Abstract: A module (M) for a machine (100) for processing flat objects having a support structure (1, 2, 3, 4) above which the flat objects are transported along a given transport path. The module includes a discharge system for such objects, the discharge system is capable of discharging any flat object which falls below the transport path.

Abstract: A chain tensioner (50; 500) for a conveying device (70) of a machine (1; 1?) for processing elements in the form of sheets (10), the conveying device (70) includes two lateral chain sets connected to the ends of transverse gripper bars (75) able to grasp the elements (10) and at least one chain-guiding device (90) configured to guide a respective chain set (80); the chain tensioner (50; 500) includes: an actuator (9) controlled by a control unit (8), a movable support (11), a transmission element (12) borne by the movable support (11), a rotary element (13) rotated by the actuator (9) and cooperating with the transmission element (12) in order to exert a thrust force on the movable support (11), the rotary element (13) being rotatable, to adjust the tension of the chain set (80). The actuator (9) is controlled in synchronism with the machine angle (MA). A machine (1; 1?) for processing elements and a method for tensioning the chain sets (80) of the conveying device (70) are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for checking the quality of a product (1) comprising at least two cardboard portions (2) connected to each other such that a slot (10) extends between the cardboard portions from one side of the product (1) to the opposite side, with the slot (10) being expected to extend perpendicularly with respect to an outer edge of the product (1), comprising the steps of: capturing a 2D image of the slot (10) at one side of the product (1) and of the slot at the opposite side of the product, analyzing the images so as to recognize the slot (10), comparing the positions of the slot of one product at the opposite sides, making a determination whether or not a difference between the positions is within a predefined range of tolerance.

Abstract: This invention discloses a very compact play-free bearing unit. The bearing runs without play while having a reasonably large play when assembling and disassembly the bearing unit from its axle. The bearing unit uses three bearings, one of which is mobile, and thanks to a preloading mechanism the play is removed when loaded. Thanks to an amplification lever, the preloading unit is able to function either with a pneumatic actuator or with a hydraulic actuator.

Abstract: A register (20; 60) for a processing machine (1) for processing plate-like elements (10) includes a gripping element (21; 22) for placing the plate-like elements (10) in a gripper bar (31) of a conveyor (30) of a processing machine (1) conveying the plate-like elements (10) in a longitudinal direction, an actuator module (201, 202) to drive the gripping element (21; 22), at least one front correction sensor module (7) configured to measure the front position of register marks (12a) printed on a front section of the plate-like element (10) grasped by the gripping element (21; 22).

Abstract: A creasing plate (24) for creasing a sheet (12) from paper, cardboard, carton, foil or a similar material, the creasing plate (24) consisting of plastically deformable material and comprising at least one creasing projection (26) formed from a plurality of small, plastically deformed areas which merge into each other so as to form the creasing projection (26).

Abstract: A tool-holder head for a carriage for transporting rotary tools of a unit for converting a flat substrate, which includes an upper port (29) and a lower port (30) arranged one above the other and intended to receive a front end of an upper rotary tool (10) and a front end of a lower rotary tool (11), respectively.

Abstract: A method for converting a flat substrate (W) in a station (3) for converting a flat substrate (W) that includes a rotary cutting unit (9) and at least one rotary deformation unit (7, 8) positioned upstream of the rotary cutting unit (9) in the direction of movement (L) of the flat substrate (W), the method including: determining the conversion parameters of the flat substrate (W), such as the deformation layout and cutting layout; choosing a sleeve (13) carrying a form for carrying out the deformation depending on the deformation layout; mounting the sleeve (13) on a mandrel (12) in the rotary deformation unit (7, 8); choosing the cutting tools (91, 92) depending on the cutting layout; mounting the cutting tools (91, 92) in the rotary cutting unit (9); and starting the conversion of the flat substrate (W).

Abstract: A device (10) for optically controlling a face (13) of a blank (12) has a vacuum conveyor (20) capable of transporting the blank (12) along a path of travel (15) and which includes a conveyor belt (22) having an apertured structure of which the conveying path follows the path of travel (15) of the blank (12). A suction device (40) is suitable for pressing the blank (12) against the conveyor belt (14). An inspection device (30) inspects the face (13) of the blank (12) during its conveyance by the vacuum conveyor (20). The inspection device is located on the side opposite the vacuum conveyor (20). The suction device (40) delimits three separate successive suction sections (41, 42, 43) along the path of travel (15), including a central suction section (42) that extends opposite the inspection device (30), an upstream suction section (41) and a downstream suction section (43).

Abstract: A detection system for detecting double sheets being supplied to a lateral positioning device (100) for a sheet element (20, 20?) in a sheet element processing machine. The machine has a drive system including a cam disk (174) and a cam follower lever (172). The detection system includes a detector lever (130) mounted so as to be displaceable between a sheet receiving position and a detection position. The detector lever (130) has a sheet sensing end (132) for engagement with an upper face of the sheet element (20, 20?) when being in the detection position, and a position detector end (133) for cooperating, when being in the detection position, with a position detector (140) adapted for generating a signal dependent on the thickness of the sheet element (20, 20?), and further includes a raising lever (170) for raising the sheet sensing end (132) of the detector lever (130). The raising lever (170) is mounted on the cam follower lever (172) of the sheet element processing machine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a creasing machine having a creasing tool (14, 20, 21), a counter element (22, 23) cooperating with the creasing tool, and a transportation system (10) for advancing sheets (12) through a creasing area between the creasing tool (14, 20, 21) and the counter element (22, 23), the creasing tool having a creasing plate (24) provided with at least one creasing projection (26), characterized in that the creasing projection (26) on the creasing plate is constituted by a plurality of small, plastically deformed areas which merge into each other so as to form the creasing projection (26). The invention also relates to a creasing plate (24) adapted for being used in a creasing machine according to any of the preceding claims, the creasing plate (24) being made from sheet metal and comprising at least one creasing projection (26) formed from a plurality of small, plastically deformed areas which merge into each other so as to form the creasing projection.

Abstract: A punching tool comprising a punch (42) and a die (46), in particular for manufacturing a creasing plate (24), the die having a straight recess (50) for accommodating material deformed by the punch (42), characterized in that the die (46) has an outer contour which extends, adjacent the open end of the recess (50), at an angle of less than 90° with respect to the longitudinal direction of the recess (50).

Abstract: The conveyor comprises two single-transport-belt conveyor subassemblies (42AL, 42AH) arranged facing each other symmetrically relative to a pinching plane of the conveyor (42A), two sets of rollers (423L, 423H) incorporated in the two conveyor subassemblies and distributed on either side of the pinching plane. A first set of rollers (423L) guides a belt (420AL) of the first conveyor subassembly and a second set of rollers (423H) guides a belt (420AH) of the second conveyor subassembly. The conveyor subassemblies comprise sets of vertically arranged jacks (424L, 424H) which are associated with the sets of rollers, each of the rollers being mounted on a dedicated respective jack.

Abstract: A method for production of a female embossing tool (6) intended for embossing a sheet element (60): provide a female embossing tool (6) with an outer layer (44) made of a material with shape-memory type properties, and the outer face of the layer has no recesses; provide a male embossing tool (5, 5?) with an outer face with at least one protuberance corresponding to at least one desired embossing relief that is to be formed on the sheet element (60) after embossing; and cooperation of the male embossing tool (5, 5?) with the female embossing tool (6) such that the outer layer (44) of the female embossing tool (6) undergoes a plastic deformation which creates at least one recess (42, 42?) of a shape complementary to the protuberance(s) (41, 41?) of the male embossing tool (5, 5?).

Abstract: A method for supplying plate elements to a machine for processing the plate elements, from an initial pile of elements, the method includes: pushing a first batch of plate elements, from the top of the pile, downstream until the first batch comes at a storage capable of storing the first pushed batch, and simultaneously, displacing the storage downstream over a distance corresponding to the length of the first batch to separate the first batch from the pile; and thereafter transferring the elements of the first batch one after the other to the machine.

Abstract: A quality control station (2) for a sheet element processing machine, having at least one camera (6) arranged for capturing images of sheet elements (4) transported through the quality control station (2), and further having an illumination unit (5) with at least one light emitter (16) and two reflectors (12, 14), the illumination unit (5) directing light onto a viewing area of the camera (6) such that the illumination intensity is constant despite changing media thickness. An illumination unit for such quality control station is disclosed.

Abstract: An insert sheet loading device (10) comprising a movable carriage (12; 12?) for inserting insert sheets into a receiving area (2) of a blank-receiving station (500). The movable carriage (12; 12?) has a plurality of longitudinal bars (27a, 27b). At least one longitudinal bar (27a) has a suction channel (35) leading out, via at least one suction opening (30), onto the surface of the longitudinal bar (27a) for receiving an insert sheet, the suction channel (35) is connected to a vacuum source (31) for holding, by suction, the insert sheet transported by the movable carriage (12; 12?). Also a blank-receiving station, a sheet-shaped element processing machine, and a method for transporting an insert sheet in a receiving area of a blank-receiving station are disclosed.

Abstract: An arrangement (100) for handling flat elements (202), in particular paper elements (202). A guiding structure (101) is provided, along which a flat element (202) is guidable and transportable along a transport direction (T). A hold-down element (102) is coupled to the guiding structure (101) for holding down the flat element (202) to the guiding structure (101). The hold-down element (102) has a support section (103) on which the flat element (202) is supportable. The hold-down element (102) extends along an extending direction (116) having a component perpendicular to the transport direction (T), wherein suction holes (104) are arranged along the extending direction (116). A suction unit (110) includes a suction opening (111) coupled to the suction holes (104) of the hold-down element (102), an air inlet (112) and an air outlet (113), wherein the suction unit (110) directs air from the air inlet (112) to the air outlet (113) for generating an air flow (114).

Abstract: A rotary-tool mandrel for a unit for converting a flat substrate, on which a sleeve (13) is intended to be fitted, the mandrel includes a cylindrical core (14), a peripheral wall (17) that is able to take up a rest position and a locking position by exerting a radial pressure on the sleeve (13) in order to lock it in position on the mandrel (12), a pressure fluid circuit (21) provided between the peripheral wall (17) and the cylindrical core (14) for exerting the radial pressure on the sleeve (13), and a cooling fluid circuit (24) for allowing a fluid to flow in the region of the cylindrical core (14) and for cooling the mandrel (12).

Abstract: A device (100) for cleaning a platen of a platen press (1), the platen press (1) has a lower and an upper platen (11, 12) of which at least one is movable towards the other. The device (100) includes a frame (110) having a base (172) defining a base plane substantially parallel to a surface on which the frame (110) is positioned, a lift member (120) arranged to the frame (110) such that a relative movement can be executed between the frame (110) and the lift member (120) in a direction substantially perpendicular to the base plane, a pneumatic lifting device (178) for moving the frame (110) relative to the lift member (120), and a rotating element (130) arranged on the lift member (120) and configured to rotate around an axis substantially parallel to the direction of relative movement between the frame (110) and the lift member (120).