DE102005018416B4 - Forming station for confectionery products - Google Patents

Abstract

forming station (1) for Confectionery products, with a cold stamping unit (2) comprising a clock conveyor (3) for casting molds (4, 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f), wherein the forming station intended for arrangement within a production plant, in turn, at least one conveyor (9a, 9b) for molds (4, 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f), and wherein with the clock conveyor (3) the forming station a tactual stoppage of the conveyor movement the molds (4, 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f) within the cold stamping unit (2) can be generated, characterized in that at least one conveyor flow changer (8, 8a, 8b) is provided, with which a casting mold (4, 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f) is accelerated, namely from the conveyor (9a, 9b) of the production plant to the clock conveyor (3) of the cold stamping unit (2) and from the clock conveyor (3) the cold stamping unit (2) back into the conveying device (9a, 9b) of Production plant.

Description

The The invention relates to a forming station for confectionery products, with a cold stamping unit, the a clock conveyor for casting molds , wherein the forming station for arrangement within a Production plant is provided, which in turn at least one conveyor for casting molds, and where with the clock conveyor the forming station a tactual stoppage of the conveyor movement the molds can be generated within the cold stamp unit.

It is at the molding station to a part of a plant larger production plant for industrial flow production shaped confectionery products. In conveying direction in front of the forming station, a casting plant is required, which the confectionery mass to be formed supplies. Additional stations may be provided behind the forming station For example, a station for filling a shaped candy dish with a second confectionery mass.

A general state of the art is the DE 1 199 692 B , This relates to a device for conveying chocolate bars or bars. The device changes the direction of conveying the chocolate bars for automatic sorting and distribution of individual types of table to various processing stations. This is done with the help of Nebenförde rern, also referred to as cross conveyor belts.

A generic molding station as part of a production plant for confectionery products is from the EP 0 914 775 A2 known. The molding station described therein has a cold punch for accelerated solidification of confectionery mass, which has been metered in a molten state into a mold cavity of the mold. To mold the molten confectionery mass mold and cold stamp are moved towards each other. The cold stamp forms a cavity together with the mold cavity of the mold. The cavity causes the shape of the candy dish. The confectionery mass solidifies within a certain residence time, during which the heat is dissipated from the melt in the cold punch.

The Duration of the residence time is essentially dependent on the temperature of the Cold stamp dependent. A lower temperature of the cold stamp causes rapid solidification the melt and the necessary residence time is correspondingly short. Conversely, the residence time is then high, if a higher one Temperature of the cold stamp is set.

Because the shape of the confectionery mass during the Standstill of the mold the duration of the standstill of the mold must be adapted to the needed Dwell time, the cold stamp for solidification of the confectionery mass needed. The time span from a standstill to the following standstill is called the cycle time, namely the period of time that is necessary to carry out a Operation required is, for example, the operation of the cold stamping. To one to achieve high production rates are short cycle times and thus striving for high clock frequencies. Therefore arise reluctant Conditions. To ensure a sufficient residence time of the cold stamp to enable the forming station must operate at a low clock frequency become. This means, the predetermined dwell time reduces the possible clock frequency. The efficiency, or the throughput of the molding station is considered too low considered.

The technical problem of low cycle times of a molding station with a cold stamping unit is in the EP 0 715 813 A1 described. In it, solutions are proposed that dispense with a stoppage of the conveying movement of the mold. Instead of a stationary cold stamping unit, the cold stamping unit is moved during the residence time synchronously with the continuously conveyed mold. In the meantime, however, it turns out to be problematic to realize a satisfactory synchronization of the movements of mold and cold stamp unit. Disadvantageously, deviations of the synchronous movement as well as vibrations during the movement impede solidification of the confectionery mass.

Of the Invention is therefore based on the object, despite sufficiently long Residence time of the casting mold in the cold stamping unit, the throughput of the molding station or to increase the total production plant.

According to the invention Task solved by that at least one delivery flow changer provided is with which a mold accelerated, namely from the conveyor of the Production plant to the clock conveyor the cold stamp unit and the clock conveyor of the cold stamp unit back in the conveyor the production plant.

advantageous Embodiments of the invention are described in the subclaims.

Although the invention is directed primarily to a forming station for confectionery products. It should be noted, however, that in a broader sense, it may also be any station that is suitable for completely different purposes requires a prolonged downtime for a particular operation within a plant, the plant in turn is operated at cycle times that are too short for the mentioned station, or wherein the system has a continuous transport, which must be changed to in the Station for a certain residence time to allow a cyclical stop.

The transfer of a mold takes place once from the production plant in the direction of the cold stamping unit. If it is a cold stamping unit, that of the molds in transit from an input side to an output side is traversed finds a second transfer of the cold stamping unit in the direction of the production plant. The same goes for the case that the mold from an input side in the cold stamping unit passes and this on the same input side in the opposite direction of conveyance leaves again instead of traversing the cold stamp unit.

With The new design will gain time for the cold stamping process. The time saving is possible both then when the forming station in a continuously moving conveyor integrated into a production plant, as well as when the conveyor the production plant in turn works intermittently.

In cyclically operating production plants usual clock frequencies of the conveyors are relatively high, because a high production capacity to be achieved. With a high clock frequencies, however, the residence time of the mold is reduced in the cold stamping unit. The from the EP 0 914 775 A2 known generic molding station can be operated only with low clock frequency, if the required residence time of the mold in the cold stamping unit to be achieved. In principle, counteracting can be counteracted by greater cooling of the cold punches. However, this is associated with increased energy costs.

The Invention uses the solution the problem a flow rate changer, with the mold from the conveyor taken from the production plant in an accelerated motion and fed to the cold stamp unit becomes. The flow changer transports the mold much faster than the conveyor the production plant. Because the way into the cold stamp unit is very quickly covered can be a prolonged downtime be realized within the cold stamping unit.

The new molding station allows a residence time of the mold in the cold stamp unit, which is the normal downtime of a cyclically operating conveyor exceeds the production facility.

The Forming station can of course also in a continuously operating conveyor of a production plant be integrated, where they also through an accelerated carriage of the mold in the cold stamping unit a sufficiently long residence time of mold within the cold stamp unit allows.

Of the flow the production plant is changed with the new forming station. at a production plant with continuously running conveyor will be the continuous promotion in an intermittent promotion transformed. In a production plant with intermittent running conveyor the parameters of intermittent transportation are transformed. It takes place a takeover in an accelerated movement phase and a subsequent prolonged downtime in the cold stamp unit.

Of the Change of the flow rate preferably takes place fluently.

In conveying direction follows behind the cold stamping unit another conveyor flow changer, in transit the movement of the mold back into the flow of the Integrated production plant. In a production plant with continuous running conveyor a transfer takes place from the clock conveyor of Forming station in the continuous flow of the conveyor. In a production plant with cyclically operated conveyor an overpass takes place the clock conveyor the forming station in the conveyor the production plant, which operated with deviating clock motion becomes.

The Cycle time of the clock conveyor The molding station is conveniently a multiple of the cycle time of the conveyor of the production plant. This is helpful in order for a mold to be placed before the cold stamping unit from the flow the production plant is removed, behind the cold stamping unit easily back into the flow inserted the production plant can be.

easily an acceleration tractor for casting molds is provided on the support elements of the flow changer are located.

As acceleration tractor, a clocked transport chain can be provided with drivers, for example, an overhead Taktförderkette. An overhead arrangement lends itself to because the conveyor of the production plant usually clock conveyor chains have, the underfloor Require space that is below the transport plane in which the molds are located. In the area of the conveyor current changer, this makes it possible to overlap the downstream cycle conveyor chain of the production system and the overhead cycle conveyor chain of the conveyor current exchanger in one piece. The overlap favors a smooth transition of the transport movement. The Taktförderketten the production plant and the transport chain are preferably added to chain guides that prevent sagging of the chains.

Helpful is when the flow changer several Support elements for carrying molds in has different Transportebe NEN, and that a lifting device is provided, with the at least one in a first transport plane deliverable mold can be converted into a second transport level.

One Changing the transport levels is useful to a smooth transition from a flow in the next make. In this case, for example, a continuous feed subsequent molds progress while a front mold is transferred to another transport level, but while during the change of transport level is still no accelerated forward-looking conveying movement used for cold stamping unit. That is, the funding movements can a short-term overlap the flow rates, namely the molds, to lead, because the molds then already in different transport levels.

Cheap is if the lifting device comprises a pair of opposed lifting rollers, their axes of rotation in the conveying direction aligned and arranged so that molds between the lifting rollers fit. It is a very compact beneficial Construction, with a lifting or lowering by simple rotation the paired lifting rollers is possible. Of course they are the lifting rollers provided with means to hold the mold during a rotation. When there is a mold located between the lifting rollers and transferred to a higher transport level should, must the lifting rollers each in opposite directions of rotation move. The rotary motion of the lifting rollers must be on the side a lifting roller, that of the casting mold facing, have an upward movement tangent, around the mold to raise. To the mold to lower is, however, at the same place a downward Bewegungsstangente required.

Are useful as a means for holding a mold the mentioned Provided support elements. These are designed as mounting rails, at the lifting rollers axially parallel to the axes of rotation on the circumference stand off the lifting roller. Between the mounting rails gaps are formed. A molds lies on a mounting rail and can be moved on this. The displacement is at a standstill or during a rotational movement of Lifting rollers possible.

To the Change of transport plane is every lifting roller in the manner of a revolver further rotated, the angle of rotation of the number of mounting rails depends which are arranged on the circumference of the lifting roller. Conveniently, the mounting rails evenly spaced at Scope distributed.

Around a change of a mold from one transport layer to another it is useful when a stepper drive is provided, with which the lifting rollers rotate in opposite directions are.

The Carrying elements of the delivery flow changer can a length that allows a plurality of molds to be received in series in series. In this way, a greater time savings for the Cold stamping process can be achieved. It is therefore easier, sufficient long residence times of the casting molds to realize in the cold stamping unit. Currently it is planned up to six molds to convey in series simultaneously into the cold stamp unit.

If it is in the cold stamping unit is such, the casting molds treated in the pass, it is advantageous that two flow changer are provided, namely an input changer in the conveying direction before the cold stamping unit and an output changer in the conveying direction behind the cold stamp unit. The input changer transfers the molds from the transport level of the production plant to the transport level the cold stamp unit. The output changer, however, transfers the molds from the transport plane of the cold stamping unit back into the Transport level of the production plant. The transport level of the production plant may be the same behind the cold stamp unit as before which is not mandatory. Mandatory, however, is both before and also behind the cold stamp unit, that is a change to another Transport level. Casting molds must not be in the transport plane the cold stamping unit remain.

following the invention is exemplified in a drawing and detailed by individual figures. Show it:

1 a schematic representation of a Forming station with cold stamping unit and flow changers,

2 a perspective view of a conveyor flow changer,

3 a cross section of the delivery flow exchanger 2 .

4 a schematic representation of an alternative embodiment of a forming station with cold stamping unit and flow changers.

In 1 The drawing is a forming station 1 for confectionery products shown schematically. The molding station 1 is integrated into a larger production plant during operation. The molding station 1 has a cold stamping unit 2 as well as a clock conveyor 3 , the loose casting molds 4 through the cold stamping unit 2 promoted. The cold stamp unit 2 has cooled cold punches 5 on. A stamping chamber 6 is provided in order to produce a hygienic and favorable for the cold stamping environment.

The cold stamp unit 2 has in the present embodiment space to three molds 4 in a row in succession. Once the clock conveyor 3 three molds 4 in a stamp position under the cold stamps 5 has moved, the conveyor movement is stopped.

The cold stamp unit 2 has lifting tables 7 on which the molds 4 during the standstill of the clock conveyor 3 to the cold stamps 5 Lift. Molds are from the clock conveyor 3 lifted. Every cold stamp 5 then forms with a mold cavity of a mold 4 a mold cavity in which the confectionery mass is formed and cooled by the cold stamp 5 is solidified rapidly.

In the conveying direction before and behind the cold stamping unit 2 is ever a flow changer 8th intended. The flow changer 8th serve to molds 4 in the cold stamp unit 2 with a different sequence of movements than in the rest of the production plant. It is intended to accelerate feeding of the molds 4 in the cold stamp unit 2 in order to achieve a prolonged downtime within the cold stamp unit 2 to enable.

In the present embodiment, the production plant conveys casting molds 4 continuously. This happens on an input page 6a the stamp chamber 6 via a conveyor 9a the production plant. On a home page 6b the stamp chamber 6 become molds from the cold stamping unit 2 Coming back to the continuous promotion of the conveyor 9b taken over the production plant.

The conveyors 9a and 9b The production facility reaches into the flow changer 8th into it. This is useful to allow a smooth change of the transport movement for an accelerated transfer of the molds.

For the change in a cyclic promotion is an input changer 8a intended. A continuously running transport chain 11 the conveyor 9a The production plant acts with one in the input changer 8a arranged deflection roller 11a together. The transport chain 11 The production plant is for this purpose to the input changer 8a extended into it. In the input changer 8a takes over an acceleration tractor 12 the further transport of the casting mold 4 to the clock conveyor 3 the cold stamp unit 2 , The acceleration tractor 12 has an overhead transport chain for this purpose 12a with drivers L on.

In the conveyor current changer, therefore, the continuously running transport chain overlap 11 the production plant and the transport chain 12a of the acceleration tractor. This allows a smooth transition of movement during the change of the transport movement.

For the change from the cyclic promotion back to the continuous production of the production plant is a output changer 8b intended. Here, too, a continuously running transport chain is effective 11 the production plant with a pulley 11b together, which is arranged in the output changer. The transport chain 11 the production plant is right up to the exit changer 8b extended. Likewise is an acceleration tractor 12 with a transport chain 12b intended.

Every conveyor flow changer 8a respectively 8b is therefore designed to molds with continuous transport through a conveyor 9a respectively 9b the production plant in a cyclic transport within the cold stamping unit 2 to transfer or in the reverse direction from a cyclic promotion back to a continuous transfer.

In order to allow the required time savings in the transport of the molds in the flow changer constructively simple, is provided, the molds 4 who have to carry out the change of movement, to transport in groups accelerated and to transfer them in groups to a different transport level than the one in which the casting forks men 4 were before the change. For this change of the transport plane is a lifting device 13 intended.

in principle a lifting device may comprise lifting cylinders or the like, which Can lift and lower support elements.

In the present embodiment, a special lifting device 13 provided in 2 is included. 2 shows a frame G, in which the lifting device 13 is arranged. The lifting device 13 has a pair of opposing lifting rollers 14 and 15 on, whose axes of rotation are aligned in the conveying direction of the molds and arranged so that molds between the lifting rollers 14 and 15 fit. Molds are in 2 drawn with dashed lines. The molds 4a . 4b . 4c lie in a higher transport level than the casting molds 4d . 4e . 4f , The lifting or lowering of the molds is by a simple rotation of the lifting rollers 14 and 15 possible. In order to carry the molds, if they are to be transferred to another transport plane, support elements are provided, namely mounting rails 14a respectively 15a , The mounting rails 14a and 15a are best in 3 recognizable, which is a cross section through a conveyor flow changer 8th according to 2 shows.

To 3 are at the lifting roller 14 eight mounting rails 14a arranged axially parallel to the axes of rotation of the lifting rollers. The same applies to the mounting rails 15a the lifting roller 15 , Each are the mounting rails 14a respectively 15a evenly spaced at 45 ° on the circumference of the lifting rollers 14 respectively 15 distributed. Between the mounting rails 14a there are gaps left. The mounting rails 14a and 15a have in the present embodiment, a length sufficient to lift or lower three molds simultaneously in another transport plane.

The molds are loose in operation on the mounting rails 14a and 15a of the pair of lifting rollers. The displacement of the molds 4a . 4b . 4c on the mounting rails 14a and 15a is during a rotational movement of the lifting rollers 14 and 15 possible. Once casting molds during a lifting rotation of the lifting rollers 14 and 15 from the conveyor 9a the production plant are excavated, is an accelerated shift through the overhead transport chain 12a the input changer 8a causes. In contrast, when casting molds during a lowering rotation of the lifting rollers 14 and 15 from the clock conveyor 3 of the flow changer 8b on the conveyor 9b The production facility is lowered, an accelerated shift through the overhead transport chain 12b the output changer 8b causes.

To change the transport plane every lifting roller 14 . 15 further rotated in the manner of a revolver. The angle of rotation is 45 °, because the eight mounting rails 14a respectively 15a each equally spaced by 45 ° to each other. As a drive for the lifting rollers 14 and 15 a motor M is provided.

For lifting or lowering, the lifting rollers must 14 and 15 of the lifting roller pair are each moved in opposite directions of rotation. There, where the molds in contact with the mounting rail 14a respectively 15a the lifting roller 14 respectively 15 are, must be the rotation of the lifting roller 14 respectively 15 then, if the mold is to be lifted, be an upward movement. As indicated by the arrows U and P, the opposite lifting rollers rotate 14 and 15 for lifting the molds in opposite directions. If the molds are to be lowered, the mounting rails must 14a and 15a to be moved down. For this every lifting roller must 14 and 15 then be rotated against the direction of the arrows U and P.

To 3 are at each flow changer 8th guide rails 16 for the transport chain 11 the production plant provided. These guide rails 16 are below ground. At the same time they serve as support elements for the casting molds and provide sliding surfaces on an upper side 16a for the molds. The guide rails 16 thus form parts that belong to the forming station, and the conveyor flow changer 8th connect with the transport chain of the production plant.

On the opposite side of the molds, overhead, are more guide rails 17 provided, namely guide rails for the overhead transport chain 12a or 12b of the acceleration tractor 12 of the flow changer 8th ,

In the 4 illustrated alternative forming station 1 for confectionery products largely corresponds to the molding station 1 according to 1 , It differs from this, because no lifting device is provided. According to this embodiment, a change of the transport planes of the casting molds is dispensed with in the conveying current changer.

The molding station 1 to 4 has a cold stamping unit 2 as well as a clock conveyor 3 , the loose casting molds 4 through the cold stamping unit 2 promoted. The cold stamp unit 2 has cooled cold punches 5 on. A stamping chamber 6 is provided in order to produce a hygienic and favorable for the cold stamping environment.

The cold stamp unit 2 has in the present embodiment, in turn, space to three molds 4 to record in series one after the other. Once the clock conveyor 3 three molds 4 in a stamp position under the cold stamps 5 has moved, the conveying movement is stopped.

The cold stamp unit 2 has lifting tables 7 on which the molds 4 during the standstill of the clock conveyor 3 to the cold stamps 5 Lift. Molds are from the clock conveyor 3 lifted. Every cold stamp 5 then forms with a mold cavity of a mold 4 a mold cavity in which the confectionery mass is formed and cooled by the cold stamp 5 is solidified rapidly.

In the conveying direction before and behind the cold stamping unit 2 is ever a flow changer 8th intended. The flow changer 8th serve to molds 4 in the cold stamp unit 2 with a different sequence of movements than in the rest of the production plant. It is intended to accelerate feeding of the molds 4 in the cold stamp unit 2 in order to achieve a prolonged downtime within the cold stamp unit 2 to enable.

In the present embodiment, the production plant conveys casting molds 4 continuously. This happens on an input page 6a the stamp chamber 6 via a conveyor 9a the production plant. On a home page 6b the stamp chamber 6 become molds from the cold stamping unit 2 Coming back to the continuous promotion of the conveyor 9b taken over the production plant.

The conveyors 9a and 9b The production facility reaches into the flow changer 8th into it. This is useful to allow a smooth change of the transport movement for an accelerated transfer of the molds.

For the change in a cyclic promotion is an input changer 8a intended. A continuously running transport chain 11 the conveyor 9a The production plant acts with one in the input changer 8a arranged deflection roller 11a together. The transport chain 11 The production plant is for this purpose to the input changer 8a extended into it. In the input changer 8a assumes an acceleration tractor 12 the further transport of the casting mold 4 to the clock conveyor 3 the cold stamp unit 2 , The acceleration tractor 12 has an overhead transport chain for this purpose 12a with drivers L on.

This conveyor flow changer covers the continuously running transport chain 11 the production plant and the transport chain 12a the acceleration tractor also. This allows a smooth transition of movement during the change of the transport movement.

For the change from the cyclic promotion back to the continuous production of the production plant is a output changer 8b intended. Here, too, a continuously running transport chain is effective 11 the production plant with a pulley 11b together, which is arranged in the output changer. The transport chain 11 the production plant is right up to the exit changer 8b extended. Likewise is an acceleration tractor 12 with a transport chain 12b intended.

Every conveyor flow changer 8a or 8b is thus designed to molds with continuous transport through a conveyor 9a respectively 9b the production plant in a cyclic transport within the cold stamping unit 2 to transfer or in the reverse direction from a cyclic promotion back to a continuous transfer.

In order to allow the required time savings in the transport of the molds in the flow changer constructively simple, is provided, the molds 4 that have to carry out the change of movement, transported in groups accelerated and transferred in groups in a different transport plane than that in which the molds 4 were before the change.

1

forming station

2

Cold stamping unit

3

conveyors

4

mold

4a

mold

4b

mold

4c

mold

4d

mold

4e

mold

4f

mold

5

cold stamping

6

stamp chamber

6a

input side

6b

output side

7

Lift table

8th

Flow changer

8a

input changer

8b

output changeover

9a

conveyor

9b

conveyor

10

11

transport chain

11a

idler pulley

11b

idler pulley

12

acceleration tractor

12a

transport chain

12b

transport chain

13

lifting device

14

transfer roll

14a

rail

15

transfer roll

15a

rail

16

guide rail

16a

sliding surface

17

guide rail

L

takeaway

M

engine

U

arrow

P

arrow

G

frame

Claims (9)

Forming station ( 1 ) for confectionery products, with a cold stamping unit ( 2 ), which a Taktförderer ( 3 ) for casting molds ( 4 . 4a . 4b . 4c . 4d . 4e . 4f ), wherein the shaping station is provided for arrangement within a production plant, which in turn has at least one conveying device ( 9a . 9b ) for casting molds ( 4 . 4a . 4b . 4c . 4d . 4e . 4f ), and wherein with the clock conveyor ( 3 ) of the forming station a clockwise stoppage of the conveying movement of the casting molds ( 4 . 4a . 4b . 4c . 4d . 4e . 4f ) within the cold stamp unit ( 2 ) can be generated, characterized in that at least one flow changer ( 8th . 8a . 8b ) is provided, with which a casting mold ( 4 . 4a . 4b . 4c . 4d . 4e . 4f ) is accelerated, namely by the conveyor device ( 9a . 9b ) of the production plant to the clock conveyor ( 3 ) of the cold stamping unit ( 2 ) and of the clock conveyor ( 3 ) of the cold stamping unit ( 2 ) back into the conveyor ( 9a . 9b ) of the production plant. Forming station according to claim 1, characterized in that an acceleration tractor ( 12 ) for casting molds ( 4 . 4a . 4b . 4c . 4d . 4e . 4f ) is provided, which via support elements ( 14a . 15a ) of the flow changer ( 8th . 8a . 8b ) are to be transported. Forming station according to claim 2, characterized in that the acceleration tractor ( 12 ) a clock conveyor chain ( 12a . 12b ) with drivers (L). Forming station according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the conveyor flow changer ( 8th . 8a . 8b ) several support elements ( 14a . 15a ) for carrying molds ( 4 . 4a . 4b ; 4c . 4d . 4e . 4f ) in different transport planes, and in that a lifting device ( 13 ) is provided, with the at least one feedable in a first transport plane mold ( 4 . 4a . 4b . 4c . 4d . 4e . 4f ) can be converted into a second transport plane. Forming station according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the lifting device ( 13 ) a pair of opposed lifting rollers ( 14 . 15 ) whose axes of rotation are aligned in the conveying direction and arranged so that casting molds ( 4 . 4a . 4b . 4c . 4d . 4e . 4f ) between the lifting rollers ( 14 . 15 ) fit. Forming station according to claim 5, characterized in that the support elements ( 14a . 15a ) axially parallel to the axes of rotation of each lifting roller ( 14 . 15 ) on the circumference of the lifting roller ( 14 . 15 ) and as a projecting support rail ( 14a . 15a ) educated. are. Forming station according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that a motor (M) is provided, with which the lifting rollers ( 14 . 15 ) are rotatable in opposite directions. Forming station according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the support elements ( 14a . 15a ) of the conveyor flow changer ( 8th . 8a . 8b ) have a length that allows a plurality of molds ( 4 . 4a . 4b . 4c . 4d . 4e . 4f ) in series one after the other. Forming station according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that two flow changer ( 8a . 8b ), namely an input changer ( 8a ) in the conveying direction before the cold stamping unit ( 2 ) and an output changer ( 8b ) in the conveying direction behind the cold stamping unit ( 2 ).