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 invention relates to a gripper bar body for a gripper bar in a gripper carriage arrangement in a machine for treating sheet material, the gripper bar body being configured to carry gripper brackets for movement between sheet gripping and sheet releasing positions. The gripper bar body is formed as a hollow structure comprising at least two different materials, the two different materials comprising at least a metal material and a composite material and the at least two different materials being at least partly arranged in a superposed manner. The resulting bar has a better resistance to wear than the ones of the state-of-the-art.

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 invention relates to a gripper bar body for a gripper bar in a gripper carriage arrangement in a machine for treating sheet material, the gripper bar body being configured to carry gripper brackets for movement between sheet gripping and sheet releasing positions. The gripper bar body is formed as a hollow structure comprising at least two different materials, the two different materials comprising at least a metal material and a composite material and the at least two different materials being at least partly arranged in a superposed manner. The resulting bar has a better resistance to wear than the ones of the state-of-the-art.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an advance shaft transition apparatus for sheet processing equipment, which comprising: a plurality of advance shafts for feeding foils, the plurality of advance shafts being arranged along a horizontal direction; an advance shaft supporting frame, the advance shaft supporting frame supporting the ends of the advance shafts so that the advance shafts can freely rotate; and a lifting means, the lifting means is provided with a driving means and a transmission mechanism, the lifting means is connected to the advance shaft supporting frame to enable the advance shafts to move between a first position and a second position, at the first position, the advance shafts is operably rotated to feed the foil, and at the second position, the advance shafts being lifted up from the first position to leave a position where the foil can be fed.

Abstract: A machine for processing elements in sheet form, the machine having chainsets which move gripper bars for moving sheet elements through the machine. At least one tensioner device generates a tension force in the chainsets. The chainset tensioner device includes a drive member capable of generating a variable force, having an intensity dependent on the instantaneous production rate of the machine. Chainset wear is greatly reduced, and the life of the chainsets is lengthened considerably.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for placing plate-like elements (10) within a processing machine (1): the machine including a feeder (20) for placing the elements (10) in a plurality of gripping members (31) of a conveyor (30) in successive stations (3, 4, 5). The feeder (20) has a fixing device (21) for elements. The feeder (20) is driven by a computation and control unit (40). The method includes successive steps during advancement of each plate-like element (10) of measuring the longitudinal and angular placement error of the plate-like element (10) relative to a theoretical position, by detecting its front or rear edge, controlling the feeder (20) according to the measured placement errors, activating the fixing device (21) to attach the plate-like element (10) to the feeder (20), then measuring the longitudinal, the transverse and angular placement error of the plate-like element (10) attached to the feeder (20), relative to a theoretical position, by detecting register marks (12) printed on the element (10).

Abstract: A device 100 for unwinding foil to accumulate at least one stamping foil 20 upstream of an advance shaft 50. The device 100 includes two series 110, 120 of diverting elements 111, 121. One series is mobile relative to the other to define a foil circulation path of variable length. The mobile series moves between a close together position and a far apart position as the foil advances. A movement device 130 moves the mobile elements 110 as a function of a variable rotation speed difference between an advance shaft 50 of the foil that turns at variable speed and a rotary drive member 131 that turns at a constant speed substantially at the average rotation speed of the advance shaft 50. A transmission between the shaft 50 and the member 131 enables them to rotate at variable and constant speeds.

Abstract: A machine for processing elements in sheet form, the machine having chainsets which move gripper bars for moving sheet elements through the machine. At least one tensioner device generates a tension force in the chainsets. The chainset tensioner device includes a drive member capable of generating a variable force, having an intensity dependent on the instantaneous production rate of the machine. Chainset wear is greatly reduced, and the life of the chainsets is lengthened considerably.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for placing plate-like elements (10) within a processing machine (1): the machine including a feeder (20) for placing the elements (10) in a plurality of gripping members (31) of a conveyor (30) in successive stations (3, 4, 5). The feeder (20) has a fixing device (21) for elements. The feeder (20) is driven by a computation and control unit (40). The method includes successive steps during advancement of each plate-like element (10) of measuring the longitudinal and angular placement error of the plate-like element (10) relative to a theoretical position, by detecting its front or rear edge, controlling the feeder (20) according to the measured placement errors, activating the fixing device (21) to attach the plate-like element (10) to the feeder (20), then measuring the longitudinal, the transverse and angular placement error of the plate-like element (10) attached to the feeder (20), relative to a theoretical position, by detecting register marks (12) printed on the element (10).

Abstract: An auxiliary drive device for a machine for processing sheet-like articles. The machine comprises a feed table provided with at least one lower drive belt for transporting a layer of sheet-like articles. A frame of the drive device is arranged above the feed table of the processing machine. The frame supports at least one upper drive belt which cooperates with the lower drive belt(s) for transporting the layer of sheet-like articles by exerting a pressing and driving force on the upper surface of the layer. A mechanism drives the upper belt(s) in synchronism with the lower drive belt(s). A machine for processing sheet-like articles comprises a feed table provided with at least one lower drive belt for transporting a layer of sheet-like articles and comprises such an auxiliary drive device.

Abstract: A method for curvilinearly converting of web or sheet material by compression of the material between an upper table and a lower table. The tables are each connected to a respective supporting structure and operate conjointly on either side of the plane of travel of the material along a longitudinal axis. During the compression phase, there is a phase of essentially unidirectional intentional elastic deformation of a structure of one of the tables. The deformation increases and then decreases as the curvilinear surface of one table rolls past the other table, for providing generally more uniform compression as the surface rolls. An apparatus for the compression includes the structure described.

Abstract: A device for controlling delivery of sheets from a stack includes a lift for a stack of sheets. A sheet inserter removes sheets from the top of the stack to move them. A detector detects the front top level of the stack and measures the extent of variations in the level of the stack. A computer receives a measurement from the detector and acts on a first electric motor for the lift to raise the stack. A source of information connected to the computer relates to the supply frequency in real time and to the nominal thickness of the sheets. The computer output is connecting to a sheet supply frequency varying device for controlling the first motor to the lift. The computer is programmed so that the signal at its output is characteristic of the difference between the measured level of the stack and the calculated level thereof. An auxiliary supply device may support and raise the stack, based on the computer program, independently of the lift.

Abstract: The device comprises a lifting mechanism (1), a sheet-inserting means, means for detecting the front top level of the stack (32) connected to a computer acting on an electric motor (11) of the stack-lifting mechanism (1), and means for raising the stack (4). The detector (32) of the front level of the stack (4) comprises means for measuring the extent of variations in the level of the stack. The computer is also connected to a source of information (17) relating to the supply frequency in real time and to the nominal thickness of the sheets. The computer output is connected to a frequency-varying means for controlling the electric motor (11), the computer being designed so that the value of the signal appearing at its output is characteristic of the difference between the measured level of the stack (4) and the calculated level.

Abstract: The braking device comprises at least one flexible braking means (1) extending across the trajectory of the sheets (2) and mounted so as to pivot around a transverse axis (4) so that its trajectory around the axis intersects the trajectory of the sheets (2), the direction of rotation of the end of the flexible braking means (1) and intersecting the trajectory of the sheets (2) being opposite the direction of motion of the sheets, and also comprises drive means for pivoting the braking means (1) in dependence on the longitudinal dimensions of the sheets (2) and the frequency with which they pass. The means driving the braking means (1) around the transverse axis (4) comprise a variable-speed electromagnetic actuator (5) connected to control means which in real time record the parameters relating to the longitudinal dimension of the sheets and the frequency with which they pass.

Abstract: A sheet-processing machine operating in cycles, inter alia a shaping press, during which a cyclic excess air pressure is produced in a covered part of the machine, where the covered part has an opening (6) on the perimeter of which a diaphragm is fixed, the diaphragm being made of an elastic material which is substantially impermeable and resistant to the oil lubricating the machine (9). The diaphragm can be a fabric (3) substantially permeable to air and stretched on a frame (2) surrounding the opening (6).

Abstract: A delivery station for a converting press for paper or cardboard sheets having a transverse roller located downstream from the delivery area of a blanking station, and a movable carriage downstream from the roller. The carriage receives a plurality of bars that form a non-stop delivery rack. The carriage is guided for motion in the longitudinal direction by a transporting device. The transporting device, the transverse roller and the carriage are mounted on a vertically movable frame suspended on opposite sides by chains ran by a power source through a transmission shaft. The vertical run of the delivery rack is adjustable between a high position and a low position, the low position being determined by the length of the lower blanking tool joggers of the blanking station.

Abstract: A device for positioning a sheet element in a processing machine has a movable base, a shelf movable with and relative to the movable base, and actuators which are operative to controllably displace the shelf relative to the movable base in such a manner that a front edge of the sheet element engaged by the shelf is stopped in a predetermined position.

Abstract: Delivery station for a converting press for paper or carboard sheets with a transverse roller located downstream from the delivery area and a movable carriage downstream from the aforesaid roller (18), being able to receive a plurality of bars so as to form a non-stop blanking delivery rack, the aforesaid carriage being guided by a carrying device (4, 5) in longitudinal direction; the carrying device and the transverse roller are assembled in a vertically movable frame (1) suspended on both sides by chains (24) run by only one motor (19) through a transmission shaft (22); the vertical run of the delivery rack is adjustable between a high position and a low position, the low position being determined by the length of the lower blanking tool joggers.

Abstract: The device comprises a lifting mechanism (1), a sheet-inserting means, means for detecting the front top level of the stack (32) connected to a computer acting on an electric motor (11) of the stack-lifting mechanism (1), and means for raising the stack (4). The detector (32) of the front level of the stack (4) comprises means for measuring the extent of variations in the level of the stack. The computer is also connected to a source of information (17) relating to the supply frequency in real time and to the nominal thickness of the sheets. The computer output is connected to a frequency-varying means for controlling the electric motor (11), the computer being designed so that the value of the signal appearing at its output is characteristic of the difference between the measured level of the stack (4) and the calculated level.