Procedure and device for the definition of the spatial process of a connecting piece of a promotion course for flat of articles, folded printing products, preferably a shed stream.

[0001] During the processing of newspapers or comparable printing products the printing sheet in the course of the subsequent treatment, coming from the printer, frequently in folded form as shed stream from a processing station to the next are transported or in storage facilities in form of a Wickels buffered. Since resounds the different processing stations and storage facilities in a larger are distributed arranged, the promoted shed stream must usually on different levels and in changing directions transports werden.

During the transition between different levels and/or directions the shed stream space curves more or less goes through, depending upon arrangement disturbing itself on the shed stream auswirken.

In Fig. 1 is shown an exemplary configuration of a promotion device 20 for a shed stream 23, with which toward the arrows promoted shed stream 23 in one level a 180°-Wende goes through, which is obtained on the basis of an even, linear promotion course 21 through, an even, semicircular piece of curve of 22 (for the sake of simplicity is in the Fig. 1 no continuous shed stream drawn, but only short sections of the shed stream). Within the piece of curve of 22 must the individual printing sheet 24 of the shed stream 23 against each other rotate, in order to be able to follow the curve. Such a twist is to a large extent unproblematic, and from the state of the art the necessary means are well-known, in order to bring the shed stream after going through the piece of curve back into the desired regular form. If one above the other the printing sheet 24 lying in the shed stream to together stick or on other way are prevented from the free mutual relocatability or if the means do not work for reforming the shed stream accurately come it to irregularities in the shed stream, those at following processing steps of problems up to production interruptions erzeugen.

Straight ones however in the cases, buffered in which the shed stream becomes in the form of firmly rolled up roles, can cling those to printing sheet, in particular due to the used printing inks, together. The turn the individual printing sheet is against each other handicapped, like this in Fig. 1 for the printing sheet 24a and 24b are suggested, come it to disturbances in the shed stream 23, which can lead to irregularities up to an interruption of the promotion and cause thus losses of production and time-consuming resumption procedures. For this reason already in former times one suggested (WO-A1-94/02 398), doing after destaging of shed stream from memory winding units curves generally and the shed stream without straight paging distances up to the next processing station too führen.

During the retrofit to existing plants or the production or integration of new printing subsequent treatment plants into existing production halls however often particularly cramped space conditions, so that the position of individual components cannot to each other be selected freely, prevail but are given. The appropriate routes of transportation between the individual plant parts must to be adapted on these defaults and left only in the rarest cases freely to select itself. A renouncement of curves in the route of transportation of the shed stream stands in the conflict with this Vorgaben.

From the conditions of the technology different devices are well-known for turning back product streams, which follow usually simple geometry. Thus for example in the sheet promoter from US 4,078,489 printing sheets in a sheet turning apparatus are turned at the same time around 180° and their transportation direction around 90° is turned back. In the halfcylindrical turning apparatus the sheets follow the lateral surface of a circular cylinder and according to the diameter of this cylinder of a first promotion level after a second promotion level are essentially raised. The position of the Beoder processing stations in particular the angle position to each other is by the sheet promoter vorbestimmt.

From the EP-A1-242 865 a device is for changing the promotion direction by schuppenförmig lying on top of one another, at least two-layered paper products descriptive those it permits the formation of the paper products, i.e. the shed stream to turn back invariably in another direction and if necessary to turn the individual paper products. The paper products are clamped and are screw-shaped at least partly turned and angularly to the supply direction led thereby in a Zwangsführung formationsfest. The Zwangsführung covers the paper products from above in accordance with remark examples or conveyor attacking down, which runs again on a schraubengangförmigen Zwangsführung. The Zwangsführung is formed by a multiplicity of roles, which are located on a stationarily fastened circle-cylindrical roller carrier. The paper products are noted by the restraint in the Zwangsführung in such a way with the guidance around the turning axle that the formation firmness is ensured. Also in accordance with the device the EP-AI-242865 defines thus clearly only one turning axle, which determines the position of the work stations which can be connected to each other. The angle of the screw-shaped Zwangsführung between the Zuund Abförderer must be twice as large, like the angle between the turning axle and the Zuführer.

From the two writings general construction principle becomes clear, which the well-known genericsame devices follow in accordance with the conditions of the technology. The bed of the printing products or the shed stream along a material trained or an imaginary cylinder around a turning axle turned back whereby the bed a screw form within the lateral surface of a meant cylinder assumes. A multiplicity of guiding roles is arranged in each case along this spiral curve and leads the products directly or a conveyor on that the products put down sind.

Both the renouncement of curved promotion sections as well as the use of the well-known, above descriptive “spiral promoters” between differently oriented straight promotion sections limits the possibilities of the configuration of transport systems for shed stream in the printing subsequent treatment substantially and prevents often space-saving and individually adapted solutions. In practice the adjustment of the latter “spiral promoters”, who from the beginning a certain, turns out by the turning axle and the infinite cylinder given area cam shape has, with the construction and then again before the start-up of a plant as extremely labor intensive. In aufwändigen test series and in the cost-intensive test operation they must for each new plant iterative for the production enterprise adapted werden.

Thus the desire exists to be able to determine fast and flexibly the process of space curve-like connecting pieces over to a large extent at will oriented straight promotion sections of promotion devices, in particular for shed stream, interconnects too können.

To indicate it is from there task invention, procedures, with which fast and simply space geometry, i.e. the spatial process of a connecting piece, respectively a promotion section between two differently oriented straight or curved promotion sections by promotion devices for printing products, which are arranged isolated or in particular in a shed stream, to be determined it can in such a manner that which is certain again by distance and thickness of the products which can be promoted can go through the printing products, in particular the promoted shed stream, promoted on this connecting piece, the connecting piece troublefree. A further task of the invention a device is to be made available, those the disadvantages and restrictions of the well-known devices vermeidet.

The task becomes by a procedure in accordance with whole of the characteristics of the requirement 1 and by a device in accordance with whole of the characteristics of the requirement 11 gelöst.

Basic principles and preferential execution forms of the invention become following with reference to the enclosed designs erläutert.

Show:

Fig. 1 Fig. 2 Fig. 3 Fig. 4a Fig. 4b Fig.

Fig. 6 Fig. 7 Fig. 8 Fig. 9 Fig.

a plan view on a conveyer system by means of those is promoted a shed stream in the level around a 180° curve; a spatial process of a connecting piece in accordance with an execution form of the invention of which as section of a promotion device for example folded printing sheet in the shed stream of an intake with a first spatial orientation x, y, z to a discharge with a second spatial orientation x', y', z' promotes, whereby the printing products are not drawn in as arrows and the promotion direction; a volume in accordance with an execution form of the invention with constant thickness; a volume in accordance with a further execution form of the invention with reduced thickness within a central range; a volume in accordance with a further execution form of the invention with reduced width within a central range; a perspective plan view on a linear completion of a connecting piece in accordance with an execution form of the invention; a side view on a linear completion of a connecting piece in accordance with a further execution form of the invention; a spatial process of a further connecting piece in accordance with an execution form of the invention which intake and discharge with an alternative space curve compared with Fig. 2 connects; a spatial process of a further connecting piece in accordance with an execution form of the invention of which aligned Einlaufund discharge blunt-angularly to each other connects, whereby the products are turned; a spatial process of a further connecting piece in accordance with an execution form of the invention of which for aligned intake and discharge pointed-angularly to each other connects, whereby the products are turned; and a cross section by a connecting piece in accordance with an execution form of the available Erfindung.

With the procedure according to invention for determining the spatial process of a connecting piece, which carries folded printing sheet as section of a promotion device flat of articles, in particular, preferably in a shed stream of an intake with a first spatial orientation to a discharge with a second spatial orientation, neighbouring printing sheet becomes against each other in the promotion level a volume from a material with given material properties as well as given length the reduction or complete avoidance of a relative motion, in particular a twist and/or a shift, (I), width (B) and thickness (D) it is presupposed that this volume with its ends is attached direction in each case to the intake and the discharge, and that itself due to the material properties and geometry of the volume adjusting spatial process of the volume as spatial process of the connecting piece, preferably a conveyor and particularly prefers a propelled conveyor of the connecting piece taken wird.

For determining the process of the connecting piece the volume is attached to intake and discharge and observes which adjustment in the area the developing loop - in the following also Looping mentioned - annimmt.

It can be assumed according to invention geometry of the Loopings resulting from the procedure is based on a minimization of the deformation energy. The volume minimizes the mechanical stress, whereby itself the potential gradient during the moment demand of the bend over the entire length of the volume and over the cross section at all points minimiert.

The such optimization of space geometry prevents, related to a shed stream unwanted relative motions between the transported products. The relative motion knows thereby a twist in addition, a translatorische shift along Längsund/or the transverse axis of the products or an overlaid movement from both aforementioned ones sein.

The devices, those in accordance with the new procedure are designed make the connection possible of arbitrarily to each other aligned linear transportation sections and permit a troublefree enterprise also with high conveying speeds like them within the high speed range necessarily sind.

The optimized process direction in the area, those the volume after clamping between intake and discharge does not take must for the production of the promotion device be compelling. The printing products which can be promoted become with above descriptive turns, respectively with promoting from the even surface usually by means of further volumes to prevent belts or roles clamped around a force of gravity-conditioned relative motion. With the use of such clamping volumes or - belt is favourable it to let these attack at the exterior the Looping and at the same time a continuous convex curvature, i.e. by training of a loop without changes of direction of rotation to plan. The clamping volumes or - belts can be stretched thereby very simply and it can without additional supporting, Führungsoder tensioning arrangements be done completely or to a large extent or their number and dimensioning can be at least strongly reduced. By the procedure according to invention not only the unwanted relative motions between the products are minimized or completely avoided in the transport device manufactured in accordance with the procedure, but also unwanted relative motions between the products and the additional supporting, Führungsoder tensioning arrangements are minimized or completely avoided. In practice this brings with setting up and setting-up of the plants extremely valuable saving of time with itself and besides an uneven wear of these structures avoided, what the service lives and the intervals between maintenance work erhöht.

In accordance with first preferred execution form of the available invention the connecting piece which can be manufactured with the help of a material broad strip one designs. Thereby, preferably in the original yardstick, Einund discharge are developed on the basis the default of the working on stations and/or conveyer systems which can be connected positionsfest and clamped between both a broad strip, break-free. If the broad strip with a beginning attached to the intake and with an end is to the discharge and affect - apart from the force of gravity, which is to be neglected under normal conditions - no more outside forces the volume, then it arranges itself like previous descriptive in the area in a way out that the tensions are minimized within the volume. As volume becomes in preferential execution forms as in the Fig. 3 represented a broad strip 14, particularly prefers from a spring steel, verwendet.

Volumes from other bendable materials with flexible material behavior leave themselves likewise einsetzen.

As soon as the volume in the favourable space curve aligned itself, it is measured. In addition it can be scanned mechanically with a three-dimensional sensor or it with suitable means, for example with a fine point sample, is marked and afterwards a laser profile optically preferably scanned. The so produced data record is read in a CAD program and forms the basis for the construction of the construction units necessary for the production of the device such as roles, role owner, support flanges and dergleichen.

As in the Fig. represented the broad strip 14 points 3 in favourable simple variants a constant thickness D auf.

How it already implemented above as favourable proven, if in the process of the Loopings, but in particular immediately after the intake and before the discharge no substantial changes of direction to take place. The connection of the broad strip takes place at the front side at intake and discharge and essentially direction or tangential regarding spatial orientation x, y, z the same. In the following is to be spoken of a tangential connection, since intake and discharge lie preferably in each case in even surfaces, in addition, bent in promotion direction symmetrically its können.

A simple solution around the tangential connection to reach lies in accordance with the available invention in the fact that the used broad strip 14 ", as in the Fig. 4a represented over the length I a variable thickness d', in particular a central section with reduced thickness d', exhibits. This simple measure of the reduction of the thickness d' within the central range increased here the degrees of the pliancy and leads to the fact that the two final ranges 14a, 14b of the sheet metal 14 clamped between Einund discharge are less strongly expenditure-steered " in relation to the thinner central site and contribute to the fact that itself the favourable process within the range Einund of the discharge, specified above, automatically einstellt.

This effect Iässt also by the use of a volume 14” with reduced width b' in particular into a central section reach themselves, like it in the Fig. 4b is suggested. If the effect is to be still strengthened, then leave themselves also volumes began, those by a simultaneous reduction of width and thickness modifies sind.

While in the procedure descriptive above a material volume 14 with given characteristics is used and the adjusting process is instrumentation removed and used for the design of the connecting piece, it proved as extremely efficient to determine the spatial process of the volume exclusively computationally and these data for the design of the connecting piece too verwenden.

It was shown that by the employment of a virtual volume crucially it shortens the development time for connecting pieces, which must be usually individually designed again and improves space geometry again Iässt.

The computational determination of the process takes place in accordance with preferential execution variants according to the method of the finite elements (FEM).

The necessary parameters for the FEM computation of the Looping Raumgeometrie can at the beginning of the construction simply into appropriate windows of a suitable computation program like for example MATLAB (matrix LABoratory) of the company The MathWorks, Inc. are entered around the deformation to compute. After conclusion of the computation of space geometry for example CATIA (computer Aided Three dimensionally Interactive Application, a CAD program of the French company Dassault of system) can be computed fast and efficiently the building groups needed for the device such as supporting rollers, roller carriers, lateral supporting sheet metals and further elements of a support frame and the data records necessary for production generieren.

by the delivery of these data to a preferential CAD program, In the Fig. 6 is in a side view strongly schematizes a simplified connecting piece in linear completion represented, which can be designed with the help of the procedure according to invention. On a mounting rail 18 a majority of roller carriers 19 is arranged, which carry a supporting roller 16 in each case. The supporting rollers 16 carry the conveyor 17, on which the products which can be promoted lie, for example printing products P in the shed stream. Over the products P with the promotion in curved sections in relation to the conveyor and to fix to each other additionally a pressing volume 33 is intended, that the products in the Fig. downward against the conveyor drückt.

The device according to invention is not linear in the level aligned actually, like this for the sake of simplicity in the Fig. is outlined, but it runs curved in the area. Optimal geometry of the space curvature, respectively the interpretation of the entire carrying construction 16, 18, 19 is not determined directly now, but in accordance with the invention an indirect beginning is selected. How already described above, will the curvature behavior of a volume is preferably observed, a broad strip and on the basis of the automatically taken optimal space curve the necessary data for the production of the device are measured or computed. The curvature of the broad strip preferably gives thereby space geometry of the conveyor to 17 vor.

Basis of the FEM computation is thus a flat sheet metal, like it schematically for example in the Fig. 3 is represented. The sheet metal has thereby in accordance with the available execution form of the invention not only a length I and a width a b, but also a thickness D. If a connecting piece is to be manufactured, then Einlaufund discharge coordinates must be entered. In preferential execution forms still the accuracy of the computation is specified over segmenting, i.e. over the number of intermediate points. Besides Iässt itself in a further preferential execution form the distance A between the role axles, respectively the number of desired roles vorgeben.

In a first computation step the virtual sheet metal is bent upward or down. This is made by the attachment of one moment, whereby it is possible for the specialist without inventive in addition doing a suitable abort criterion to select. Related to the representation of the Fig. bending the sheet metal corresponds to 2, 7, 8 and 9 downward a deflection toward y/y'.

In a next step the vertical twist is made by the starting position z for end position z', whereby again a suitable abort criterion with this and that in the following described step selected wi rd.

In a third step the torsion of the end of 14b of the metal strip takes place in relation to its initial range 14a around the neutral fiber 15 respectively around the space axis x'. from in such a manner computed data to volume geometry a virtual laser profile will be provided, that for example in the way described above for the construction of the necessary elements continued to use kann.

Into the Fig. 2 and 7 is - strongly schematically - two different spatial processes one connecting piece each 13, 31, which as section for example folded pressing sheet brings 10 to a promotion device in the shed stream of the intake 11 with a first spatial orientation x, y, z to the discharge 12 with a second spatial orientation x', y', z'. Both processes guarantee that the integrity of the shed stream which can be promoted remains protected and it does not come to unwanted relative motions of the products among themselves. With both execution variants is besides the reel length to be alike, so that no difference exists regarding the route of transportation. Where the two variants differ however strongly are the direction of rotation of the space curve, respectively the absence of a change of direction of rotation in the Looping construction in accordance with the Fig. 7. This form permits it not in the Fig. on the exterior of the loop by means of further likewise not drawn in volumes or belts clamped to fix and thus Schwerkraftund/or relative motion centrifugal force-caused represented shed stream with promoting to prevent. These pressing volumes or - belts can be advanced and remained shortly after the intake 11 to the conveyor of the Loopings 31 tangential in the strained condition due to geometry of the Wendeschleife without further aids at the shed stream up to the discharge. Here the additional adjustment of the shed stream is no longer necessary, since the printing products are appropriate for the top side of the conveyor and the shed stream is stabilized by the force of gravity already alone. The preferably endless clamping volumes or - belts can after reaching this product position away from the products turned back and to the intake range led back werden.

For an arrangement in accordance with the Fig. 2 can speak however spatial conditions, those for example in accordance with the construction the Fig. 7 do not permit. It occurs regularly that the optimal route of transportation is not verunmöglicht by before-existing constructions like for example basic parts of the production hall, adjustable Bearbeitungsoder conveyer systems or by important supply lines. Such conditions can lead to geometry, like them paint-lined in the Fig. 1 is drawn in. The connecting piece 13 could around an before-existing, not in the Fig. represented grip arm promoter led around its. The metal strip according to invention may not look for each other now any optimal process in the area, but it must evade to the obstacle. With such complex processes it has as favourable proved the space curve which can be provided either to subdivide and intermediate surfaces give, some Hilfseinund discharge to define or an outside Kraft at the metal strip attack let, it on an appropriate alternate course zwingt.

Into the Fig. 8 and 9 is outlined two execution forms of connecting pieces according to invention, with which intake 11 and the discharges 12 " and 12” are in such a manner connected with one another that the promoted printing products in the process of the connecting pieces are turned around 180°. For example if the headline of a folded Hauptproduktes lies above in the range of the intake, then the represented execution forms cause that these in the shed stream, if it leaves the connecting piece within the range of the discharge down liegt.

From the Fig. it is evident to 5 and 10 that - as into the Fig. 7, 8 and 9 suggested - the width Rb of the conveyor is preferably ever narrower than the width of the products which can be transported. In the shed stream lying products P one above the other are in the cross section representation in accordance with the Fig. 10 between a conveyor with a under-lateral Führungssteg 35 and a pressing volume 33 wedging held. The products P tower above the conveyor clearly in both sides, so that it proved in particular to the transport of products with small rigidity or in the case of the transport of isolated products as favourable support flanges 34 in the peripheral page ranges to arrange. The support flanges are essentially CO-planar arranged to the conveyor and beabstandet of this. They prevent a Herabhängen of the lateral edges of product force of gravity-caused in the represented example, which could lead to disturbances. Support flanges can within ranges, within which the edges of product are bent upward by attacking centrifugal forces, alternatively or additionally also above the product stream arranged werden.

In accordance with the conveyor the Fig. 10 is with a under-lateral Führungssteg 35 provided, which intervenes in a corresponding guide groove 36 of the supporting roller 16 ". Führungssteg 35 and guide groove 36 hold the propelled conveyor in the ideal position at the role and prevent a lateral slipping. From the represented cross section it does not follow that the conveyor and the passively running along pressing belt 33 in complex space geometry run. The pressing belt 33 runs thereby at the exterior of a convex curvature, so that it must be compellingly longer than that far conveyor running inside. The strained pressing belt is preferably without additional control devices alone held of the optimized spatial process in position in accordance with the available invention in the range of the cooperation with the carrying volume, obtained over the between-lying products. As in the Fig. 7 suggested the pressing belt can follow thereby complex space curves with high speeds without slipping to be feared would be, there it itself in the optimal tension-poorest position exactly over the conveyor stabilized and hält.

In the Fig. it is schematically represented 5 that the printing products P which can be transported can be pressed in place of a pressing belt also by round belts against the conveyor 17. The distance of the roles of 16 to each other can in accordance with the procedure according to invention varied and already with the computation given werden.

The decrease of the number of roles lowers the production costs, leads however to an increasing deviation from optimal geometry of the connecting piece. If the number of roles is too strongly reduced, then it comes to detours with small radii, which are not desired. With the devices according to invention the number of roles is in such a way optimized and in connection with it the role diameter that geometry with consideration of the manufacturing costs, determined in the procedure, is copied as exactly as possible. With remark examples with a role diameter from 30 to 40 mm the distance between the individual roles will amount to at least one role diameter, preferably however on 100 to 150 mm, particularly prefers 100 to 120 mm festgelegt.

It is a substantial aspect of the available invention that geometry of the connecting pieces according to invention can be optimized in such a manner freely that the axles of the individual roles do not lie any longer CO-axially to a turning axle in the lateral surface of a cylinder or parallel to it arranged its müssen.

In accordance with more preferentially, in the figures of not represented execution forms also the conveyor is trained freely of guidance means. According to invention optimized the process makes possible it without additional structures for the lateral guidance of the transportation volumes to do, since such a smooth conveyor does not run also when going through complex space curves any longer laterally from the supporting rollers. Accordingly can be done also with the roles without the guide grooves, which to a cost saving with the production of transportation volumes and roles führt.

The devices in accordance with the available invention cover execution forms with those to the increase of the power transmission pinchrolls and conveyor are interlocked. Additionally to teeth previous descriptive management structures at volume and roles can intended sein.

The guidance of smooth volumes Iässt itself in accordance with further execution forms by the employment of spherical guiding roles verbessern.

Reference symbol list 10, 12, 12 ", 12 " 13, 13 " 14, 14 ", 14 " 14a, 14b 16, 16 " 24, 24a, 24b 31.31 " A b D b' promotion device intake discharge connecting piece broad strip tape end neutral fiber supporting roller conveyor mounting rail roller carrier promotion course Ku rvenstück shed stream printing sheet (e.g. folded) connecting piece pressing volume, pressing belt support flange Führungssteg guide groove distance width length thickness reduced width D X, X y, y " Z, Z " P Rb reduced thickness first direction in space second direction in space third direction in space of printing products width of the conveyor