EP1504860A1 - Method and device for trimming laterally edges of printed products - Google Patents

Abstract

An assembly trims the outer margins of printed products e.g. books and brochures (2). The books are presented to a positioning device (P) where their presence is registered prior to transfer by a feed assembly (Z) to a trimming station (S1-S3). The assembly incorporates a series of trimming stations, each of which undertakes a single cut along one edge of the book.

Description

The invention relates to a method for trimming open Side edges of printed products, such as books, Brochures or magazines made by a positioning device detected and with a delivery device at least a cutting device to be supplied. The invention relates also a device for pruning printed products, the at least one cutting device, a positioning device and has a delivery device. Such Procedures and facilities are in the print finishing Industry has long been known. This will be printed products, For example, books, brochures and magazines the three open side edges and thus on the foot, on the head and cut at the front. The cut is usually the Printed product in tube format, for example, the formats A4 may have until A6.

A method and apparatus for pruning the open Side edges of printed products are known from EP 0 842 746 become. In this process, the printed products at the bound side edge of a positioning device detected and by a rotational and a translational movement fed to a cutting device. With the cutting device At the same time two printed products are printed on the head and / or cut the foot edge. In this method or at this Furnishings need to be cut at the same time Be the same as printed products. This method is therefore suitable especially for pruning large series of the same Printed products. For small series, as for example in digital printing can be produced, this method is suitable or this device less. There is also a changeover consuming on a printed product with a different format.

EP 0 710 530 A discloses a cutting device which also for trimming open side edges of printed products is provided. The printed products to be cut are gripped by a product gripper that is relative to the product gripper Cutting knife is rotatable and translationally movable. A Changing to another format is also possible with this device time-consuming. This device is therefore suitable for Small series that can be produced inexpensively, especially in digital printing are not.

The invention has for its object to provide a method which is suitable for pruning printed products, which are produced in comparatively short runs. The method is intended in particular for pruning sticky Books as well as bound and stapled brochures and magazines and in particular for pruning of printed products of different raw formats are suitable.

The object is achieved in a method mentioned by that a plurality of spaced apart cutting devices are provided that the printed products from the delivery device one after the other for a sidecut be positioned in one of the cutting devices and that each cutter on the positioned printed product one Performs sidecut. In the inventive method the printed products are aligned in the positioning device and the delivery device supplied. The delivery device brings the printed products successively to the cutting devices, where they are positioned and where each a side cut is made. This method allows it, by a suitable control of the delivery device also different raw formats without complex changeover measures to crop. It can be done one after another even smaller runs of printed products are cropped. Such smaller runs are especially with digital printing machines produced.

The process can then be particularly simple and inexpensive be carried out, if according to an embodiment of the invention the printed products each at one (uncut) Side edge and product back in the positioning be aligned and in this orientation of the delivery device without changing the orientation of the cutting devices be supplied. The printed products are here preferably taken on the back or a bound side edge. The sequence is particularly favorable if, according to a Development of the invention, the printed products by the Delivery device moves substantially on a circular path become. This allows an arrangement that comparatively takes up little space.

According to a development of the invention, it is provided that the aligned in the positioning printed products detected by a product gripper and by a predetermined linear displacement are brought into a transfer position. The orientation of the printed products when trimming corresponds thus the orientation in the positioning device. For the Transfer is only a predetermined linear movement or a hub required.

The device according to the invention has a positioning device for aligning the printed products to be trimmed and a delivery device. There are several in the distance provided mutually arranged cutting devices. The Delivery device is designed so that the to be trimmed Printed products one after the other in each of the Cutting devices for a cut can be positioned. A particularly advantageous embodiment results when According to a development of the invention, the cutting devices are arranged on the periphery of a turntable. Preferably, the printed products are arranged on the turntable so that they do not align during delivery to change. This is preferably done according to a development by means of a planetary gear or planetary gear. The Printed products are preferably from a product gripper taken for positioning in the cutting devices is displaceable. Moving the product gripper takes place according to a development of the invention by Steuerkulissen.

Further advantageous features emerge from the dependent Claims, the following description and the Drawing.

Fig. 1

schematisch eine räumliche Ansicht einer erfindungsgemässen Einrichtung,

Fig. 2

schematisch die einzelnen Positionen der Druckprodukte beim Ausrichten, Schneiden und beim Auslauf,

Fig. 3

schematisch eine räumliche Ansicht der Positioniervorrichtung,

Fig. 4

schematisch eine räumliche Ansicht der Zustellvorrichtung,

Fig. 5

schematisch eine räumliche Ansicht eines Produktegreifers,

Fig. 6

schematisch eine räumliche Ansicht einer Schneidvorrichtung,

Fig. 7a bis 7d

schematisch die Arbeitsweise der Schneidvorrichtung und

Fig. 8

schematisch eine räumliche Ansicht der Auslaufvorrichtung.

An embodiment of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. Show it:

Fig. 1

3 is a schematic view of a device according to the invention;

Fig. 2

schematically the individual positions of the printed products during alignment, cutting and at the outlet,

Fig. 3

schematically a spatial view of the positioning device,

Fig. 4

schematically a spatial view of the delivery device,

Fig. 5

schematically a spatial view of a product gripper,

Fig. 6

schematically a spatial view of a cutting device,

Fig. 7a to 7d

schematically the operation of the cutting device and

Fig. 8

schematically a spatial view of the outlet device.

The device 1 shown in Figure 1 is used for trimming of printed products 2, the device 1 in a tube format be supplied. The printed products 2 are for example adhesive book blocks, stapled or otherwise bound Brochures or magazines and the like. The device 1 has a positioning device P, in which the not yet trimmed printed products 2 are aligned. After this Positioning the printed products 2 with an inlet gripper 16 shifted linearly by a certain amount and pass a product gripper 21. By means of a delivery device Z is now the printed product 2 successively a first Cutting device S1, a second cutting device S2 and a third cutting device S3. After all is the printed product cut on three sides 2 '' ' an outlet device A supplied. From the outlet device A, the trimmed product goes to another processing station or will be shipped.

When delivering the printed products 2 to the individual Cutting devices S1 to S3 and the outlet device A the orientation of the printed products 2 is not changed, like this is particularly clear in Figure 2. The alignment will also not be changed if the printed product 2 of the positioning device P. from the inlet gripper 16 to the product gripper 21 is transported. The hub in this transport indicated by the reference numeral 71 in FIG. This hub is linear and horizontal. He is also attached to the adaptation the head section in the cutting device S3 adjustable. The End position 80 shown in Figure 2 can by appropriate Change the stroke 71 are adjusted. As FIG. 2 shows, go through the printed products to be cut 2 seven positions or stations. In position I are the printed products 2 aligned. In position II, which is a transitional position is the printed products 2 from the product gripper 21 taken. In position III, the printed product 2 am Cut foot. From the printed product 2 is thus here a foot section 6 separated. The printed product trimmed on one side 2 'is supplied to the position IV and in this a front section 5 cut off. The trimmed on two sides Print product 2 "is supplied to the position V and in this a head section 4 is separated. That now at all three-page trimmed printed product 2 '' 'is now in the Position VI transported and in this by an exit grapple 60 and finally transferred to position VII, where the printed product 2 '' 'is transported away. In the positions III and IV, the printed products 2 are respectively controlled shifted and thus accurately positioned for the corresponding section. The shift is done according to the format and the width of section 6 and 5. The width of the head section 4 results from the position of the inlet gripper 16, which is adjustable by the stroke 71. Based on these individual positioning, it is possible, even different To process formats without significant changeover.

The printed products to be aligned in the positioning device P 2 are not yet cropped and thus have a tube format on. The production of these printed products 2 takes place in one Printing machine D, which is merely indicated in FIG. Between the printing machine D and the positioning device P is usually a device for folding and tying the provided printed sheet. These devices known per se are not shown here. The printing machine D is preferably a digital printing machine, which is the manufacture of short runs. The device 1 is designed to that essentially without conversion work one after another Editions of printed products 2 with different formats can be processed.

The positioning device P according to FIG. 3 has a frame 7, on the stops 12 and 13 for aligning the Printed product 2 are arranged. The printed products will be 2 each fed in Figure 3 in the direction of arrow 82. Of the Back 3 runs parallel to the direction of arrow 82. The Top 17 of the printed product 2 is aligned horizontally. The feeding of the printed product 2 to the positioning device P takes place with a not shown here known transport device, such as a belt conveyor. The feeder as well as the further processing of course takes place in a certain tact, the in the rule is specified by the printing press D.

For positioning of the printed product 2 on the stop 13 and am Back 3, a slide 8 is provided, which is a lifting drive. 9 having. With this slide 8, the printed products 2 am Stop 13 created as soon as the head of the printed product 2 am Stop 12 is positioned. The stop 12 is transverse to the direction of the arrow 82 and is by means of an actuating cylinder 20 vertically between the working position shown in Figure 3 and a lower retraction position displaceable.

If a printed product 2 is aligned with the stops 12 and 13, so the stop 12 is down to the retracted position drove and the printed product 2 taken from the inlet gripper 16. The inlet gripper 16 is displaceable on a guide 14 stored and can with a drive 15, for example a control cylinder limited on this guide 14 hinund be approached. In the figure 3 is the inlet gripper 16 shown in a position in which a printed product 2 of the support of the frame 7 is transported away. As can be seen, becomes the alignment in this linear horizontal movement of the printed product 2 not changed.

To grasp the printed product 2, the inlet gripper 16 a height-adjustable upper jaw 19 and a carriage 18th on. The product 2 is between the jaw 19 and the carriage 18 clamped. Is the aligned print product 2 gone away, so the stopper 12 is again up in the in 3 shown position, so that a subsequent further printed product 2 can be aligned. The hub 71 is as mentioned adjustable to adjust the head section. The one end position of the inlet gripper 16 is in FIG. 2 indicated by the reference numeral 80 and the other end position is indicated by the reference numeral 79. With a dash-dotted line Line 72 is also the virtual head cutting edge drawn. With the inlet gripper 16, the printed product is the second positioned in position II so that the virtual head cutting edge 72 according to the intended width of the head section 4 passes through the product 2.

In position II, the printed product 2 from the product gripper 21 taken. The inlet gripper 16 is automatically again opened and moved back to position I where he got another Product 2 summarizes. Handover of product 2 in position II from the inlet gripper 16 to the product gripper 21 takes place so that the orientation of the printed product 2 is not changed becomes. In addition, the transfer takes place so that the back 3 in position II and in position I on a common position Line 83 run.

With the delivery device Z, the printed product 2 of the Position II moved to position III. The movement takes place here counterclockwise about a vertical axis 77, they could of course with appropriate arrangement in a clockwise direction respectively. The angle of rotation is presently 72 °. Around To carry out this movement, the product gripper 21 is according to Figure 4 arranged on a spur gear 39 of a planetary gear 36. This planetary gear 36 and planetary gear is as can be seen fivefold and has a rotatable central wheel 37, five rotating intermediate wheels 38 and five rotating outer Spur gears 39 on. The intermediate wheels 38 are on a wheel 41 rotatably mounted. The spur gears 39 are each on stored a bridge 40. The gear ratio is always 1: 1, so that when turning the spur gears 39 always the same stay aligned. Accordingly, when turning the remain Product gripper 21 and taken with these printed products 2 always aligned the same. The back is thus always parallel to the line 83 of Figure 2. The epicyclic 36 forms a Turntable 67, partially of a disc-shaped cover 78 (Fig. 1) is covered.

On each spur gear 39, a product gripper 21 is mounted. Overall, these are thus five product gripper 21, the epicyclic gear 36 counterclockwise resp. Movable clockwise are. These product grippers 21 are synchronized accordingly moving together or staying at the same time.

The product grippers 21 are all the same. As the 5 shows, the product grippers 21 have a base plate 23, which is mounted on one of the wheels. In this Base plate 23 is a guide groove 84 incorporated in the a first slider 24 is slidably mounted. The slider 24 can be moved in the directions of the double arrow 29 become. The displacement takes place on a roller 30, as shown is mounted on the slider 24. The postponement in Figure 5 to the bottom left takes place under the counter force a Tension spring 26. On the first slide 24 is another plate 85 fixed, in which also a guide groove 86 incorporated is. However, this guide groove 86 extends in the right Angle to the groove 84. In this further groove 86 is a second Slider 25 slidably mounted in the directions of the Double arrow 28 is displaceable. The move takes place also on a roller 31, which is mounted on the slider 25 is. The displacement of the second slider 25 to the top left in Figure 5 takes place against the retroactive force of a tension spring 27. On the second slider 25, a carrier 22 is attached, which forms a lower fixed jaw 32 and on the one upper jaw 33 height adjustable by means of two guide rods 34 is stored. The clamping effect is by tension springs 35 guaranteed. The lifting of the upper jaw 33 and thus the opening of the product gripper 21 can, for example done pneumatically.

The two slides 24 and 25 are as mentioned at right angles to each other. The upper slider 25 is parallel to Back 3 and the lower slider 24 parallel to the head edge and Front edge of the captured print product 2. By shifting the slider 24 and 25 can thus the printed product 2 in parallel be moved to the back 3 or across this. The alignment remains hereby.

To move the sliders 24 and 25 are control slips 42 to 45 arranged on the circumference of the planetary gear 36. These control blocks 42 to 45 are when moving with the Roller 30 or 31 engaged. The control blocks 42 to 45 are mounted on slots 87 to 89 adjustable. The drive for adjusting the control gate 42 to 45 is here Not shown. The control link 42 is used to deliver the Slider 25 for the footcut and the control link 43 for Return of the slide 25. The control link 44 serves the Delivering the slide 24 for the front section and the control link 45 for the return of the slide 24. The control link 42 acts on the movement of the product gripper 21st from position II to position III with the roller 31 together and thus positioned exactly the printed product 2 in the Cutting device S1. Is the printed product 2 in the cutting device S1 positioned correctly, then the delivery device Z or the epicyclic gear 36 for performing the Cut to a halt. Is the cut done, so is the one-sided cut printed product 2 'in Position IV brought. With the control link 43 is the Slider 25 reset. At the same time with the control gate 44 the printed product 2 'for the front section in the second cutting device S2 positioned. Is the printed product 2 'positioned in the second cutter S2, so is performed with the cutting device S2 of the front section. For this purpose, the delivery device Z is also zum Brought to a standstill.

The now cut on two sides of printed product 2 "is now continue counterclockwise by 72 ° to the third cutter S3 moves. During this movement is with the control link 45, the slider 24 is reset. A delivery for the top of the head is not necessary because the corresponding Position already in position II by the chosen End position is set.

After performing the pruning in the cutting device S3 becomes the printed product 2 '' 'cut on three sides moved to position VI. The movement is also in the Counterclockwise by 72 °. In position VI is located the back 3 on the line 83, as shown in Figure 2 is.

The printed product 2 '' 'is now to the outlet device A to hand over. This has according to Figure 8, a frame 90, on a transport device 65 is arranged. This transport device 65 has a table 67 around the conveyor belts 66 are laid. At table 67 is also a side stop 68 attached. The trimmed printed product 2 '' 'is according to FIG. 8 in the direction of the arrow 70 of the transport device 65 handed over. For this purpose, an outlet gripper 60 is provided, with a carriage 63 in the direction of arrow 70 as well is movable in the opposite direction. The method of the starting gripper 60 takes place with a drive 64. To the printed product 2 '' 'grip, the outlet gripper 60 has a lower Clamping plate 62 and a gripping jaw 61, which is the printed product 2 '' 'according to Figure 2 grasp the head and the transport device 65 move. Again, the alignment remains of the printed product. Is the printed product 2 '' 'on the transport device 65, so the outlet gripper 60 is opened and this moves back into the one shown in Figure 8 Basic position back. If the printed product 2 '' 'on moves the transport device 65, so the delivery device remains Z stand. During this transport will be simultaneously a raw print product 2 from position I to position II moves. At the same time at the three cutting devices S1 to S3 corresponding cuts carried out. These Processes thus run synchronously and are here of one not shown control device controlled.

Should now be a printed product 2 cropped with a different format are, then the control blocks 42 to 45 are accordingly changed. Likewise, the hub 71 will adapt to the new format customized. This switching can be done with the said control device and suitable actuators take place automatically.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7a to 7d Operation of the cutting devices S1 to S3 explained. These cutting devices S1 to S3 are preferably all the same education.

The cutting device S1 shown in FIG. 6 has a housing 46, on which a frame-fixed lower blade 47 and a vertically movable knife carrier 50 with a top knife 49 are stored. It is also located at the lower end of a piston rod 52 of a printing cylinder 51, a press plate 48th Der Pressure cylinder 51 has according to Figures 7a-7d an upper Pressure chamber 58 and a lower pressure chamber 59 with connections 53 and 54 on. In addition, with the knife carrier 50 is a first Initiator 56, a second initiator 57 connected. A third Initiator 55 has a fixed relative to the lower blade 47 Position. FIG. 7a shows the starting position, in which the knife carrier 50 is in a top dead center. If the cutting device S2 without positioned printed product Pressed 2, the press plate 48 moves down, wherein however, no pressing pressure is exerted on the pressing plate 48, since the first initiator 55 responds in the corresponding position and the pressure balance between the upper pressure chamber 58 and the lower pressure chamber 59 is maintained.

Is in the cutting device S1, a printed product 2 according to FIG 7c in the defined thickness range available, so the drives Press plate 48 down. The first initiator 55 speaks not here. However, the second initiator 56 responds and thereby the lower pressure chamber 59 in the pressure cylinder 51st vented. Due to the remaining pressure in the upper Pressure chamber 58, a pressing pressure is built up on the pressing plate 48 and this press plate 48 pinches the printed product 2 the lower blade 47 fixed. The knife carrier 50 with the upper fair 49 can now carry out the cut with one here Drive not shown are moved down. The printing cylinder 51 moves down with the knife carrier. To the upward stroke of the knife carrier 50 is again the starting position achieved according to Figure 7a.

FIG. 7d shows a cutting device S1, in which a Printed product 2 having a thickness, which lies above the defined thickness range. According to the larger thickness is arranged on the pressing plate 48 Part 91 arranged accordingly high. Is the press plate 48 applied to the thick product 2, so speaks the third Initiator 57 and by a corresponding signal is the Cutting device S1 stopped immediately.

Claims (21)

Method for trimming open side edges of printed products (2), such as books, brochures or magazines, which are detected by a positioning device (P) and fed with a feed device (Z) to at least one cutting device (S1-S3), characterized in that several spaced apart cutting devices (S1-S3) are provided, that the printed products (2) are successively positioned by the feed device (Z) respectively for a side cut in one of the cutting devices (S1-S3) and that each cutting device (S1-S3) on the positioned printed product (2) performs a side cut. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the printed products (2) are each aligned at a side edge in the positioning device (P) and that they are supplied in this orientation of the feed device (Z) the cutting devices (S1-S3). A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in the positioning device (P) aligned printed products (2) are detected by an inlet gripper (16) and brought by a linear stroke (71) in a transition position (II). Method according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that adjustable control means (42-45) are provided with which each printed product (2) can be positioned in the cutting devices (S1, S2, S3) in accordance with input values. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the printed products (2) aligned on the positioning device (P) are transferred to a turntable (67) and successively fed to the cutting devices (S1, S2 and S3) and after that last cut the cut printed products (2 ''') are each fed to a discharge device (A). Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the printed products (2) are each moved on an approximately circular path from a transition position (II) via cutting positions (III, IV, V) to a discharge position (VI). A method according to claim 6, characterized in that said positions (II-VI) are approached in each case clocked and that a standstill is provided, in which the cutting devices (S1, S2, S3) each cut a printed product (2) and in the one Fed printed product (2) and another is extended. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that three cutting devices (S1, S2, S3) along the approximately circular path are arranged, wherein a first cutting device (S1), respectively a Fußschnitt resp. Head section, a second cutting device (S2) a front section and a third cutting device (S3), a head section or. Foot cut performs. Method according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the printed products (2) in the positioning device (P) respectively at the head resp. Be aligned foot. A method according to claim 9, characterized in that the printed products (2) are also aligned in the positioning device (P) on the back. Method according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that printed in a printing press (D) and after binding the printed products (2) are then fed to the positioning device (P). Device for trimming open side edges of printed products (2) such as books, brochures or magazines, comprising at least one cutting device (S), a positioning device (P) for aligning the printed products (2) to be trimmed and a delivery device (Z), characterized in that a plurality of mutually spaced-apart cutting devices (S1, S2, S3) are provided, and in that the delivery device (Z) is designed so that the printed products (2) to be cut one after another in each of the cutting devices (S1, S2, S3) for a section can be positioned. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the positioning device (P) at least one stop for the head resp. Foot and / or the back of the printed products to be cut (2). Device according to one of claims 12 or 13, characterized in that at least one inlet gripper (16) is provided, with which in the positioning device (P) aligned printed products (2) are taken in each case and in a transfer position (II) movable. Device according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that a turntable (67) is provided on which the printed products (2) without changing their orientation to the cutting devices (S1, S2, S3) can be fed. Device according to one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that control scenes (42, 43, 44, 45) are provided, with which the printed products (2) in each case in the cutting devices (S1, S2, S3) are positioned. Device according to one of Claims 12 to 16, characterized in that a multiple epicyclic gear (36) is provided for moving the printed products (2) to be trimmed. Device according to claim 17, characterized in that the epicyclic gear (36) is five times, with three positions (III, IV, V) provided for each one side section, a position (II) for the transfer and a position (VI) for the outsourcing are. Device according to one of claims 12 to 17, characterized in that the delivery device (Z) has at least one product gripper (21), which does not change its orientation and thus the orientation of a captured printed product (2) during delivery. Device according to claim 19, characterized in that the product gripper (21) for positioning in the cutting devices (S1-S3) comprises two orthogonal slides (24, 25) cooperating with control means (42-45). Device according to one of claims 12 to 20, characterized in that the cutting device (S1-S3) has a pressure plate (48) and that initiators (55 and 57) are provided with which, depending on the position of the pressure plate (48), the pressing force of Press plate (48) is controlled.

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