DE102014206994B4 - Printing unit with at least one print head and at least one cleaning device and a method for cleaning at least one nozzle surface of at least one print head - Google Patents

Abstract

Printing unit (211; 411), wherein the printing unit (211; 411) has at least one print head (212; 412) and at least one cleaning device (222) with at least one cleaning module (150), and wherein the at least one print head (212; 412) and the at least one cleaning module (150) is arranged such that it can be moved relative to one another in and/or counter to a cleaning direction (G), and the at least one cleaning module (150) has at least one contact element (151) which, by means of at least one adjustment drive (152), has at least one Nozzle surface (232) of the at least one print head (212; 412) can be brought into contact and wherein the at least one cleaning module (150) has at least one of the at least one print head (212; 412) and the at least one contact element (151) and/or or alignable first dispensing device (158) for cleaning agent and wherein the at least one cleaning module (150) has at least one on the at least one print head (212; 412) and on the at least one contact element (151) has a gas outlet nozzle (159) that is and/or can be aligned, and wherein the at least one contact element (151) is between the at least one first dispensing device (158) and an outlet opening (162) of the at least one Gas outlet nozzle (159) is arranged.

Description

The invention relates to a printing unit with at least one print head and at least one cleaning module and a method for cleaning at least one nozzle surface of at least one print head.

Various printing methods are known which can be used in printing presses. One such printing method is inkjet printing. In this case, individual drops of coating agent are ejected from nozzles of print heads and transferred to a printing material in such a way that a printed image results on the printing material. Different print images can be created by individually controlling a large number of nozzles. There is no fixed printing form and it is therefore possible to design each individual printed product individually. As a result, personalized printed products can be produced and/or small runs of printed products can be produced at low cost due to the saving on printing forms.

An exact match of a print image on the front and back of a substrate printed on both sides is called register (DIN 16500-2). In multi-color printing, one speaks of register (DIN 16500-2) when individual print images of different colors are combined to form an image that fits exactly. Appropriate measures must also be taken in connection with inkjet printing in order to maintain register and/or registration.

through the DE 10 2011 076 899 A1 a printing press is known, the printing press having a first printing unit which has a central cylinder and at least one inkjet print head.

Inks and printing inks are preferably solutions or dispersions of at least one colorant in at least one solvent. Examples of suitable solvents are water and/or organic solvents. Inks preferably have no binder or relatively little binder, while printing inks preferably contain a relatively large amount of binder and more preferably other auxiliaries. Colorants can be pigments and/or dyes, pigments being insoluble in the application medium while dyes being soluble in the application medium. However, in the following, colorless paints are also meant when talking about coating materials and/or inks and/or printing inks.

Soiling occurs again and again in printing units, for example due to dried coating materials such as printing ink or ink or due to parts of a printing material such as paper fibers or due to dust or the like or due to mixtures of the substances mentioned. As a result, for example, nozzles of print heads can be narrowed or clogged, which can lead to incorrect application of coating agent. Such contamination can have negative consequences both inside nozzles and on the outside nozzle surfaces of print heads. Therefore, different cleaning devices are known.

through the WO 2013/134737 A1 a cleaning device with adjustable contact elements is known.

through the EP 2 233 294 B1 a printing unit is known which has at least one print head and at least one cleaning device and wherein a cleaning module has a contact element which can be brought into contact with a nozzle surface of the print head by means of a positioning drive and wherein the contact element is arranged at a first point of a lever body on this lever body and wherein the lever body is mounted on a carrier at a second point of this lever body and wherein the adjusting drive is in contact with this lever body at a third point of the lever body.

through the US 2010/0079539 A1 a printing unit is known which has at least one print head and at least one and wherein the at least one print head and the at least one cleaning module are arranged so as to be movable relative to one another and wherein the at least one cleaning module has at least one first delivery device which is and/or can be aligned with the at least one print head has cleaning agents.

through the US 2011/0074869 A1 a cleaning device is known in which cleaning agent is applied and at the same time sucked off.

through the U.S. 2012/0186606 A1 and the JP 2003 182 088 A and the U.S. 2006/0221122 A1 a print head and a cleaning device with at least one cleaning module are known in each case, with the print head and the cleaning module being arranged such that they can be moved relative to one another in and counter to a cleaning direction, and with the cleaning module having a first dispensing device for cleaning agent that can be aligned with the print head, and with the cleaning module having a Print head has alignable gas outlet nozzle and wherein the cleaning module has a contact element. It is also a method for cleaning at least one nozzle surface of at least one print head, with a The dispensing device arranged on the carrier is moved in a cleaning direction relative to the print head and cleaning agent is applied to the at least one nozzle surface and a gas outlet nozzle arranged on the carrier is then moved in the cleaning direction relative to the print head and a gas or gas mixture is applied to the nozzle surface of the print head is ejected in a directed manner.

through the WO 2012/ 089 182 A1 and the DE 10 2011 056 647 A1 a printing unit or a print head and a cleaning device are known in each case, with the print head and the cleaning module being arranged such that they can be moved relative to one another in and/or counter to a cleaning direction, and with the cleaning module having a contact element which is in contact with a nozzle surface of the print head by means of a positioning drive is bringable. Furthermore, a method for cleaning a nozzle surface of a print head is known in each case, in which coating agent is dispensed and then a stripping process is carried out by means of the contact element.

through the U.S. 2006/0 061 613 A1 a cleaning device for a 3D printer is known, which has dispensing devices for cleaning agents and a contact element. An air curtain is suggested to prevent dirt build-up.

The invention is based on the object of creating a printing unit with at least one print head and at least one cleaning device and a method for cleaning at least one nozzle surface of at least one print head.

The object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claim 1 and the features of claim 11.

A printing press has at least one printing unit. One advantage of the printing unit is that the printing unit has at least one print head and at least one cleaning device with at least one movable cleaning module, with the at least one cleaning module preferably having at least one contact element which, by means of at least one adjustment drive, can be actuated, in particular from at least one spaced first relative position, with at least one nozzle surface of the at least one print head can be brought into contact, for example in particular in a contacting second relative position, and the at least one contact element is preferably arranged at a first point of at least one lever body on this at least one lever body and the at least one lever body is arranged at a second point of this at least one lever body is mounted on at least one carrier and the at least one adjustment drive is at least temporarily in contact with this at least one lever body at a third point of the at least one lever body and /or can be brought and wherein the third point is preferably arranged between the first point and the second point along the at least one lever body, has at least the advantage that the cleaning module can be made particularly compact. A compact design is particularly advantageous, particularly in connection with print heads which, for example, have overlapping target areas because of their alignment with a central cylinder. A further advantage is that this arrangement means that the adjustment drive requires only a relatively small stroke compared to the adjustment travel of the contact element and can therefore be designed to be very compact even in one adjustment direction.

The direction of attack is preferably defined in that the at least one contact element can be moved towards and/or away from the at least one nozzle surface by means of the at least one adjusting drive in and/or counter to the direction of attack. The at least one nozzle surface is preferably a surface of the at least one print head having a plurality of nozzles, in particular nozzle openings of nozzles of the at least one print head. The at least one print head is preferably at least one ink jet print head. The at least one carrier can also consist of a number of components which are arranged rigidly with respect to one another. A corresponding totality of components should nevertheless apply as the at least one carrier.

The third point is preferably arranged between the first point and the second point, in particular in relation to a direction pointing from the first point to the second point. The at least one lever body is preferably designed to be elastic, ie in particular reversibly deformable and having its own restoring force. As a result, damage to the contact element and/or the print head, for example, can be avoided even in the event of a malfunction of a positioning drive and/or changes in the positioning paths, because the lever body permits evasive movements of the at least one contact element. As a result, the adjusting drive can be configured particularly favorably as a pneumatic drive acting in only one direction, for example. The at least one adjusting drive preferably limits the freedom of movement of the at least one lever body only against the adjusting direction, while the at least one lever body can be moved in at least one direction relative to each part of the adjusting drive. For example, the at least one adjustment drive and the at least one lever body are at least temporarily way spaced apart and / or arrangeable.

A dimension of the at least one lever body in the direction of attack is preferably smaller than each dimension of the at least one lever body in each direction orthogonal to the direction of attack. This also allows a compact structure and favors its elastic properties. More preferably, the dimension of the at least one lever body in the direction of attack is less than one tenth of each dimension of the at least one lever body in each direction orthogonal to the direction of attack. The at least one lever body is therefore preferably designed as a restoring element which, at least when the adjusting drive is activated, is arranged to exert a force acting counter to the adjusting direction on the at least one adjusting drive.

The at least one contact element is preferably designed as at least one wiper, for example as at least one wiper blade. The wiper blade is designed, for example, as a profile made from at least one elastomeric material, preferably as at least one rubber profile.

The at least one cleaning module has at least one first dispensing device for cleaning agents, which is and/or can be aligned in particular with its dispensing opening on the at least one print head and on the at least one contact element. The at least one cleaning module has at least one gas outlet nozzle that is and/or can be aligned, in particular with its discharge opening, towards the at least one print head and towards the at least one contact element.

One advantage of a printing unit that has at least one print head and at least one cleaning device with at least one cleaning module, with the at least one print head and the at least one cleaning module preferably being arranged such that they can be moved relative to one another in and/or counter to the cleaning direction, and with the at least one cleaning module preferably being at least has a first dispensing device for cleaning agents that is aligned and/or can be aligned on the at least one print head, in particular on at least one nozzle surface of the at least one print head, and/or wherein the at least one cleaning module preferably has at least one on the at least one print head, in particular on the at least one nozzle surface of the has at least one print head aligned and/or alignable gas outlet nozzle, has at least the advantage that a particularly gentle cleaning can be carried out. In addition, by separately applying and removing the cleaning agent, the possibility is created of adapting the exposure time of the cleaning agent to the given circumstances.

The at least one cleaning module with the at least one carrier is preferably arranged so that it can be moved by means of at least one cleaning drive in and/or counter to a cleaning direction relative to the at least one print head and preferably along several, for example at least three and preferably at least seven print heads. As a result, the number of cleaning modules and/or contact elements and/or adjusting drives to be used is less than the number of print heads, which in particular reduces procurement costs. The cleaning direction is preferably oriented parallel to the at least one nozzle surface of the at least one print head, so that a simple relative movement can be implemented using simple means, for example a linear drive as the cleaning drive. The cleaning direction is preferably oriented orthogonally to a transport direction provided for a printing material. In particular, this offers the advantage that cleaning with just a few cleaning modules is also possible in a simple manner with such arrangements of print heads in which not all print heads have ejection directions parallel to one another, such as in cases where print heads are arranged around a central cylinder .

The at least one adjusting drive is preferably designed as at least one linear drive, for example as at least one cylinder with at least one cylinder piston, in particular as at least one fluid cylinder, for example at least one hydraulic cylinder and preferably at least one pneumatic cylinder. Alternatively or additionally, other types of drives are also possible, for example electric and/or magnetic drives and/or drives that have rotors and/or stators. If a cylinder is mentioned, then in particular a corresponding piston that can be moved in it is also meant. For example, at least one single-acting and/or double-acting drive, in particular a cylinder, is used. At least one component of the at least one adjusting drive is preferably arranged in a stationary manner relative to the at least one carrier.

Preferably, in addition to the at least one adjustment drive and the at least one lever body, there is at least one guide element that is at least temporarily in contact with the at least one lever body and/or the at least one contact element and that specifies the adjustment direction of an adjustment path of the at least one contact element. This is an optimized adjustment movement of at least allows a contact element. Preferably, the at least one lever body is movably connected to the at least one carrier at the second point in at least one compensation direction and is mounted on the at least one carrier. This compensation direction has, for example, at least one component that is oriented orthogonally to the direction of attack. As a result, it can be achieved that the at least one contact element follows the at least one guide element and not, for example, an arcuate movement that could occur with a fixed connection at the second point and at the same time with a very large adjustment path. Alternatively, the at least one lever body is firmly connected to the at least one carrier at the second point, in particular if the adjustment path is so small that the at least one contact body can follow the guide element without problems, without problems arising due to any curved movements. The at least one guide element is preferably at least temporarily in contact with the at least one lever body and/or the at least one contact element at at least a fourth point, with the at least one fourth point being more preferably closer to the first point than to the second point and more preferably also closer than the third digit. The first point is preferably arranged between the third point and the fourth point.

The at least one cleaning module preferably has a plurality of contact elements, each of which is assigned its own adjusting drive and its own lever body. This ensures that print heads with different ejection directions can also be cleaned using a common cleaning module. Manufacturing costs and operating costs can thus be saved, in particular because fewer cleaning drives are required. The plurality of adjustment drives can preferably be activated simultaneously via at least one common, in particular pneumatic, supply line and/or each cleaning module has exactly one first delivery device. As a result, control devices such as valves can be saved. Preferably, the plurality of contact elements are arranged together with the at least one carrier so as to be movable in particular relative to the at least one print head in and/or counter to the cleaning direction.

The at least one first dispensing device and/or the at least one gas outlet nozzle and/or the at least one cleaning module is preferably arranged to be movable relative to a frame of the at least one printing unit and relative to the at least one print head. The at least one first dispensing device and/or the at least one gas outlet nozzle on the one hand and the at least one print head on the other hand are preferably arranged to be movable relative to one another. The at least one first dispensing device and the at least one gas outlet nozzle are preferably arranged on the at least one carrier, in particular on the carrier on which the at least one adjusting drive and/or the at least one lever body are also arranged.

The at least one first dispensing device is preferably designed as at least one first spray nozzle. More preferably, a dispensing opening of the at least one first dispensing device, in particular a spray opening with at least one component, faces the at least one outlet opening of the at least one gas outlet nozzle. More preferably, the dispensing opening of the at least one dispensing device with at least one component faces the at least one contact element. As a result, cleaning agent can be applied at least to the at least one contact element without contact.

The printing unit is preferably characterized in that the at least one cleaning module has at least one second dispensing device, designed in particular as a second spray nozzle, for example for at least partially liquid cleaning agent, which is and/or can be aligned with its dispensing opening, in particular spray opening, pointing away from the at least one print head is. At least partially liquid cleaning agent is to be understood in particular as also completely liquid cleaning agent. The printing unit preferably has at least one collecting device, for example a collecting pan. More preferably, the at least one second dispensing device is aligned and/or arranged to be aligned with its dispensing opening, in particular spray opening, preferably pointing from above towards the at least one collecting device. The at least one second dispensing device is preferably arranged such that it can be moved relative to the at least one collecting device. This second dispensing device advantageously makes it possible to clean the collecting device without an operator having to intervene manually. As a result, the collection device can always be kept clean without it being necessary to dismantle parts of the printing unit. This increases operational safety because regular cleaning is possible without much effort.

The at least one gas outlet nozzle is preferably designed as a gas knife, in particular as an air knife. As a result, cleaning agent and/or dirt can be removed particularly effectively with low gas consumption. At least one, for example, convexly curved guide surface is preferred in one Outlet direction of the at least one gas outlet nozzle arranged subsequently to at least one outlet opening of the at least one gas outlet nozzle. As a result, the exiting gas can be brought particularly close to the corresponding nozzle surface in a desired direction of movement. Preferably, a rectilinear connection of one of the at least one outlet opening of the at least one gas outlet nozzle end of the curved guide surface facing away from the at least one outlet opening end of this guide surface points in a direction that has at least one component that, in relation to the cleaning direction, points towards the at least one gas outlet nozzle which has at least one first dispensing device. This results in particularly advantageous flow conditions.

The at least one first dispensing device and an outlet opening of the at least one gas outlet nozzle are preferably arranged at a distance from one another at least in the cleaning direction. This makes it possible to assign a common area of influence to these two. If required, these can then act on an equal part of the at least one nozzle surface. More preferably, the at least one contact element is arranged between the at least one first dispensing device and the at least one outlet opening of the at least one gas outlet nozzle with respect to the cleaning direction. This makes it possible, in particular, to arrange this at least one contact body in the common area of action and to act on the at least one contact body both by means of the at least one dispensing device and by means of the at least one gas outlet nozzle. In this way, the at least one dispensing device and the at least one gas outlet nozzle can be used to clean the at least one contact body.

A method for cleaning the at least one nozzle surface of the at least one print head of the printing unit is particularly advantageous, wherein in an application process the at least one first dispensing device of the at least one cleaning module, which is arranged on a carrier, is moved in the cleaning direction relative to the at least one print head and in doing so at least one at least partially liquid cleaning agent is applied to the at least one nozzle surface by means of the at least one first dispensing device and the at least one gas outlet nozzle arranged on the carrier is then moved in and/or counter to the cleaning direction relative to the at least one print head in a first removal process, and in particular to remove at least one gas or gas mixture from the at least one nozzle surface from the at least one outlet opening of the at least one gas outlet nozzle onto the at least one nozzle surface of the at least one printhead is ejected directed. This enables a completely non-contact cleaning of the nozzle surface. In particular, this reduces the risk of clogging the nozzles of the print head. As a result, cleaning of the nozzles themselves is unnecessary or at least greatly simplified.

For example, in an exit process, a coating agent, in particular ink, is then dispensed from at least one of the nozzles of the at least one print head assigned to the at least one nozzle surface and then, in a removal process, the at least one contact element, which is in particular attached to the at least one carrier, is brought into contact with the nozzle surface, for example, and in particular then moved relative to the at least one print head in and/or counter to the cleaning direction while being in contact with the at least one nozzle surface and thereby at least partially removing the coating agent dispensed in the exit process from the at least one nozzle surface. As a result, the nozzles of the print head can still be cleaned without it being necessary to convey cleaning agent through the nozzles in any direction. The method is preferably further characterized in that, in particular after that, in a rinsing process, the at least one second dispensing device of the at least one cleaning module, which is arranged on the carrier, is moved in and/or counter to the cleaning direction relative to the at least one print head, and liquid cleaning agent is dispensed at least partially in the process the at least one second dispensing device is dispensed in particular in a direction pointing away from the at least one nozzle surface towards the collecting device preferably arranged at least partially below the at least one nozzle surface.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are described in more detail below.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung einer Rollen-Druckmaschine;
• 2 eine schematische Darstellung einer Rollen-Druckmaschine mit alternativer Bahnführung;
• 2 eine schematische Darstellung eines Teils einer Druckeinheit mit einer Doppelreihe von Druckköpfen;
• 3 eine schematische Darstellung einer Druckeinheit mit mehreren Düsenbalken, deren Druckköpfe in Druckpositionen angeordnet sind;
• 4 eine schematische Darstellung einer Druckeinheit mit mehreren Düsenbalken, deren Druckköpfe in Ruhepositionen, insbesondere Wartungspositionen angeordnet sind, wobei Positionierantriebe der Übersichtlichkeit halber unterbrochen dargestellt sind;
• 5 eine schematische Darstellung eines Teils einer Reinigungsvorrichtung;
• 6 eine schematische Darstellung eines Teils einer Reinigungsvorrichtung und eines Druckkopfs;
• 7 eine schematische Darstellung eines Teils einer Reinigungsvorrichtung;
• 8 eine schematische Darstellung einer Reinigungsvorrichtung gemäß einem Schnitt entlang der Linie VIII in 5;
• 9 eine schematische Darstellung einer alternativ ausgebildeten Reinigungsvorrichtung in einer Darstellung analog derjenigen aus 8.

Show it:

• 1 a schematic representation of a web printing machine;
• 2 a schematic representation of a web printing machine with an alternative web guide;
• 2 a schematic representation of part of a printing unit with a double row of print heads;
• 3 a schematic representation of a printing unit with a plurality of nozzle bars, the print heads of which are arranged in printing positions;
• 4 a schematic representation of a printing unit with a plurality of nozzle bars, the print heads of which are arranged in rest positions, in particular maintenance positions, with positioning drives being shown interrupted for the sake of clarity;
• 5 a schematic representation of part of a cleaning device;
• 6 a schematic representation of part of a cleaning device and a print head;
• 7 a schematic representation of part of a cleaning device;
• 8th a schematic representation of a cleaning device according to a section along the line VIII in 5 ;
• 9 a schematic representation of an alternatively designed cleaning device in a representation analogous to that of FIG 8th .

A printing press 01 has, for example, at least one printing substrate source 100, at least one first printing unit 200, preferably at least one first dryer 301, preferably at least one second printing unit 400 and preferably at least one second dryer 331, and preferably at least one post-processing device 500. Printing machine 01 is also preferably embodied as an inkjet printing machine 01. Printing press 01 is preferably embodied as a web-fed printing press 01, more preferably as a web-fed inkjet printing press 01. Printing press 01 is embodied, for example, as a rotary printing press 01, for example as a web-fed rotary printing press 01, in particular web-fed rotary inkjet printing press 01. In the case of a web-fed In printing machine 01, printing material source 100 is embodied, for example, as a roll unwinding device 100. In the case of a sheet-fed printing press or sheet-fed rotary printing press, the printing material source 100 is embodied as a sheet feeder, for example. At least one printing substrate 02 is preferably aligned in printing substrate source 100, preferably with respect to at least one edge of this printing substrate 02. Printing substrate 02 is, for example, at least one printing substrate 02 in the form of a web, i.e. a printing substrate web 02, for example a paper web 02 or a textile web 02 or a film 02, for example a plastic foil 02 or a metal foil 02. An axial direction A is preferably a direction A that extends parallel to an axis of rotation 111 of a roll of printing material 101 and/or to an axis of rotation 207; 407 of at least one central cylinder 201; 401 and/or to an axis of rotation of a printing material guide element arranged in the first printing unit 200.

A transport path for the at least one printing substrate 02 and in particular the printing substrate web 02 runs downstream of the at least one printing substrate source 100, preferably through the at least one first printing unit 200, where the printing substrate 02 and in particular the printing substrate web 02 is preferably coated by means of at least one coating medium, in particular at least one ink and /or printing ink is provided with at least one printed image on at least one side and preferably in connection with the at least one second printing unit 400, preferably on both sides.

After passing through the at least one first printing unit 200, the transport path of the printing substrate 02 and in particular the printing substrate web 02 runs through the at least one first dryer 301, for example, in order to dry the applied ink and/or printing ink. In the foregoing and in the following, ink and/or printing ink is to be understood generally as a coating agent, in particular also a lacquer. The at least one first dryer 301 is preferably part of a dryer unit 300.

A web-fed printing press 01 is described in more detail below. Corresponding details can, however, also be transferred to other printing presses 01, for example sheet-fed printing presses, provided they do not conflict with this. Printing material rolls 101, which are preferably used in the roll unwinding device 100, each preferably have a sleeve onto which the web-type printing material 02 is wound for use in the web-fed printing press 01. Printing substrate web 02 preferably has a width of 700 mm to 2000 mm, but can also have any smaller or preferably larger width.

A working width of printing machine 01 is a dimension that preferably extends orthogonally to the intended transport path for printing substrate 02 through the at least one first printing unit 200, more preferably in the axial direction A. The working width of printing machine 01 preferably corresponds to a maximum width that a printing substrate 02 may have in order to still be able to be processed with printing press 01, i.e. a maximum printing substrate width that can be processed with printing press 01.

First printing unit 200 is preferably arranged downstream of roll unwinding device 100 with respect to the transport path of printing substrate 02. The first printing unit 200 has, for example, at least at least a first central pressure cylinder 201 or central cylinder 201 for short. When a central cylinder 201 is mentioned below, a central printing cylinder 201 is always meant. The printing material web 02 preferably at least partially wraps around the first central cylinder 201 during a printing operation. An angle of wrap is preferably at least 180° and more preferably at least 270°. The angle of wrap is the angle, measured in the circumferential direction, of a cylinder jacket surface of the first central cylinder 201, along which the printing substrate 02 and in particular the printing substrate web 02 is in contact with the first central cylinder 201. The printing substrate web 02 wraps around part of a first deflection roller 203, for example, and is deflected by it in such a way that the transport path of the printing substrate web 02 runs in a first intermediate space 204 both tangentially to the first deflection roller 203 and tangentially to the first central cylinder 201.

At least one first cylinder 206 embodied as a first impression roller 206 is preferably arranged in the first printing unit 200. When the first central cylinder 201 is engaged, the first impression roller 206 preferably forms a first impression roller nip 209 together with the first central cylinder 201. The first central cylinder 201 preferably has its own first drive motor 208, which is assigned to the first central cylinder 201 and is preferably an electric motor 208 is designed and which is further preferably designed as a direct drive 208 and/or individual drive 208 of the first central cylinder 201.

A first rotary angle sensor is preferably arranged on the first drive motor 208 of the first central cylinder 201 and/or on the first central cylinder 201 itself, which measures and/or is capable of measuring a rotary angle position of the first drive motor 208 and/or the first central cylinder 201 itself and transmits it to a higher-level machine controller is configured to transmit and/or capable of transmission. The first angle of rotation sensor is designed, for example, as a rotary encoder or absolute value encoder. With such a rotary angle sensor, a rotary position of the first drive motor 208 and/or preferably a rotary position of the first central cylinder 201 can be absolutely determined, preferably by means of the higher-level machine control.

Additionally or alternatively, the first drive motor 208 of the first central cylinder 201 is connected to the machine controller in terms of circuitry in such a way that the machine controller, on the basis of target data specified by the machine controller to the first drive motor 208 of the first central cylinder 201, at any time via the Rotational position of the first drive motor 208 and thus at the same time the rotational position of the first central cylinder 201 is informed.

At least one first printing unit 211 is arranged within the first printing unit 200 . The at least one first printing unit 211 is preferably arranged in the direction of rotation of the first central cylinder 201 and thus along the transport path of the printing substrate web 02 after the first impression roller 206, preferably acting and/or capable of acting and/or aligned and/or alignable on the at least one first central cylinder 201. The at least one first printing unit 211 is preferably embodied as a first inkjet printing unit 211 and is also referred to as the first inkjet printing unit 211. The at least one first printing unit 211 preferably has at least one nozzle bar 213 and more preferably a plurality of nozzle bars 213. The at least one first printing unit 211 and thus the at least one first printing unit 200 preferably has the at least one first print head 212, which is preferably embodied as an inkjet print head 212. The at least one nozzle bar 213 preferably has at least one print head 212 in each case and preferably a plurality of print heads 212 in each case. Each print head 212 preferably has a plurality of nozzles from which drops of coating agent, in particular drops of ink and/or drops of printing ink, are and/or can be ejected. The nozzles preferably end in nozzle openings of a surface 232 configured as a nozzle surface 232 of the respective at least one print head 212. A nozzle surface 232 is preferably a surface 232 of the at least one print head 212 that has a plurality of nozzles, in particular nozzle openings of nozzles.

A nozzle bar 213 is a component that preferably extends in axial direction A over at least 80% and more preferably at least 100% of the working width of printing press 01 and serves as a carrier for the at least one print head 212. The axial length of a barrel of the at least one first central cylinder 201 is preferably at least as great as the working width of printing press 01. One or more nozzle bars 213 are arranged for each printing unit 211. Each nozzle is preferably assigned a clearly defined target area in relation to direction A of the width of printing substrate web 02 and preferably in relation to direction A, in particular of the axis of rotation 207 of the at least one first central cylinder 201. Each target area of a nozzle is preferably clearly defined, at least in the printing operation, in particular in relation to the circumferential direction of the at least one first central cylinder 201. In particular, a target area of a nozzle is that in particular substantially linear space extending in a discharge direction of each nozzle from each nozzle.

The at least one first nozzle bar 213 preferably extends orthogonally to the intended transport path for printing substrate 02, preferably across the working width of printing press 01. The at least one nozzle bar 213 preferably has at least one row of nozzles. Viewed in axial direction A, the at least one row of nozzles preferably has nozzle openings at regular intervals, for example, over the entire working width of printing machine 01 and/or the width of the barrel of the at least one first central cylinder 201. In one embodiment, a single, continuous print head 212 is provided for this purpose, which extends in axial direction A over the entire working width of printing press 01 and/or the entire width of the barrel of the at least one first central cylinder 201. The at least one row of nozzles is preferably embodied as at least one linear row of individual nozzles extending across the entire width of printing substrate web 02 in axial direction A. In another preferred embodiment, a plurality of print heads 212 are arranged next to one another in the axial direction A on the at least one nozzle bar 213. Since such individual print heads 212 are not usually provided with nozzles up to the edge of their housing, preferably at least two and more preferably exactly two rows of print heads 212 extending in the axial direction A are offset from one another in the circumferential direction of the first central cylinder 201, preferably like this that print heads 212 that follow one another in axial direction A preferably alternately belong to one of the at least two rows of print heads 212, preferably always alternately to a first and a second of two rows of print heads 212. Two such rows of print heads 212 form a double row of print heads 212. Each dual row of printheads 212 has between five and twenty-five printheads 212, and more preferably seven or fourteen printheads 212, for example. The at least one row of nozzles is preferably not designed as a single linear row of nozzles, but results from the sum of several individual, more preferably two, rows of nozzles arranged offset from one another in the circumferential direction.

If a print head 212 has a plurality of nozzles, all target areas of the nozzles of this print head 212 together form a working area of this print head 212. Working areas of print heads 212 of a nozzle bar 213 and in particular of a double row of print heads 212 adjoin one another and/or overlap when viewed in axial direction A seen in the axial direction A. In this way, even when print head 212 is not continuous in axial direction A, it is ensured that target areas of nozzles of the at least one nozzle bar 213 and/or in particular of each double row of print heads 212 are located at regular and preferably periodic intervals, as viewed in axial direction A. In any case, an entire working area of the at least one nozzle bar 213 preferably extends over at least 90% and more preferably 100% of the working width of printing machine 01 and/or the entire width of the barrel of the at least one first central cylinder 201 in axial direction A. At a or on both sides with respect to axial direction A, there may be a narrow region of printing substrate web 02 and/or the barrel of first central cylinder 201 that does not belong to the working area of nozzle bar 213. An entire working area of the at least one nozzle bar 213 is preferably composed of all working areas of print heads 212 of this at least one nozzle bar 213 and is preferably composed of all target areas of nozzles of these print heads 212 of this at least one nozzle bar 213. The entire working area of a double row of print heads 212, viewed in axial direction A, preferably corresponds to the working area of the at least one nozzle bar 213.

The at least one nozzle bar 213 preferably has multiple rows of nozzles in the circumferential direction with respect to the at least one first central cylinder 201 and/or in a transport direction B intended for printing substrate 02. Each print head 212 preferably has a large number of nozzles, which are more preferably arranged in a matrix of multiple rows in the axial direction A and/or multiple columns, preferably in the circumferential direction of the at least one first central cylinder 201. Such columns are more preferably arranged running obliquely to the circumferential direction, for example in order to increase the resolution of a printed image. A row of nozzles and a column of nozzles preferably enclose an angle that differs from 90°. Multiple rows of print heads 212, more preferably four double rows and even more preferably eight, are preferred in a direction orthogonal to axial direction A, in particular in transport direction B along the intended transport path of printing substrate 02 and/or in the circumferential direction in relation to the at least one central cylinder 201 Double rows of printheads 212 arranged one after the other.

The print heads 212 are preferably aligned, at least in the printing operation, in such a way that the nozzles of each print head 212 essentially surface of the at least one first central cylinder 201 in the radial direction. Deviations from radial directions within a tolerance range of preferably at most 10° and more preferably at most 5° should be considered to be essentially radial directions. This means that the at least one print head 212 aligned with the lateral surface of the at least one first central cylinder 201 is aligned in a radial direction with respect to the rotational axis 207 of the at least one first central cylinder 201 with respect to the lateral surface of the at least one first central cylinder 201. This radial direction is a radial direction related to the axis of rotation 207 of the at least one first central cylinder 201. Each double row of print heads 212 is preferably assigned and/or can be assigned an ink and/or printing color of a specific color, for example one of the colors black, cyan, yellow and magenta or a varnish, for example a clear varnish. The corresponding inkjet printing unit 211 is preferably embodied as a multicolor printing unit 211, in particular a four-color printing unit 211, and enables one-sided multicolor, in particular four-color printing of the printing substrate web 02. It is also possible to print fewer or more different colors with a printing unit 211, for example additional special colors. In one embodiment, at least during the printing operation, a plurality of rows of print heads 212, more preferably four double rows and even more preferably eight double rows of print heads 212 are arranged in succession on at least one surface of at least one transfer body, for example at least one transfer cylinder and/or at least one transfer belt.

The at least one print head 212 operates to generate drops of coating agent, preferably according to the drop-on-demand method, in which droplets of coating agent are generated in a targeted manner as required, in particular with a selectable droplet size (amplitude modulation). At least one piezo element is preferably used for each nozzle, which can reduce a volume filled with coating agent by a certain proportion at high speed when a voltage is applied and/or when an applied voltage changes. As a result, coating agent is displaced, which is ejected through a nozzle connected to the volume filled with coating agent and forms at least one droplet of coating agent. It is also possible to use at least one heating element per nozzle, which generates a gas bubble at high speed in a volume filled with coating agent by evaporating coating agent. In the drop-on-demand method, it is possible to determine a target position of the respective drop of coating medium on the moving printing substrate web 02 with respect to the circumferential direction of the at least one first central cylinder 201 solely by the time at which the respective drop of coating medium is emitted and a rotational speed of the first central cylinder 201 and/or by the Determine the rotational position of the first central cylinder 201.

The nozzles of the at least one print head 212 are arranged in such a way that the distance between the nozzles and the printing substrate web 02 arranged on the lateral surface of the at least one first central cylinder 201 is preferably between 0.5 mm and 5 mm and more, at least when print head 212 is arranged in a printing position is preferably between 1 mm and 1.5 mm. The high angular resolution and/or the high sampling frequency of the angle of rotation sensor and/or the high accuracy of the target data on the rotational position of the first drive motor 208 of the first central cylinder 201, which is specified by the machine controller and processed by the first drive motor 208 of the first central cylinder 201, enables a very precise Determination of position and/or knowledge of the position of printing substrate web 02 relative to the nozzles and their target areas. A droplet flight time between the nozzles and the printing substrate web 02 is known, for example, through a teach-in process and/or through the known distance between the nozzles and the printing substrate web 02 and a known droplet speed. An ideal point in time for the ejection of a respective droplet is determined from the rotational angle position of the at least one first central cylinder 201 and/or the first drive 208 of the at least one first central cylinder 201, the rotational speed of the at least one first central cylinder 201 and the droplet flight time, so that a correct register and /or registration-correct imaging of the printing material web 02 is achieved.

In a regular printing operation, all print heads 212 are stationary. This ensures that all nozzles are aligned correctly and/or correctly in register over the long term. There are different situations in which movement of the printheads 212 is necessary. A first such situation is a flying roll change or generally a roll change with a gluing process or generally a web threading with a thicker point of the web to be fed in. The at least one nozzle bar 213 is therefore in at least one adjustment direction and/or along at least one adjustment path relative to the axis of rotation 207 of the at least one first central cylinder 201 and/or the intended transport path for printing substrate 02. In this way, the distance can be increased sufficiently, but must then be correspondingly reduced again. A second such situation arises, for example e.g. when installing and/or servicing and/or cleaning and/or replacing at least one of the print heads 212. The print heads 212 are preferably attached individually to the at least one nozzle bar 213 and can be detached individually from the at least one nozzle bar 213. As a result, individual print heads 212 can be serviced and/or cleaned and/or replaced.

Printing press 01 preferably has at least one printing unit 200; 400, wherein the at least one printing unit 200; 400 at least one, preferably having an ejection direction, as an inkjet print head 212; 412 formed print head 212; 412 and preferably several, preferably each having an ejection direction, as ink jet print heads 212; 412 formed printheads 212; 412 and preferably at least one axis of rotation 207; 407 rotatable printing material guide element 201; 401, by means of which at least one transport path provided for preferably web-type printing substrate 02 is and/or can be at least partially fixed.

The at least one printing material guide element 201; 401 within the at least one printing unit 200; 400 and/or the at least one printing material guide element 201; 401 as at least one web guide roller and/or one deflection roller 203; 312; 403 and/or as at least one central printing cylinder 201; 401 and/or as at least one transmission body.

The at least one print head 212 is preferably provided with at least one positioning device 217; 218; 219; 221 connected and/or connectable. More preferably, the at least one print head 212 is permanently connected to the at least one positioning device 217; 218; 219; 221 and only for assembly and/or disassembly purposes and/or to replace the at least one print head 212 of the at least one positioning device 217; 218; 219; 221 separable. Preferably, at least one of at least two print heads 212 can be arranged, more preferably by means of a positioning device 217 assigned to it, at least either in a printing position assigned to it or in at least one rest position assigned to it.

A print head 212 arranged in its printing position is preferably characterized in that at least one nozzle of the at least one print head 212 is moved by a designated transport path for printing substrate 02 and/or by printing substrate 02 and/or by a transfer body and/or by printing substrate guide element 201; 401 has a distance which is at most 5 mm and more preferably at most 1.5 mm and/or which is preferably at least 0.5 mm and more preferably at least 1 mm.

The at least one print head 212 is preferably positioned in particular by means of the at least one positioning device 217; 218; 219; 221 can be arranged in at least one rest position and more preferably in at least two different rest positions. The at least one rest position is designed, for example, as at least one maintenance position and/or as at least one assembly position. A maintenance position is preferably a position in which the at least one print head 212 can be serviced, for example cleaned and/or aligned and/or stored in a state that is secured, in particular, against contamination and/or drying out, in particular without the at least one print head 212 from printing press 01 and/or the at least one printing unit 200; 400 to take. A mounting position is preferably a position in which the at least one print head 212 from printing press 01 and/or the at least one printing unit 200; 400 and/or removed from the at least one nozzle bar 213 and/or into printing press 01 and/or the at least one printing unit 200; 400 and/or the at least one nozzle bar 213 can be used. In particular, more space is preferably available in the installation position for an operator to access the at least one print head 212, while in the maintenance position there is preferably only sufficient space to be able to carry out internal, in particular automatic, processes within printing press 01. for example, cleaning a nozzle surface 232 of at least one print head 212.

The respective maintenance positions of the print heads 212 are preferably characterized in that different print heads 212 arranged in their respective maintenance positions have different distances from one another than in their respective printing positions and/or in their respective assembly positions.

In a preferred embodiment, the at least one positioning device 217; 218, 219; 221 has at least one positioning guide 224 and more preferably a plurality of positioning guides 224 and even more preferably one positioning guide 224 per movable nozzle bar 213 and/or per movable print head 212. The at least one positioning device 217; 218, 219; 221 preferably has at least one positioning drive 226 and more preferably a plurality of positioning drives 226 and even more preferably one positioning drive 226 per movable nozzle bar 213. For example, each positioning guide 224 is a positioning drive 226 assigned. The at least one positioning drive 226 is embodied, for example, as at least one electric motor 226 and/or as at least one hydraulic cylinder 226 and/or preferably as at least one pneumatic cylinder 226. The at least one positioning drive 226 is preferably arranged in such a way that it can selectively move the at least one print head 212 into its printing position or its maintenance position or its assembly position.

At least four positioning devices are preferably provided, by means of which at least one nozzle bar 213 and/or in particular a plurality of print heads 212 assigned to the same printing color are configured to be movable together. In particular, this makes it possible to provide configurations in which the print heads 212 of at least one nozzle bar 213 and/or at least one printing color are arranged in their printing position, while the print heads 212 of at least one other nozzle bar 213 and/or another printing color are in a rest position, for example a maintenance position are arranged. As a result, for example, all print heads 212 of one printing color, for example black, can be activated, while all print heads 212 of other printing colors are held in a maintenance position and are protected there from drying out and/or cleaned by suitable means, for example.

At least one first locking element is preferably arranged, for example at least one pressure stop. The at least one first locking element can preferably be used to fix the at least one print head 212 in its printing position, for example by pushing the at least one positioning drive 226, in particular pneumatic cylinder 226, against the at least one print head 212 and/or the nozzle bar 213 having the at least one print head 212 against the at least pulls and/or presses a pressure stop. This ensures that the print position is reproducible and precisely defined.

At least one second locking element is preferably arranged, for example at least one maintenance stop. The at least one locking element can preferably be used to fix the at least one print head 212 in its maintenance position, for example by pushing the at least one positioning drive 226, in particular pneumatic cylinder 226, against the at least one print head 212 and/or the nozzle bar 213 having the at least one print head 212 Maintenance stop pulls and/or presses. This ensures that the maintenance position is reproducible and precisely defined.

At least one locking element, preferably at least one maintenance stop, is preferably designed to be movable in order to enable movements between extreme positions of an adjustment path of the at least one print head 212 and/or the at least one nozzle bar 213, in particular between the printing position and the assembly position. At least one maintenance device 222, preferably embodied as a cleaning device 222, is preferably embodied as at least one movable stop, in particular as a maintenance stop.

In the at least one maintenance position, at least one cleaning device 222 of at least one nozzle of the at least one print head 212; 412 is and/or can be assigned and more preferably the at least one cleaning device 222 is assigned to at least one nozzle of the at least one print head 212; 412 is and/or can be arranged at least partially opposite the at least one nozzle with respect to a respective ejection direction.

A position of this respective at least one nozzle when the print head 212 is arranged in the at least one printing position and a position of this respective at least one nozzle when the print head 212 is arranged in the at least one maintenance position and/or assembly position preferably differ in terms of the axis of rotation 207; 407 of the at least one printing material guide element 201, preferably embodied as a central cylinder 201; 401 defined axial direction A in relation to at most 50%, more preferably at most 20% and even more preferably at most 10% and even more preferably at most 2% of a width, measured in axial direction A, of a working area of the at least one print head 212; 412 and/or no more than 50% and more preferably no more than 20% and even more preferably no more than 10% and even more preferably no more than 2% of the working width of the printing machine 01 defined by a maximum width of printing material that can be processed with the printing machine 01. In an alternative embodiment the at least one print head 212 is moved at least parallel to the axial direction A and the position of this respective at least one nozzle differs when the print head 212 is arranged in the at least one printing position and the position of this respective at least one nozzle when it is in the at least one maintenance position and/or or mounting position arranged print head 212 on the axis of rotation 207; 407 of the at least one printing material guide element 201, preferably embodied as a central cylinder 201; 401 defined axial direction A related to at least 100% of the measured in the axial direction A width of the working area of the den at least one printhead 212; 412 having nozzle bar 213 and/or at least 100% of the working width of printing machine 01 defined by the maximum width of substrate that can be processed with printing machine 01.

When the print head 212 is in the at least one maintenance position, at least one cleaning device 222 is preferably located between at least one nozzle of the at least one print head 212; 412 and an area of the transport path provided for printing substrate 02 that is closest to this at least one nozzle and/or when print head 212 is located in the at least one maintenance position, at least one cleaning device 222 is provided between at least one nozzle of the at least one print head 212 and one of these at least one nozzle next region of a transfer body can be arranged and / or arranged.

The at least one cleaning device 222 preferably extends in each spatial direction by more than 10 cm, more preferably by more than 15 cm. The at least one cleaning device 222 preferably extends in the axial direction A that is at least as large as the working area of the at least one nozzle bar 213 in the axial direction A. The at least one cleaning device 222 preferably has a Extension that is at least as large as the working area of the at least one nozzle bar 213 in the transport direction of the printing substrate 02. This means that preferably all nozzles of all print heads 212 of the at least one nozzle bar 213 can be cleaned in one process. In an alternative embodiment, the at least one cleaning device 222 has an extent in the transport direction of printing substrate 02 that is at least as large as all the working areas of all nozzle bars 213 of printing unit 211 in the transport direction of printing substrate 02 taken together. As a result, all nozzles of all print heads 212 of the at least one printing unit 211 can then be cleaned in one operation.

The at least one nozzle bar 213 can preferably be moved completely independently of those components of printing press 01 that are arranged in contact with printing substrate web 02 and/or tangential to the intended transport path for printing substrate 02. Cleaning and/or maintenance can thus be carried out without affecting the web of printing material 02 and, in particular, without having to remove the web of printing material 02 from the printing press 01.

The at least one cleaning device 222 can preferably be moved at least orthogonally to the axial direction A. A supply path for the at least one cleaning device 222 is preferably defined by at least one feed device 223. The at least one feed device 223 is preferably embodied as at least one guidance system 223. The at least one cleaning device 222 is preferably arranged to be movable along the at least one supply path between at least one parking position and at least one use position. The supply path of the at least one cleaning device 222, which is more preferably defined by the at least one feed device 223, preferably has no component in the axial direction A that is greater than at most 50%, more preferably at most 20%, even more preferably at most 10% and even more preferably at most 2% of the width of the working area, measured in axial direction A, of the nozzle bar 213 having the at least one print head 212 and/or at most 50%, more preferably at most 20%, even more preferably at most 10% and even more preferably at most 2% of the defined by the maximum width of printing material that can be processed with printing press 01. The distance covered by the axial movement of the at least one cleaning device 222 is preferably at most 50%, more preferably at most 20%, even more preferably at most 10% and even more preferably at most 2% the one in the axial Ri direction A measured width of the working area of the at least one print head 212; 412 and/or no more than 50%, more preferably no more than 20%, even more preferably no more than 10% and even more preferably no more than 2% of the working width of printing machine 01 defined by the maximum width of printing material that can be processed with printing machine 01. More preferably, the at least one cleaning device 222 can be moved exclusively orthogonally to axial direction A. In an alternative specific embodiment, the at least one cleaning device 222 is arranged to be movable in the axial direction along the at least one supply path between the at least one parking position and the at least one use position.

Preferably, a planned position of the at least one cleaning device 222 in its parking position, based on axial direction A, differs from a planned position of the at least one cleaning device 222 in its operating position, based on axial direction A, by at most 50%, more preferably at most 20% more preferably at most 10% and even more preferably at most 2% of a width of a working area measured in the axial direction A of a nozzle bar 213 that has the at least one print head 212 and/or no more than 50%, more preferably no more than 20%, even more preferably no more than 10% and even more preferably no more than 2% of a working width of the printing press defined by the maximum substrate width that can be processed with printing press 01 01

The at least one feed device 223 preferably has at least one feed drive 229 and/or at least one traction device 228 and/or push device 228. In one embodiment, the at least one feed drive 229 is stationary on a frame 331 of the at least one printing unit 200; 400 and the at least one pulling means 228 and/or pushing means 228 is connected to the at least one cleaning device 222 and relative to the frame 231 of the at least one printing unit 200; 400 is designed to be movable, for example as a chain 228. In an alternative embodiment, the at least one feed drive 229 is arranged to be movable, in particular together with the at least one cleaning device 222, and the at least one traction means 228 and/or pushing means 228 is arranged in a stationary manner and, for example, as at least one rail 228 and/or toothed rack 228 is formed. The at least one feed drive 229 preferably has at least one stepper motor.

A clear maintenance position is preferably assigned to the at least one print head 212 and more preferably to each print head 212. When the at least one cleaning device 222 is arranged in its operating position, it preferably serves as a locking element, for example in the form of at least one maintenance stop. When the print head 212 is in its maintenance position, the nozzle bar 213 having the corresponding print head 212 is preferably pulled and/or pressed against the cleaning device by the application of a force by means of the at least one positioning drive 226 and/or by gravity, in particular when the positioning drive 226 is switched off. This clearly defines the maintenance position. In this way, one positioning drive 226 and one feed drive 229 are sufficient to be able to arrange the print heads 212 reproducibly and precisely in their printing positions, maintenance positions and assembly positions.

Each maintenance position of at least one print head 212 is preferably assigned a clear usage position of at least one cleaning device 222. The at least one cleaning device 222 is preferably embodied as at least one protective cover 222, more preferably by means of the together with the at least one print head 212; 412 a closed volume can be limited. For a total of four nozzle bars 213 of a printing unit 200; 400, a total of four cleaning devices 222 are arranged, each of which has at least one area that serves and/or can be used as a protective cover, which also serves as a cleaning area.

When the at least one print head 212 is arranged in the printing position, at least one nozzle of this at least one print head 212 is preferably arranged below the supply path, along which the at least one cleaning device 222, preferably by means of the at least one feed device 223, preferably between the at least one parking position and the at least one operating position is movably arranged. When the at least one print head 212 is arranged in the rest position, this at least one nozzle is preferably arranged above this delivery path.

A travel path of at least one print head 212 is preferably a path that is predefined, for example, along which the at least one print head 212 can be moved, in particular to move the at least one print head 212 between its printing position and its rest position, for example the maintenance position and/or assembly position. The travel of the at least one print head 212 preferably has no component in axial direction A that is greater than at most 50%, more preferably at most 20%, even more preferably 10%, and even more preferably at most 2% of that in axial direction A measured width of the working area of the nozzle bar 213 having the at least one print head 212 and/or no more than 50%, more preferably no more than 20%, even more preferably no more than 10% and even more preferably no more than 2% of the maximum printing substrate width that can be processed with printing press 01 Working width of the printing machine 01.

The at least one cleaning device 222 is provided for cleaning the at least one nozzle surface of the at least one print head 212. The at least one cleaning device 222 preferably has at least one cleaning module 150 and preferably at least one collecting device 161, in particular collecting pan 161. The at least one cleaning module 150 is preferably arranged such that it can be moved relative to the at least one collecting tray 161. The at least one cleaning device 222 is preferably arranged to be movable as a whole relative to the at least one print head 212, in particular while the cleaning device 222 is and remains arranged in the maintenance position. The at least one cleaning module 150 is therefore preferably at least one Cleaning module 150 for cleaning the at least one nozzle surface 232 of the at least one print head 212. The at least one cleaning module 150 is preferably embodied as a permanent part of the first printing unit 211 and/or at least one second printing unit 411. The at least one printing unit 211; 411 has at least one print head 212; 412 and the at least one cleaning device 222 with the at least one cleaning module 150.

The at least one cleaning module 150 preferably has at least one contact element 151, which is actuated by at least one positioning drive 152, in particular from at least one spaced-apart first relative position to the at least one nozzle surface 232 of the at least one print head 212; 412 can be brought into contact, in particular in a contacting second relative position. The at least one contact element 151 is preferably embodied as at least one wiper 151 or squeegee 151, for example as at least one wiper blade 151. A wiper 151 or squeegee 151 is a component that is used to maintain contact between this component and a surface maintaining motion to remove material from that surface, for example by pushing away and/or peeling and/or sucking. A wiper blade 151 preferably extends in at least one direction over a length of several centimeters, for example 20 mm (twenty millimeters) to 30 mm (thirty millimeters) and more preferably over the entire extent of the surface 232 to be cleaned by the respective wiper blade 151 in this area Direction.

The at least one contact element 151 is preferably arranged in such a way that it can be brought into and out of contact with the at least one nozzle surface 232 of the at least one print head 212. This is preferably done by means of the at least one screwdown drive 152 and/or in and/or counter to a screwdown direction E. Screwdown direction E is preferably a direction in and/or counter to which the at least one screwdown drive 152 is capable of exerting a force and/or in and /or against which the at least one contact element 151 is movably arranged. In particular, the at least one contact element 151 can be moved by means of the at least one adjustment drive 152 in and/or counter to the adjustment direction E. A vertical component of the respective direction of attack E is preferably greater than any horizontal component of the respective direction of attack E. The respective direction of attack E preferably deviates by less than 45°, more preferably less than 30° and even more preferably less than 20° from a vertical direction. With regard to mobility in and/or against a specific direction, for example the direction E, it should be noted that the variant defined by the word "and" is at least applicable in those cases in which the corresponding component is not in an end position of its possible travel. In particular, it is possible that end positions or middle positions allow movements in one or two directions or that there can be a preload in one direction and a corresponding drive acts in the other direction or that there is no preload but at least a two-way drive.

The at least one cleaning module 150 preferably has at least one lever body 153 and more preferably precisely one lever body 153 per adjustment drive 152 and/or precisely one lever body 153 per contact element 151. The at least one adjustment drive 152 preferably does not interact directly with the at least one contact element 151, but indirectly via the at least one lever body 153. The at least one lever body 153 is preferably also referred to as a wiper carrier 153. The at least one lever body 153 is preferably arranged between the at least one print head 212 and the at least one positioning drive 152 with respect to the positioning direction E. The at least one contact element 151 is preferably arranged at a first point of the at least one lever body 153 on this at least one lever body 153, more preferably fastened. The at least one lever body 153 is preferably mounted at a second point of this at least one lever body 153 on at least one carrier 154 of the at least one cleaning module 150. When at least one carrier 154 is mentioned above and below, this also means an assembly of carrier elements arranged rigidly relative to one another, which together form the at least one carrier 154 . The at least one adjusting drive 152 is preferably at least temporarily in contact with this at least one lever body 153 at a third point of the at least one lever body 153 and/or the at least one adjusting drive 152 is at least temporarily at the third point of the at least one lever body 153 with this at least one Lever body 153 can be brought into contact. The third point is preferably arranged along the at least one lever body 153 between the first point and the second point. In particular, there is contact between adjustment drive 152 and lever body 153 between the connection of the at least one lever body 153 to the at least one contact element 151 on the one hand and the connection of the at least one lever body 153 to the at least one carrier 154 on the other.

The at least one lever body 153 preferably consists of at least one elastic material. In particular, the at least one lever body per 153 is preferably reversibly deformable and the at least one lever body 153 preferably has its own restoring force. The at least one lever body 153 is preferably embodied as at least one spring plate 153. For example, a dimension of the at least one lever body 153 in the direction of attack E is smaller than each dimension of the at least one lever body 153 in each direction orthogonal to the direction of attack E. The third point is preferably arranged between the first point and the second point in relation to a direction pointing from the first point to the second point.

At least one component of the at least one adjusting drive 152, for example a housing and/or a cylinder, is preferably arranged in a stationary manner relative to the at least one carrier 154. More preferably, at least one other component of the at least one adjusting drive 152 is arranged such that it can move relative to the at least one carrier 154, for example at least one rotor and/or at least one rotor and/or at least one piston.

The at least one adjusting drive 152 is preferably embodied as at least one linear drive 152, for example as at least one cylinder 152 with at least one cylinder piston, in particular as at least one fluid cylinder 152, for example as at least one hydraulic cylinder 152 and preferably as at least one pneumatic cylinder 152. Alternatively or additionally other drives are also possible, for example at least one electric and/or magnetic linear drive and/or at least one camshaft. In this context, a cylinder is to be understood as a hollow body in which a piston is movably arranged, regardless of whether it is a shape with a circular cross section or not. Single-acting adjusting drives with prestressing or double-acting drives, ie drives acting in opposite directions, can be considered, in particular single-acting cylinders or double-acting cylinders.

For example, the at least one lever body 153 is embodied as a return element 153, which is preferably arranged to exert a force acting counter to the direction of adjustment E on the at least one adjustment drive 152, at least when the adjustment drive 152 is activated. The at least one adjusting drive 152 and the at least one lever body 153 are preferably arranged and/or can be arranged spaced apart from one another at least at times. For example, the at least one adjustment drive 152 restricts the freedom of movement of the at least one lever body 153 only counter to the adjustment direction E. In particular, the at least one lever body 153 can be moved in at least one direction, in particular the adjustment direction E, relative to each part of the adjustment drive 152. When the adjusting drive is deactivated, there is therefore preferably a slight distance between adjusting drive 152 and lever body 153 .

In addition to the at least one adjustment drive 152 and the at least one lever body 153, there is preferably at least one guide element 156 that is at least temporarily in contact with the at least one lever body 153 and/or the at least one contact element 151, through which the adjustment direction E of an adjustment path of the at least one Contact element 151 is specified. The at least one guide element 156 is preferably at least temporarily in contact with the at least one lever body 153 and/or the at least one contact element 151 at at least a fourth point, and the at least one fourth point is closer to the first point than to the second point, and more preferably also closer than the third digit. More preferably, the first point is arranged between the third point and the fourth point. The at least one guide element 156 is embodied, for example, as at least one screw 156, which is arranged on the at least one carrier 154 and runs through a recess in the at least one lever body 153 and/or the at least one contact element 151.

In one embodiment of a connection, the at least one lever body 153 is movably connected to the at least one carrier 154 at the second point in at least one compensation direction F and is mounted on the at least one carrier 154. For example, this compensation direction F has at least one component that is oriented orthogonally to the direction E of incidence. As a result, that end of the at least one lever body 153 on which the at least one contact element 151 is arranged can be moved almost or completely in a linear manner, for example also if, due to large adjustment paths of the at least one contact element 151, otherwise a pivoting movement causes jamming in the at least one guide element 156 would have to be feared. For example, the at least one lever body 153 has at least one elongate hole that interacts appropriately with at least one screw arranged on the at least one carrier 154. However, the adjustment path of the at least one contact element 151 is preferably so short that such problems do not occur, and instead the movement of the at least one contact element 151 is essentially or at least approximately linear. The adjustment path of the at least one contact element 151 that can be implemented by the at least one adjustment drive 152 preferably has a length of 2 mm to 3 mm. However, this adjustment path is more preferred during a cleaning process of the at least one nozzle surface 232 is not fully utilized because contact between nozzle surface 232 and contact element 151 has already occurred beforehand. In an alternative embodiment, the at least one lever body 153 is fixedly connected to the at least one carrier 154 at the second point; in particular, the at least one lever body 153 is then arranged rigidly at one end relative to at least one component of the at least one adjustment drive 152.

For example, after the at least one contact element 151 has been placed against the at least one nozzle surface 232, a wiping movement or peeling movement preferably takes place. At least one cleaning drive 157 and at least one cleaning guide 168 are preferably provided for this purpose. The at least one contact element 151 and the at least one print head 212 are preferably arranged such that they can be moved relative to one another in and/or counter to a cleaning direction G, in particular by means of the at least one cleaning drive 157. The at least one carrier 154 and the at least one print head 212; 412, in particular by means of the at least one cleaning drive 157 so as to be movable relative to one another in and/or counter to the cleaning direction G, in particular for cleaning the at least one nozzle surface 232. Such a relative movement is preferably made possible by the at least one cleaning module 150 being connected to the at least one carrier 154 is arranged such that it can be moved in and/or counter to the cleaning direction G by means of the at least one cleaning drive 157. The at least one cleaning drive 157 is preferably embodied as at least one belt drive 157. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one cleaning drive is embodied as at least one spindle drive 157. The at least one cleaning drive 157 preferably has at least one servo motor. The cleaning direction G is preferably oriented parallel to the at least one nozzle surface 232 of the at least one print head 212. The cleaning direction G is preferably oriented orthogonally to a transport direction B provided for the printing substrate 02. The cleaning direction G is preferably oriented parallel to the axial direction A. Preferably, the cleaning direction deviates from a horizontal direction by at most 30° and the cleaning direction G is more preferably aligned horizontally.

In order to be able to clean multiple nozzle surfaces 232 of the at least one print head 212 and preferably multiple nozzle surfaces 232 of adjacent print heads 212 at the same time, the at least one cleaning device 222 preferably has a plurality of cleaning modules 150. More preferably, in addition or as an alternative, at least one cleaning module 150 or each cleaning module 150 preferably has a plurality of contact elements 151, each of which more preferably has its own adjustment drive 152 and/or its own lever body 153 assigned to it. For example, the at least one cleaning module 150 has a plurality of contact elements 151 one behind the other in the transport direction B provided for the printing substrate 02, which are also partially offset from one another in the axial direction A and/or the cleaning direction G, for example for reasons of space and/or because the print heads 212 themselves are offset accordingly. A total number of contact elements 151 of the at least one cleaning module 150 preferably corresponds to a total number of print heads 212 or rows of print heads 212 arranged one behind the other in the transport direction B intended for printing substrate 02.

A plurality of print heads 212 arranged one behind the other in the axial direction A and/or the cleaning direction G are preferably cleaned by means of a common contact element 151. Depending on whether or not the nozzle surfaces 232 of these print heads 212 arranged one behind the other in relation to the contact direction E are the components of the print heads 212 that are closest to the at least one cleaning module 150 and in particular to the respective contact element 151, the contact drive 152 can be in the same position for a plurality of print heads 212 or is it necessary, when moving the respective contact element 151 from one nozzle surface 232 to the next, to actively move the contact element 151 away from one nozzle surface 232 and then to the next nozzle surface 232. Therefore, for each print head 212, the nozzle surface 232 is preferably the component of the respective print head 212 that is arranged closest to the at least one cleaning module 150 and preferably to the printing substrate 02 during printing operation.

Usually, individual activation of contact elements 151 is not necessary, but a cleaning process usually affects all print heads 212 of the corresponding printing unit 211. Therefore, the plurality of contact elements 151 are preferably arranged to be movable together with the at least one carrier 154 in and/or counter to the cleaning direction G, in particular relative to the at least one print head 212. More preferably, the plurality of adjusting drives 152 can be activated simultaneously via at least one and preferably precisely one common supply line, in particular a pneumatic supply line. Alternatively, however, it is also conceivable to be able to adjust each contact element 151 individually, for example by designing each adjustment drive 152 to be activated individually. Regardless of whether the adjusting drives 152 can be activated together or separately in a direction orthogonal to the cleaning direction G, adjacent adjustment drives 152 preferably have adjustment directions E which differ from one another by preferably at least 2° and preferably at most 10°. As a result, the directions of attack E are adapted to the alignments of the nozzle surfaces 232 of adjacent print heads 212 if these are arranged around the central cylinder 201, for example as described.

The at least one collecting device 161 preferably has at least one base 176, at least one side wall 177 and preferably at least one, more preferably at least two, side shields 178. The lateral shields 178 are preferably used to shield components that should not come into contact with cleaning agent and/or coating agent, for example cleaning drive 157. The at least one cleaning drive 157 is preferably arranged inside the at least one collecting device 161 and is thus protected against mechanical damage, for example . The at least one catching device 161 preferably has dimensions in the cleaning direction G that are larger than the working area of the at least one nozzle bar 213. As a result, there is sufficient space, in particular within the at least one catching device 161, for at least one maintenance position and/or at least one basic position of the at least a cleaning module 150. A cover 173 that delimits the at least one collecting device 161 at the top is preferably arranged in this area.

The at least one cleaning module 150 preferably has at least one option for applying a cleaning agent to the at least one nozzle surface of at least one print head 212 and removing it again. Alternatively or preferably in addition to the at least one contact element 151, at least one contactless variant is preferably also provided for removal. The at least one cleaning module 150 preferably has at least one first dispensing device 158 for cleaning agent, which is and/or can be aligned, in particular with its dispensing opening 166, towards the at least one print head 212. The at least one cleaning module 150 preferably has at least one on the at least one print head 212; 412 and/or alignable gas outlet nozzle 159. The at least one first dispensing device 158 is preferably embodied as at least one spray nozzle 158. A spray cone of the at least one first spray nozzle 158 has, for example, an opening angle of between 80° and 60° and preferably between 100° and 140°. At least one first dispensing opening 166, in particular a first spray opening 166, of the at least one first dispensing device 158 is preferably arranged in a direction with at least one component pointing towards the at least one outlet opening 162 of the at least one gas outlet nozzle 159. The cleaning agent is preferably designed as an at least partially liquid cleaning agent.

The at least one gas outlet nozzle 159 is preferably embodied as at least one gas knife 159, in particular as at least one air knife 159. A gas knife 159 is preferably a gas outlet nozzle 159, whose outlet opening 162 or all of outlet openings 162 in a first direction, referred to as the longitudinal direction of outlet opening 162, is significantly larger, for example at least ten times, preferably at least fifty times, than in a direction toward the first direction orthogonal, referred to as the transverse direction of the outlet opening 162 second direction. The lengthwise direction of the at least one outlet opening 162 of the at least one gas outlet nozzle 159 is, for example, at least 2 cm (two centimeters), more preferably at least 5 cm (five centimeters), and even more preferably at least 10 cm (ten centimeters). In its transverse direction, the at least one outlet opening 162 of the at least one gas outlet nozzle 159 has, for example, a dimension of between 0.01 mm and 1 mm, more preferably between 0.1 mm and 0.9 mm and even more preferably between 0.5 mm and 0 .8 mm. The gas knife 159, in particular the air knife 159, generates a gas flow, in particular an air flow, which is preferably laminar and resembles a blade, for example. The gas flow essentially extends orthogonally to the direction of flow, for example up to a distance of several centimeters from the outlet opening, while retaining its dimensions.

The at least one outlet opening 162 of the at least one gas outlet nozzle 159 is preferably connected to at least one feed line 174. A flow cross section of the at least one outlet opening 162 of the at least one gas outlet nozzle 159 is preferably smaller than a flow cross section of the feed line 174. For example, a gas or gas mixture, in particular air, is fed to the at least one feed line 174 by means of at least one blower. The blower generates a pressure of less than 6 bar in the feed line 174, for example. At least one in particular convexly curved guide surface 167 is preferably arranged, more preferably directly adjoining the at least one outlet opening 162 of the at least one gas outlet nozzle 159 in an outlet direction. Preferably, a rectilinear connection of one of the at least one outlet opening 162 faces the at least one gas outlet nozzle 159 end of the at least one curved guide surface 167 with an end of said at least one guide surface 167 facing away from said at least one outlet opening 162 in a direction that has at least one component, relative to cleaning direction G, from said at least one gas outlet nozzle 159 to the at least one first discharge device 158 points. A distance between the at least one guide surface 167 and the at least one nozzle surface is preferably at least 2 mm at all times. The at least one guide surface 167 is preferably assigned to a plurality of nozzle surfaces 232 of different print heads 212 that are not aligned parallel to one another, and the distance from print head 212 to print head 212 therefore varies.

This at least one curved guide surface 167 preferably causes the exiting gas stream to be deflected along the at least one curved guide surface 167. This deflection is also known as the Coanda effect. As a result, in particular, a flow direction of the gas stream is along the at least one nozzle surface 232 of the at least one print head 212; 412 can be implemented, more preferably a flow direction of the gas stream that is almost or actually parallel to the at least one nozzle surface 232. The at least one guide surface 167 has, for example, a radius of curvature of preferably between 5 mm and 30 mm over an angular range of preferably between 20° and 100° and more preferably between 85° and 95°. As a result, a corresponding gas flow can flow almost or completely parallel to this at least one nozzle surface 232 of the print head 212; 412 and particularly close to the at least one nozzle surface 232 of the print head 212; 412, in particular because there is no component that aligns the gas flow between the gas flow and the at least one nozzle surface 232 of the print head 212; 412 is necessary. One end of the at least one guide surface 167 that faces the at least one outlet opening 162 of the at least one gas outlet nozzle 159 preferably has a tangent surface, the surface normal of which has an angle of preferably between 70° and 110° with a surface normal of the at least one nozzle surface 232 of the at least one print head 212 . An end of the at least one guide surface 167 that faces away from the at least one outlet opening 162 of the at least one gas outlet nozzle 159 preferably has a tangent surface whose surface normal forms an angle of no more than 20° with the surface normal of the at least one nozzle surface 232 of the at least one print head 212; 412 has.

An effective outlet direction of the at least one gas outlet nozzle 159 is preferably a direction in which the at least one gas flow moves freely. When the at least one curved guide surface 167 is arranged, this effective exit direction is the direction in which the gas flow deflected by the at least one guide surface 167 flows after it has left the at least curved guide surface 167, viewed in its direction of movement. If the at least one curved guide surface 167 is not provided, the effective outlet direction of the at least one gas outlet nozzle 159 is a direction in which the at least one gas outlet nozzle 159 with its outlet opening 162 is pointing. The effective exit direction preferably has at least one component parallel to the at least one nozzle surface 232 and more preferably with a smaller component towards the at least one print head 212; 412 to. The outlet opening162 of the at least one gas outlet nozzle 159, on the other hand, preferably has one component pointing towards the at least one print head 212; 412, which is larger than a component with which it is aligned parallel to the at least one nozzle surface 232.

The at least one printing unit 211 therefore preferably has at least one print head 212 and at least one cleaning device 222 with at least one cleaning module 150, the at least one print head 212 and the at least one cleaning module 150 being arranged such that they can move relative to one another in and/or counter to the cleaning direction G and wherein the at least one cleaning module 150 applies at least one component, in particular with its discharge opening 166 in one direction, to the at least one print head 212; 412 and/or alignable first dispensing device 158, in particular spray nozzle 158 for preferably at least partially liquid cleaning agent and the at least one, in particular with its outlet opening 162 in one direction with at least one component onto the at least one print head 212; 412 aligned and/or alignable gas outlet nozzle 159.

The at least one first dispensing opening 166 of the at least one first dispensing device 158 and the outlet opening 162 of the at least one gas outlet nozzle 159 are preferably arranged at a distance from one another, at least in the cleaning direction G. Such a distance is preferably at least 5 cm and more preferably at least 10 cm and even more preferably at least 15 cm. This makes it possible to arrange the at least one contact element 151 and/or the at least one lever body 153 and/or the at least one adjusting drive 152 between the at least one first discharge opening 166 of the at least one first discharge device 158 and the outlet opening 162 of the at least one gas outlet nozzle 159. At least the at least one contact element 151 is preferred with respect to the cleaning direction G between the at least one first dispensing opening 166 of the at least one first dispensing device 158 and the at least one outlet opening 162 of the at least one gas outlet nozzle 159. More preferably, the at least one lever body 153 and/or the at least one adjusting drive 152 is located between the at least one first discharge opening 166 of the at least one first discharge device 158 and the at least one outlet opening 162 of the at least one gas outlet nozzle 159 with respect to the cleaning direction G.

An exit direction of the at least one first dispensing device 158 with respect to the cleaning direction G preferably has a component that points towards the at least one contact element 151. Preferably, an outlet direction of the at least one gas outlet nozzle 159 and/or a flow direction of gas flowing out of the at least one gas outlet nozzle 159 that is deflected by the at least one curved guide surface 167 and/or the effective outlet direction of the at least one gas outlet nozzle 159 with respect to the cleaning direction G has a component that points towards the at least one contact element 151. The at least one contact element 151 is preferably located in a target area of the at least one dispensing device 158 and/or in a target area of the at least one gas outlet nozzle 159. At least one upper spray shield 172 is preferably stationary relative to the at least one collecting device 161 and/or relative to the at least one Cleaning module 150 arranged.

The at least one first dispensing device 158 and/or the at least one gas outlet nozzle 159 on the one hand and the at least one print head 212 on the other hand are preferably arranged such that they can be moved relative to one another in particular by means of at least one drive, in particular by means of the at least one cleaning drive 157 in and/or counter to the cleaning direction G. More preferably, the at least one first dispensing device 158 and/or the at least one gas outlet nozzle 159 and/or the at least one cleaning module 150 are arranged to be movable relative to a frame 231 of the at least one printing unit 211 and relative to the at least one print head 212. Such a relative movement can preferably be implemented by an absolute movement of the at least one cleaning module 150.

The at least one first dispensing device 158 and the at least one gas outlet nozzle 159 are preferably arranged on the at least one carrier 154 of the at least one cleaning module 150, more preferably on the same carrier 154 as the at least one adjustment drive 152 and the at least one lever body 153. In particular, preference is given to this the at least one lever body 153 and/or indirectly the at least one contact element 151 and/or the at least one first delivery device 158 and/or the at least one gas outlet nozzle 159 and/or the at least one adjustment drive 152 and/or at least one second delivery device 163 and/or at least one lower spray shield 169; 171 is arranged on the at least one and in particular on a common carrier 154 and is arranged such that it can move individually or preferably together in and/or counter to the cleaning direction G relative to the at least one print head 212 and relative to the frame 231 of the at least one printing unit 211, for example by means of the at least one cleaning drive 157. Such a relative movement is preferably made possible by the at least one carrier 154 being arranged such that it can be moved in and/or counter to the cleaning direction G by means of the at least one cleaning drive 157.

The at least one printing unit 211 preferably has four cleaning devices 222, each of which has a collecting device 161 and a cleaning module 150, with each cleaning module 150 having four contact elements 151, four adjusting drives 152, four lever bodies 153, a first dispensing device 158, a gas outlet nozzle 159 and two second ones Dispensing devices 163 has.

The at least one cleaning module 150 preferably has at least one second dispensing device 163, embodied, for example, as a second spray nozzle 163 for, in particular, at least partially liquid cleaning agent. A spray cone of the at least one second spray nozzle 163 has, for example, an opening angle of between 80° and 60° and preferably between 100° and 140°. The at least one second dispensing device 163, with its second dispensing opening 164 configured, for example, as a second spray opening 164, is preferably aligned and/or arranged such that it can be aligned in a direction with at least one component pointing away from the at least one print head 212. More preferably, the at least one second dispensing device 163 with its second dispensing opening 164, in particular spray opening 164, is oriented and/or alignable, for example at least partially from above, pointing towards the at least one collecting device 161, in particular collecting trough 161. The at least one second dispensing device 163 is preferably arranged such that it can move relative to the at least one collecting device 161 and/or is arranged on the at least one carrier 154.

The at least one cleaning module 150 preferably has the at least one lower spray shield 169; 171 and more preferably at least one first lower spray shield 169 and at least one second lower spray shield 171. The at least one lower spray shield 169; 171 preferably serves to limit an area of action of the at least one second dispensing device 163 in and/or counter to the cleaning direction G. In particular, the at least one first lower spray shield 169 preferably serves to limit the effective area of the at least one second dispensing device 163 in the cleaning direction G, and the at least one second lower spray shield 171 preferably serves to limit the effective area of the at least one second dispensing device 163 counter to the cleaning direction G to limit. In this way, other components of the at least one cleaning module 150 are preferably completely shielded from the cleaning agent discharged from the second dispensing device 163 and from the cleaning agent and/or coating agent rebounding from the at least one collecting device 161 in connection therewith. Preferably, the at least one lower spray shield 169; 171 is arranged on the at least one carrier 154 of the at least one cleaning module 1590 and can be moved together with it. An ejection direction of the at least one second dispensing device 163 preferably has at least one component pointing vertically downwards and at least one component pointing horizontally in the opposite direction or preferably in the cleaning direction G. For example, the at least one second discharge opening 164 is arranged so that it is oriented towards the at least one gas outlet nozzle 159 with respect to the cleaning direction G.

The at least one cleaning module 150 can preferably be moved, for example within the at least one cleaning device 222, relative to the at least one cleaning device 222 and/or the at least one cleaning module 150 and can be arranged in different positions, in particular relative to the at least one collecting device 161. One of these positions is preferably a basic position. The at least one cleaning module 150 is preferably arranged in the home position at least during a printing operation and/or at least while the at least one cleaning module 150 is not being used. At least one of these positions is preferably a first working position or a second working position, each of which is characterized, for example, by the fact that individual components of the at least one cleaning module 150 are activated or deactivated at this position, for example the at least one first dispensing device 158 and/or the at least one gas outlet nozzle 159 and/or the at least one adjusting drive 152 and/or the at least one second dispensing device 163. Preferably, at least one such position is at least one maintenance position. The at least one maintenance position is preferably a position in which the at least one contact element 151 is cleaned from time to time. At least one maintenance position is preferably almost or completely identical to the basic position.

A preferred embodiment of a method for cleaning the at least one nozzle surface 232 of the at least one print head 212 of the at least one printing unit 211 is described below. The at least one print head 212 is preferably first removed from a printing substrate 02 and/or from a printing substrate guide element 201 and/or in particular by means of the at least one positioning device 217; 218; 219; 221 from at least one printing position to at least one idle position, in particular a maintenance position, for example by increasing the distance between the at least one print head 212 and the transport path provided for the printing substrate 02. The at least one cleaning device 222 is then preferably moved along the supply path and between at least one nozzle of the at least one print head 212 and an area of the transport path provided for printing substrate 02 that is closest to this at least one nozzle and/or between at least one nozzle of the at least one print head 212 and an area of a transmission body, in particular a central cylinder 201, which is closest to this at least one nozzle. The at least one cleaning device 222 is preferably moved at least orthogonally to the axial direction A and/or the cleaning direction G for this purpose. The at least one cleaning device 222 is preferably moved at least orthogonally to the approach direction E for this purpose. For this purpose, the at least one cleaning device 222 is preferably moved at least parallel to the transport direction B provided for the printing substrate 02. In an alternative embodiment, the at least one cleaning device 222 is moved at least parallel to the axial direction A and/or the cleaning direction G for this purpose. The at least one cleaning device 222 is preferably moved along the at least one supply path from the at least one parking position of the cleaning device 222 into the at least one operating position of the cleaning device 222.

In a preferred embodiment, the at least one print head 212 is then moved relative to the at least one cleaning device 222. For this purpose, for example, the at least one print head 212 is moved, in particular lowered, counter to the approach direction E. This movement, which may be carried out, is preferably of such a small extent that the position of the at least one print head 212 should continue to apply as the at least one idle position, in particular a maintenance position. In this way, a cleaning space can be sealed, for example, which is delimited, for example, at least by the at least one print head 212 and the at least one collecting device 161 and is preferably hermetically sealed.

In an activation process that is preferably carried out afterwards, the at least one cleaning module 150 is preferably moved within the at least one cleaning device 222 from its home position to the first working position, preferably in the cleaning direction G. An application process is preferably started in the first working position.

The at least one first dispensing device 158 of the at least one cleaning module 150 of the at least one cleaning device 222, which is arranged on the at least one carrier 154, is preferably activated during the application process, as a result of which the at least partially liquid cleaning agent is applied to the at least one nozzle surface 232 by means of the at least one first dispensing device 158 becomes. The at least one cleaning module 150 is preferably moved in the cleaning direction G in the process. As a result, the at least one first dispensing device 158, which is arranged on the at least one carrier 154, of the at least one cleaning module 150 is also moved in the cleaning direction G relative to the at least one print head 212, and at least the at least partially liquid cleaning agent is dispensed by means of the at least one first dispensing device 158 preferably applied to at least half of and more preferably to the entire at least one nozzle surface 232. The application process preferably ends as soon as the at least one cleaning module has reached the second working position.

In at least one first removal process, the cleaning agent and/or loosened contamination, such as residues of coating agent and/or bits of printing material, are preferably then at least partially and preferably completely removed from the at least one nozzle surface 232. To this end, the at least one gas outlet nozzle 159 is preferably activated. It is therefore preferable to begin by ejecting gas or a gas mixture from the at least one gas outlet nozzle 159. This ejection preferably begins while the at least one cleaning module 150 is in the second working position. It is also possible to first move the at least one cleaning module 150 to a different position in or counter to the cleaning direction G and to start ejecting the gas or gas mixture there. In the first removal process, the at least one gas outlet nozzle 159 arranged on the carrier 154 is moved in and/or preferably counter to the cleaning direction G relative to the at least one print head 212; 412 moves. To remove at least the cleaning agent and/or the loosened contamination from the at least one nozzle surface 232 from at least one outlet opening 162 of the at least one gas outlet nozzle 159, at least one gas or gas mixture is preferably used in one direction with at least one onto the at least one nozzle surface 232 of the at least one printhead 212; 412 directed component and preferably at least partially deflected by the at least one guide surface 167. The gas flow removes the at least one cleaning agent and/or the loosened contamination from the at least one nozzle surface 232. For example, part of the cleaning agent can evaporate and be sucked off. However, the at least one cleaning agent and/or the loosened dirt is and/or are preferably at least partially entrained by the gas flow and conveyed into the at least one collecting device 161, where it is collected and/or preferably flows to a drain. The first removal process is ended, for example, when the at least one cleaning module 150 is again in or close to the first working position.

The application process and the first removal process preferably remove contamination from the at least one nozzle surface 232, with the direction of the gas flow preferably largely preventing cleaning agent and/or dirt and/or ink from being transported from the outside into the nozzles of the at least one print head 212 .

At least the nozzles and/or nozzle opening of the at least one print head 212 are then preferably cleaned. To this end, a coating medium, in particular printing ink or ink, is preferably first dispensed in an exit process from at least one nozzle of the at least one print head 212 that is assigned to the at least one nozzle surface 232 , more preferably from all nozzles of the at least one print head 212. This coating agent pushes dirt and/or cleaning agent that might have entered the nozzles outward. Coating agent that may have dried on inside the nozzles is also preferably pressed outwards. The amount of coating agent dispensed is preferably kept as low as possible, for example by only dispensing so much coating agent that each nozzle results in an outwardly curved droplet which, however, does not detach itself from the nozzle. Should If, however, more coating agent is released, so that drops detach, these are preferably caught by the collecting device 161 .

This is preferably followed by a second removal process, also referred to as a stripping process, in order to remove the coating agent that has been dispensed. To this end, the at least one adjustment drive 152 is preferably first activated and/or the at least one contact element 151, which is fastened in particular to the at least one carrier 154, is first brought into contact with the at least one nozzle surface 232 and is then brought into contact with the at least one nozzle surface 232 relative to the at least one printhead 212; 412 is moved in the opposite direction and/or preferably in the cleaning direction G. In the process, the coating medium, for example ink, dispensed in the discharge process is at least partially removed from the at least one nozzle surface 232. The movement in the cleaning direction G preferably takes place simultaneously for several and more preferably all contact elements 151 of the at least one cleaning module 150 and more preferably for the at least one cleaning device 222, in particular while these several or preferably all contact elements 151 are in contact with the corresponding at least one nozzle surface 232 stand. After at least one nozzle surface 232 and preferably all nozzle surfaces 232 arranged one behind the other in the cleaning direction G have been treated in this way, the at least one contact element 151 is preferably removed from the at least one nozzle surface 232 again, for example by deactivating the at least one adjustment drive 152 in conjunction with the restoring force, for example, of the at least one lever body 153 and/or by reverse activation of the at least one adjusting drive 152. The at least one cleaning module 150 is then preferably moved back into its basic position within the at least one cleaning device 222 counter to the cleaning direction G.

In a rinsing process, for example, the at least one second dispensing device 163, preferably arranged on the carrier 154 of the at least one cleaning module 150, of the at least one cleaning module 150 in and/or counter to the cleaning direction G relative to the at least one print head 212; 412 is moved, for example by the cleaning module 150 being moved accordingly in and/or counter to the cleaning direction G. In particular, at least partially liquid cleaning agent is preferably dispensed from the at least one second dispensing device 163, preferably directed toward the at least one collecting device 161, in particular in a direction pointing away from the at least one nozzle surface 232. The at least one collecting device 161 is preferably located at least partially below the at least one nozzle surface 232, at least at this point in time. The at least one component of the ejection direction of the at least one second dispensing device 163 pointing horizontally in the opposite direction to or preferably in the cleaning direction G and/or through an incline of a base surface of the at least one collecting device 161 and/or through a corresponding movement of the cleaning module 150 causes liquid cleaning agent and/or or Coating agent and/or loosened contaminants are conveyed along the collecting device 161, preferably to at least one drain. The at least one cleaning module 150 is then preferably moved back into its basic position within the at least one cleaning device 222 counter to the cleaning direction G. Alternatively, the rinsing process is carried out during the movement with which the at least one cleaning module 150 is moved back into the basic position and/or counter to the cleaning direction G after the second removal process.

For example, when the cleaning module 150 is arranged in the at least one maintenance position, the at least one contact element 151 is preferably cleaned afterwards. In a first partial process of a maintenance process, the at least one cleaning module 150 is preferably positioned in a first maintenance position with respect to the cleaning direction G in such a way that the at least one contact element 151 is positioned between the at least one first dispensing device 158 and the at least one upper spray shield 172 with respect to the cleaning direction G is arranged. Optionally and preferably, the at least one contact element 151 is moved in the direction E, for example in order to move further into a target area of the at least one first dispensing device 158 and to improve shielding. The at least one first dispensing device 158 is then preferably activated in a second partial process of the maintenance process. As a result, cleaning agent is applied to the at least one contact element 151. After the at least one first dispensing device 158 has been deactivated, the at least one contact element 151 is preferably moved again in the opposite direction to the direction E.

Then, in a third sub-process of the maintenance process, the at least one cleaning module 150 is preferably moved in the cleaning direction G, for example by at least 2 mm and at most 20 mm, preferably by at least 5 mm and at most 10 mm, but in particular to such an extent that the at least a contact element 151 with respect to the cleaning direction G between the at least one gas outlet nozzle 159 and the at least one upper spray shield 172. For example, the at least one cleaning module 150 is then arranged in a second maintenance position. Optionally and preferably, the at least one contact element 151 is moved in the direction of attack E, for example to move further into a target area of the at least one gas outlet nozzle 159 and to improve shielding. The at least one gas outlet nozzle 159 is then preferably activated in a fourth partial process of the maintenance process. As a result, the at least one contact element 151 is exposed to the exiting air flow. For example, part of the cleaning agent can evaporate and be sucked off. However, the at least one cleaning agent and/or the loosened dirt is and/or are preferably at least partially entrained by the gas flow and conveyed into the at least one collecting device 161, where it is collected and/or preferably flows to a drain. After the at least one gas outlet nozzle 159 has been deactivated, the at least one contact element 151 is preferably moved again counter to the direction of attack E. The at least one cleaning module 150 is then preferably moved again counter to the cleaning direction G into the first maintenance position or home position.

An operator can preferably influence which processes of the method are carried out and which are not and whether processes should be carried out individually. The maintenance process is preferably carried out in any case.

The at least one first dispensing device 158 and/or the at least one contact element 151 and/or the at least one gas outlet nozzle 159 and/or the at least one carrier 154 and/or the at least one cleaning module 150 as a whole is preferably in the at least one, in particular at least the first maintenance position with respect to the cleaning direction G at a distance from the at least one print head 212. The at least one cleaning module 150 is preferably covered by the at least one cover 173 in the at least one maintenance position with respect to the approach direction E, for example in order to be protected from drying out and/or from dirt and/or damage.

After the printing substrate web 02 has passed the at least one first printing unit 200, the printing substrate web 02 is transported further along its transport path and is preferably fed to the at least one first dryer 301 of the at least one dryer unit 300. The at least one first dryer 301 is preferably embodied as a flow dryer 331 and/or radiation dryer 331 and/or hot air dryer 331 and/or infrared radiation dryer 301.

At least one second printing unit 400 is preferably arranged along the transport path of printing substrate web 02. The transport path of printing substrate web 02 through the at least one second printing unit 400 runs analogously to the transport path through the at least one first printing unit 200. Inside the second printing unit 400, there is preferably at least one second printing unit 411 embodied as an inkjet printing unit 411 or inkjet printing unit 411 aligned with the second central cylinder 401 . The at least one second printing unit 411 of the at least one second printing unit 400 is preferably constructed identically to the at least one first printing unit 211 of the at least one first printing unit 200, in particular with regard to at least one nozzle bar 413, at least one print head 412 embodied as an inkjet print head 412, and their arrangement in Double rows, the execution and resolution of the printing process, the arrangement, alignment and control of the nozzles, the mobility and adjustability of the at least one nozzle bar 413 and the at least one print head 412 using at least one adjustment mechanism with a corresponding electric motor and the cleaning device 222. The at least one is preferred second printing unit 411 as a multi-color printing unit 411, in particular a four-color printing unit 411. With regard to the transport path of printing substrate web 02, at least one second dryer 331 of the at least one dryer unit 300 is arranged downstream of the at least one second printing unit 400. The structure of the at least one second dryer 331 is preferably identical to the structure of the at least one first dryer 301.

In at least one variant of the printing press, the printing press 01 is embodied as a web-fed rotary inkjet printing press 01 and at least one transfer body is arranged with the at least one first central printing cylinder 201 to form a transfer nip. The at least one print head 212 is then preferably aligned with the at least one transfer body. In this case, the central printing cylinder 201 is preferably designed as an impression cylinder.

The at least one first central printing cylinder 201 is preferably a motor-driven rotary body 201 serving to support a printing substrate web 02 in a first transfer region, in particular a first transfer region for coating medium. The at least one second central printing cylinder 401 is preferably a one for supporting a printing substrate web 02 in one second transfer area, in particular a motor-driven rotary body 401 serving a second transfer area for coating medium. The first and/or the second transfer area is preferably an area that is intended to establish contact between the printing substrate 02 and the coating medium, for example a target area of at least one nozzle of at least one in print head 212 arranged in a printing position and/or at least one working area of at least one print head 212 arranged in a printing position and/or an entire working area of at least one nozzle bar 213 and/or a gap formed by the respective central printing cylinder 201; 401 is formed with an optionally arranged transfer body.

Reference List

01

Printing press, inkjet printing press, web-fed printing press, web-fed inkjet printing press, rotary printing press, web-fed rotary printing press, web-fed rotary inkjet printing press

02

Printing material, printing material web, paper web, textile web, film, plastic film, metal foil

100

Substrate source, roll unwind device, roll changer

101

substrate roll

111

axis of rotation (101; 103)

150

cleaning module (222)

151

Contact element, wiper, puller, wiper blade

152

adjusting drive

153

Lever body, spring plate, wiper carrier, reset element

154

carrier

155

-

156

guide element, screw

157

Cleaning drive, belt drive, spindle drive

158

Dispensing device, spray nozzle, first

159

Gas outlet nozzle, gas knife, air knife

160

-

161

Collecting device, drip tray

162

outlet opening (159)

163

dispenser, spray nozzle, second

164

Discharge port, spray port, second (163)

165

-

166

Discharge port, spray port, first (158)

167

guide surface

168

cleaning guide

169

Spray shield, lower, first

170

-

171

Spray shield, lower, second

172

Spray shield, upper

173

cover

174

supply line

175

-

176

floor

177

Side wall

178

Sign

200

pressure unit, first

201

pressure central cylinder, central cylinder, first; body of revolution

202

-

203

roller, deflection roller

204

space (201; 203)

205

-

206

Cylinder, impression roller, first

207

axis of rotation (201)

208

Drive motor, electric motor, direct drive, single drive, synchronous motor

209

Presser column, first

210

-

211

Printing unit, ink-jet printing unit, ink-jet printing unit, multi-color printing unit, four-color printing unit, first

212

Printhead, inkjet printhead, first

213

Nozzle bar, first

214

-

215

-

216

-

217

Positioning device, first

218

positioning device, second

219

positioning device, third

220

-

221

positioning device, fourth

222

Cleaning device, maintenance device

223

Feeding device, guiding system

224

positioning guide

225

-

226

Positioning drive, electric motor, hydraulic cylinder, pneumatic cylinder

227

-

228

Traction means, push means, chain, rail, toothed rack

229

feed drive

230

-

231

Rack (200; 400)

232

nozzle area, area (212)

300

dryer unit

301

Dryer, infrared radiation dryer, radiation dryer, flow dryer, UV radiation dryer, hot air dryer, first

331

Dryer, infrared radiation dryer, flow dryer, radiation dryer, hot air dryer, UV radiation dryer, second

400

pressure unit, second

401

pressure central cylinder, central cylinder, second; body of revolution

408

Drive motor, direct drive, electric motor, single drive, synchronous motor

409

-

410

-

411

printing unit, ink-jet printing unit, ink-jet printing unit, multi-color printing unit, four-color printing unit, second

412

printhead, inkjet printhead, second

413

Nozzle bar, second

500

Post-processing device, folding device, winding device, sheet cutter, plan delivery

A

direction, axial

B

transport direction

E

direction of attack

f

balancing direction

G

cleaning direction

Claims (12)

Printing unit (211; 411), wherein the printing unit (211; 411) has at least one print head (212; 412) and at least one cleaning device (222) with at least one cleaning module (150), and wherein the at least one print head (212; 412) and the at least one cleaning module (150) is arranged such that it can be moved relative to one another in and/or counter to a cleaning direction (G), and the at least one cleaning module (150) has at least one contact element (151) which, by means of at least one adjustment drive (152), has at least one Nozzle surface (232) of the at least one print head (212; 412) can be brought into contact and wherein the at least one cleaning module (150) has at least one of the at least one print head (212; 412) and the at least one contact element (151) and/or or alignable first dispensing device (158) for cleaning agent and wherein the at least one cleaning module (150) has at least one on the at least one print head (212; 412) and on the at least one contact element (151) has a gas outlet nozzle (159) that is and/or can be aligned, and wherein the at least one contact element (151) is between the at least one first dispensing device (158) and an outlet opening (162) of the at least one Gas outlet nozzle (159) is arranged. printing unit claim 1 , characterized in that the at least one first dispensing device (158) and an outlet opening (162) of the at least one gas outlet nozzle (159) are arranged at a distance from one another at least in the cleaning direction (G). printing unit claim 1 and/or 2, characterized in that the at least one first dispensing device (158) is designed as at least one first spray nozzle (158). printing unit claim 1 and/or 2 and/or 3, characterized in that the at least one first dispensing device (158) and/or the at least one gas outlet nozzle (159) on the one hand and the at least one print head (212; 412) on the other hand are arranged to be movable relative to one another. printing unit claim 1 and/or 2 and/or 3 and/or 4, characterized in that the at least one cleaning module (150) has at least one second dispensing device (163) for cleaning agents which, with its dispensing opening (164), is separated from the at least one print head (212; 412) is aligned and/or arranged to point away. printing unit claim 5 , characterized in that the printing unit (201; 401) has at least one collecting device (161) and that the at least one second dispensing device (163) is aligned and/or arranged such that it can be aligned with its dispensing opening (164) pointing towards the at least one collecting device (161). is. printing unit claim 6 , characterized in that the at least one second dispensing device (163) is arranged to be movable relative to the at least one collecting device (161). printing unit claim 1 and/or 2 and/or 3 and/or 4 and/or 5 and/or 6 and/or 7, characterized in that the at least one gas outlet nozzle (159) is designed as a gas knife (159). printing unit claim 1 and/or 2 and/or 3 and/or 4 and/or 5 and/or 6 and/or 7 and/or 8, characterized in that at least one curved guide surface (167) in an exit direction of the at least one gas outlet nozzle (159) is arranged adjoining at least one outlet opening (162) of the at least one gas outlet nozzle (159). printing unit claim 1 , characterized in that the at least one contact element (151) is arranged at a first point of at least one lever body (153) on this at least one lever body (153) and that the at least one lever body (153) is arranged at a second point of this at least one lever body ( 153) is mounted on at least one carrier (154) and that the at least one adjusting drive (152) is and/or can be brought into contact with this at least one lever body (153) at least temporarily at a third point of the at least one lever body (153) and that the third point is arranged between the first point and the second point along the at least one lever body (153). Method for cleaning at least one nozzle surface (232) of at least one print head (212; 412) of a printing unit, wherein in an application process at least one first delivery device (158) arranged on a carrier (154) of at least one cleaning module (150) is moved in a cleaning direction (G) is moved relative to the at least one print head (212; 412) and in the process at least one cleaning agent is applied to the at least one nozzle surface (232) by means of the at least one first dispensing device (158) and wherein at least one is then applied to the carrier ( 154) arranged gas outlet nozzle (159) is moved in and/or counter to the cleaning direction (G) relative to the at least one print head (212; 412) and at least one gas or gas mixture is ejected directed onto the at least one nozzle surface (232) of the at least one print head (212; 412) and where then, in an exit process, a coating medium is discharged from at least one nozzle of the at least one print head (212; 412) and in which case at least one contact element (151) which is in contact with the at least one nozzle surface (232) is then moved in and/or counter to the cleaning direction (G) relative to the at least one print head (212; 412) in a removal process and the coating medium released in the exit process is at least partially removed from the at least one nozzle surface (232) and the at least one contact element (151) is then cleaned, the at least one cleaning module (150) initially being cleaned in a first partial process of a maintenance process is positioned with respect to the cleaning direction (G) in such a way that the at least one contact element (151) is arranged between the at least one first dispensing device (158) and an upper spray shield (172) with respect to the cleaning direction (G) and then in a second partial process of the maintenance process, the at least one first delivery device (158) a activated and cleaning agent is thereby applied to the at least one contact element (151), and in a third sub-process of the maintenance process the at least one cleaning module (150) is then moved in the cleaning direction (G) to such an extent that the at least one contact element (151 ) is arranged between the at least one gas outlet nozzle (159) and the upper spray shield (172) with respect to the cleaning direction (G), and wherein the at least one gas outlet nozzle (159) is then activated in a fourth partial process of the maintenance process and the at least one contact element (151) is thereby activated exposed to an exiting air flow. procedure after claim 11 , characterized in that in a rinsing process at least one second dispensing device (163) arranged on the carrier (154) of the at least one cleaning module (150) in and/or counter to the cleaning direction (G) relative to the at least one print head (212; 412) is moved and cleaning agent is discharged from the at least one second dispensing device (163) in a directed manner onto a collecting device (161).

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