Sheet Shingling Device Pneumatic Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sheet-fed printing technologies face challenges in efficiently shingling sheets while maintaining high productivity and register accuracy, particularly in hybrid printing machines that combine conventional and non-impact printing processes.

Innovation Solution

A device for shingling sheets underneath, utilizing a combination of blowing and suction mechanisms with adjustable transport speeds and formats, ensures precise alignment and registration of sheets across different processing stations, allowing for flexible handling of various sheet formats and lengths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If sheets are conveyed in an imbricated flow to maintain high productivity, then productivity is improved, but register accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoidregister accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs pneumatic devices including blowers and suction devices to control sheet movement and positioning. The blowers generate airflow to push sheets into imbricated flow while suction devices create negative pressure zones to prevent adhesive bonding between overlapping sheets, enabling high-speed conveyance while maintaining register accuracy through aerodynamic control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes adjustable transport speeds and format settings to optimize the imbricated flow parameters. By dynamically adjusting conveying velocity, overlap distance, and suction/blowing pressure, the system maintains precise register accuracy while achieving high productivity across varying sheet formats and lengths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If blowing and suction mechanisms are used to control sheet flow, then sheet alignment is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesheet alignmentVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates blowing and suction mechanisms into a unified sheet control system where both pneumatic devices work in coordination within the same conveying zone. This merged approach allows simultaneous sheet separation, positioning, and alignment through combined positive and negative pressure fields, reducing the need for separate mechanical alignment devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical alignment systems with pneumatic control mechanisms. Instead of using mechanical guides, rollers, or clamps to control sheet position and prevent adhesion, the system uses controlled airflow and suction fields to achieve the same alignment objectives with simpler, more flexible pneumatic components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If adhesive force between sheets is reduced by raising the trailing edge, then sheet separation is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesheet separationVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses suction devices to generate negative pressure zones beneath the trailing edges of sheets, creating an aerodynamic lifting effect that reduces adhesive bonding forces. This pneumatic approach to sheet separation is more energy-efficient than mechanical lifting mechanisms, as it utilizes airflow pressure differentials rather than direct mechanical work to overcome adhesion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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

This solution enhances productivity by maintaining optimal working speeds for both conventional and non-impact printing devices, achieving high register accuracy and flexible production of packaging materials like folding boxes, while allowing for efficient handling of sheets with varying formats and lengths.

Implementation Method 1

a blowing nozzle is arranged on its side facing the infeed table, the blowing direction of the blowing nozzle being parallel to the infeed table and counter to the transport direction of the sheets

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir flow: Convection

Implementation Method 2

a suction device arranged above the shingled sequence, by which a negative pressure can be generated under the sheet to be aligned

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP3448682B1Device for imbricating sheets
Publication Date: 2020.04.15 KOENIG & BAUER AG
  • EP3448682B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3448682B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3448682B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for overlapping sheets (51), comprising at least one blower box (133) and a supply table (134), wherein multiple sheets (51) are guided into a region of the blower box (133) consecutively in the same transport direction (T) and arranged at a distance from one another on the supply table (134), wherein a blow nozzle (136; 137) is arranged in the blower box (133) on the side thereof facing the supply table (134), wherein the blowing direction of the blow nozzle (136; 137) is oriented in parallel to the supply table (134) against the transport direction (T) of the sheets (51), wherein the supply table (134) is arranged below the blower box (133) and multiple blow nozzles (136; 137) are arranged in the blower box (133), one after the other in the transport direction (T) of the sheets (51), on the side thereof facing the supply table (134), wherein a respective blowing direction of the blow nozzles (136; 137) is oriented in parallel to the supply table (134) against the transport direction (T) of the sheets (51).