A movement unit for moving a blank includes a drum, a blank with central and lateral panels, and a retention device for retaining the blank. The lateral panel has an end secured to the central panel by a folding zone and an opposite free end. The retention device is secured to the drum and includes a support, a first gripping portion secured to the support and having first retention elements configured to retain the central panel, and a second gripping portion secured to the support or to the first gripping portion and having second retention elements configured to retain the lateral panel.

A retention device for retaining blanks includes: a support, a first gripping portion secured to the support and provided with first retention elements of a blank, a second gripping portion secured to the support or to the first gripping portion and provided with second retention elements of the blank, and a movement mechanism for the second gripping portion with respect to the first gripping portion. The movement mechanism is configured to perform a pure rotation of the second gripping portion about a virtual rotation axis defined outside the retention device.

A device for feeding sheets to a digital sheet-processing machine includes a feed drum for transporting the sheets to the printing machine. At least two transport paths are provided to convey the sheets to be processed to the feed cylinder in at least two different positions from where the sheets are taken over by a gripper device of the feed cylinder and accelerated to processing speed. A digital sheet-fed printing machine having the device is also provided.

There is provided an automated removal apparatus for selectively removing one or more trimmed portions of a laminated ply in a ply-by-ply fabrication process. The automated removal apparatus includes a rotatable reel having a plurality of retractable vacuum panels attached around the rotatable reel. Each retractable vacuum panel has one or more retractable vacuum pad assemblies, and each retractable vacuum pad assembly has a vacuum pad with a vacuum port and a self-sealing valve. The automated removal apparatus further includes actuator assemblies attached to the plurality of retractable vacuum panels, friction reducing elements attached around the rotatable reel, a drive assembly attached to the rotatable reel, and a pneumatic system attached to the rotatable reel and including a valve manifold operable to control an air flow to the actuator assemblies and to one or more vacuum generators to generate a vacuum flow.

A plurality of folding units is arranged in a circumferential direction R of a drum that rotates about an axis. Each of the folding units includes: a pad for holding each workpiece while a center portion of the workpiece as viewed in a lengthwise direction is placed on the pad; and a first folding member and a second folding member arranged adjacent to both end portions of the workpiece respectively as viewed in the lengthwise direction and used for folding the workpiece so as to stack the both end portions over the center portion. The first folding member and the second folding member are arranged at the same position as the pad of each of the folding units as viewed in the circumferential direction, and a width direction of the drum parallel to the axis is defined in the lengthwise direction of the workpiece.

A plurality of folding units is arranged in a circumferential direction of a drum that rotates about an axis. Each of the folding units includes: a pad for holding one part of a workpiece on a pad surface; a first folding member and a second folding member each having a folding surface for folding a different part of the workpiece so as to stack the different part over the one part; and a pivot shaft arranged parallel to the pad surface. The first folding member, the second folding member, and the pivot shaft are configured to be rotated together until the folding surface reaches a facing position and a facing posture at which the folding surface faces the pad surface. The pivot shaft is configured to be displaced in a diameter direction of the drum crossing the pad surface.

Systems and methods utilizing stationary and/or moveable cutting components provide limited interference with web processing operations, such as pad spin and pitch alteration. Heat, laser, fluid, or mechanical cutting operations may be used, including respectively, a heated element (e.g., wire, ribbon, bar, or embossing or perforating element) that may be triggered inductively, water or steam jets, or improved knife/anvil cooperation.

A rotary carton feeder includes a planetary drive having two sun rings with angular phase, cam surfaces on each ring about a common axis. Planetary members rotate about the common axis with a number of said planet members in operative engagement with one of the cams and another number of planet members in operative engagement with a second one of said sun rings. Spindles are selectively combined with selected planet members to selectively accommodate handling variably sized cartons of 1, 2, 3 or 4 count. Suction cups on spindle ends traverse an enclosed path having four cusps. Variations are disclosed.

A plurality of folding units is arranged in a circumferential direction of a drum that rotates about an axis. Each of the folding units includes: a pad for holding one part of a workpiece on a pad surface; a first folding member and a second folding member each having a folding surface for folding a different part of the workpiece so as to stack the different part over the one part; and a pivot shaft arranged parallel to the pad surface. The first folding member, the second folding member, and the pivot shaft are configured to be rotated together until the folding surface reaches a facing position and a facing posture at which the folding surface faces the pad surface. The pivot shaft is configured to be displaced in a diameter direction of the drum crossing the pad surface.

A station for picking up and delivering shaped sheets that define box-like bodies of different types includes a magazine for the sheets and at least one handling element for at least one sheet at a time. The magazine accommodates a plurality of mutually aligned and juxtaposed sheets and the at least one handling element includes an end bracket provided with at least one grip element and at least one assembly with arms which are articulated with respect to the bracket and are independently movable with respect to a fixed frame. The bracket can move between a first configuration of alignment with the end sheet accommodated in the magazine, in the condition where the at least one grip element is in contact with the end sheet, and a second configuration of alignment with a conveyance line of the sheets which corresponds to the delivery region.