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Method of positioning sheet elements in the introduction station of a processing machine and a system for performing the method

  • US 6,378,862 B1
  • Filed: 03/15/2000
  • Issued: 04/30/2002
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/09/1999
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method for positioning a sheet element, which is displaceable along a travel path between an introduction station and subsequent downstream stations of a processing machine, comprising the steps of:

  • engaging the sheet element with shelf grippers of a shelf in a starting position of the shelf at the introduction station;

    advancing the shelf with the engaged sheet element along the travel path;

    determining positioning coordinates of the sheet element during advancement of the shelf along the travel path using opto-electronic detectors;

    controllably actuating shelf actuators in response to determination of the positioning coordinates of the sheet element in such a manner that the shelf is selectively displaceable parallel to the travel path, transversely to the travel path and askew to the travel path toward a predetermined position of a leading edge of the sheet element while the shelf is displaceable along the travel path;

    stopping the shelf when the leading edge of the sheet element reaches the predetermined position;

    engaging the leading edge in the predetermined position using transport grippers of a transport system;

    releasing the shelf grippers to allow the transport system to displace the sheet element toward the subsequent downstream stations; and

    returning the shelf to the starting position.

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