Sheet-Fed Printing Press with Switchable Sheet Diverter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet-fed printing presses lack the ability to perform repeated printing on the same side of a sheet and priming before printing in a single machine run, limiting their versatility and product spectrum.
Innovation Solution
A sheet-fed printing press with a feeder, a delivery, and multiple sheet-guiding cylinders equipped with gripper systems, digital printing devices, and switchable sheet guiding devices that allow for flexible sheet routing and processing, enabling priming, printing, and varnishing on a single sheet guiding cylinder, with optional drying and multiple operating modes for simplex or duplex printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional sheet-fed printing press with a single printing unit is used, then the machine structure remains simple, but the ability to perform repeated printing on the same side and priming before printing is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The single sheet-guiding cylinder is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a printing cylinder and a varnishing cylinder, and can operate in different modes (simplex printing, duplex printing with turning pocket, repeated printing on same side, and priming before printing). This multi-functionality enables the press to achieve high versatility without proportionally increasing machine complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The sheet-guiding cylinder's functionality is made dynamic and switchable through the sheet diverter mechanism. The sheet diverter can dynamically route sheets to different destinations (return transport path to sample sheet delivery or turning pocket) based on the desired operating mode, allowing the same physical cylinder to adapt to different printing requirements
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple printing units are arranged in a row to enable repeated printing, then printing versatility improves, but the machine length and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of arranging printing units linearly in one dimension (which would increase machine length), the invention uses a turning pocket to introduce a second dimension of sheet handling. Sheets are turned over and fed back to the same printing unit, enabling repeated printing and duplex operations without extending the machine's linear footprint
Solution Approach 2:
The turning pocket is integrated within the compact machine structure, nesting the sheet turning function within the existing sheet path. This allows sheets to be reversed and re-fed through the same printing unit without requiring additional external space or linear extension
3Adaptability or versatility
If a sheet return system with turning pocket is added to enable duplex printing, then printing capability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet-guiding cylinder serves multiple purposes: it is both the printing cylinder and the varnishing cylinder, and works in conjunction with the sheet diverter and turning pocket to enable multiple operating modes (simplex, duplex, repeated printing, priming). This universal design achieves high adaptability while minimizing the number of separate components needed
Solution Approach 2:
The printing function and varnishing function are merged into a single sheet-guiding cylinder rather than using separate cylinders for each function. This consolidation reduces the number of components and simplifies the overall sheet transport system while maintaining full functionality
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables more versatile operation, allowing for a wider range of products to be produced by facilitating repeated printing on the same side and priming before printing, while optimizing coating and inkjet printing requirements through adjustable gripper systems and integrated primer and coating units, all within a compact design.
Implementation Method 1
at least one sheet-guiding cylinder (3) having a suction gripper system with which sheets can be held on the sheet-guiding cylinder (3)
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a sheet-fed printing press having a feeder, a deliverer and at least one sheet guiding cylinder which is arranged between the feeder and the deliverer, has a gripper system, and is assigned a digital printing device and a first sheet guiding device which receives sheets from the sheet guiding cylinder. The invention is based on the object of providing a sheet-fed printing press which can be used in a relatively variable manner and by way of which, in particular, a relatively great spectrum of different products can be produced. According to the invention, the object is achieved by virtue of the fact that the first sheet guiding device (12) is configured for the selective transfer of the sheets to a second sheet guiding device (8) which transfers the sheets to the sheet guiding cylinder (3), or for the transfer to the deliverer (11), wherein the second sheet guiding device (8) is configured as a turner device (8) and can be switched over between an operating mode, in which it turns the sheets, and an operating mode, in which it feeds the sheets in a non-turned state to the sheet guiding cylinder (3).