Abstract: A gripper assembly for recovering a layout (22) from a sheet material (12) is presented. It comprises a vacuum gripper (26) with a gripper body (32) on which an array of air flow openings (34a, 34b) is arranged. Air flow openings (34a) associated with one or more blanks (20) of the layout (22) are selectively open and air flow openings (34b) associated to waste (28) of the sheet material (12) are selectively closed. Additionally, an apparatus for recovering a layout (22) from a sheet material (12) comprising such a gripper assembly is described. Furthermore, a method for separating a layout (22) from waste (28) of a sheet material (12) is explained.

Abstract: A sheet processing device has a moveable beam (36) that moves in the vertical direction, a gripper bar (30) for gripping a sheet that travels through the sheet processing device (10), and a gripper bar locking device (40) that can lock the gripper bar (30) in a precise position. The gripper bar locking device (40) has a locking lever (68) that is pivoting between a rest position and a locking position. The locking lever (68) is connected to a vertical linear guide coupled with the moveable beam (36) resulting in a precise, compact and simple system to lock the gripper bar.

Abstract: A printing machine (10) for printing on a substrate having the form of a web (12) is described. It comprises a web entry unit (14) for receiving the web (12) on which a printing process is to be performed and a web exit unit (20) for dispensing the web (12) after the printing process. Furthermore, at least two printing units (26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38) are provided, wherein each of the printing units (26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38) is configured for applying an ink of a predetermined color on the web (12). Additionally at least two web paths (A, B) are provided between the web entry unit (14) and the web exit unit (20), each of the web paths (A, B) passing by all of the printing units (26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38). The web paths (A, B) pass the printing units (26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38) in a differing sequence. Moreover, a method for changing a color sequence within a printing process is presented.

Abstract: A sheet processing machine with a transfer mechanism for moving sheets along a handling direction of the sheet processing machine and with a waste evacuation device (36) for releasing the sheets. The transfer mechanism comprises a sheet handling element (28) for moving a sheet, the sheet handling element (28) comprising at least one sliding element (54). The sheet handling element (28) is adapted to release the sheet when passing the waste evacuation device (36). The waste evacuation device comprises at least one alignment element (38) adapted to interact with the at least one sliding element (54) for minimizing deformation of the sheet handling element (28) when passing the waste evacuation device (36).

Abstract: A positioning device (38) for holding a flat flexible part, especially a sheet, on a positioning surface (46) is presented. It comprises a body (44) having a suction opening (50) for aspiring the part and a fluid port (52) being in fluid communication with the suction opening (50). Furthermore, an abutment protrusion (60) is provided on a connection surface (48) for abutting the positioning device (38) against a base part (28) to which it may be mounted. Also a sealing protrusion (64) is arranged on the connection surface (48) for compressing a gasket (42) being interposed between the positioning device (38) and the base part (28). A height (Ha) of the abutment protrusion (60) is bigger than a height (Hs) of the sealing protrusion (64). Additionally, a positioning assembly (24) is presented which comprises at least one such positioning device (38). Furthermore, a sheet material processing machine comprising at least one such positioning assembly (24) is introduced.

Abstract: An ink cartridge receiving module having a plurality of receiving spaces (14) for receiving a plurality of ink cartridges (20), each receiving space (14) having a bottom surface (22) which is inclined at an angle between 10° and 45° with respect to a horizontal plane, each receiving space (14) further having a connector (30) adapted for removing ink from the respective cartridge (20), the connectors (30) being arranged at the lower side of the receiving spaces (14).

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method for variable data printing. A data set of compressed data is provided. The data set corresponds to a basic image layout comprising a plurality of dots. Using at least one general purpose computation on graphics processing unit the compressed data is decompressed to obtain decompressed data corresponding to the basic image layout. To each dot of the plurality of dots of the basic image layout a color value is assigned based on a reference entry of a color lookup table such that a decompressed first customized image layout to be printed is obtained. The decompressed first customized image layout is provided to at least one printer device. At least the decompressed first customized image layout is printed. The at least one printer device continuously prints subsequent decompressed customized image layouts at a predefined minimum printing speed.

Abstract: A hot foil stamping press has a pressing system for pressing a foil onto a sheet, a blow unit which is positioned at a distance to the pressing system for directing a stream of gas between the sheet and the foil. The stream of gas to detaches the foil from the sheet after each stamping cycle. A gripper bar is arranged between the blow unit and the pressing system for gripping the sheet. A flow guiding element is arranged between the blow unit and the pressing system, preferably on the gripper bar, for directing the gas from the blow unit between the sheet and the foil. Said element avoids the losses in the stream of gas due to the aperture that exist between the grippers in a typical gripper bar.

Abstract: A tool clamping assembly (38) for clamping a blanking tool (40) intended to be used in a blanking station of a sheet processing machine has a frame (46) to which the blanking tool (40) is to be clamped and at least one clamping element (48). The frame (46) has an aligning mechanism adapted for aligning the blanking tool (40) in a first direction. Further, the frame (40) has at least one support surface (60) oriented to support the blanking tool (40) in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction, and at least one abutment surface (62) oriented to support the blanking tool (40) in a third direction which is perpendicular to the first and second directions. The clamping element (48) is displaceable between an open position and a clamping position, the clamping element (48) being adapted for clamping the blanking tool (40) against both the support surface (60) and the abutment surface (62). Further, a blanking tool assembly with such a tool clamping assembly is shown.

Abstract: A sheet processing machine comprises a receiving area (38) for collecting a sheet pile and a device (36) for determining the height of the sheet pile. The device (36) comprises a manually displaceable first sensor element arranged at a first side (48) of the receiving area (38), and an automatically displaceable second sensor element (50) arranged at an opposite side (52) of the receiving area (38) such that the first and second sensor elements (50) are arranged opposite each other along a width direction of the receiving area (38). The first sensor element and the second sensor element (50) are displaceable along a length direction of the sheet receiving area (38), wherein the first sensor element is one of a light emitting source and a light receiving sensor (56) and the second sensor element (50) is the other one of a light emitting source and a light receiving sensor (56).

Abstract: A machine for processing individual sheets comprises at least one processing station, in particular in inkjet printing station, and a transport system (100) for transporting the individual sheets through the processing station, along a transport direction. The transport system (100) comprises at least one gripper conveyor (150) movable along the transport direction, for gripping one of the individual sheets defining a sheet position in transport direction. The transport system (100) further comprises at least one support conveyor (190) movable along the transport direction for supporting a region of the individual sheet, wherein the support conveyor (190) comprises a vacuum system for supporting the individual sheet on an interacting surface of the support conveyor, the vacuum system comprising a plurality of orifices in the interacting surface.

Abstract: A sheet processing machine with a transfer mechanism for moving sheets along a handling direction of the sheet processing machine and with a waste evacuation device (36) for releasing the sheets. The transport mechanism comprises at least one sheet handling element (28) for moving a sheet. The waste evacuation device (36) further comprises a passage (46) formed between an opening surface (48) and a restraint surface (50). The at least one sheet handling element (28) comprises a first sliding element (68) and a second sliding element (70) being in contact with the opening surface (48) and the restraint surface (50), respectively, when passing the waste evacuation device (36).

Abstract: A positioning device (38) for holding a flat flexible part, especially a sheet, on a positioning surface is described. It comprises a body (44) with a fluid inlet port (52) for supplying a driver fluid to the body (44), a fluid outlet port (58) for draining the driver fluid from the body (44), and a suction opening for aspiring the flat flexible part. A circulation channel (60) connects the fluid inlet port (52) and the fluid outlet port (58) and a suction channel (70) connects the suction opening to the circulation channel (60). The suction channel (70) is connected to the circulation channel (60) adjacent to a section (64) of reduced cross section area such that a jet pump (71) is formed. Every cross section (Sc) of the circulation channel (60) and/or every cross section (Ss) of the suction channel (70) along its entire respective length have/has a smooth rim. Additionally, a positioning assembly comprising at least one such positioning device (38) is presented.

Abstract: A device (12) for changing a sheet pile in a sheet feeder (10) for a sheet treating machine is described. The device (12) comprises a main pile supporting unit (18) having a supporting surface (22) adapted to support a pallet (16) carrying a sheet pile. Furthermore, the device (12) comprises a residual pile supporting unit (24) with a plurality of residual pile bars (28), which can be moved into a sheet pile region (30) when the sheet pile is to be changed. The residual pile bars (28) are then carrying the sheet pile. When in the sheet pile region (30), each of the residual pile bars (28) is movable in a direction substantially orthogonal to the supporting surface (22), wherein the residual pile bars (28) are movable independently from each other. Furthermore, a method for changing the sheet pile in a sheet feeder (10) for a sheet treating machine is explained.

Abstract: A method for aligning printing heads (12) of a printing device is provided, the printing heads (12) being two-dimensional printing heads (12) comprising a plurality of nozzles (30). In one method step, an ink drop is dispensed at a plurality of nozzles (30) of every printing head (12) simultaneously to print an image, preferably at all nozzles (30) of every printing head (12). In another step, the printed image is captured by a camera (20) whose resolution may be smaller than the print resolution. The position and/or orientation of each of the printing heads (12) is determined based on the image captured by the camera (20) and the deviation of the position and/or orientation of each printing head (12) from a target position and/or orientation is determined. The position and/or the orientation of the printing heads (12) is adjusted based on the determined deviation. Moreover, a printing device (10) is provided.

Abstract: A method for fine adjustment of the position of ink drops printed by at least one printing head (12) of a printing device, the printing head (12) being a two-dimensional printing head (12) comprising a plurality of nozzles (30). In one method step, an ink drop is dispensed at a plurality of nozzles (30) of the at least one printing head (12) simultaneously to print an image, preferably at all nozzles (30) of the printing head (12). In another method step, the printed image is captured by a camera (20), wherein the camera (20) captures the pattern of dots printed by the printing head (12) and the captured pattern is compared to a pattern (36) of the nozzles (30) of the printing head (12).

Abstract: A sheet processing machine (10) with a jam detection device (44, 46), the jam detection device (44, 46) comprising a light emitting element and a light receiving element forming a light barrier in a detection zone (53, 78) of a processing station of the sheet processing machine (10). The jam detection device (44, 46) further comprises a control unit (48) being connected to the light receiving element and being adapted to register if the light barrier is interrupted.

Abstract: The invention relates to a suction brake for use with a sheet conveyor configured to convey a succession of flat elements in sheet form along a conveying path between a first location and a second location, the suction brake comprising: a hollow body having an interior cavity and a face that defines a plurality of suction apertures that communicate with the interior cavity; an obturator arrangement coupled to the hollow body and moveable with respect to the suction apertures; the obturator arrangement being moveable between an open position, in which the obturator arrangement exposes the suction apertures to a maximum extent, and a restricted position, in which the obturator arrangement occludes the suction apertures to a maximum extent. The obturator may rotate or be linearly translated in moving between the open and restricted positions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stacker module (28) for a folder-gluer machine (1). The stacker module comprises a loading surface (90) configured to receive a plurality of folding boxes and to descend vertically as the number of folding boxes on the loading surface increases, and a linearly movable ejector (76) configured to be moved from a retracted position (RP) to an extended position (DP).The stacker further comprises an upper guide (110), configured to move between a clearing position (CP) which is vertically distant from the upper surface of the stack, and a guiding position (GP), in which the upper guide is located closer to the upper surface of the stack, and wherein the upper guide is in the guiding position when the ejector is moved from the retracted position to the evacuation position.

Abstract: A sheet material processing unit (10) is described. It comprises an upper tool (18) and a lower tool (14), wherein the upper tool (18) and the lower tool (14) are configured to interact with each other in order to process sheet material (26). Furthermore, a camera unit (40) is provided which is arranged such that it is able to simultaneously capture a portion of the upper tool (18) comprising a first opening (28) and a portion of the lower tool (14) lying behind the first opening (28) for aligning the tools (14, 18). The sheet material processing unit (10) additionally comprises a first and a second set of light sources which are distinct from one another and are configured for subsequently illuminating the portions to be captured. Moreover, methods for assessing an alignment of the upper tool (18) with respect to the lower tool (14) and with respect to the sheet material (26) are presented.