] At least one sensor 704 of the sensors 164; 622; 704; 722; 726; 728; 922; 916 is preferably configured as a sensor 704 for substrate alignment. Preferably, this sensor is configured as a photoelectric sensor, in particular as a sensor for contrast detection. Preferably, the at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment detects at least one imaging element, preferably a print mark and / or register mark 16; 17; 18; 19; 21; 22; 23; 24 and / or an element of a printed image of the substrate 02 that is distinguishable from its surroundings. Preferably, the at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment detects an imaging element of the substrate 02. Preferably, at least one alignment section 750 has at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment.

[0117] At least one sensor 164, preferably designed as a photoelectric sensor, of sensors 164; 622; 704; 722; 726; 728; 922; 916, is preferably arranged in the substrate feed device 100. For example, the system 300 has the at least one sensor 164, preferably designed as a photoelectric sensor. Preferably, the at least one sensor 164, preferably designed as a photoelectric sensor, of the substrate feed device 100 detects a passing substrate 02, preferably its leading edge 03 and / or its trailing edge 02. Preferably, the time of detection of the substrate 02 is determined. The at least one sensor 164 of the substrate feed device 100 is preferably connected to at least one feed inlet of the substrate feed device 100 and / or to at least one drive of the processing machine 01.The at least one sensor 164 of the substrate feed device 100 preferably stops at least one feed of the substrate feed device 100 and / or at least one drive of the processing machine 01, depending on the detection of a substrate 02. If there is a slight deviation, preferably within a tolerance range, of the detection time from a reference value, the substrate 02 is preferably fed to the processing units 600; 900 of the processing machine 01. If there is a deviation, preferably outside a tolerance range, of the detection time from a reference value, the feed of the substrate feed device 100 is preferably stopped and / or the processing of substrate 02 by the processing machine 01 is stopped.

[0118] For example, additionally or alternatively, the sensor 164 of the substrate feed device 100, preferably designed as a photoelectric sensor, is arranged with respect to the transport direction T after at least one primary acceleration means, which withdraws a substrate 02 from a stack from its storage area 166 and / or accelerates the substrate 02 to a processing speed of the processing units 600; 900, and / or after at least one front stop, preferably limiting the storage area 166, and / or before at least one secondary acceleration means, which preferably adapts the actual transport speed of the substrate 02 to the processing speed of the processing units 600; 900 by accelerating or decelerating, and / or in a region of the at least one secondary acceleration means.Preferably, the at least one sensor 164, depending on the detection of the substrate 02, is configured to control and / or regulate a drive of the at least one acceleration means, preferably at least the secondary acceleration means, in order to adapt the substrate 02 to the processing speed of the processing units 600; 900. Preferably, the actual arrival time of the substrate 02 is determined by the at least one sensor 164 from the detection of the substrate 02, preferably its edge 03; 04 and / or at least one imaging element such as a print mark. The actual arrival time is preferably compared with a reference, for example, the target arrival time related to the machine cycle. According to the comparison, the at least one secondary acceleration means is preferably controlled, preferably accelerated or decelerated, in order to adapt the substrate 02 to the processing speed.

[0119] At least one sensor 722, preferably designed as a photoelectric sensor, for detecting a substrate 02 passing through the sensor 722, preferably for detecting the leading edge 03 of the substrate 02, of the sensors 164; 622; 704; 722; 726; 728; 922; 916, is preferably assigned to the at least one inspection device 726; 728; 916, preferably arranged upstream along the transport path, more preferably without any further assemblies or devices in between. For example, at least one sensor 722 is assigned to the print image control system 726 and / or the register control system 728, preferably at least one sensor 722 for both systems. For example, at least one sensor 722 is assigned to the die-cutting control system 916. Preferably, the at least one inspection device 726; 728; 916 can be regulated and / or controlled by at least one signal from at least one sensor 722 and / or is controlled by it.Preferably, the time for triggering at least one recording of the at least one inspection device 726; 728; 916 is adjustable and / or controllable by the at least one signal of the at least one sensor 722 and / or is triggered thereby.

[0120] In particular, at least one sensor 622; 922 of the sensors 164; 622; 704; 722; 726; 728; 922; 916 is configured to provide data for setting the start of processing a substrate 02 in a subsequent processing station 621; 910. Preferably, the at least one sensor 622; 922 is configured as a light barrier, more preferably a one-way light barrier or a reflective light barrier. In one-way light barriers, a transmitter in a separate housing sends the light to a separate receiver. If the transmitted beam is interrupted by the object, it is considered detected. In reflective light barriers, the transmitter and receiver are housed in the same housing. At least one sensor 622; 922, preferably configured as a photoelectric sensor, for example a light barrier, is preferably assigned to each processing unit 600; 900, preferably application unit 600 or forming unit 900, assigned, preferably arranged in front of its processing station 621; 910.Preferably, at least one sensor 622; 922 for detecting a leading end, preferably a leading edge 03, of a substrate 02 is arranged in front of each processing unit 600; 900 of the processing machine 01.

[0121] This at least one sensor 622; 922 of the sensors 164; 622; 704; 722; 726; 728; 922; 916 is further preferably connected by means of at least one control unit to at least one main drive M of a transport unit 700 arranged in front of the respective processing unit 600; 900, preferably directly in front of it. Depending on the detection of the leading end, preferably the front edge 03, of the substrate 02 by means of the at least one sensor 622; 922, at least one main drive M of a transport unit 700 arranged in front of the respective processing unit 600; 900 preferably accelerates and / or decelerates the at least one transport element 701 of this at least one transport unit 700.Preferably, the arrival time of the substrate 02 at the processing point 621; 910 of the respective processing unit 600; 900 is thus individually coordinated for each processing unit 600; 900 of the processing machine 01 by means of an acceleration and / or deceleration of the substrate 02.

[0122] Additionally or alternatively, the at least one sensor 622; 922 of the sensors 164; 622; 704; 722; 726; 728; 922; 916 is preferably configured to detect the leading end, preferably the front edge 03, of the substrate 02 passing the sensor 622; 922. The at least one sensor 622; 922 for detecting the leading end, preferably the front edge 03, of the substrate 02, which is preferably assigned to a processing unit 600; 900, is preferably located at least upstream of the last transport element 701 in the transport direction T, more preferably upstream of the last two transport elements 701, more preferably upstream of the last three transport elements 701, more preferably upstream of the last four transport elements 701, of the at least one transport unit 700 upstream of the at least one subsequent processing unit 600; 900, preferably to which the respective sensor 622; 922 is assigned, arranged.For example, two sensors 622; 922 are arranged parallel to each other along the transport path in front of the processing unit 600; 900, preferably in front of its processing point 621; 910. Preferably, the at least one sensor 622; 922, preferably designed as a photoelectric sensor, is arranged on the transport unit 700 upstream of the processing point 621; 910, preferably without any further units 100; 300; 600; 700; 900; 1000 in between. Preferably, the respective sensor 622; 922 is arranged such that at least a part of the transport device 700, in particular at least a part of the transport means 700, is arranged between the respective sensor 622; 922 and the respective processing point 621; 909 of the respective unit 600; 900. In a preferred embodiment of the transport device 700, the transport means 700 is designed as an upper suction transport means 700, in particular as at least one roller suction system.Preferably, at least one transport section 706, more preferably at least one transport roller 701 and / or at least one transport cylinder 701, and more preferably additionally a maximum of three transport rollers 701 and / or three transport cylinders 701, of the upper suction transport means 700 is arranged between the respective sensor 622; 922 and the processing point 621; 909 of the respective unit 600; 900 with respect to the transport direction T. Preferably, the sensor 622; 922 is arranged at the same coordinate with respect to the transverse direction A. Preferably, the sensors 622; 922 are arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T, preferably in alignment with each other. An arrangement of the sensors 622; 922 in the transport direction T in alignment with each other preferably ensures that the same position of the leading edge 03 of the respective sheet 02 can be detected by the respective sensors 622; 922.

[0123] The at least one sensor 622; 922 for detecting the leading end, preferably the front edge 03, of the substrate 02 is preferably connected, preferably by means of a control unit, to the at least one main drive M, preferably to at least one main drive M of at least one transport section 706 and / or at least one main drive M of at least one alignment section 750 and / or at least one main drive M of at least one transport unit 700, preferably by means of a control system. Preferably, the at least one sensor 622; 922 for detecting the leading end, preferably the front edge 03, of the substrate 02 is connected, preferably by means of a control system, to the at least one main drive M of at least one third alignment section of the at least one alignment section 750 by means of the at least one control unit.Preferably, by means of the at least one main drive M, when correcting the register in the transport direction T and / or when correcting the punch register in the transport direction T, the arrival time of the at least one substrate 02 at the processing point 621; 910 of the processing unit 600; 900 assigned to the sensor 622; 922 is set relative to the arrival time of a start area of ​​a section of the forming cylinder 616; 901 of the processing unit 600; 900 that processes the substrate 02.Preferably accelerated and / or decelerated according to the detection of the substrate 02, preferably depending on the detection of the leading end, preferably the leading edge 03, of the substrate 02, by means of the at least one sensor 622; 922, the at least one main drive M, the at least one transport element 701, preferably at least the last transport element 701 of the transport unit 700, which is preferably the last transport element 701 before the processing point 621; 910 along the transport path, more preferably the last two transport elements 701, more preferably the last three transport elements 701, more preferably the last four transport elements 701, more preferably all transport elements 701 of the transport unit 700.Preferably, the arrival time of a processing area of ​​the substrate 02 at the processing point 621; 910 is set relative to the arrival time of the processing area of ​​the forming cylinder 616; 901, which processes the substrate 02, and preferably coordinated. Preferably, due to the control by means of the at least one sensor 622; 922 assigned to the respective processing unit 600; 900, the arrival time at the processing point 621; 910, preferably the position of the leading end, preferably the front edge 03, of the substrate 02, in particular the associated guide axis value, coincides with the arrival time, preferably with the position of the front edge of the working area, preferably the printing area, of the forming cylinder 616; 901, in particular the associated guide axis value.

[0124] At least one transport unit 700 is preferably arranged between the at least one processing unit 600 designed as an application unit 600 and the at least one subsequent processing unit 600; 900. The following preferably denotes that these processing units 600; 900 are arranged one after the other along the transport path without any further processing units 600; 900 in between. For example, if the subsequent processing unit 900 is designed as a punching unit 900, preferably at least two, more preferably at least three, for example four or five, transport units 700 are arranged, preferably directly following one another, along the transport path between the processing unit 600 designed as an application unit 600 and the processing unit 600; 900 designed as a punching unit 900.

[0125] The processing machine 01 has at least one alignment section 750 for aligning substrate 02. The at least one alignment section 750 is arranged upstream of at least one processing unit 600; 900 of the processing machine 01. Preferably, the at least one alignment section 750 is arranged downstream of the at least one storage area 166 of the substrate feed unit 100. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one alignment section 750 is arranged between two processing units 600; 900. More preferably, the at least one alignment section 750 is arranged between the at least one upstream processing unit 600, preferably the at least one processing unit 600 designed as a coating unit 600, and the at least one downstream processing unit 900, preferably the at least one processing unit 900 designed as a forming unit 900.The at least one alignment section 750 is preferably configured to align the at least one substrate 02, in particular an arc 02. Advantageously, the alignment section 750 increases the accuracy of the machining of the substrate 02 in machining units 600; 900 following the alignment section 750.

[0126] The at least one alignment track 750 has at least one transport section 706. In particular, the at least one alignment track 750 has at least two, preferably at least ten, more preferably at least twenty, and more preferably a plurality, successive transport sections 706 in the transport direction T. The at least one alignment track 750 preferably has at least two successive transport sections 706 in the transport direction T. The at least one alignment track 750 preferably has at least two, more preferably at least five, more preferably at least nine, more preferably at least eleven, and more preferably at least twenty, for example twenty-two, transport sections 706 in the transport direction T one after the other, preferably successively. Successive preferably means that no further objects of the same type are arranged between them.

[0127] The at least one alignment section 750 preferably has at least one alignment area, more preferably at least two alignment areas, and more preferably at least three alignment areas. Preferably, an alignment area is a section of the alignment section 750 along the transport path of substrate 02, in which a substrate 02 is aligned with respect to at least one parameter. The parameters are preferably understood to be the inclination of substrate 02, an axial offset of substrate 02, and an offset in the circumferential direction of substrate 02. At least one, preferably first, alignment area is preferably configured as an alignment area for aligning an inclination of substrate 02. At least one, preferably second, alignment area is preferably configured as an alignment area for aligning an axial offset of substrate 02.At least one, preferably third, alignment area is preferably configured as an alignment area for aligning an offset in the circumferential direction of substrate 02. The at least one alignment area, in particular the at least one alignment area for aligning an inclination and / or the at least one alignment area for aligning an axial offset and / or the at least one alignment area for aligning an offset in the circumferential direction, preferably each has at least two consecutive transport sections 706 in the transport direction T.

[0128] In a preferred embodiment, the alignment sections of the alignment track 750 are arranged sequentially in the transport direction T. This advantageously increases the accuracy of the individual alignment steps compared to simultaneous alignments with respect to different parameters. Preferably, the second alignment section follows the first alignment section in the transport direction T. Preferably, the third alignment section follows the second alignment section in the transport direction T. In a particularly preferred embodiment with regard to alignment accuracy, the at least one alignment section for aligning a tilt in the transport direction T is arranged before the at least one alignment section for aligning an axial offset, and the at least one alignment section for aligning an axial offset in the transport direction T is arranged before the at least one alignment section for aligning a circumferential offset.

[0129] For example, additionally or alternatively, at least one alignment area is provided for aligning at least two parameters, i.e., the alignment of the tilt and / or the alignment of an axial offset and / or the alignment of an offset in the circumferential direction.

[0130] For example, additionally or alternatively, at least two alignment areas of the alignment track 750 are arranged to overlap each other at least partially along the transport direction T, and preferably parallel to each other along the transport direction T. In this case, for example, at least one transport section 706 is assigned to the at least two alignment areas. This, for example, shortens the required length of the alignment track 750 and / or reduces the number of components required. For example, the alignment of an inclination is carried out parallel to the alignment of an axial offset and / or parallel to the circumferential alignment of a substrate. Or, the alignment of an axial offset is carried out parallel to the circumferential alignment of a substrate. Advantageously, this shortens the required length of the alignment track 750.

[0131] Within the at least one first alignment area, the at least one substrate 02 is preferably aligned at an angle. The length of the path along the at least one alignment path 750 in the transport direction T of the at least one first alignment area preferably corresponds at least to the length of a working area in the circumferential direction of the at least one forming cylinder 616; 901 of the at least one processing unit 600; 900, preferably at least of the forming cylinder 616 of at least one application unit 600 of the application units 600.Preferably, the length of the path along the at least one alignment path 750 in the transport direction T of the at least one first alignment area corresponds at least to the length of a working area in the circumferential direction of the at least one forming cylinder 616; 901 of the at least one processing unit 600; 900, preferably at least of the forming cylinder 616 of at least one application unit 600 of the application units 600, and additionally at least a further 5%, preferably at least 10%, more preferably at least 15%, of the length of a processing-free area in the circumferential direction of the at least one forming cylinder 616; 901.In a further preferred embodiment, the length of the path along the at least one alignment path 750 in the transport direction T of the at least one first alignment area corresponds at least to the length of the cylinder circumference in the circumferential direction of the at least one forming cylinder 616; 901 of the at least one processing unit 600; 900, preferably at least of the forming cylinder 616 of at least one application unit 600 of the application units 600. The length of the path along the at least one alignment path 750 in the transport direction T of the at least one first alignment area is preferably at least 15%, more preferably at least 20%, and more preferably at least 30% of the length of the at least one alignment path 750.For example, the at least one first alignment area has at least five, preferably at least eight, more preferably at least ten, and / or a maximum of twenty, preferably a maximum of fifteen, for example a maximum of eleven, transport sections 706 of the at least one alignment track 750. Preferably, the at least one first alignment area has the first transport section 706 of the transport sections of the at least one alignment track 750 in the transport direction T.

[0132] Within the at least one second alignment area, the axial offset of the at least one substrate 02 is preferably aligned. The length of the path along the at least one alignment path 750 in the transport direction T of the at least one second alignment area is preferably at least 30%, more preferably at least 40%, more preferably at least 50%, and more preferably at least 60% of the length of the at least one alignment path 750. In a further preferred embodiment, the length of the path along the at least one alignment path 750 in the transport direction T of the at least one second alignment area corresponds at least to the length of the cylinder circumference in the circumferential direction of the at least one forming cylinder 616; 901 of the at least one processing unit 600; 900, preferably at least of the forming cylinder 616 of at least one application unit 600 of the application units 600.For example, the at least one second alignment area has at least six, preferably at least ten, more preferably at least fifteen, more preferably at least seventeen, and / or a maximum of thirty, preferably a maximum of twenty-five, for example a maximum of twenty, transport sections 706 of the at least one alignment section 750. For example, the at least one second alignment area has at least one, preferably at least three, for example six, transport sections 706 of the at least one first alignment area. Preferably, these transport sections 706 assigned to the first alignment area and the second alignment area are those transport sections 706 of the at least one second alignment area which are arranged in the transport direction T upstream of the at least one second sensor 704 for substrate alignment.

[0133] Within the at least one third alignment area, alignment preferably takes place in the circumferential direction of the at least one substrate 02. The length of the path along the at least one alignment path 750 in the transport direction T of the at least one third alignment area preferably corresponds at least to the length of a working area in the circumferential direction of the at least one forming cylinder 616; 901 of the at least one processing unit 600; 900, preferably at least of the forming cylinder 616 of at least one application unit 600 of the application units 600.Preferably, the length of the path along the at least one alignment path 750 in the transport direction T of the at least one third alignment area corresponds at least to the length of a working area in the circumferential direction of the at least one forming cylinder 616; 901 of the at least one processing unit 600; 900, preferably at least of the forming cylinder 616 of at least one application unit 600 of the application units 600, and additionally at least a further 5%, preferably at least 10%, more preferably at least 15%, of the length of a processing-free area in the circumferential direction of the at least one forming cylinder 616; 901.In a further preferred embodiment, the length of the path along the at least one alignment path 750 in the transport direction T of the at least one third alignment area corresponds at least to the length of the cylinder circumference in the circumferential direction of the at least one forming cylinder 616; 901 of the at least one processing unit 600; 900, preferably at least of the forming cylinder 616 of at least one application unit 600 of the application units 600. The length of the path along the at least one alignment path 750 in the transport direction T of the at least one third alignment area is preferably at least 6%, more preferably at least 10%, more preferably at least 20%, more preferably at least 30%, of the length of the at least one alignment path 750.For example, the at least one third alignment area has at least two, preferably at least five, more preferably at least eight, more preferably at least ten, and / or a maximum of twenty, preferably a maximum of fifteen, for example a maximum of eleven, transport sections 706 of the at least one alignment track 750. Preferably, the at least one third alignment area has the last transport section 706 of the transport sections of the at least one alignment track 750 in the transport direction T.

[0134] Preferably, the at least one alignment section 750 has at least one transport unit 700, preferably at least two transport units 700 arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T, preferably consecutively, and more preferably at least three transport units 700 arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T. Preferably, the at least two transport units 700 arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T each have at least two transport sections 706. Preferably, the at least two transport units 700, and more preferably the at least three transport units 700, each have at least nine, for example at least eleven, transport sections 706.Preferably, at least one, more preferably at least two, and more preferably at least three, transport units 700 of the alignment section 750 are arranged between the processing unit 600, designed as an application unit 600, and the at least one subsequent processing unit 600; 900, preferably a forming unit 900, for aligning substrate 02. For example, at least one transport unit 700 is assigned to each alignment area. Alternatively, and preferably, the transport sections 706 of the transport units 700 of the alignment section 750 are each assigned to at least one alignment area.

[0135] A substrate 02, preferably an arc 02, is preferably transported within the at least one alignment section 750 in a plane, preferably horizontally, and more preferably suspended horizontally. A section of the transport path provided for transporting substrate 02, defined by the at least one alignment section 750, preferably by the at least one transport section 706, and more preferably by the at least one transport unit 700, and more preferably by at least one of the transport units 700 for substrate alignment, is preferably located below the transport surface 702 of the at least one transport element 701 of the alignment section 750, in particular its transport section 706 and / or its transport unit 700. Preferably, the transport surfaces 702 of the transport sections 706 of the alignment section 750 are located in the vertical direction V above the transport path of substrate 02.Preferably, the at least one transport unit 700 transports the at least one substrate 02 suspended for substrate alignment.

[0136] Preferably, the substrate 02 is transported suspended along the at least one alignment section 750. The central axes of the transport sections 706, preferably the central axes of the at least two successive transport sections 706 in the transport direction T, in particular the central axes of the transport sections 706 of the plurality of successive transport sections 706 in the transport direction T, and more preferably all transport sections 706 of the alignment section 750, preferably lie in one plane. Preferably, the plane is horizontal. Additionally or alternatively, a transport path of substrate 02 is preferably located below the central axes of the transport sections 706, preferably the at least two successive transport sections 706 in the transport direction T, and in particular the transport sections 706 of the plurality of successive transport sections 706 in the transport direction T.Preferably, the transport path within the at least one alignment section 750 is arranged exclusively below the transport sections 706 of the at least one alignment section 750. Advantageously, this results in a suspended transport of substrate 02, thus advantageously protecting the printed image of the substrate 02.

[0137] Preferably, the at least one alignment section 750 is arranged downstream of at least one transport unit 700, which includes at least one print image control system 726 and / or at least one register control system 728. Preferably, the at least one, and more preferably at least two, transport units 700 for aligning substrate 02 are arranged downstream of at least one transport unit 700, which includes at least one print image control system 726 and / or at least one register control system 728. Preferably, the register and / or the print image of the substrate 02 is checked first, followed by alignment of the substrate 02 along the transport path between the processing unit 600, designed as an application unit 600, and the at least one subsequent processing unit 600; 900, preferably a forming unit 900. Advantageously, the inspection of the substrate 02 is thus unaffected by alignment processes.Advantageously, a high quality of inspection results is achieved.

[0138] The at least one alignment section 750, preferably the at least one transport unit 700, more preferably which is arranged between the processing unit 600 designed as an application unit 600 and the at least one subsequent processing unit 600; 900, more preferably which is designed for aligning substrate 02, in particular the at least one transport section 706, preferably comprises the at least one transport element 701. The at least one transport section 706 of the transport sections 706 preferably comprises at least one transport element 701, which is preferably designed as at least one transport roller 701 or as at least one transport cylinder 701.Preferably, the at least one alignment section 750, in particular the at least one transport unit 700, which is preferably designed for aligning substrate 02, has a plurality of transport elements 701, preferably at least two, more preferably at least five, more preferably at least nine, and more preferably at least eleven. Preferably, the transport elements 701 of the plurality of transport elements 701 are arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T and / or spaced apart from each other in the transport direction T. The at least one transport unit 700, which is preferably arranged between the processing unit 600 designed as an application unit 600 and the at least one subsequent processing unit 600; 900, and which is further preferably designed for aligning substrate 02, is preferably designed as a suction transport means 700, more preferably a roller suction system.

[0139] A transport section 706 is preferably a region of the at least one alignment track 750 in the transport direction T. Preferably, the transport sections 706 are arranged one after the other along the alignment track 750 exclusively in the transport direction T, and in particular consecutively. Preferably, the transport elements 701 of a transport section 706 are arranged one after the other in the transverse direction A and / or its transport elements 701 are controlled jointly and / or its transport elements 701 are axially adjustable jointly. Preferably, the at least one transport element 701, or more preferably all transport elements 701 that are axially adjustable jointly in groups, forms a transport section 706. Preferably, the at least one transport section 706 has at least one, and preferably at least two, transport elements 701.Preferably, the at least two transport elements 701 of a transport section 706 are arranged one behind the other in the transverse direction A, i.e. preferably parallel to each other in the transport direction T.

[0140] Preferably, the at least one transport section 706 has at least one shaft 739 on which the at least one transport element 701 is arranged. Preferably, the at least one shaft 739 forms the axis of rotation of the at least one transport element 701. The at least one transport element 701 is preferably designed as at least one transport roller 701 or at least one transport cylinder 701. Preferably, the axis of rotation of the at least one transport roller 701 or transport cylinder 701 is axially oriented, i.e., directed in the transverse direction A. In the preceding and following, a roller is preferably understood to be a cylindrical body, the outer surface of which preferably extends by a maximum of twice the diameter in the direction of the axis of rotation of the roller.In the preceding and following descriptions, a roller is preferably a cylindrical body in which the outer surface extends by more than twice its diameter in the direction of the roller's axis of rotation. Alternatively, for example, the at least one transport element 701 is designed as at least one belt, preferably at least one suction belt. In a preferred embodiment, several transport elements 701, preferably transport rollers 701, for example at least three, preferably at least four, are arranged along the shaft 739, i.e., in the transverse direction A. These are, for example, spaced apart from one another.

[0141] The at least one alignment section 750 preferably has at least one main drive M. The at least one main drive M preferably generates a torque and / or is designed to generate a torque. The at least one alignment section 750 preferably has the at least one main drive M for driving circumferentially, preferably for rotating, in particular rotary, driving, the at least one transport section 706. Preferably, the at least one transport unit 700, preferably the one designed for aligning substrate 02, has the at least one main drive M. Preferably, each transport unit 700 of the alignment section 750 has at least one main drive M; for example, at least one main drive M is provided for each transport unit 700.The at least one main drive M is preferably configured to generate circumferential movement, more preferably rotary, in particular circular, movement of the at least one transport element 701. In particular, the at least one main drive M is configured to generate the torque for generating circumferential movement, preferably rotary movement, of at least one transport section 707; 708 of the at least one transport section 706. Preferably, at least one control unit is provided which controls the at least one main drive M.

[0142] Preferably, the at least one main drive M is configured as a linear drive and / or electric motor and / or torque motor, preferably with position control. A torque motor is preferably a high-pole electric drive that exhibits high rotational speeds at relatively low speeds. In particular, the at least one main drive M comprises at least one stator and at least one rotor. Advantageously, the at least one main drive M enables simple transmission of torque to the at least one transport section.

[0143] Preferably, the at least one main drive M is configured to generate a movement of the at least one transport element 701, which moves the at least one substrate 02 in the transport direction T. The substrate 02 is preferably moved in the transport direction T by means of a circumferential movement, preferably a rotating, in particular rotary, movement of the at least one transport section 706, in particular of the at least one transport element 701, generated by the at least one main drive M.

[0144] Preferably, the at least one transport section 706, more preferably at least two transport sections 706, more preferably all transport sections 706 of the transport unit 700, is connected to the at least one main drive M. "Connected to a drive" preferably describes being capable of being driven and / or driven by this drive.

[0145] The at least one main drive M is preferably operatively connected via at least one gear train 731 to the at least one transport section 707; 708 of the at least one transport section 706. The at least one main drive M preferably drives at least one transport section 707; 708 of the at least one transport section 706 via at least one gear train 731. Preferably, the at least one main drive M is configured to drive the at least one gear train 731 with at least one gear 732. Preferably, the gear train 731 has at least two gears 732 and at least one intermediate gear 733 that operatively connects the gears 732. Preferably, at least one transport section 706, preferably at least one first transport section 707 and / or at least one second transport section 708, in particular its shaft 739, is arranged on each of the at least one gear 732.

[0146] In a preferred embodiment, at least one transport element 701 of a transport section 706 is driven circumferentially, preferably rotating, while at least one further transport element 701 or, for example, at least one support roller of the transport section 706 is arranged, for example, by means of at least one bearing, to run freely on the at least one shaft 739.

[0147] In at least two, preferably at least three, transport units 700 of the alignment track 750, each preferably has at least one main drive M. For example, at least one first transport unit 700 of the alignment track 750 has at least two main drives M. For example, at least one second transport unit 700 of the alignment track 750 and / or at least one transport unit 700 last in the transport direction T of the alignment track, for example a third transport unit 700, each has one main drive M. For example, in the case of three transport units 700 of the at least one alignment track 750, the first transport unit 700 has two main drives M, while the second transport unit 700 and the third transport unit 700 each have one main drive M.

[0148] At least one, preferably at least two, more preferably at least four, and more preferably at least six, transport section 706 of the transport sections 706 of the first alignment area of ​​the at least one alignment section 750 for aligning an inclination preferably has in transverse direction A the at least one first transport section 707 and the at least one second transport section 708. In particular, the first alignment area for aligning the inclination of substrate 02 has at least two main drives M, preferably at least one main drive M for driving the at least one first transport section 707 and at least one main drive M for driving the at least one second transport section 708.

[0149] For example, the second alignment area and / or the third alignment area each have at least one, preferably one, main drive M for driving the at least one first transport section 707 and the at least one second transport section 708.

[0150] In a first preferred embodiment, at least one transport section 706 of the alignment section 750, preferably at least one first transport subsection 707 and at least one second transport subsection 708, is coupled to a main drive M. Preferably, at least two transport sections 706 of the alignment section 750, preferably of the at least one transport unit 700, arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T, are coupled to the main drive M and / or are driven circumferentially by the main drive M. In particular, the transport sections 706 of the third alignment area for aligning an offset in the circumferential direction are preferably designed according to the first preferred embodiment.For example, at least one transport section 706 of the second alignment area is designed to align an axial offset according to the first preferred embodiment.

[0151] In the first preferred embodiment of the at least one transport section 706, the plurality of transport elements 701, preferably at least two transport elements 701 arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T of the alignment section 750, preferably of the at least one transport unit 700, are coupled to the at least one main drive M and / or are driven circumferentially by the at least one main drive M. The at least two transport sections 706 are preferably connected to each other via the at least one wheel train 731, preferably by means of at least one gear drive, preferably with spur gears. Preferably, the plurality of transport elements 701, preferably at least two transport elements 701 arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T, are connected to each other via the at least one wheel train 731, preferably by means of the at least one gear drive, preferably with spur gears.Preferably, the at least one main drive M is configured to drive the gear train 731. Preferably, at least one gear 732 of the gear train 731 is arranged on the at least one transport section 706, in particular on the at least one transport element 701, and more preferably on the shaft 739 with the at least one transport roller 701 or transport cylinder 701 arranged thereon. Preferably, the at least one main drive M engages directly on the at least one shaft 739 of a transport section 706. Preferably, the torque is transmitted to the other driven transport sections 706, in particular their at least shafts 739, by means of the gear train 731. Preferably, the spur gearing allows axial adjustment of the gears 732, and thus advantageously an axial adjustment of the transport elements 701 arranged on the gears 732, relative to each other.Alternatively, for example, the gears 732 of the at least one wheel train 731 are designed to be fixed in position in the transverse direction A and are preferably not axially displaceable. For example, the at least one transport section 706, preferably its at least one shaft 739, has at least one coupling 734 to the respective wheel train 731, which preferably transmits the torque but not an axial movement. Preferably, the at least one coupling 734 between the at least one transport section 706, in particular its shaft, and the respective wheel train 731 is designed as a linear bearing – also called a ball bushing, preferably as a torque ball bushing 734. Thus, preferably all transport elements 701 of the plurality of transport elements 701 are coupled to the at least one main drive M.Preferably, the at least two transport sections 706 are driven at the same speed in the transport direction T by the at least one main drive M. Preferably, all transport elements 701 of the plurality of transport elements 701, preferably the at least two transport elements 701 arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T, are driven at the same speed in the transport direction T by the at least one main drive M.

[0152] In a second preferred embodiment of the at least one transport section 706, the at least one transport section 706 of the at least one alignment section 750 preferably each has at least two transport subsections 707; 708. In particular, the transport sections 706 of the first alignment area for aligning an inclined position are configured according to the second embodiment. The at least two transport sections 706 of the first alignment area for aligning an inclined position preferably each have, in the transverse direction A, at least one first transport subsection 707 and at least one second transport subsection 708. Preferably, each transport subsection 707; 708 has a shaft 739. Preferably, the at least one transport section 706 of the transport sections 706 has, in the transverse direction A, at least one first transport subsection 707 and at least one second transport subsection 708.Preferably, the at least two transport sections 707; 708 are arranged one behind the other in the transverse direction A, i.e., preferably parallel to each other in the transport direction T. Preferably, the transport section 707; 708 designates an axial region of the respective transport section 706. Preferably, the at least one first transport section 707 and the at least one second transport section 708 each have at least one, for example at least two, transport element 701.

[0153] Between at least two transport sections 707; 708, in particular between at least two transport elements 701, of the at least one transport section 706, at least one space area 709; 710; 711 connecting the at least two transport sections 707; 708 is preferably provided. Preferably, the space area 709; 710; 711 comprises a section of the at least one shaft 739 and / or at least one connecting rod 713 and / or at least one bearing 712. For example, the at least one transport section 706 preferably comprises at least two transport sections 707; 708, in particular at least two transport elements 701, which are preferably connected to each other by means of at least one connecting rod 713 and / or are arranged on a common shaft 739.Preferably, the at least two transport sections 707; 708, preferably the at least two transport elements 701, are driven together circumferentially, preferably rotatingly, and / or axially. For example, the space 709; 710; 711 between the at least two transport sections 707; 708, preferably between the at least two transport elements 701, has at least one bearing 712, in particular for supporting the shaft 739.

[0154] The at least one alignment section 750 has, in particular in the case of the second preferred embodiment of the at least one transport section 706, preferably at least one main drive M for driving in the circumferential direction, preferably for rotating drive, of the at least one first transport section 707 and / or at least one main drive M for driving in the circumferential direction, preferably for rotating drive, of the at least one second transport section 708.

[0155] The at least one first transport section 707 and the at least one second transport section 708, in particular the first alignment area for aligning a tilted position, are preferably driven relative to each other at different speeds in the circumferential direction, preferably rotating, and / or are driven at different speeds in the circumferential direction. In particular, in the case of the second preferred embodiment of the at least one transport section 706, the at least one main drive M of the at least one first transport section 707 and the at least one main drive M of the at least one second transport section 708 are preferably different main drives M. Preferably, different speed profiles of the at least two transport sections 707 and 708 relative to each other can be generated in this way.The at least one main drive M of the at least one first transport section 707 is preferably configured to drive the at least one first transport section 707 at a first speed, while the at least one main drive M of the at least one second transport section 708 is configured to drive the at least one second transport section 708 at a second speed. Preferably, the first and second speeds differ from each other, at least temporarily. Thus, a substrate 02 is preferably driven by means of the at least one transport section 706 at at least two speeds that differ relative to each other. For example, this compensates for an inclination of the at least one substrate 02 relative to the transport path and / or relative to a tool of the subsequent processing unit 600; 900.

[0156] In the preceding and following, driving a body in the circumferential direction preferably refers to a movement of the body in the transport direction T. In the case of a cylindrical body, driving in the circumferential direction preferably refers to a rotating movement of the body, wherein the direction of rotation of the body at a point facing the transport path of substrate 02 is preferably oriented in the transport direction T. Thus, substrate 02 is then preferably transported in the transport direction T.

[0157] In the second preferred embodiment of the at least one transport section 706, preferably at least two, preferably at least five, further preferably at least nine, for example at least eleven, first transport subsections 707 of at least two, preferably at least five, further preferably at least nine, for example at least eleven, transport sections 706 are arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T, in particular successive, and are connected to the at least one main drive M for driving the at least one first transport subsection 707.Additionally or alternatively, preferably at least two, more preferably at least five, and more preferably at least nine, for example at least eleven, second transport sections 708 of at least two transport sections 706 of the transport sections 706 are arranged one behind the other, in particular consecutively, in the transport direction T and are connected to the at least one main drive M for driving the at least one second transport section 708. Preferably, the first transport sections 707 of the transport sections 706 of the first alignment area are connected to the at least one main drive M for driving the at least one first transport section 707. Preferably, the second transport sections 708 of the transport sections 706 of the first alignment area are connected to the at least one main drive M for driving the at least one second transport section 708.The at least one main drive M for driving the at least one first transport section 707 preferably drives at least two successive first transport sections 707 of at least two transport sections 706 of the transport sections 706 in the transport direction T, and / or the at least one main drive M for driving the at least one second transport section 708 preferably drives at least two successive second transport sections 708 of at least two transport sections 706 of the transport sections 706 in the transport direction T, in particular their respective shafts 739. For example, the at least one main drive M drives at least four, preferably at least eight, for example eleven, successive first or second transport sections 707; 708.For example, at least 20%, preferably at least 30%, of the first and second transport sections 707 and 708 of the alignment section 750 are driven circumferentially by at least one common main drive M. For example, the alignment section 750 thus has at least two, preferably at least three, main drives along the transport direction, each of which drives at least 20% of the first and / or second transport sections 707 and 708.

[0158] Preferably, all respective transport sections 707; 708, each connected to the at least one main drive M, are driven jointly in the circumferential direction, preferably by rotation, by the at least one main drive M, in particular their shafts 739. The at least one main drive M is preferably operatively connected to the at least one respective transport section 707; 708 via at least one gear train 731, preferably at least one gear drive, for example with spur or helical gears. Preferably, at least one gear 732 of the gear train 731 is arranged on the at least one transport section 707; 708, preferably on its shaft 739. Preferably, the at least one main drive M engages directly on the shaft 739 of a transport section 707; 708. Preferably, the torque is transmitted to the shafts 739 of the other driven transport sections 707; 708 by means of the gear train 731.In a preferred embodiment, the gears 732 of the at least one gear train 731 are fixed in position in the transverse direction A and are preferably not axially displaceable. For example, the at least one transport section 706, in particular the relevant transport subsection 707; 708, preferably its shaft 739, has at least one coupling 734 to the respective gear train 731, which preferably transmits the torque but not an axial movement. Preferably, the at least one coupling 734 between the at least one transport subsection 707; 708, in particular its shaft 739, and the respective gear train 731, in particular its at least one gear 732, is designed as a linear bearing – also called a ball bushing, preferably as a torque ball bushing 734.

[0159] In the case of the second preferred embodiment of the at least one transport section 706, the at least one first transport section 707 is preferably connected to the at least one second transport section 708, in particular their shafts 739, by at least one space area 709; 711, preferably designed as a coupling 709; 711. The at least one first transport section 707 is preferably coupled to the at least one second transport section 708 by the at least one space area 709; 711, preferably by at least one space area 709; 711 designed as a coupling 709; 711. Preferably, the coupling 709 and / or the coupling 711 has at least one connecting rod 713.

[0160] Preferably, the space 709; 711, and preferably the at least one coupling 709; 711, of at least one transport section 706 of the transport sections 706 are configured not to transmit any torque from one transport section 707; 708 to the at least one other. Preferably, the at least one coupling 709; 711 of at least one transport section 706 of the transport sections 706 does not transmit any torque. For example, the space 709; 711 between the at least two transport sections 707; 708, preferably between at least two transport elements 701, has at least one bearing 712, in particular for supporting the at least one shaft 739, and in particular the at least two shafts 739 of the at least two transport sections 706.Preferably, the design of the at least one coupling 709; 711 in the case of the second preferred embodiment of the at least one transport section 706 differs depending on whether the at least one transport section 706 is axially adjustable or not.

[0161] In a preferred embodiment of the space area 709, preferably configured as a coupling 709, the at least one space area 709 is preferably configured not to transmit axial movement from one transport section 707; 708 to the other. Preferably, the space area 709, preferably configured as a coupling 709, merely provides support and / or bearings for the at least one shaft 739 of the at least one transport section 706. Preferably, transport sections 706 of the first alignment area, preferably those belonging exclusively to the first alignment area and / or preferably those not additionally belonging to the second alignment area, have this space area 709, preferably configured as a coupling 709.For example, the at least one spatial area 709, preferably the at least one coupling 709, is a bearing for the shaft 739 of the at least one first transport section 707 and a bearing for the shaft 739 of the at least one second transport section 708 without force transmission and without torque transmission between the at least two shafts 739 and each other. If a connecting rod 713 of the coupling 709 is present, the connecting rod 713 of the at least one coupling 709 preferably has at least one floating bearing each for the at least one first transport section 707 and for the at least one second transport section 708. Preferably, a transport section 706 without axial adjustment has the at least one spatial area 709, preferably the at least one coupling 709.

[0162] In a further preferred embodiment of the space area 711, preferably configured as a coupling 711, the at least one space area 711 of at least one transport section 706 of the transport sections 706 is preferably configured to transmit or transmit an axial movement from the at least one first transport section 707 to the at least one second transport section 708 and / or vice versa. Preferably, the at least one space area 711, preferably configured as a coupling 711, is configured to transmit only axial force from the at least one first transport section 707 to the at least one second transport section 708 and / or vice versa.Preferably, transport sections 706 of the second alignment area, which preferably also belong to the first alignment area and / or which are preferably arranged within a transport unit 700 together with at least one transport section 706 of the first alignment area, have this space area 711, preferably designed as a coupling 711. The at least one coupling 711 preferably has at least one connecting rod 713, which preferably can and / or transmits an axial movement from one transport section 707; 708 to the other. Preferably, a transport section 706 with axial adjustment has the space area 711, preferably designed as a coupling 711, at least if this transport section 706 also belongs to the first alignment area.Preferably, the at least one coupling 711 of at least one transport section 706 transmits an axial movement from the at least one first transport section 707 to the at least one second transport section 708 and / or vice versa. Preferably, different speeds of the transport sections 707 and 708 of this transport section 706 relative to each other are enabled, in particular by control by different main drives M.

[0163] At least one transport section 706 of the transport sections 706 of the at least one alignment section 750 is axially adjustable, preferably independently of the design with respect to the at least one main drive M for circumferential drive. In particular, the at least two transport sections 706 of the second alignment section are axially adjustable for aligning an axial offset. The at least one transport section 706 of the transport sections 706, preferably at least of the second alignment section, is preferably axially adjusted. By means of the axial adjustment, at least one substrate 02 is preferably axially aligned, in particular the at least one arc 02 that is in direct contact with at least one transport element 701 of the axially adjusted transport section 706.Preferably, at least two, more preferably at least four, more preferably at least six, more preferably at least eleven, more preferably at least fifteen, for example seventeen, more preferably all, transport sections 706 of the at least one alignment section 750 are axially adjustable. Preferably, the transport sections 706 of the second alignment section are axially adjustable.

[0164] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one alignment section 750 has at least two different transport sections 706, wherein at least one of the transport sections 706 has the at least one individual drive ME for axial adjustment of the at least one transport section 706, and at least one different transport section 706 of the transport sections 706 has the transport subsections 707; 708 that can be driven circumferentially at different speeds relative to each other. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one alignment section 750 preferably has at least one transport section 706 which has the at least one individual drive ME for axial adjustment of the at least one transport section 706 and the transport subsections 707; 708 that can be driven circumferentially at different speeds relative to each other.This advantageously optimizes the length of the alignment path 750 and / or increases the accuracy of the alignments.

[0165] In a preferred embodiment, at least one, preferably at least three, for example five, transport sections 706 of the alignment section 750 without axial adjustment in the transport direction T are arranged upstream of the axially adjustable transport sections 706 of the alignment section 750. These transport sections 706 without axial adjustment are preferably part of the first alignment section. At least one transport element 701 of the at least one transport unit 700, preferably the one designed for aligning substrate 02, is preferably axially adjustable. The at least one transport element 701, preferably the at least one shaft 739 with the at least one transport roller 701 or transport cylinder 701 arranged thereon, is preferably axially adjustable.

[0166] Axially adjustable preferably describes a change in position along the transverse direction A, in particular the position in the transverse direction A relative to a tool of a subsequent machining unit 600; 900. Preferably, the at least one transport section 706, preferably at least one transport element 701 of the transport section 706, is or is transferred along the transverse direction A from a first position to a second position with a different coordinate in the transverse direction A.

[0167] The at least one axially adjustable transport section 706 of the at least one alignment section 750 preferably has a basic position and at least one adjustment position. Preferably, at least two consecutive transport sections 706 in the transport direction T each have the basic position and at least one adjustment position. Preferably, at least the at least two, more preferably the at least four, more preferably at least six, more preferably at least eleven, more preferably at least fifteen, for example seventeen, more preferably all, transport sections 706, which have at least one individual drive ME for axial adjustment, each have the basic position and at least one adjustment position.Preferably, at least two, more preferably at least four, more preferably at least six, more preferably at least eleven, more preferably at least fifteen, for example seventeen, more preferably all, transport sections 706 of the second alignment area each have a basic position and at least one adjustment position. The at least one adjustment position is preferably offset relative to the basic position in the transverse direction A, i.e., preferably axially adjusted. In the adjustment position, the at least one transport section 706 is arranged offset relative to its basic position in the transverse direction A. Preferably, the basic position is the position of the transport section 706 that the transport section 706 has before an axial adjustment, preferably in which it is arranged centrally in the transverse direction A.Preferably, the home position is the position of the transport section 706 in its unadjusted state. The at least one adjustment position is preferably the position of the transport section 706 in its adjusted state. Preferably, the distance between the home position and the adjustment position depends on the control input from the at least one control unit. Preferably, depending on the direction of the adjustment movement, the adjustment position is arranged in the transverse direction A either before or after the home position.

[0168] Preferably, the at least one axially adjustable transport section 706 of the alignment section 750 has at least one individual drive ME. Preferably, the at least two, more preferably at least four, more preferably at least six, more preferably at least eleven, more preferably at least fifteen, for example seventeen, transport sections 706 of the second alignment area for aligning an axial offset each have at least one individual drive ME for axial adjustment. The at least one individual drive ME preferably adjusts the at least one transport section 706 of the transport sections 706 axially. The at least two transport sections 706 with a home position and at least one adjustment position are preferably each adjusted from the home position to their adjustment position and / or vice versa by at least one individual drive ME for axial adjustment.

[0169] The at least one transport section 706 of the transport sections 706 is preferably individually adjustable axially by at least one individual drive ME. Alternatively, preferably at least two transport sections 706 of the transport sections 706 are axially adjustable in groups by at least one individual drive ME. The at least one transport section 706 of the transport sections 706 is preferably adjusted axially individually by at least one individual drive ME, or at least two transport sections 706 of the transport sections 706 are adjusted axially in groups by at least one individual drive ME. Preferably, the majority of transport elements 701, which are preferably arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T, are individually adjustable axially or axially adjustable in groups.Individually, preferably, each transport element 701 of the plurality of transport elements 701 is axially adjustable, preferably independently of other transport elements 701 of the plurality of transport elements 701. Grouping preferably, preferably, at least two, preferably at least three, for example four, transport elements 701 of the plurality of transport elements 701 are axially adjustable together, preferably independently of other transport elements 701 of the plurality of transport elements 701, i.e., with a simultaneous movement and / or by the same axial distance. Preferably, all transport elements 701 and, for example, additionally all support rollers of a transport section 706 are axially adjustable together. Preferably, transport elements 701 of different transport sections 706 are individually axially adjustable.Preferably alternatively, the transport elements 701, which can be adjusted in groups, are arranged one behind the other and / or adjacent to each other in the transport direction T, preferably without independently adjustable transport elements 701 in between.

[0170] Preferably, in the case of the second preferred embodiment, the at least one individual drive ME is configured to axially adjust the at least one first transport section 707 and the at least one second transport section 708 of the at least one transport section 706 together. This preferably minimizes the number of individual drives ME required and / or the number of structural components.

[0171] Advantageously, in the case of the second preferred embodiment of the at least one transport section 706, a common, preferably uniform, axial movement of the at least two transport subsections 707; 708 occurs. The coupling 711 transmitting the axial movement preferably has at least one bearing 714, for example a four-point bearing, connecting the connecting rod 713 to a transport subsection 707; 708, preferably the first transport subsection 707, of the at least two transport subsections 707; 708. Due to the bearing 714, preferably only the axial movement and not the rotational torque is transmitted to the at least one further transport subsection 707; 708, preferably the second transport subsection 708. Preferably, the coupling 711 transmitting the axial movement has at least one compensation chamber, which allows pressure equalization during axial movement.Preferably, the at least one compensation chamber at least partially surrounds the at least one connecting rod 713 and has at least one reservoir adjacent to the first transport section 707 and at least one reservoir adjacent to the second transport section 708. Preferably, the at least one individual drive ME engages the at least one first transport section 707 for axial movement. During axial movement of the at least one first transport section 707, the at least one connecting rod 713 is preferably moved axially, and the movement is transmitted to the at least one second transport section 708. Pressure equalization preferably occurs with a fluid, preferably air, arranged in the at least one compensation chamber. The fluid is transported through a region of the compensation chamber at the first transport section 707 into a reservoir at the second transport section 708 and / or vice versa.Advantageously, the lubricant, in particular the grease, which retains at least one bearing 714, thus remains at the respective lubrication point preferably without being squeezed out.

[0172] The at least one alignment section 750, in particular the second alignment section, preferably has at least one individual drive ME for axially adjusting at least one transport section 706 of the transport sections 706. The at least one, preferably at least two, more preferably at least five, more preferably at least eleven, more preferably all, axially adjustable transport sections 706 of the at least one alignment section 750 preferably each have at least one individual drive ME for axial adjustment. The at least one individual drive ME is preferably configured to axially adjust the at least one transport section 706 of the transport sections 706.Preferably, the at least one individual drive ME is configured to adjust the at least one transport section 706, preferably at least one transport element 701, in an axial direction, preferably in or against the transverse direction A and / or orthogonal to the transport direction T in the plane of the transport path and / or in the direction of the working width. Preferably, the axial adjustment is independent of the position and / or adjustment of other transport sections 706. The at least one individual drive ME is preferably configured to position the at least one transport section 706 relative to at least one further transport section 706 of the at least two transport sections 706 and / or positions it relative to the at least one further transport section 706.For example, additionally or alternatively, the at least one individual drive ME is configured to position the at least one transport section 706 relative to at least one tool of the at least one subsequent machining unit 600; 900. Preferably, in the case of group adjustment of the plurality of transport elements 701, the group-adjustable transport elements 701, which are adjustable together, have at least one individual drive ME, i.e., preferably a common individual drive ME. Preferably, the at least one transport section 706, in particular at least the axially adjustable transport section 706, is connected to the at least one individual drive ME. Preferably, each transport section 706, in particular at least the axially adjustable transport section 706, has its own individual drive ME.Thus, preferably at least one transport section 706, preferably at least one transport element 701, of the transport unit 700 has at least two drives, at least one main drive M and at least one individual drive ME.

[0173] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one individual drive ME is designed as a direct drive, in particular a magnetic direct drive. Preferably, the at least one individual drive ME is designed as a linear drive, i.e., a drive that results in a translational movement, and / or an electric motor, preferably position-controlled. Preferably, the at least one individual drive ME is designed as a linear drive and / or direct drive. Preferably, the at least one individual drive ME is thus connected to the transport section 706 to be driven, in particular its shaft 739, without a gearbox. Advantageously, this minimizes the number of components and / or increases the accuracy of the adjustment.

[0174] The at least one individual drive ME preferably comprises at least one stator 738 and at least one rotor 737 designed as a drive shaft 737. The at least one stator 738 is preferably tubular. The at least one rotor 737 is preferably arranged with at least one section inside the at least one stator 738. Advantageously, the at least one individual drive ME has a simple, cost-effective design, which preferably also enables precise axial positioning of the at least one transport section 706.

[0175] The at least one individual drive ME is preferably configured to generate an axial force, preferably exclusively an axial force. Preferably, the at least one individual drive ME is configured to generate exclusively linear motion. The at least one individual drive ME is preferably configured not to generate a torque that produces a rotary motion. In particular, the at least one individual drive ME preferably generates no torque, and in particular, no torque that produces a rotary motion. Advantageously, the need for a transmission to translate the torque into linear motion is eliminated. Advantageously, the design of the individual drive ME increases the accuracy of the axial adjustment and / or reduces wear.In particular, this allows the circumferential movement, preferably the rotary movement, of the at least one transport element 701 to be independent of the axial movement, i.e., preferably controlled with different parameters. Preferably, an axial force, preferably exclusively an axial force, is generated by the at least one individual drive ME. The at least one individual drive ME is preferably configured to generate an axial force, in particular only an axial force for the axial adjustment of the at least one runner 737. The axial force is preferably transmitted by the at least one individual drive ME to the at least one transport section 706, in particular its shaft 739. Preferably, this generates its axial movement in a simple manner.

[0176] Compared to a drive that generates both the axial force and the force for circumferential movement, the solution using at least one individual drive ME generating exclusively the axial force and one main drive M generating the rotary motion is preferably more cost-effective and / or exhibits lower stiffness in the rotary motion, thereby preferably reducing wear and / or minimizing the response times of the components. Individual adjustments to the necessary settings of the individual substrates are advantageously possible.

[0177] At least one sensor, for example at least one Hall sensor, is preferably configured to determine and / or detect the position of the at least one rotor 737 relative to the at least one stator 738. Preferably, this enables the at least one rotor 737 to be adjusted relative to the at least one stator 738.

[0178] Preferably, at least one control unit is provided which controls the at least one individual drive ME. Preferably, the at least one control unit is configured as a position controller, particularly for the axial positioning of the at least one transport section 706. The at least one control unit is preferably configured to generate at least one traveling magnetic field in the at least one stator 738 and / or generates this field, particularly by adjusting a current flow and / or an electrical voltage applied to the at least one stator 738. Preferably, an alternating electrical voltage is applied. Preferably, the at least one rotor 737 has at least one, and preferably several, permanent magnets arranged in series.The at least one individual drive ME is preferably configured to axially position the at least one rotor 737 and the at least one stator 738 relative to each other, more preferably the at least one rotor 737 relative to the at least one stator 738. In particular, the at least one individual drive ME positions the at least one rotor 737 and the at least one stator 738 axially relative to each other. Advantageously, this allows for the axial positioning of the at least one shaft 739 of the transport section 706 to be inferred and / or its positioning to be adjusted. Preferably, the at least one rotor 737 is configured to move within the generated traveling magnetic field, preferably according to the polarization of the poles occurring in the stator 738 and / or according to the relative position of the poles occurring in the stator 738 to each other.Preferably, the magnitude of the axial adjustment of the at least one drive shaft 737, and preferably thus the magnitude of the axial adjustment of the at least one shaft 739 of the at least one transport section 706, is generated by the applied electrical voltage and / or the frequency of the traveling magnetic field.

[0179] Preferably, the at least one individual drive ME is designed to axially adjust the at least one transport section 706, preferably the at least one transport element 701, by a maximum of 25 mm (twenty-five millimeters), preferably by a maximum of 15 mm (fifteen millimeters), more preferably by a maximum of 10 mm (ten millimeters), more preferably by a maximum of 8 mm (eight millimeters), more preferably by a maximum of 5 mm (five millimeters), more preferably by a maximum of 2.5 mm (two point five millimeters).Preferably, the at least one individual drive ME is designed to axially adjust the at least one transport section 706, preferably the at least one transport element 701, by at least 0.01 mm (zero point zero one millimeter), preferably by at least 0.02 mm (zero point zero two millimeters), further preferably by at least 0.05 mm (zero point zero five millimeters), further preferably by at least 0.1 mm (zero point one millimeter), preferably by at least 0.5 mm (zero point five millimeters), further preferably by at least 1 mm (one millimeter).

[0180] The at least one transport unit 700, preferably designed for aligning substrate 02, preferably comprises at least one transport element 701, for example, also a first group of transport elements 701 that can be adjusted together, and at least one further transport element 701 arranged behind and / or in front of it in the transport direction T, for example, also a second group of transport elements 701 that can be adjusted together. In particular, the at least one transport unit 700, preferably designed for aligning substrate 02, preferably comprises at least one transport section 706 and at least one further transport section 706 arranged behind and / or in front of it in the transport direction T. Preferably, the transport sections 706 of the second alignment area each have an individual drive ME for axial adjustment.The at least one transport unit 700, preferably of the second alignment area, preferably comprises the at least one transport section 706, in particular its at least one transport element 701, and the at least one further transport section 706, in particular its at least one transport element 701, arranged behind and / or in front of it in the transport direction T, each of which is axially adjusted by means of an individual drive ME. The individual drive ME of the at least one transport section 706, for example also the first group of transport sections 706 that can be adjusted together, preferably adjusts the at least one transport section 706, for example also the first group of transport sections 706 that can be adjusted together, by moving a first component in the axial direction, preferably in or against the transverse direction A.The individual drive ME of at least one further transport section 706, for example also the second group of transport sections 706 that can be adjusted together, preferably adjusts it by a second component in the axial direction, preferably in or against the transverse direction A. The two adjustments are preferably independent of each other. Thus, for example, the first component and the second component may differ from each other or be identical to each other, preferably depending on the requirements.

[0181] Preferably, the operative connection of the at least one main drive M to at least one transport section 707; 708, in particular to the at least one respective transport section 707; 708, of the at least one transport section 706, and the operative connection of the at least one individual drive ME to the at least one transport section 706 are independent of each other. This preferably increases the accuracy of the adjustment in the axial direction. The transmission of torque by the at least one main drive M to the at least one respective transport section 707; 708 of the at least one transport section 706, in particular its shaft 739, preferably occurs independently of a transmission of axial movement from the at least one individual drive ME to the at least one transport section 706, in particular its at least one shaft 739.

[0182] To superimpose the rotational torque on the axial movement, at least one coupling 734, preferably at least one linear bearing – also called a ball bushing, in particular a torque ball bushing 734 – is provided. Torque ball bushings 734 are drive elements for transmitting torque with simultaneous translational movement. Advantageously, this reduces the number of components and creates a space-saving solution. Advantageously, the at least one coupling 734 prevents the transmission of the axial movement of the at least one transport section 706, in particular its at least one shaft 739, to the at least one wheel assembly 731 and / or to a drive shaft of the at least one main drive M. Advantageously, a position-fixed design of the gears 732 of the at least one wheel assembly 731 in the transverse direction A is created, and wear of the components of the wheel assembly is reduced.

[0183] The at least one runner 737 preferably has at least one bearing 736, preferably at least one axial bearing 736, connected to at least one shaft 739 of at least one transport section 706. The at least one runner 737 is preferably connected to the at least one shaft 739 of the at least one transport section 706 by means of the at least one bearing 736, preferably the at least one axial bearing 736.

[0184] The at least one drive shaft 737 of the at least one individual drive ME is preferably decoupled with respect to its rotational movement from the at least one shaft 739 of the at least one transport section 706, preferably by means of at least one bearing 736, preferably designed as an axial bearing 736. The drive shaft 737 of the individual drive ME, which is preferably designed as a direct drive, thus preferably does not experience any rotational movement. Advantageously, this allows for more precise axial movement and reduces wear. Alternatively, for example, the at least one rotor 737 rotates along with the at least one shaft 739 during a rotational movement. However, this reduces the positioning accuracy.

[0185] The at least one alignment section 750 preferably has at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment. The at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment, preferably the at least two sensors 704 parallel in the transport direction T, and more preferably the at least three sensors 704 for substrate alignment, is preferably arranged between the at least one application unit 600 and the at least one subsequent processing unit 600; 900, preferably the punching unit 900. Preferably additionally or alternatively, the at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment, preferably the at least two sensors 704 parallel in the transport direction T, is assigned to the at least one alignment section 750, preferably to the at least one transport unit 700, which is preferably designed for aligning substrate 02, and more preferably arranged along this transport unit.

[0186] In a preferred embodiment, at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment, for example two sensors 704 parallel to each other, is provided at preferably only one position along the transport direction T, at least for detecting the position of a substrate 02 with respect to its inclined position and / or its axial position and / or its circumferential position. For example, the processing machine 01 has at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment, preferably at least two sensors 704 parallel to each other and / or spaced apart in the transverse direction A, at only one position along the transport direction T. Preferably, at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment is arranged at only one position along the transport direction T, which preferably detects at least one print mark.For example, at least one further sensor 164; 622; 722; 922 is arranged at at least one position spaced apart in the transport direction T, for example at at least one of the further positions of the at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment shown above and below, which preferably detects at least one edge 03; 04 of the substrate 02. Advantageously, at least one print mark is thus detected at only one position along the transport direction T, in particular for calculating a positioning of the substrate 02 having the at least one print mark. Advantageously, this minimizes the costs of the sensor technology and / or the data set to be considered for calculating the positioning.

[0187] In an alternative preferred embodiment, at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment, preferably at least two sensors 704 arranged parallel to each other and / or spaced apart in the transverse direction A, is arranged in the processing machine 01 at at least two positions along the transport direction T, for example at only two or at least three positions. At least one of the sensors 704 for substrate alignment, for example two sensors 704 parallel to each other, is preferably configured to detect the position of a substrate 02 with respect to its inclined position and / or its axial position and / or its circumferential position. Advantageously, this increases the accuracy of detecting the position of the substrate 02 and / or the accuracy of the alignment of the substrate 02.

[0188] Preferably, the processing machine 01 has at least one first sensor 704 for substrate alignment and / or at least one second sensor 704 for substrate alignment and / or at least one third sensor 704 for substrate alignment. The at least one first sensor 704 for substrate alignment and / or the at least one second sensor 704 for substrate alignment and / or the at least one third sensor 704 for substrate alignment are preferably different sensors 704 located at different positions along the transport direction T. Alternatively, for example, at least two of the sensors 704 for substrate alignment—the at least one first sensor 704 for substrate alignment and / or the at least one second sensor 704 for substrate alignment and / or the at least one third sensor 704 for substrate alignment—are combined in one sensor 704 for substrate alignment and / or arranged at a common position along the transport direction T.Preferably, at least one common sensor 704 then performs the detection of the positioning of the substrate 02 with respect to its inclined position and / or its axial position and / or its circumferential position for substrate alignment at a position along the transport direction T.

[0189] Preferably, at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment is arranged upstream of at least one first transport section 706 of the alignment section 750, preferably being axially adjustable. For example, at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment is arranged downstream of at least one first transport section 706 of the alignment section 750, preferably being axially adjustable. In particular, the alignment section 750 preferably has at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment at at least one position, preferably at least two positions, and more preferably at at least three positions, along the alignment section 750 in the transport direction T.Alternatively, for example, the alignment section 750 may have at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment at only one position along the alignment section 750 in the transport direction T, for example, two sensors 704 preferably arranged parallel to each other. Along the at least one alignment section 750, at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment, preferably at least two sensors 704 for substrate alignment, are preferably arranged at at least two, preferably at least three, positions. This preferably enables verification and / or readjustment of the control of the transport sections 706 depending on the respective substrate detection.

[0190] In a preferred embodiment, at least two sensors 704 for substrate alignment, preferably only two sensors 704 for substrate alignment, are arranged one behind the other at at least one position, preferably at a first position and / or at a second position and / or at a third position, in the transverse direction A, which preferably each detect the substrate 02. Preferably, two sensors 704, preferably designed as cameras, are arranged at one position along the transport direction T, such that preferably at least two spaced-apart print marks can be detected at one position along the transport direction T. Preferably, these at least two sensors 704 are arranged parallel to each other in the transport direction T.Alternatively, a sensor 704 for substrate alignment is arranged at at least one position, the detection range of which comprises at least two positions spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction A. Preferably, at least two first sensors 704 for substrate alignment in the transport direction T are arranged parallel to each other, and / or at least two second sensors 704 for substrate alignment in the transport direction T are arranged parallel to each other, and / or at least two third sensors 704 for substrate alignment in the transport direction T are arranged parallel to each other. Advantageously, this enables, preferably optionally, an evaluation of an inclination and / or an axial offset and / or the circumferential orientation at the respective position.

[0191] Preferably, at least one sensor 704 is provided for substrate alignment, at least for detecting the position of a substrate 02 with respect to its inclination, preferably referred to above and below as the first sensor 704 for substrate alignment. Preferably, the at least one first sensor 704 for substrate alignment, or more preferably at least one sensor pair consisting of at least two first sensors 704 for substrate alignment arranged parallel to each other in the transport direction T, is assigned to the first alignment area for aligning an inclination.The at least one first sensor 704 for substrate alignment, preferably the at least two first sensors 704 for substrate alignment, is preferably arranged in the transport direction T upstream of at least 75%, more preferably upstream of at least 80%, more preferably upstream of at least 85%, more preferably upstream of at least 90%, of the transport sections 706, in particular their transport elements 701, of the at least one alignment section 750, preferably directly upstream of it, and in particular without any further transport units 700 or transport sections 706 in between. Preferably, the at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment, more preferably the at least two sensors 704 for substrate alignment, is arranged in the transport direction T upstream of at least 75%, more preferably upstream of at least 80%, more preferably upstream of at least 85%, of the transport elements 701 of the transport unit 700, which is preferably designed for aligning substrate 02, preferably directly upstream of it, and in particular without any further transport means 700 in between.

[0192] Preferably, the at least one first sensor 704 for substrate alignment, or preferably the at least two first sensors 704 for substrate alignment, are arranged in the transport direction T upstream of a first transport section 706 of at least the first alignment area, preferably upstream of a first transport section 706 of the alignment path 750. In particular, the at least one first sensor 704 for substrate alignment is connected to the at least one control unit of the first alignment area via data transmission. For example, the at least one main drive M of the first alignment area is controlled by means of data from the at least one first sensor 704 for substrate alignment, preferably to compensate for a tilt of the substrate 02.

[0193] For example, the at least one first sensor 704 for substrate alignment is alternatively arranged in one of the units 100, 300, 600, 700 upstream of the at least one alignment section 750. Preferably, at least one further sensor 164, 622, 704, 722, 922, for example designed as a photoelectric sensor, is then arranged on the at least one alignment section 750 and / or preferably assigned to the at least one first alignment area, wherein this sensor 164, 622, 704, 722, 922 preferably detects at least one edge 03, 04 of the substrate 02. For example, the at least one further sensor 164, 622, 704, 722, 922 triggers an adjustment of the at least one transport section 706, in particular of the at least one first and / or the at least one second transport subsection 707. 708, wherein preferably data from the at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment are taken into account in the at least one control unit for positioning movement.

[0194] The at least one alignment section 750 preferably has at least one main drive M for driving in the circumferential direction of at least one transport section 707; 708 of the at least two transport sections 706 of the first alignment area, more preferably at least one main drive M for driving in the circumferential direction of the at least one first transport section 707 and at least one main drive M for driving in the circumferential direction of the at least one second transport section 708. The at least one first sensor 704 for substrate alignment is preferably connected to the at least one main drive M, more preferably to the at least two main drives, by means of the at least one control unit. Advantageously, the at least one main drive M is controlled depending on determined data, preferably depending on the sensor detection by the at least one first sensor 704 for substrate alignment.Preferably, the at least one first transport section 707 and the at least one second transport section 708 of the at least two transport sections 706 of the first alignment area for aligning an inclination depending on determined data, preferably depending on the sensor detection by the at least one first sensor 704 for substrate alignment, can be driven relative to each other at different speeds in the circumferential direction.

[0195] In a preferred embodiment, at least one further sensor 704 for substrate alignment, in particular at least one second and / or at least one third sensor 704 for substrate alignment, for example at least two sensors 704 arranged one behind the other in the transverse direction A and / or arranged parallel to each other in the transport direction T, are arranged along the transport path after the at least one first sensor 704 for substrate alignment and before the subsequent processing unit 600; 900, preferably punching unit 900.For example, in at least two transport units 700, at least one further sensor 704 for substrate alignment, in particular at least one second and / or at least one third sensor 704 for substrate alignment, preferably at least two sensors 704, is or is arranged in the alignment section 750 in the transport direction T at least 40%, preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 55%, of the transport sections 706 of the at least one alignment section 750 and / or at least 70%, preferably at least 65%, more preferably at least 60%, of the transport sections 706 of the at least one alignment section 750.

[0196] Preferably, at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment is provided, at least for detecting the positioning of a substrate 02 with respect to its axial position, preferably referred to above and below as the second sensor 704 for substrate alignment. Preferably, the at least one second sensor 704 for substrate alignment, preferably at least one sensor pair consisting of at least two second sensors 704 for substrate alignment arranged parallel to each other in the transport direction T, is assigned to the second alignment area for correcting an axial offset. In particular, the at least one second sensor 704 for substrate alignment is in data communication with the at least one control unit of the second alignment area.The at least one alignment section 750 preferably has at least one individual drive ME for axially adjusting the at least one transport section 706 of the second alignment section to correct an axial misalignment. The at least one second sensor 704 for substrate alignment is preferably, and preferably control-wise, connected to the at least one individual drive ME for axial adjustment, and in particular to the at least two, more preferably at least three, and more preferably all, individual drives ME of the second alignment section, by means of the at least one control unit. Preferably, the at least one individual drive ME for axial adjustment is controlled by means of determined data, more preferably by means of data from the at least one second sensor 704 for substrate alignment, preferably to compensate for an axial misalignment.

[0197] For example, the at least one second sensor 704 for substrate alignment is alternatively arranged in one of the units 100, 300, 600, 700 upstream of the at least one alignment section 750. Preferably, at least one further sensor 164, 622, 704, 722, 922, for example designed as a photoelectric sensor, is then arranged on the at least one alignment section 750 and / or preferably assigned to the at least one second alignment area, wherein this sensor 164, 622, 704, 722, 922 preferably detects at least one edge 03, 04 of the substrate 02. For example, the at least one further sensor 164, 622, 704, 722, 922 triggers an adjustment of the at least one transport section 706, in particular of the at least one first and / or the at least one second transport subsection 707. 708, wherein preferably data from the at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment are taken into account in the at least one control unit for positioning movement.

[0198] For example, using acquired data, preferably data from the at least one second sensor 704 for substrate alignment, the at least one main drive M is controlled, preferably to compensate for a circumferential misalignment of the substrate 02. The at least one second sensor 704 for substrate alignment is preferably connected via the at least one control unit to the at least one main drive M for circumferentially driving the at least two transport sections 706 of the second alignment area. For example, in addition to or as an alternative to alignment in the third alignment area, a substrate 02 is aligned circumferentially within the second alignment area.

[0199] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one second sensor 704 for substrate alignment is arranged along the alignment section 750 within the second alignment area. Preferably, the at least one second sensor 704 for substrate alignment is arranged after at least 15%, more preferably after at least 25%, and more preferably after at least 30% of the transport sections 706 of the alignment section 750. For example, the at least one second sensor 704 for substrate alignment is additionally arranged before at least 20%, more preferably before at least 30%, more preferably before at least 35%, more preferably before at least 50%, and more preferably before at least 60% of the transport sections 706 of the alignment section 750.Preferably, in the transport direction T, at least one, preferably at least three, for example six, transport sections 706 with at least one individual drive ME for axial adjustment are arranged upstream of the at least one second sensor 704 for substrate alignment. More preferably, the at least one second sensor 704 for substrate alignment is arranged after at least 15%, preferably after at least 20%, and more preferably after at least 30% of the transport sections 706 of the second alignment section, i.e., in particular, after the transport sections 706 of the alignment section 750 that have at least one individual drive ME for axial adjustment. Advantageously, this allows the adjustment of the substrate 02 to begin at the earliest possible time, since the start time of the adjustment can occur before the time at which a trailing end of the substrate 02 passes the at least one second sensor 704 for substrate alignment.

[0200] Preferably additionally or alternatively, in the transport direction T, at least one, preferably at least three, more preferably at least eight, for example eleven, transport sections 706 with at least one individual drive ME for axial adjustment are arranged after the at least one second sensor 704 for substrate alignment. The at least one second sensor 704 for substrate alignment is more preferably arranged upstream of at least 40%, more preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 60% of the transport sections 706 of the second alignment area, i.e., in particular, the transport sections 706 of the alignment section 750 that have at least one individual drive ME for axial adjustment.In particular, the at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment is connected to at least one individual drive ME arranged in the transport direction T downstream of the at least one sensor 704, especially to those individual drives ME whose transport sections 706 are arranged in the transport direction T downstream of the at least one sensor 704. Advantageously, the highest possible accuracy of the alignment is achieved, since the substrate 02 travels the shortest possible distance along the transport path between the detection time of the substrate 02 and the start time of the adjustment. Advantageously, the longest possible length of the alignment path 750, especially the second alignment area, is available for axial alignment. Advantageously, even large axial offsets can be compensated for.

[0201] Preferably, depending on determined data, more preferably depending on the detection of the at least one imaging element of the substrate 02, the at least one transport section 706, preferably at least one transport element 701, for example also the group-adjustable number of transport elements 701, is axially adjusted, preferably to align the substrate 02 during its transport. The at least one transport section 706 of the transport sections 706 of the at least one alignment section 750, in particular the second alignment section for aligning an axial offset, is preferably axially adjustable depending on determined data, more preferably depending on the detection of at least one imaging element of the substrate 02 by at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment.The at least one transport element 701, for example, the group-adjustable transport elements 701, of the at least one transport unit 700, preferably which is designed for aligning substrate 02, is preferably axially adjustable depending on determined data, more preferably depending on the detection of at least one imaging element of the substrate 02 by the at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment. Preferably, the at least one transport section 706, more preferably the at least one transport element 701, is axially adjusted depending on determined data, more preferably depending on the detection of at least one imaging element of the substrate 02. More preferably, the plurality of transport elements 701 are axially adjusted individually or axially in groups.

[0202] Preferably, at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment is provided, at least for detecting the positioning of a substrate 02 with respect to its circumferential orientation, preferably referred to above and below as the third sensor 704 for substrate alignment. Preferably, the at least one third sensor 704 for substrate alignment, preferably at least one pair of sensors consisting of at least two third sensors 704 for substrate alignment arranged parallel to each other in the transport direction T, is assigned to the third alignment area for aligning a substrate 02 circumferentially. In particular, the at least one third sensor 704 for substrate alignment is connected to the at least one control unit of the third alignment area via data transmission.The at least two transport sections 706 of the third alignment area for aligning a substrate 02 circumferentially preferably each have at least one main drive M for circumferential drive. The at least one third sensor 704 for substrate alignment is preferably connected to the at least one main drive M for circumferential drive of the at least two transport sections 706 of the third alignment area by means of the at least one control unit. Preferably, depending on determined data, preferably by means of data from the at least one third sensor 704 for substrate alignment, the at least one main drive M of the third alignment area is controlled, preferably for aligning a substrate 02 circumferentially.

[0203] In a preferred embodiment, along the alignment path 750 in the transport direction T, at least one sensor 704, designed as a third sensor 704 for substrate alignment, is arranged after the at least one, preferably after all, transport section 706 of the transport sections 706, which has the at least one individual drive ME for axial adjustment. Preferably, the at least one third sensor 704 for substrate alignment is arranged after a transport section 706 of the second alignment area that is the last in the transport direction T. More preferably, the at least one third sensor 704 for substrate alignment is arranged after at least 50%, preferably after at least 55%, and more preferably after at least 60%, of the transport sections 706 of the alignment path 750.For example, at least one additional third sensor 704 for substrate alignment is arranged at least 20%, preferably at least 30%, and more preferably at least 35%, of the transport sections 706 of the alignment path 750. Advantageously, the circumferential alignment is performed as close as possible to the subsequent machining point 621; 910, thereby achieving particularly high machining accuracy.

[0204] For example, the at least one third sensor 704 for substrate alignment is alternatively arranged in one of the units 100, 300, 600, 700 upstream of the at least one alignment section 750, or arranged at the first alignment section, or arranged at the second alignment section. Preferably, at least one further sensor 164, 622, 704, 722, 922, for example designed as a photoelectric sensor, is then arranged at the at least one alignment section 750 and / or preferably assigned to the at least one third alignment section, wherein this sensor 164, 622, 704, 722, 922 preferably detects at least one edge 03, 04 of the substrate 02.For example, the at least one further sensor 164; 622; 704; 722; 922 triggers an adjustment of the at least one transport section 706, in particular of the at least one first and / or the at least one second transport section 707; 708, wherein preferably data from the at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment are taken into account in the at least one control unit for the positioning movement.

[0205] For example, additionally or alternatively, the at least one third sensor 704 for substrate alignment is connected to the at least one control unit of the first alignment area via data transmission, thereby advantageously enabling and / or initiating a readjustment of the setpoints based on the data acquisition of the at least one first sensor 704 for substrate alignment. For example, additionally or alternatively, the at least one third sensor 704 for substrate alignment is connected to the at least one control unit of the second alignment area via data transmission, thereby advantageously enabling and / or initiating a readjustment of the setpoints based on the data acquisition of the at least one second sensor 704 for substrate alignment.

[0206] Preferably, the at least one third sensor 704 for substrate alignment checks the orientation of the substrate 02 at the respective detection time, preferably with regard to a change in position relative to the position at the time of detection by the at least one first sensor 704 for substrate alignment or by the at least one second sensor 704 for substrate alignment. Preferably, for example, serial errors in alignment, i.e., errors occurring with several substrates 02, are taken into account in the at least one control unit, preferably by superimposing the data of the at least one first and / or the at least one second sensor 704 for substrate alignment with the other control values.For example, at least one third sensor 704 for substrate alignment is preceded by at least one sensor 622 for detecting the leading edge 03 of the substrate, preferably for triggering the signal that the substrate 02 enters the detection range of the at least one third sensor 704 for substrate alignment.

[0207] Preferably in addition to or as an alternative to the at least one third sensor 704 for substrate alignment, the at least one alignment section 750 preferably has the at least one sensor 622; 922, which detects a leading end of the substrate 02, preferably the leading edge 03 of a substrate 02, and / or which provides data for setting a start of processing of a substrate 02 in a subsequent processing station 621; 910. This sensor 622; 922 is preferably designed as a photoelectric sensor and / or photoelectric barrier. Preferably, this at least one sensor 622; 922 is assigned to the third alignment section for aligning a substrate 02 in the circumferential direction. In particular, the at least one sensor 622; 922 is in data communication with the at least one control unit of the third alignment section.The at least one sensor 622; 922, in particular the at least one sensor 622; 922 detecting a leading end, preferably the leading edge 03, of a substrate 02, is preferably connected by means of the at least one control unit to the at least one main drive M for driving circumferentially the at least two transport sections 706 of the at least one third alignment area. Preferably, depending on determined data, preferably by means of data from the at least one sensor 622; 922, the at least one main drive M of the at least one third alignment area is controlled, preferably for aligning a substrate 02 circumferentially.

[0208] Preferably, the sensor 622; 922, which detects a leading end, preferably the front edge 03, of a substrate 02, and in particular the at least two sensors 622; 922 for detecting a leading end, preferably the front edge 03, of a substrate 02, are arranged in the transport direction T after at least 75%, preferably after at least 80%, and more preferably after at least 85%, of the transport sections 706 of the at least one alignment section 750. The sensor 622; 922, which detects a leading end, preferably the front edge 03, of a substrate 02, is further preferably arranged in the transport direction T after the at least one transport section 706 with the at least one individual drive ME for axial adjustment, i.e., preferably after the second alignment section.Preferably, the at least one sensor 622; 922 for detecting the leading end, preferably the leading edge 03, of a substrate 02, and in particular the at least two sensors 622; 922 for detecting a leading edge 03 of a substrate 02, are arranged in the transport direction T at least before a last transport section 706, preferably at least before the last two transport sections 706, of the at least one alignment section 750. Advantageously, the detection of the substrate 02 for alignment in the circumferential direction takes place as close as possible to the subsequent processing location 621; 910, thereby achieving a particularly high processing accuracy.

[0209] For example, additionally or alternatively, the sensor 622; 922, which detects a leading end, preferably the leading edge 03, of a substrate 02, is connected by means of the at least one control unit to the at least one main drive M for driving in the circumferential direction of the at least one transport section 706 of the transport sections 706 with at least one individual drive ME for axial adjustment, i.e., preferably to the at least one main drive M for driving in the circumferential direction of the at least one transport section 706 of the second alignment area. For example, this allows a substrate 02 to be aligned in the circumferential direction within the second alignment area, in addition to or alternatively to alignment in the third alignment area.

[0210] Preferably, especially in the case of their respective presence, the at least one first sensor 704 for substrate alignment, the at least one second sensor 704 for substrate alignment, and the at least one third sensor 704 for substrate alignment are different sensors 704 for substrate alignment at different positions along the transport direction T within the processing machine 01, preferably along the at least one alignment section 750.Alternatively, for example, at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment takes over the function of at least two sensors 704 for substrate alignment at only one position along the transport direction T within the processing machine 01, preferably along the alignment path 750. This sensor can be, for example, the first and second sensors 704 for substrate alignment, or the second and third sensors 704 for substrate alignment, or the first, second, and third sensors 704 for substrate alignment. In this case, this at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment is preferably connected to the control units of the first and / or second and / or third alignment area. Preferably, this at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment is arranged at the same position as the at least one first sensor 704 for substrate alignment.Advantageously, at least two, preferably all, alignment areas of the alignment track are controlled depending on the determined data.

[0211] Preferably, at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment is arranged upstream of at least one sensor 622, for example a light barrier, which detects a leading end of the substrate 02, preferably the leading edge 03 of the substrate 02. Preferably, at least two sensors 704 for substrate alignment at two different positions along the alignment path 750, and more preferably at least three sensors 704 for substrate alignment at three different positions along the alignment path 750, and in particular at least two sensors 704 arranged parallel or side by side with each other in the transport direction T, are arranged upstream of at least one sensor 622, for example a light barrier, which detects a leading end of the substrate 02, preferably the leading edge 03 of the substrate 02.This preferably signals the at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment that the substrate 02 enters the detection range of the sensor 704 for substrate alignment. In particular, the signal from the at least one sensor 622 triggers the detection mechanism of the at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment. Preferably, the at least one signal from the sensor 622, which detects a leading end of the substrate 02, preferably the leading edge 03 of the substrate 02, triggers an evaluation of the data set acquired by the sensor 704 for substrate alignment to which the at least one sensor 622 is assigned.

[0212] Preferably, the at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment, which is preferably connected to the at least one transport section 706, in particular the at least one transport element 701, comprises at least one photocell. Preferably, the at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment is configured as a photoelectric sensor. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment is configured as a contrast detection sensor. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment is configured as a sensor for detecting at least one print mark. The at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment, preferably the sensors 704 for substrate alignment of the alignment section 750, are preferably configured to detect at least one imaging element of a substrate 02, preferably at least one trapezoidal element and / or a wedge mark.Preferably, the at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment, more preferably the at least one first sensor 704 for substrate alignment and / or the at least one second sensor 704 for substrate alignment and / or the at least one third sensor 704 for substrate alignment, detects the at least one imaging element of the substrate 02. Preferably, the at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment has at least one detection area, which preferably covers a region of the transport path of substrate 02. Preferably, the at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment detects a substrate 02 passing the sensor 704 for substrate alignment along the transport path. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment detects the at least one imaging element of the substrate 02, more preferably the at least one print mark.For example, in addition to or as an alternative to the at least one imaging element, the at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment preferably detects an edge 03; 04, in particular the front edge 03 and / or rear edge 04, of the substrate 02 and / or a registration mark 16; 17; 18; 19; 21; 22; 23; 24 and / or an element of a printed image that is distinguishable from its surroundings. In a preferred embodiment, the substrate 02, preferably the at least one imaging element, and more preferably the at least one registration mark, is detected based on the difference in contrast to the surroundings of the object to be detected, in particular to the surface of the substrate 02 surrounding the imaging element.

[0213] Alternatively, for example, the at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment is designed as an image acquisition device, preferably a camera, although this results, for example, in a longer data processing time and therefore, for example, a slower control response.

[0214] In an alternative or additional embodiment, the at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment detects at least one edge 03; 04 of the substrate 02. For example, the sensor 704 for substrate alignment that only detects at least one edge 03; 04 is more cost-effective than a sensor 704 for substrate alignment that detects at least one imaging element. If only the at least one edge 03; 04 is detected, the alignment of the printed image to the die-cut image is less precise than in the case of the detection of at least one imaging element. Therefore, for example, data that establishes a relationship between a printed image of the substrate 02 and at least one edge 03; 04 of the substrate 02, such as their relative positioning, are stored in a control unit.Advantageously, the data which establish a relationship between a printed image of the substrate 02 and at least one edge 03; 04 of the substrate 02, for example their positioning relative to each other, are included in the calculation of the necessary adjustment movements, for example the axial adjustment path and / or the rotating speed of at least one transport section 706.

[0215] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one imaging element detected by the at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment is a print mark. Preferably, the detection of an imaging element enables the determination of the position of the substrate 02 in the transport direction T, preferably via the detection time. The at least one print mark is preferably an element printable by at least one application unit 600. For example, the substrate 02 already has the at least one imaging element when it is fed into the processing machine 01; alternatively, the at least one imaging element is printed by at least one application unit 600 of the processing machine 01, preferably by the first application unit 600 of the processing machine 01 along the transport path.

[0216] Preferably, the substrate 02 has at least two, for example four, imaging elements, preferably at least two print marks, on its surface, particularly on one side of the surface. Preferably, the accuracy of the detection is increased and / or the detection of an inclined position of the substrate 02 is enabled by using at least two imaging elements, preferably by detecting them with the at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment. Preferably, the at least two imaging elements are arranged axially, i.e., in the transverse direction A and / or in the direction X, spaced apart from each other. Preferably, the at least one imaging element, or preferably each of the at least two imaging elements, is arranged on the substrate 02 such that it is located within the at least one detection area of ​​the at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment when the sensor passes through it.Preferably the substrate 02, preferably the arc 02, has the at least one imaging element in the region of the leading end of the substrate 02, for example near the leading edge 03, i.e. at a shorter distance to the leading edge 03 than to the trailing edge 04 and / or preferably outside a region of the substrate 02 that forms an end product.

[0217] Preferably, the at least one imaging element has a varying length along direction X, i.e., preferably in the transverse direction A, in direction Y, i.e., in the transport direction T. Preferably, the at least one imaging element has a leading edge in direction Y, which corresponds to a line parallel to direction X. Starting from the leading edge, the at least one imaging element preferably has a first length at a first position along direction X in the direction Y towards the trailing edge 04 of the substrate 02. At a second position along direction X, the at least one imaging element preferably has a second length in the direction Y towards the trailing edge 04 of the substrate 02, which differs from the first length of the first position, for example, being longer or shorter. For example, the at least one imaging element is trapezoidal, wedge-shaped, or triangular.Preferably, the at least two imaging elements, which are preferably arranged parallel to each other in direction X, have a mirror symmetry with each other.

[0218] Preferably, the at least one imaging element, more preferably the at least one print mark, is detected by the at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment. Preferably, each of the at least two mutually parallel sensors 704 detects at least one print mark. For example, the at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment detects an existing contrast difference as soon as the at least one imaging element enters the detection area. Preferably, the contrast difference is also detected when the at least one imaging element leaves the detection area. Preferably, the duration of the detection of the at least one imaging element in the detection area is determined. By the initial detection of the at least one imaging element in the detection area, the arrival time of the substrate 02 and thus preferably its position in the transport direction T is determined.The duration of detection of the at least one imaging element within the detection area preferably determines the axial position of the substrate 02, i.e., a lateral displacement of the substrate 02 relative to a target position. By detecting the at least two imaging elements, which are preferably spaced apart from each other in the X direction, a tilt of the substrate 02 is preferably determined. For this purpose, the leading edge of the imaging elements, or more preferably the contrast difference occurring during the initial detection of the at least two imaging elements within the at least one detection area, is used. Preferably, the at least two sensors 704 for substrate alignment are used for this purpose, each detecting one of the at least two imaging elements.Alternatively, for example, the detection area of ​​one sensor 704 for substrate alignment is designed so that it can detect both imaging elements.

[0219] The at least one alignment section 750 of the processing machine 01 is controlled. Preferably, the at least one alignment section 750 is controlled to align at least one preferably arc-shaped substrate 02. Preferably, the at least one alignment section 750 arranged upstream of at least one processing unit 600; 900, in particular a forming unit 900, of the processing machine 01 is controlled; more preferably, the alignment section 750 arranged between two successive processing units 600; 900; and even more preferably, the alignment section 750 arranged between a processing unit 600 designed as a coating unit 600 and a processing unit 900 designed as a forming unit 900.

[0220] At least one substrate 02 is preferably aligned by the at least one alignment section 750 or can be aligned by the at least one alignment section 750, preferably with respect to its inclined position and / or axial position and / or circumferential position. The at least one substrate 02 is preferably aligned with respect to its position depending on determined data, more preferably depending on the at least one sensor detection. The at least one substrate 02 is preferably moved along the alignment section 750 in the transport direction T during sensor detection and / or during alignment.

[0221] Preferably, the control of the at least one alignment section 750 and / or the alignment of the at least one substrate 02 is carried out stepwise. The individual steps of the control of the at least one alignment section 750 preferably occur additionally or alternatively to one another, preferably depending on the evaluation of the actual position of the substrate 02. The at least one substrate 02 is preferably transported along the at least one alignment section 750 in the transport direction T during each step, preferably during each of at least three steps. In a preferably first step, the at least one substrate 02 is preferably aligned with respect to its inclined position. In a preferably second step, the at least one substrate 02 is preferably aligned with respect to its axial position.In a preferably third step, the alignment of the at least one substrate 02 with respect to its position in the circumferential direction is preferably carried out.

[0222] Preferably, the control process is based on determined data. This includes, in particular, data regarding the positioning of the printed image of the substrate 02 relative to at least one edge 03; 04 of the substrate 02 and / or regarding the positioning of the substrate 02 relative to a reference. Preferably, the determined data for the first step are obtained by at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment, and / or the determined data for the second step are obtained by at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment, and / or the determined data for the third step are obtained by at least one sensor. Preferably, the data is obtained within the at least one alignment section 750. Alternatively, for example, the data is obtained at another location on the processing machine 01, for example in the feeder 300 or the feeder 100, and stored in the at least one control unit.For example, at least one sensor is arranged at the position along the transport direction T of the at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment, which detects an edge 03; 04 of the substrate 02 and thus preferably its presence in the area of ​​the alignment path 750, preferably wherein the control unit controls the alignment area when presence is detected.

[0223] Preferably, in each of the alignment areas, the substrate 02 is aligned with respect to a parameter such as inclination, axial offset, and circumferential position. The at least one control unit of the processing machine 01 regulates and / or controls the at least one alignment section 750, preferably based on determined data, preferably based on the detection of the at least one substrate 02 by the at least one first sensor 704 for substrate alignment, and / or based on the detection of the at least one substrate 02 by the at least one second sensor 704 for substrate alignment, and / or based on the detection of the at least one substrate 02 by the at least one third sensor 704 for substrate alignment. Preferably, the at least one control unit determines the actual position of the substrate 02 relative to a reference and / or target position.For example, a tolerance is defined within which the actual position of substrate 02 is accepted as corresponding to the reference and / or target position. If there is a deviation from the reference and / or target position, particularly outside the tolerance, the position of substrate 02 is preferably corrected. For example, a deviation of at least 0.005 mm (zero point zero zero five millimeters), preferably at least 0.01 mm, is considered a deviation.

[0224] In the preferably first step, the at least one substrate 02 is preferably aligned with respect to its inclination. Preferably, the at least one first alignment area is controlled. In the preferably first step, depending on determined data, the at least one first alignment area of ​​the at least three alignment areas of the alignment section 750 is controlled to align it to an inclination. More preferably, in the preferably first step, depending on data from the at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment, the at least one first alignment area of ​​the at least three alignment areas of the at least one alignment section 750 is controlled to align it to an inclination, preferably by the at least one control unit.Alternatively, for example, the data are acquired at another location on the processing machine 01, for example in the system 300 or the feeder 100, and stored in the at least one control unit. For example, at least one sensor is then arranged at the position along the transport direction T of the at least one first sensor 704 for substrate alignment, which detects an edge 03; 04 of the substrate 02 and thus preferably its presence in the area of ​​the alignment path 750, preferably wherein the control unit activates the alignment area upon detection of its presence. Along the at least one alignment path 750, the at least one first sensor 704 for substrate alignment preferably detects the position of at least one substrate 02 with respect to its inclination.Depending on the determined data, the inclination of the substrate 02 relative to a reference and / or target position is preferably determined, preferably by the at least one control unit. The at least one substrate 02 is preferably inclined in the at least one first alignment area and / or in the first step.The at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment of the first step, in particular the at least one first sensor 704 for substrate alignment, is preferably arranged in the transport direction T in front of at least 75%, more preferably in front of at least 80%, more preferably in front of at least 85%, more preferably in front of at least 90%, more preferably in front of the first transport section 706, the transport sections 706 of the at least one alignment section 750 and / or the at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment of the first step, in particular the at least one first sensor 704 for substrate alignment, preferably detects the at least one imaging element of a substrate 02.

[0225] In the case of the first preferred embodiment of the at least one transport section 706, i.e., preferably if only one main drive M is assigned to the at least one transport section 706 and / or preferably if the at least one first transport subsection 707 and the at least one second transport subsection 708 of the transport section 706 are driven by one main drive M, the inclination of the substrate 02 is preferably compensated by axial adjustment of the at least one transport section 706, in particular its at least one transport element 701, when an inclination of the substrate 02 is detected by the at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment, preferably the at least one first sensor 704, wherein the at least one first sensor 704 for substrate alignment is connected to the at least one single drive ME of the at least one transport section 706.Preferably, the at least one control unit controls the at least one individual drive ME. Preferably, to compensate for the inclination, the substrate 02, preferably the sheet 02, is transported in the transport direction T until both the leading edge 03 and the trailing edge 02 can be moved by transport elements 701 of this transport unit 700, preferably when no other transport elements 701 of further transport units 700 are in contact with the substrate 02. Preferably, at least the transport elements 701 in contact with the substrate 02 are arranged in a starting position.Preferably, at least as many transport sections 706, in particular as many transport elements 701 arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T, are axially adjusted, provided that these elements are located within the length of the path along the alignment path 750 in the transport direction T, wherein the length corresponds to the length of the at least one working area of ​​the at least one forming cylinder 616; 901 of the at least one processing unit 600; 900 of the processing units 600; 900. Advantageously, this ensures that the substrate 02 is adjusted by all transport sections 706 in contact with it, i.e., that no force and / or moment opposing the adjustment is exerted by the respective transport sections 706.Preferably, a pivot point of the substrate 02 is stored in the machine control, preferably in the control unit controlling the at least one individual drive ME, for example, calculated particularly from the length and / or width of the substrate 02. The pivot point is preferably the point around which the substrate 02 must be rotated to compensate for the inclination. At least one transport element 701, which is arranged upstream of the pivot point in the transport direction T, is preferably adjusted axially in or against the transverse direction A, preferably by means of its individual drive ME. Preferably, at least one transport element 701, which is arranged upstream of the pivot point in the transport direction T, is adjusted axially in the opposite direction to the transport element 701 upstream of the pivot point, preferably by means of its individual drive ME.Preferably, the transport element 701, which corresponds to the position of the pivot point, is not axially adjusted, but remains in its axial position at that time. For example, the adjustment of the transport elements 701 is carried out in groups or individually, for those transport elements 701 that are in contact with the substrate 02. For example, the adjustment is carried out incrementally or continuously, particularly as long as the contact between the respective transport element 701 and the substrate 02 exists. Preferably, the at least one transport element 701 is axially adjusted by a maximum of 15 mm (fifteen millimeters), more preferably by a maximum of 10 mm (ten millimeters), more preferably by a maximum of 8 mm (eight millimeters), more preferably by a maximum of 5 mm (five millimeters), and more preferably by a maximum of 2.5 mm (two point five millimeters).Preferably, the at least one transport section 706, preferably the at least one transport element 701, is axially adjusted by at least 0.1 mm (zero point one millimeter), more preferably by at least 0.5 mm (zero point five millimeters), and more preferably by at least 1 mm (one millimeter), and / or is at least adjustable. Since the substrate 02 is moved simultaneously, preferably by means of the rotary motion preferably generated by the at least one main drive M, in the transport direction T, another transport element 701 comes into contact with the substrate 02, while a first transport element 701 of the transport unit 700 in the transport direction T has no further contact with the substrate 02. In addition, due to the movement of the substrate in the transport direction T, the pivot point is moved in the transport direction T.The transport element 701, which has now come into contact with the substrate 02, is preferably also axially adjusted from the point of contact in the direction in which the transport elements 701 upstream of the pivot point are adjusted. The transport element 701 now having the position of the pivot point remains in that position, whereas the transport element 701 that no longer has the pivot point is also axially adjusted in the direction of the transport elements 701 downstream of the pivot point. The transport element 701 that is now no longer in contact with the substrate 02 is preferably axially adjusted to return to its initial position. Preferably, each subsequent transport element 701 that comes into contact is thus axially adjusted, while each transport element 701 that terminates contact is axially adjusted to its initial position.Preferably, the substrate 02 reaches its target position at least at the last transport section 706 of the at least one first alignment area, preferably at least before the last transport element 701 of the transport unit 700 of the alignment section 750.

[0226] In the case of the second preferred embodiment of the at least one transport section 706, preferably wherein the at least one first transport section 707 and the at least one second transport section 708 have different main drives M, preferably when an inclination of the substrate 02 is detected by the at least one, preferably at least two, sensor 704 for substrate alignment of the first step, preferably the at least one first sensor 704 for substrate alignment, preferably the inclination of the substrate 02 is compensated by individual, preferably different, control of the speeds in the circumferential direction of the at least one first transport section 707 and the at least one second transport section 708.The at least one main drive M preferably drives the at least one transport section 707; 708 of the at least one transport section 706 of the at least two transport sections 706 of the at least one first alignment area in the circumferential direction. The at least one control unit preferably controls the at least one main drive M depending on the determined data, preferably depending on the sensor detection by the at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment of the first step, more preferably by the at least one first sensor 704 for substrate alignment. Preferably, the at least one control unit controls the at least one main drive M of the at least one first transport section 707 and / or the at least one main drive M of the at least one second transport section 708 of at least one transport section 706 of the transport sections 706 of the at least one first alignment area.Preferably, to compensate for the inclined position, the preferably arc-shaped substrate 02 is transported in the transport direction T until both a leading end and a trailing end of the substrate 02, preferably both the front edge 03 and the rear edge 04, are moved by transport sections 706 of the at least one alignment section 750, preferably by transport sections 706 of the at least one first alignment area, for example by transport elements 701 of the first transport unit 700 of the alignment section 750.

[0227] Until the substrate 02 is arranged on the transport sections 706 of the first alignment area, for example, the at least one main drive M of the first transport sections 707 drives the at least one first transport section 707 with an output velocity v 0, and the at least one main drive M of the second transport sections 708 drives the at least one second transport section 708 with the output velocity v 0, the velocities being equal relative to each other. Preferably, the transport sections 707 and 708 are driven with the output velocity v 0 until the substrate 02 is arranged along its entire length in an effective area of ​​the transport sections 706 of the at least one first alignment area, preferably in contact with transport sections 706 of the alignment section 750, in particular of the first alignment area.The next step is preferably the alignment of the inclined position of the substrate 02. Advantageously, this ensures that the substrate 02 is aligned by all transport sections 706 in contact with it, i.e., that no force and / or moment opposing the alignment is exerted by the respective transport sections 706. Advantageously, compared to the first embodiment, the necessary axial return of the transport sections 706 during alignment of the determined inclined position is eliminated. The at least one main drive M of the at least one first transport section 707 preferably drives the at least one first transport section 707 at a first speed, while the at least one main drive M of the at least one second transport section 708 drives the at least one second transport section 708 at a second speed.The at least one main drive M for driving the at least one first transport section 707 preferably drives at least two, more preferably at least four, and further preferably all first transport sections 707 of at least two, more preferably at least four, and further preferably all, transport sections 706 of the transport sections 706 of the at least one first alignment area, consecutive in the transport direction T. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one main drive M for driving the at least one second transport section 708 preferably drives at least two, more preferably at least four, and further preferably all second transport sections 708 of at least two, more preferably at least four, and further preferably all, transport sections 706 of at least the transport sections 706 of the at least one first alignment area, consecutive in the transport direction T.Preferably, the at least two consecutive first transport sections 707 in the transport direction T are driven at the same speed. Preferably, the at least two consecutive second transport sections 708 in the transport direction T are driven at the same speed. Preferably, at least as many transport sections 706, in particular as many transport elements 701 arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T, are driven jointly by the at least one main drive M, which are located within the length of the path along the alignment path 750 in the transport direction T, wherein the length corresponds to the length of the at least one working area of ​​the at least one forming cylinder 616; 901 of the at least one processing unit 600; 900. Advantageously, the design of the alignment path 750 is simplified.

[0228] Preferably, the at least one transport section 707; 708 in which the substrate 02 is arranged further downstream in the transport direction T with at least a part of its leading edge 03 is driven at a slower speed relative to the speed of the other at least one transport section 707; 708 of the at least one transport section 706. For example, additionally or alternatively, the transport section 707; 708 in which the substrate 02 is arranged further upstream in the transport direction T with at least a part of its leading edge 03 is driven at a faster speed relative to the at least one other transport section 707; 708 of the transport section 706 in question.For example, the at least one main drive M of the first transport sections 707 drives the at least one first transport section 707, preferably all first transport sections 707 coupled to the main drive M, at the first speed v1, while the at least one main drive M of the second transport sections 708 drives the at least one second transport section 708, preferably all second transport sections 707 coupled to the main drive M, at a second speed v2, preferably wherein the speeds are different relative to each other. For example, the first speed v1 is lower than the second speed v2. For example, either the first speed v1 or the second speed v2 is equal to the initial speed v0, or both speeds v1 and v2 differ from the initial speed v0.

[0229] When the substrate 02 reaches its target position, i.e., the aligned state with respect to its inclination, the main drives M of the first transport sections 707 and the second transport sections 708 are preferably synchronized with each other, in particular the speed of the circumferential movement, preferably the rotational movement, of the transport sections 707 and 708 relative to each other. For example, the transport sections 707 and 708 are driven again at the initial speed v0, or at the first speed v1, or at the second speed v2, or at a different speed.For example, as soon as the at least one substrate 02 has left the effective area of ​​the transport sections 706 of the first alignment area, preferably as soon as the substrate 02 no longer has direct contact with at least one transport section 706, which is driven by at least one of the main drives M of the first alignment area, the at least one main drive M, preferably the at least one main drive M of the at least one first transport section 707 and / or the at least one main drive M of the at least one second transport section 708, drives the at least one transport section 707; 708, preferably the respective coupled transport sections 707; 708, again with the initial speed v 0.

[0230] The rotary driving of a transport section 706 or a transport subsection 707; 708 is described in the preceding and following preferably at least the rotary driving of its at least one shaft 739 and / or its at least one transport element 701.

[0231] Preferably, the tilt alignment is completed before the substrate 02 is detected by the at least one second sensor 704 for substrate alignment. Advantageously, this eliminates the need to consider the tilt of the substrate 02 during axial alignment.

[0232] In the preferably second step, the at least one substrate 02 is preferably aligned with respect to its axial position. Preferably, the at least one second alignment area is controlled. In the preferably second step, the at least one second alignment area of ​​the at least three alignment areas of the alignment section 750 is preferably controlled, depending on determined data, to align an axial offset. Further preferably, in the preferably second step, depending on data from the at least one sensor 704 for substrate alignment, preferably from the at least one second sensor 704 for substrate alignment, the at least one second alignment area of ​​the at least three alignment areas of the at least one alignment section 750 is controlled to align an axial offset, preferably by the at least one control unit.Along the at least one alignment path 750, preferably in the transport direction T after the at least one first sensor 704 for substrate alignment, the at least one second sensor 704 for substrate alignment preferably detects the positioning of a substrate 02 with respect to its axial position. Preferably, the at least one second sensor 704 for substrate alignment is connected to the at least one control unit of the at least one second alignment area. Preferably, the control of the at least one transport section 706 for axial adjustment is dependent on the detection of the at least one imaging element of the substrate 02.Preferably, in the second step, the at least one second sensor 704 for substrate alignment detects the substrate 02 within the second alignment area, preferably in the transport direction T after at least one transport section 706 with at least one individual drive ME for axial adjustment and before at least one transport section 706 with at least one individual drive ME for axial adjustment of the at least one second alignment area. Alternatively, for example, the data are acquired at another location on the processing machine 01, for example in the feeder 300 or the feeder 100, and stored in the at least one control unit.For example, at least one sensor is arranged at the position along the trans...

Claims

1. Method for controlling a processing machine (01), wherein at least one axially adjustable transport section (706) of at least one alignment section (750) of the processing machine (01) has, within one machine cycle, at least one adjustment phase describing an axial adjustment operation of the at least one axially adjustable transport section (706) for the axial alignment of a substrate (02), wherein at least one processing unit (600; 900) of the processing machine (01) is arranged downstream of the at least one alignment section (750), characterized in that the processing unit (600; 900) has, within the one machine cycle, at least one processing phase, which in each case comprises the sum of those successive process steps and / or operations within the processing unit (600; 900) by which in each case a substrate (02) is processed and / or is processable in the event of its presence, and in that the processing machine (01) is controlled in such a way that, within the one machine cycle, the number of processing phases of the processing unit (600; 900) is greater than the number of adjustment phases of the at least one axially adjustable transport section (706).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that, within the one machine cycle, the number of processing phases of the processing unit (600; 900) is twice as large as the number of adjustment phases of the at least one axially adjustable transport section (706).

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, in at least one processing phase of the processing phases of the machine cycle, a substrate (02) is processed by the downstream processing unit (600; 900) and in that, in at least one further processing phase of the processing phases of the machine cycle, no substrate (02) is processed.

4. Method according to claim 1 or 2 or 3, characterized in that, in the adjustment phase, the at least one axially adjustable transport section (706) carries out an axial movement from a relative start position at the beginning of a first machine stroke of the machine cycle via a basic position and via a relative adjustment position back into its relative start position and / or in that, in the adjustment phase, the at least one axially adjustable transport section (706) carries out an axial movement from a relative start position at the beginning of a first machine stroke of the machine cycle at least via a relative adjustment position into a relative start position of the following machine cycle.

5. Method according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4, characterized in that at least one substrate supply unit (100) of the processing machine (01) supplies substrate (02) to the downstream processing unit (600; 900), in that the at least one substrate supply unit (100) has, within the at least one machine cycle, at least one supply phase in which at least one element of the at least one substrate supply unit (100) is activated for the supply of a substrate (02), in that, within the one machine cycle, the number of adjustment phases of the at least one axially adjustable transport section (706) of the at least one alignment section (750) is equal to the number of supply phases of the at least one substrate supply unit (100).

6. Method according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5, characterized in that the at least one alignment section (750) arranged between at least one upstream processing unit (600; 900) of the processing machine (01) and the at least one downstream processing unit (600; 900) is controlled.

7. Method according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6, characterized in that the at least one downstream processing unit (600; 900) and / or at least one further processing unit (600; 900) of the processing machine (01) has at least one forme cylinder (616; 901) and at least one impression cylinder (617; 902) and / or in that the length of a substrate (02) to be processed is at least 60% of the length of the circumference in the circumferential direction of at least one forme cylinder (616; 901) of the at least one processing unit (600; 900) and / or in that the length of a substrate (02) to be processed is at least 1000 mm.

8. Method according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7, characterized in that the processing unit (600; 900) has, within the one machine cycle, at least one processing-free phase.

9. Method according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8, characterized in that the at least one downstream processing unit (600; 900) and / or at least one further processing unit (600; 900) is configured as an application unit (600).

10. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that, within the one machine cycle, in a transfer operation, a total quantity of application fluid is transferred at the processing point (621) of the at least one application unit (600) onto a substrate (02), which total quantity corresponds to the sum of at least two partial quantities of application fluid, wherein in each case one partial quantity is transferred onto the at least one forme cylinder (616) during one revolution of 360° of a forme cylinder (616) of the at least one application unit (600), and / or in that at least one anilox roller (618) of the at least one application unit (600) is engaged against the at least one forme cylinder (616) during the machine cycle or is engaged.

11. Method according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 or 10, characterized in that the downstream processing unit (900) is configured as a shaping unit (900) and / or in that the downstream processing unit (900) is configured as a rotary die-cutting device (900).

12. Method according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 or 10 or 11, characterized in that the processing unit (600; 900) has, within the one machine cycle, at least two processing phases and / or in that the at least one axially adjustable transport section (706) of the at least one alignment section (750) has, within the one machine cycle, only one adjustment phase.

13. Method for controlling a processing machine (01), characterized in that a changeover is made or is possible between an operating mode with execution of the method according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 or 10 or 11 or 12 and a further operating mode, wherein, in the further operating mode, the processing machine (01) is controlled in such a way that, within the one machine cycle, the number of processing phases of the processing unit (600; 900) is equal to the number of adjustment phases of the at least one axially adjustable transport section (706).

14. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that, in the further operating mode, a substrate (02) is processed in each processing phase of the processing unit (600; 900).

15. Method according to claim 5 in combination with claim 13 or 14, characterized in that, in the further operating mode, within the one machine cycle, the number of processing phases of the processing unit (600; 900) is equal to the number of supply phases of the at least one substrate supply unit (100).

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