Abstract: The invention concerns a process and a system for the digital printing of printed publications, for the flexible production, on demand, of a single publication or small series of publications. The process of the invention is an automated process for the manufacture of at least one publication printed from at least one sheet, comprising the steps wherein: a plurality of pages (1, 4, 5, 8) of the publication is printed (A) on the sheet (10) that is moved through a series of stations wherein, subsequently, the sheet (10) is folded (C) in half perpendicular to the direction of travel; the folded sheet (10) is pivoted (D) by 90° with respect to the direction of travel, and the edges (18, 19) of the folded sheet are trimmed to obtain separate, superposed leaves (16, 17).

Abstract: The invention concerns an automated method for manufacturing printed publications, for the flexible production, on demand, of a single publication or small series of publications. To this end, an automated method is proposed for the production of printed publications, each consisting of a content block (425) and a cover (426), according to which: the feasibilities of manufacturing the content blocks (425) of the publications are determined (414), an order of priority is established for the manufacture of the publications, the covers (426) to be assembled with the content blocks are manufactured, the manufacture of the content blocks (425) is ordered according to descending order of priority subject to feasibility, which takes precedence over manufacturing priority, and the content blocks (425) are assembled with the corresponding covers (426).

Abstract: A method of and a device for controlling the orientation and the alignment of individual sheets of paper travelling on a sheet conveyor are provided. Each sheet passes over a pair of closely spaced rotating disks inserted between upstream and downstream sheet conveyor sections. Each sheet is locally engaged with each disk in a limited contact area. The contact areas between the sheet and each disk are varied so as to achieve a target orientation or alignment of the sheet.

Abstract: A method of and a device for controlling the orientation and the alignment of individual sheets of paper travelling on a sheet conveyor are provided. Each sheet passes over a pair of closely spaced rotating disks inserted between upstream and downstream sheet conveyor sections. Each sheet is locally engaged with each disk in a limited contact area. The contact areas between the sheet and each disk are varied so as to achieve a target orientation or alignment of the sheet.

Abstract: To produce a desired sheet orientation between upstream and downstream positions of a sheet path along which sheets travel successively in a predetermined sheet travel direction, each sheet is driven uniformly along the path with an intermediate phase in which the sheet is driven differentially to rotate the sheet without changing its velocity component in the sheet travel direction. If the sheet has a skew or an offset error, the amount of rotation and its starting point are adjusted appropriately to compensate for both.

Abstract: A finishing machine is proposed for printed sheets delivered individually in rapid succession by a reproduction machine such as a printing press or a copier. The machine renders possible the manufacture in a production line in a completely automatic manner of brochures, leaflets or booklets without trimming edges. The machine comprises as its main part a station for takeover of the delivered sheets; a device for controlled retardation of the sheets received from the takeover station; a station for horizontal stacking of the retarded stacks; a mechanism for the alignment of the stacked sheets; a device for gripping the stack of aligned sheets a device for pivoting of the gripped stack from a horizontal position to an on-edge position; and a device for encasing the stack in a cover.

Abstract: To turn through 90.degree. sheets passing at a rapid rate over a roller conveyor in a horizontal plane, a device is proposed which comprises a pair of rollers entrained in rotation at different speeds and spaced apart from each other and from a longitudinal guide on the conveyor transversely with respect thereto. Each of the rollers has its rotation axis inclined with respect to the normal on this guide, by a specified angle which is greater for the roller which is closest to the guide and the rotation speed of which is the smaller. Each of the rollers has its periphery in contact with a support ball or with the lower face of a sheet during its passage, substantially in said transport plane.

Abstract: To compensate for sheet registration errors and to produce a desired target sheet offset between upstream and downstream positions of a sheet path along which sheets travel successively in a predetermined sheet travel direction, each sheet is driven along the path in at least three successive phases, i.e. a first phase in which the sheet is driven differentially to rotate the sheet in a first direction, a second phase in which the sheet s driven uniformly in the sheet travel direction, and a third phase in which the sheet is driven differentially with a driving velocity versus time profile opposite to that in the first phase, to rotate the sheet in a second direction opposite the first direction. If the sheet has a skew error, an intermediate phase in which the sheet is driven differentially with a driving velocity versus time profile dertmined to correct for the detected skew error, is nested in the second phase.

Abstract: A finishing machine is proposed for printed sheets delivered individually in rapid succession by a reproduction machine such as a printing press or a copier. The machine renders possible the manufacture in a production line in a completely automatic manner of brochures, leaflets or booklets without trimming edges. The machine comprises as its main part a station for takeover of the delivered sheets; a device for controlled retardation of the sheets received from the take-over station; a station for horizontal stacking of the retarded stacks; means for the alignment of the stacked sheets; a device for gripping the stack of aligned sheets a device for pivoting of the gripped stack from a horizontal position to an on-edge position; and a device for encasing the stack in a cover.

Abstract: In order to make it unnecessary to shift a finishing machine (12) out of a position adjacent to a printing or copying machine (10) the invention provides a transfer device for sets of sheets leaving the printing or copying machine (10) for the set finishing machine (12). The printing or copying machine (10) comprises a door (14) with an ejection opening for the sets and the said finishing machine (12) possesses an inlet side opposite such opening, such door (14) opening toward the inlet side of the finishing machine (12).