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: The invention relates to a stacking device (10) for placing sheet-shaped elements (P) in stacks in a forming machine (1), said stacking device (10) comprising: a movable stacking surface (11), and an actuating device (12) for moving stacking surface (11): between a retracted position and a vertical forward position in a reciprocating back-and-forth motion for stacking sheets, and between the retracted position and a stowed position to open an access to the stack of sheet-shaped elements (P), characterized in that the actuator (12) comprises cam means configured to move the stacking surface (11) upwardly in the retracted position, in a raised position to be located above the top of the sheet stack. The invention also relates to a machine forming sheet-shaped elements comprising at least one such stacking device.

Abstract: A sheet pile supporting assembly (24) for a sheet material processing machine is presented. It comprises a plurality of sheet pile supporting bars (28) and a movable guiding means for selectively moving one or more of the sheet pile supporting bars (28) from a retracted position to an extended position. Additionally, an automatic selection unit (30) is provided for automatically selecting the sheet pile supporting bars (28) to be moved to the extended position and for coupling the selected sheet pile supporting bars (28) to the movable guiding means. Moreover, a method for operating a sheet pile supporting assembly (24) for a sheet material processing machine is explained.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stacking device (10) for placing sheet-shaped elements (P) in stacks in a forming machine (1), said stacking device (10) comprising: a movable stacking surface (11), and an actuating device (12) for moving stacking surface (11): between a retracted position and a vertical forward position in a reciprocating back-and-forth motion for stacking sheets, and between the retracted position and a stowed position to open an access to the stack of sheet-shaped elements (P), characterized in that the actuator (12) comprises cam means configured to move the stacking surface (11) upwardly in the retracted position, in a raised position to be located above the top of the sheet stack. The invention also relates to a machine forming sheet-shaped elements comprising at least one such stacking device.

Abstract: The invention relates to an inspection device (6) for inspecting sample blanks (P) for a processing machine (1) for processing elements in sheet form, the processing machine (1) comprising a plurality of work stations (300, 400, 500, 600) including at least one waste removal station (600) comprising a removal belt (93; 94), the inspection device (6) being characterized in that it comprises an optical monitoring device (7) configured to determine a fault with the quality of a sample of blanks (P) laid flat on the removal belt (93; 94). The present invention also relates to a waste removal station, a processing machine for processing elements in sheet form, and to a method for the quality control of sample blanks.

Abstract: The invention relates to an insert-sheet pick-up device (13) for an insert-sheet loading device (10) of a station for receiving copy (500). The pick-up device (13) includes a suction element (20) configured to pick up an insert sheet. The pick-up device (13) includes a pivoting axis (30) and at least one telescopic arm (33) including a proximal arm (33a), one end of which is fixed to the pivoting axis (30), and a distal arm (33b), able to move with respect to the proximal arm (33a), and one end of which is pivot-articulated to the suction element (20) to move the suction element (20) between a raised position and a lowered position according to a vertical movement of the suction element (20). Also, the invention also relates to an insert-sheet loading device, a copy-receiving station and a machine for processing elements in sheet form including the insert-sheet pick-up device.

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: The invention relates to an insert-sheet pick-up device (13) for an insert-sheet loading device (10) of a station for receiving copy (500). The pick-up device (13) includes a suction element (20) configured to pick up an insert sheet. The pick-up device (13) includes a pivoting axis (30) and at least one telescopic arm (33) including a proximal arm (33a), one end of which is fixed to the pivoting axis (30), and a distal arm (33b), able to move with respect to the proximal arm (33a), and one end of which is pivot-articulated to the suction element (20) to move the suction element (20) between a raised position and a lowered position according to a vertical movement of the suction element (20). Also, the invention also relates to an insert-sheet loading device, a copy-receiving station and a machine for processing elements in sheet form including the insert-sheet pick-up device.

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 slowing device includes a flexible slowing member that extends transversely to the trajectory of sheets being fed. The member is movable between at least two limit positions, one in which its trajectory encounters that of the sheets, the other in which the slowing member is moved aside from the trajectory of the sheets. A drive device moves the slowing member between its limit positions. The drive device for the slowing member includes a pneumatic actuator which acts on a linear cam that pivots about a transverse shaft. A roller rolls along the surface of the linear cam. The roller and the slowing member are supported by a support that pivots about a transverse shaft.

Abstract: A slowing device includes a flexible slowing member that extends transversely to the trajectory of sheets being fed. The member is movable between at least two limit positions, one in which its trajectory encounters that of the sheets, the other in which the slowing member is moved aside from the trajectory of the sheets. A drive device moves the slowing member between its limit positions. The drive device for the slowing member includes a pneumatic actuator which acts on a linear cam that pivots about a transverse shaft. A roller rolls along the surface of the linear cam. The roller and the slowing member are supported by a support that pivots about a transverse shaft.