A process for the production of books (22) with digital printing from signatures, in which the book comprises signature groups (33), each formed with basic sheets (34), are parts of respective signature sheets (42). The process employs a manufacturing system (21) which includes a transversal cutting equipment (41) for cutting transversally the signatures sheets, and transversal and longitudinal folding equipment (46) for the formation of respective signatures (48). For a book with at least a sheet section devoid of text and/or figures in a last signature group, the method provides: a) identify a reduced signature group (59) including a number of sheet sections having at least a page with text and/or figures; b) cut the paper strip (23) to separate the reduced signature group as reduced signature group; c) actuate the transversal folding equipment (46) limited to the sheet sections having at least a page with text and/or figures and skipping the actuation of the transversal folding equipment (46) for a single sheet section; and d) actuate the longitudinal folding equipment (47) for folding longitudinally the reduced signature group.

Imaging apparatus and methods for bindery systems are disclosed. An example method includes engaging a signature assembly with an end of a separator to cause 1) a first page of the signature assembly to be disposed on a platform and 2) a second page of the signature assembly to be disposed on the side of the platform; drawing the first page toward the platform; and imaging the first page when the first page is on the platform.

A stack of products is moved using a robot. The robot has an articulated arm and grippers on the articulated arm to grip the stack of products. The stack of products is selectively turned in the depositing scheme. Two grippers are used in the method and, upon the deposit, the grippers are removed from the stack of products in the horizontal and in two directions perpendicular to one another. It is possible to move and selectively deposit stacks of product in a turned or unturned orientation.

An apparatus and method for forming a stack with advertising material compilations respectively consisting of an envelope with inserts therein, and having a common, leading folded edge. The apparatus includes a feed conveyor, a transfer conveyor and a stacking device. The transfer conveyor comprises a central wheel that rotates around a first rotational axis, a carrier wheel that rotates around a second rotational axis oriented parallel to the first rotational axis, and a number of pivoting arms with respectively one gripper. The second rotational axis is arranged below a horizontal plane extending through the first rotational axis. The grippers are respectively positioned on the pivoting arm to rotate around an axis. The grippers take over the advertising material compilations in a takeover region from the feed conveyor, transfer the adverting compilations in a transfer region to the stacking device which extends into the transfer region and deposit these on the stacking device.

The invention relates to a method for assembling a stack (10) consisting of single or multilayered pre-products (1115) of equal or different sizes, said pre-products lying freely one on top of the other, wherein the stack (10) has two outer pre-products (11, 15). According to the method, the stack (10) is given a cohesion that facilitates later handling. The cohesion is achieved in a very simple and flexibly applicable manner by providing the slack (10) to be assembled in a first step, said stack consisting of pre-products (11-15) that lie freely one on top of the other, and by attaching at least one connecting element (17) to an edge (16) of the stack (10) in a second step such that said element overlaps the two outer pre-products (11, 15) of the stack (10) in a clamping manner.

A device for separating printed products out of a stack, the device including a feed device which defines a substantially horizontal plane, a first stop element which is arranged on a mounting support as well as a transfer device which defines a substantially horizontal plane, wherein the feed device moves the stack against the first stop element, wherein the transfer device accepts and transfers the bottommost printed product out of the stack from the feed device, wherein the feed device includes a vacuum conveyor, by means of which the bottom surface of the bottommost printed product is sucked up at least in portions, as well as to a corresponding method.

A process for the production of books (22) with digital printing from signatures, in which the book comprises signature groups (33), each formed with basic sheets (34), are parts of respective signature sheets (42). The process employs a manufacturing system (21) which includes a transversal cutting equipment (41) for cutting transversally the signatures sheets, and transversal and longitudinal folding equipment (46) for the formation of respective signatures (48). For a book with at least a sheet section devoid of text and/or figures in a last signature group, the method provides: a) identify a reduced signature group (59) including a number of sheet sections having at least a page with text and/or figures; b) cut the paper strip (23) to separate the reduced signature group as reduced signature group; c) actuate the transversal folding equipment (46) limited to the sheet sections having at least a page with text and/or figures and skipping the actuation of the transversal folding equipment (46) for a single sheet section; and d) actuate the longitudinal folding equipment (47) for folding longitudinally the reduced signature group.

In a method for producing a collection (20) of pre-products by inserting a first pre-product (1) into a second pre-product (3), it is provided according to the invention that a first pre-product (1) and a second pre-product (3) are provided, wherein the second pre-product (3) has a wrapping fold (4) with a fold inner side (5). The second pre-product (3) is conveyed into an insertion position, in which the second pre-product (3) is opened and faces with the fold inner side (5) toward the first pre-product (1). The first pre-product (1) is conveyed into the opened second pre-product (3) and against the fold inner side (5) so as to form the collection (20), the second pre-product (3) assumes the conveying direction of the first pre-product (1), and the collection (20) is provided for further processing.

A device for separating individual, two-dimensional, flexible objects from the lower side of a stack of such objects and for conveying the separated objects away from the stack. The device includes a stack space with a support region, and a support member that supports the stack from below in the support region. The support member includes a support roller arrangement of a plurality of support rollers. The device further includes at least one separating member for separating the objects from the lower side of the stack in the support region. The support roller arrangement is part of a roller guidance device and is translatorily movable to and from between a support position and a release position.

A method for applying at least one enclosing element to a flat product composition wherein the enclosing element is subsequently applied around a selected edge of the product composition in a perpendicular manner with respect to said edge so as to rest against the product composition. A reliable operation that is independent of the type of enclosing element is achieved in that the selected edge of the product composition is moved forward along a transporting path, the enclosing element is held ready at a specified point of the transporting path so as to intersect the transporting path, the selected edge of the product composition is moved past the specified point, and at the same time the selected edge drives the enclosing element that is held ready.