An image forming apparatus includes: a circulating member that is a part of a transport path that transports a recording medium; a holding member that is fixed to the circulating member, circulates, and holds a leading end portion of the recording medium; an image forming section that forms an image on the recording medium at an image forming position in a circulation path of the circulating member; and a feeding section that feeds out the recording medium to a holding position where the holding member holds the leading end portion of the recording medium. When a circulation velocity Vg is defined as a velocity at which the circulating member circulates the holding member, a transport velocity of the recording medium is reduced from a first transport velocity V1, which is higher than the circulation velocity Vg, to a second transport velocity V2, which is lower than the first transport velocity V1, before the leading end portion of the recording medium enters the holding position.

An ejection device for ejecting sample blanks for a processing machine for processing elements in sheet form, the processing machine comprising: a plurality of work stations including at least one waste removal station, and a conveying device comprising a plurality of gripper bars configured to drive the elements through the work stations, the ejection device comprises at least one actuating element able to move between: an inactive position positioned away from the path of the gripper bars, and an active position positioned on the path of the gripper bars, the at least one actuating element being configured to collaborate with the gripper bars as they pass by, so as to open the gripper bars and eject, flat, a sample of blanks. The present invention also relates to a waste removal station, a processing machine for processing elements in sheet form, and a method for ejecting blanks samples in a machine.

An ejection device for ejecting sample blanks for a processing machine for processing elements in sheet form, the processing machine comprising: a plurality of work stations including at least one waste removal station, and a conveying device comprising a plurality of gripper bars configured to drive the elements through the work stations, the ejection device comprises at least one actuating element able to move between: an inactive position positioned away from the path of the gripper bars, and an active position positioned on the path of the gripper bars, the at least one actuating element being configured to collaborate with the gripper bars as they pass by, so as to open the gripper bars and eject, flat, a sample of blanks. The present invention also relates to a waste removal station, a processing machine for processing elements in sheet form, and a method for ejecting blanks samples in a machine.

In some examples, a sheet processing machine includes at least one transport means of an infeed system, and the infeed system includes at least one cam mechanism including, in each case, at least one cam disk having an axis of rotation. At least one scanning element is arranged in each case to rest against the at least one cam disk. The at least one scanning element is connected to the at least one transport means via at least one drive lever. The at least one drive lever in each case has at least one mounting point. The mounting point and the axis of rotation may be adjusted relative to one another, and a position displacement of the mounting point relative to the axis of rotation may compensate for at least one position error of the at least one sheet.

In some examples, a sheet processing machine includes at least one transport means of an infeed system, and the infeed system includes at least one cam mechanism including, in each case, at least one cam disk having an axis of rotation. At least one scanning element is arranged in each case to rest against the at least one cam disk. The at least one scanning element is connected to the at least one transport means via at least one drive lever. The at least one drive lever in each case has at least one mounting point. The mounting point and the axis of rotation may be adjusted relative to one another, and a position displacement of the mounting point relative to the axis of rotation may compensate for at least one position error of the at least one sheet.

A sheet stacking apparatus includes a sheet alignment mechanism configured for aligning a sheet in a predetermined reference position; a gripper arrangement configured to grip the aligned sheet at at least two spaced-apart points of the sheet and to release the sheet on a stack; and a holder configured to hold the sheet in position on the stack while the gripper arrangement releases the sheet. The gripper arrangement is movable along a predetermined trajectory for moving the sheet from the reference position to a stacking position.

A sheet stacking apparatus includes a sheet alignment mechanism configured for aligning a sheet in a predetermined reference position; a gripper arrangement configured to grip the aligned sheet at at least two spaced-apart points of the sheet and to release the sheet on a stack; and a holder configured to hold the sheet in position on the stack while the gripper arrangement releases the sheet. The gripper arrangement is movable along a predetermined trajectory for moving the sheet from the reference position to a stacking position.

The invention relates to a gripper bar body for a gripper bar in a gripper carriage arrangement in a machine for treating sheet material, the gripper bar body being configured to carry gripper brackets for movement between sheet gripping and sheet releasing positions. The gripper bar body is formed as a hollow structure comprising at least two different materials, the two different materials comprising at least a metal material and a composite material and the at least two different materials being at least partly arranged in a superposed manner. The resulting bar has a better resistance to wear than the ones of the state-of-the-art.

The invention relates to an inspection device (6) for inspecting sample blanks (P) for a processing machine (1) for processing elements in sheet form, the processing machine (1) comprising a plurality of work stations (300, 400, 500, 600) including at least one waste removal station (600) comprising a removal belt (93; 94), the inspection device (6) being characterized in that it comprises an optical monitoring device (7) configured to determine a fault with the quality of a sample of blanks (P) laid flat on the removal belt (93; 94).

The present invention also relates to a waste removal station, a processing machine for processing elements in sheet form, and to a method for the quality control of sample blanks.

The invention relates to an inspection device (6) for inspecting sample blanks (P) for a processing machine (1) for processing elements in sheet form, the processing machine (1) comprising a plurality of work stations (300, 400, 500, 600) including at least one waste removal station (600) comprising a removal belt (93; 94), the inspection device (6) being characterized in that it comprises an optical monitoring device (7) configured to determine a fault with the quality of a sample of blanks (P) laid flat on the removal belt (93; 94).

The present invention also relates to a waste removal station, a processing machine for processing elements in sheet form, and to a method for the quality control of sample blanks.