SHEET MATERIAL PROCESSING UNIT AND SHEET MATERIAL PROCESSING MACHINE

Abstract

A sheet material processing unit (20, 22, 24) comprises a transport system (32) for transporting sheets (12) or parts thereof from a respective input end (20i, 22i, 24i) to a respective output end (20o, 22o, 24o). A gripper unit (46) is releasably coupled to the transport system (32) and is configured for holding at least a part of one of the sheets (12). Additionally, at least one handover mechanism (47d, 47r) is provided being configured for decoupling the gripper unit (46) from the transport system (32) and providing the gripper unit (46) to a neighboring sheet material processing unit (20, 22, 24) and/or receiving a gripper unit (46) from a neighboring sheet material processing unit (20, 22, 24) and coupling the received gripper unit (46) to the corresponding transport system (32). Additionally, a sheet material processing machine (10) is presented which comprises at least two such sheet material processing units (20, 22, 24).

Claims

1. A sheet material processing unit, comprising: an input end where sheets to be processed enter the sheet material processing unit, and an output end where at least parts of the sheets leave the sheet material processing unit, a transport system for transporting the sheets or parts thereof from the input end to the output end, and a gripper unit releasably coupled to the transport system and configured for holding at least a part of one of the sheets, wherein the input end and/or the output end are/is equipped with a handover mechanism configured for decoupling the gripper unit from the transport system and providing the gripper unit to a neighboring sheet material processing unit and/or receiving a gripper unit from a neighboring sheet material processing unit and coupling the received gripper unit to a corresponding transport system.

2. The sheet material processing unit according to claim 1, wherein the gripper unit is coupled to the transport system via a clip-on mechanism or via a clamping mechanism.

3. The sheet material processing unit according to claim 2, wherein the gripper unit is coupled to the transport system via the clip-on mechanism, and wherein the transport system comprises one or more male clip elements and the gripper unit comprises one or more corresponding female clip elements.

4. The sheet material processing unit according to claim 1, wherein the gripper unit is coupled to the transport system via a clamping mechanism, wherein the gripper unit comprises at least one switchable clamp configured for selectively engaging the transport system of the sheet material processing unit and/or the transport system of a neighboring sheet material processing unit.

5. The sheet material processing unit according to claim 1, wherein the transport system comprises a processing section configured for transporting gripper units holding sheets or parts thereof for being processed in a direction from the input end to the output end, wherein the processing section is associated with a handover mechanism-arranged on the input end and configured for receiving a gripper unit from a neighboring sheet material processing unit and coupling the received gripper unit to the corresponding transport system, and/or wherein the processing section is associated with a handover mechanism-arranged on the output end and configured for decoupling the gripper unit from the transport system and providing the gripper unit to a neighboring sheet material processing unit.

6. The sheet material processing unit according to claim 1, wherein the sheet material processing unit is a feeder unit, including a registration module, a platen press unit, a hot foil stamping unit or a die-cutting unit, a stripping unit, a quality control unit, a digital printing unit, a digital embellishment unit, a digital cutting unit, a creasing unit, or a delivery unit.

7. The sheet material processing unit according to claim 5, wherein the sheet material processing unit is a transition unit configured for connecting two sheet material processing units, wherein the transport system comprises a transition section configured for transporting gripper units holding sheets or parts thereof in a direction from the input end to the output end, wherein the transition section is associated with a handover mechanism arranged on the input end and configured for receiving a gripper unit from a neighboring sheet material processing unit and coupling the received gripper unit to the corresponding transport system, and wherein the transition section is associated with a handover mechanism arranged on the output end and configured for decoupling the gripper unit from the transport system and providing the gripper unit to a neighboring sheet material processing unit.

8. The sheet material processing unit according to claim 1, wherein the transport system comprises a recirculation section configured for transporting gripper units without sheets in a direction from the output end to the input end, wherein the recirculation section is associated with a handover mechanism-arranged on the output end and configured for receiving a gripper unit from a neighboring sheet material processing unit and coupling the received gripper unit to the corresponding transport system, and/or wherein the recirculation section is associated with a handover mechanism-arranged on the input end and configured for decoupling the gripper unit from the transport system and providing the gripper unit to a neighboring sheet material processing unit.

9. The sheet material processing unit according to claim 1, wherein the transport system comprises a belt drive or a chain drive, wherein the gripper unit is releasably coupled to a corresponding belt or chain.

10. A sheet material processing machine comprising at least two neighboring sheet material processing units according to claim 1 being coupled by: a first handover mechanism provided at an output end of a first sheet material processing unit and configured for decoupling the gripper unit from the corresponding transport system and providing the gripper unit to a second sheet material processing unit, and a second handover mechanism provided at an input end of the second sheet material processing unit and configured for receiving the gripper unit from the first sheet material processing unit and coupling the received gripper unit to a corresponding transport system.

11. The sheet material processing machine-according to claim 10, wherein the two neighboring sheet material processing units are coupled by: a third handover mechanism provided at an input end of the second sheet material processing unit and configured for decoupling the gripper unit from the corresponding transport system and providing the gripper unit to the first sheet material processing unit, and by a fourth handover mechanism provided at an output end of the first sheet material processing unit and configured for receiving the gripper unit from the second sheet material processing unit and coupling the received gripper unit to a corresponding transport system.

12. The sheet material processing machine-according to claim 10, further comprising: a recirculation module comprising a transport system for transferring gripper units from an output end of the second sheet material processing unit to an input end of the first sheet material processing unit.

13. The sheet material processing machine-according to claim 10, further comprising: a gripper exchange module coupled to a recirculation section of at least one of the sheet material processing units or the recirculation module, and configured for withdrawing gripper units from the recirculation section or the recirculation module and/or for feeding gripper units into the recirculation section or the recirculation module.

14. The sheet material processing machine according to claim 10, wherein the transport system of the first sheet material processing unit comprises a first transport wheel arranged at the output end thereof, and the transport system of the second sheet material processing unit comprises a second transport wheel arranged at the input end thereof, wherein the first transport wheel and the second transport wheel are substantially arranged coaxially.

15. The sheet material processing machine according to claim 10, wherein the transport system of the first sheet material processing unit overlaps the transport system of the second sheet material processing unit in a processing direction.

16. The sheet material processing machine according to claim 10, wherein the sheet material processing machine is a platen press, a hot-foil stamping machine, or a die-cutting machine.

Description

[0031] FIG. 1 schematically shows a sheet material processing machine according to a first embodiment comprising several sheet material processing units according to the invention,

[0032] FIG. 2 schematically shows a sheet material processing machine according to a second embodiment comprising several sheet material processing units according to the invention,

[0033] FIG. 3 schematically shows a sheet material processing machine according to a third embodiment comprising several sheet material processing units according to the invention,

[0034] FIG. 4 is a detailed view of a transition zone of the sheet material processing machines of FIGS. 1 to 3,

[0035] FIG. 5 shows a sectional view V-V of FIG. 4,

[0036] FIG. 6 is a detailed view of an alternative transition zone of the sheet material processing machines of FIGS. 1 to 3,

[0037] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a gripper exchange module which can be part of any one of the sheet material processing machines of FIGS. 1 to 3,

[0038] FIG. 8 schematically shows a sheet material processing machine according to a fourth embodiment comprising three sheet material processing units according to the invention, wherein one thereof is a transition unit, and

[0039] FIG. 9 is a view of the sheet material processing machine according to FIG. 8 along direction IX in FIG. 8.

[0040] FIG. 1 shows a sheet material processing machine 10 according to a first embodiment which is a die-cutting machine.

[0041] It is adapted for processing sheets 12 being provided on an entering pile 14 and being placed on an exiting pile 16 after having been processed.

[0042] Following a processing direction 18 of the sheets 12 through the sheet material processing machine 10 it comprises a total of five sheet material processing units 20 to 28.

[0043] In the present example, sheet material processing unit 20 is a feeder unit, sheet material processing unit 22 is a platen press unit, sheet material processing unit 24 is a stripping unit, sheet material processing unit 26 is a quality control unit and sheet material processing unit 28 is a delivery unit.

[0044] In the following, the feeder unit will be designated with reference sign 20, the platen press unit will be designated with reference sign 22, the stripping unit will be designated with reference sign 24, the quality control unit will be designated with reference sign 26 and the delivery unit will be designated with reference sign 28 for the ease of explanation.

[0045] Furthermore, a recirculation module 30 is provided.

[0046] Each of the sheet material processing units 20 to 28 comprises an input end, respectively designated 20i, 22i, 24i, 26i, 28i, where sheets 12 to be processed enter the respective sheet material processing unit 20 to 28 and an output end, respectively designated 20o, 22o, 24o, 26o, 28o, where the sheets 12 leave the respective sheet material processing unit 20 to 28.

[0047] The feeder unit 20, the platen press unit 22, and the stripping unit 24 are equipped with a respective transport system 32 for transporting the sheets 12 from the respective input end 20i, 22i, 24i to the respective output end 20o, 22o, 24o.

[0048] Each transport system 32 comprises a first transport wheel 34 being arranged at the output end 20o, 22o, 24o of the corresponding sheet material processing unit 20, 22, 24 and a second transport wheel 36 being arranged at the input end 20i, 22i, 24i of the corresponding sheet material processing unit 20, 22, 24.

[0049] The transport wheels 34, 36 interact with a belt 38 being driven and/or guided by the respective transport wheels 34, 36.

[0050] The recirculation module 30 also comprises a transport system 40 which is equipped with a belt 42 that is driven and/or guided by a plurality of associated transport wheels 44.

[0051] In the example shown in FIG. 1 the transport system 40 is a shared transport system in the sense that it is also used for the quality control unit 26 and the delivery unit 28. In other words, the quality control unit 26 and the delivery unit 28 do not have a separate transport system such as the feeder unit 20, the platen press unit 22 and the stripping unit 24.

[0052] All transport systems 32 are adapted for transporting sheets 12 from the respective input end 20i, 22i, 24i to the respective output end 20o, 22o, 24o.

[0053] Since the sheets 12 do not directly interact with the transport systems 32, 40, gripper units 46 are provided which are adapted for holding the sheet 12.

[0054] The gripper units 46 may be coupled to the transport systems 32, 40.

[0055] It is to be understood that the number of gripper units 46 used in a specific sheet material processing machine 10 may vary depending on the job to be performed.

[0056] In FIG. 1 only two gripper units 46 are shown, which is rather due to the ease of representation than to technical requirements.

[0057] The sheets 12 to be processed are gripped by the gripper unit 46 in the feeder unit 20 and released in the delivery unit 28.

[0058] The transport system 40 is adapted for transporting gripper units 46 without sheets 12 from the output end 24o of the stripping unit 24 to the input end 20i of the feeder unit 20.

[0059] Consequently, the gripper units 46 are operated in a closed loop.

[0060] Therefore, the gripper units 46 need to be transferred from one transport system 32, 40 to a respective neighboring transport system 32, 40.

[0061] In order to do so, the gripper units 46 are releasably coupled to the transport systems 32, 40, more precisely to the corresponding belts 38, 42.

[0062] Moreover, each of the input ends 20i, 22i 24i, 26i comprise a handover mechanism 47r being configured for receiving a gripper unit 46 from a neighboring sheet material processing unit 20 to 24 or the recirculation module 30 and coupling the received gripper unit 46 to the respective transport system 32, 40.

[0063] In this context, the input end 26i of the quality control unit serves as an input end 30i of the recirculation module 30.

[0064] The output ends 20o, 22o, 24o, 30o are equipped with a handover mechanism 47d which is configured for decoupling the gripper unit 46 from the respective transport system 32, 40 and providing the gripper unit 46 to a neighboring sheet material processing unit 22 to 24 or the recirculation module 30.

[0065] The zones where the handing over of the gripper units 46 happens are called transition zones 48.

[0066] In more detail, the feeder unit 20 comprises a handover mechanism 47d being provided in the transition zone 48 associated with its output end 20o and being configured for decoupling the gripper unit 46 from the transport system 32 and providing the gripper unit 46 to the transport system 32 of the platen press unit 22.

[0067] Moreover, the feeder unit 20 comprises a handover mechanism 47r being provided in the transition zone 48 associated with its input end 20i and being configured for receiving the gripper unit 46 without carrying a sheet 12 from the recirculation module 30 and coupling the received gripper unit 46 to its transport system 32.

[0068] Thus, the feeder unit 20 in total comprises two handover mechanisms 47d, 47r.

[0069] The platen press unit 22 comprises a handover mechanism 47r being provided in the transition zone 48 associated with its input end 22i and being configured for receiving the gripper unit 46 carrying a sheet 12 from the feeder unit 20 and coupling the received gripper unit 46 to its transport system 32.

[0070] Additionally, the platen press unit 22 comprises a handover mechanism 47d being provided in the transition zone 48 associated with its output end 22o and being configured for decoupling the gripper unit 46 from the transport system 32 and providing the gripper unit 46 to the transport system 32 of the stripping unit 24.

[0071] Thus, also the platen press unit 22 comprises a total of two handover mechanisms 47r, 47d.

[0072] The same applies to the stripping unit 24 to which the above explanations apply mutatis mutandis.

[0073] The transport system 40 of the recirculation module 30, which is also shared by the quality control unit 26 and the delivery unit 28 comprises a handover mechanism 47r being provided in the transition zone 48 associated with its input end 26i, 30i and being configured for receiving the gripper unit 46 carrying a sheet 12 from the stripping unit 24 and coupling the received gripper unit 46 to its transport system 40.

[0074] Furthermore, a handover mechanism 47d is provided in the transition zone 48 associated with its output end 30o and being configured for decoupling the gripper unit 46 from the transport system 40 and providing the gripper unit 46 to the transport system 32 of the feeder unit 20.

[0075] Thus, the shared transport system 40 of the recirculation module 30 comprises two handover mechanisms 47d, 47r.

[0076] The handover mechanisms 47r, 47d and the transition zones 48 will be explained below in connection with FIGS. 4 to 6.

[0077] Each of the transport systems 32 of the sheet material processing units 20 to 24 and the transport system 40 of the recirculation module 30 comprises a respective control unit 49.

[0078] The control units 49 are adapted for controlling the movement of the respective belt 38, 42. In doing so, a position and a movement of a gripper unit 46 being coupled to the respective belt 38, 42 can be precisely controlled.

[0079] The control units 49 are independent from each other and thus make it possible to operate some of the transport systems 32, 40 in a continuous manner, i.e. the corresponding belts 38, 42 travel at a substantially constant speed.

[0080] In the example shown this is the case for the feeder unit 20 and the recirculation module 30.

[0081] It is also possible to operate other transport systems 32, 40 in a stop-and-go-mode, i.e. the corresponding belts 38, 42 are intermittently accelerated to a predetermined travel speed and then stopped.

[0082] In the example of FIG. 1 this is the case for the platen press unit 22 and the stripping unit 24.

[0083] In FIG. 2 a sheet material processing machine 10 according to a second embodiment is shown.

[0084] In the following only the differences to the sheet material processing machine 10 according to the first embodiment will be explained. Equal or corresponding parts will be designated with the same reference signs.

[0085] The sheet material processing machine 10 of FIG. 2 is also a die-cutting machine and comprises a feeder unit 20, a platen press unit 22, a stripping unit 24, a quality control unit 26 and a delivery unit 28.

[0086] Again, the sheet material processing units 20 to 24 are equipped with a transport system 32.

[0087] In contrast to the first embodiment, no recirculation module is provided. Instead, the quality control unit 26 and the delivery unit 28 share a transport system 32.

[0088] The sheet material processing machine 10 according to the second embodiment further differs from the sheet material processing machine 10 according to the first embodiment in that the recirculation of gripper units 46 without sheets 12 takes place via the transport systems 32 of the sheet material processing units 20 to 28.

[0089] In this context, the transport systems 32 may be subdivided into a processing section 32p and a recirculation section 32r respectively.

[0090] The processing sections 32p are configured for transporting gripper units 46 holding sheets 12 for being processed in a processing direction 18, i.e. from a respective input end 20i, 22i, 24i, 26i to a respective output end 20o, 22o, 24o.

[0091] The processing sections are associated with respective handover mechanisms 47r, 47d which are arranged in transit zones 48 and substantially correspond to the handover mechanisms 47r, 47d as explained with respect to the first embodiment.

[0092] The recirculation sections 32r are configured for transporting gripper units 46 without sheets 12 in a direction from a respective output end 28o, 26o, 24o, 22o, 20o to a respective input end 20i, 22i, 24i, 26i, 28i.

[0093] To this end, also the recirculation sections 32r are provided with handover mechanisms 47r, 47d which are arranged in corresponding transit zones 50.

[0094] The handover mechanisms 47r, 47d of the recirculation sections 32r substantially correspond to the handover mechanisms 47r, 47d of the processing sections 32p and will be explained in detail in connection with FIGS. 4 to 6 below.

[0095] Consequently, the feeder unit 20 comprises a handover mechanism 47d being provided in the transition zone 48 associated with its output end 20o and being configured for decoupling the gripper unit 46 from the transport system 32 and providing the gripper unit 46 to the transport system 32 of the platen press unit 22.

[0096] Additionally, the feeder unit 20 comprises a handover mechanism 47r being provided in the transition zone 50 associated with its output end 20o and being configured for receiving the gripper unit 46 without carrying a sheet 12 from the platen press unit 22 and coupling the received gripper unit 46 to its transport system 32.

[0097] Thus, the feeder unit 20 in total comprises two handover mechanisms 47d, 47r.

[0098] The platen press unit 22 comprises a handover mechanism 47r being provided in the transition zone 48 associated with its input end 22i and being configured for receiving the gripper unit 46 carrying a sheet 12 from the feeder unit 20 and coupling the received gripper unit 46 to its transport system 32.

[0099] Moreover, the platen press unit 22 comprises a handover mechanism 47d being provided in the transition zone 48 associated with its output end 22o and being configured for decoupling the gripper unit 46 from the transport system 32 and providing the gripper unit 46 to the transport system 32 of the stripping unit 24.

[0100] Additionally, platen press unit 22 comprises a handover mechanism 47r being provided in the transition zone 50 associated with its output end 22o and being configured for receiving the gripper unit 46 not carrying a sheet 12 from the stripping unit 24 and coupling the received gripper unit 46 to its transport system 32.

[0101] The platen press unit 22 comprises a further handover mechanism 47d being provided in the transition zone 50 associated with its input end 22i and being configured for decoupling the gripper unit 46 from the transport system 32 and providing the gripper unit 46 to the transport system 32 of the feeder unit 20.

[0102] Thus, the platen press unit 22 in total comprises four handover mechanisms 47r, 47d.

[0103] The same applies to the stripping unit 24 to which the above explanations apply mutatis mutandis.

[0104] The shared transport system 32 of the quality control unit 26 and the delivery unit 28 comprises a handover mechanism 47r being provided in the transition zone 48 associated with its input end 26i and being configured for receiving the gripper unit 46 carrying a sheet 12 from the stripping unit 24 and coupling the received gripper unit 46 to its transport system 32.

[0105] Furthermore, a handover mechanism 47d is provided in the transition zone 50 associated with its input end 26i and being configured for decoupling the gripper unit 46 from the transport system 32 and providing the gripper unit 46 to the transport system 32 of the stripping unit 22.

[0106] Thus, the combination of the quality control unit 26 and the delivery unit 28 in total comprises two handover mechanisms 47d, 47r.

[0107] A sheet material processing machine 10 according to a third embodiment is shown in FIG. 3.

[0108] In the following, only the differences to the sheet material processing machines according to the first and second embodiments will be explained. Equal or corresponding parts will be designated with the same reference signs.

[0109] The sheet material processing machine 10 according to the third embodiment is a hot-foil stamping machine. The platen press unit 22 is adapted accordingly.

[0110] In contrast to the embodiments explained above, it comprises a foil handling system 52 with a storage facility for foils to be processed by the platen press unit 22.

[0111] The foil handling system 52 is arranged inside the shared transport system 32 of the quality control unit 26 and the delivery unit 28.

[0112] Furthermore, the stripping unit 24 has been eliminated.

[0113] FIGS. 4 and 5 show the transition zones 48, 50 and the corresponding handover mechanisms 47r, 47d.

[0114] In this context, two belts 38 of a first transport system 32 and two belts 38 of a second transport system 32 are shown.

[0115] In order to differentiate the two transport systems 32, elements of the first transport system will be designated with a suffix a and elements of the second transport system will be designated with a suffix b.

[0116] The first transport system 32a is for example associated to the feeder unit 20, the platen press unit 22 or the stripping unit 24.

[0117] The second transport system 32b is for example associated to the platen press unit 22 or the stripping unit 24.

[0118] Along the processing direction 18 the second transport system 32b is arranged behind the first transport system 32a. Additionally, the first transport system 32a overlaps the second transport system 32b in the processing direction 18.

[0119] In the state represented in FIGS. 4 and 5 the gripper unit 46 is coupled to the first transport system 32a, more precisely to the corresponding belts 38a via a clamping mechanism 54.

[0120] It comprises at least two clamps 56a, 56b. They engage the belts 38a in that the belts 38a are clamped between the respective clamps 56a, 56b and the gripping unit 46.

[0121] In order to transfer the gripping unit 46 from the first transport system 32a to the second transport system 32b the clamps 56a, 56b are disengaged from the belts 38a. To this end the handover mechanism 47d is be used, which decouples the gripper unit 46 from the first transport system 32 and provides it to the second transport system 32b.

[0122] The handover mechanism 47d is associated with actor 57a, which may interact with the clamps 56a, 56b via cams or cammed wheels.

[0123] Subsequently, the handover mechanism 47r which is associated with the second transport system 32b receives the gripper unit 46 and couples it to the second transport system 32b in that the belts 38b are clamped between the respective clamps 56a, 56b and the gripping unit 46.

[0124] Also the handover mechanism 47r is associated with an actor 57b, which may interact with the clamps 56a, 56b via cams or cammed wheels.

[0125] This handover procedure is illustrated by arrows 58a, 58b. Respective turning axes of the clamps 56a, 56b are designated by reference signs 60a, 60b.

[0126] Transition zones 48, 50 with alternative handover mechanisms 47d, 47r are shown in FIG. 6.

[0127] In this alternative the first transport wheel 34 and the second transport wheel 36 of neighboring transport systems 32 are substantially arranged coaxially.

[0128] Both a belt 38a of a first transport system 32a and a belt 38b of a second transport system 32b are equipped with male clip elements 62. For the ease of representation only some of the male clip elements 62 are provided with a reference sign.

[0129] The gripper unit 46 to be transferred from the first transport system 32a to the second transport system 32b comprises female clip elements 64.

[0130] In the state represented in FIG. 6 the male clip elements 62 of the first belt 38a are engaged with the female clip elements 64 of the gripper unit 46 thereby forming a clip-on mechanism 66.

[0131] When travelling further in the processing direction 18 the male clip elements 62 of the first belt 38a will be disengaged from the gripper unit 46 by the handover mechanism 47d.

[0132] Subsequently, the gripper unit 46 will be transferred to the second transport system 32b and the gripper unit 46, more precisely the female clip elements 64 provided thereon, will be engaged with the male clip elements 62 of the second belt 38b by the handover mechanism 47r.

[0133] FIG. 7 shows a gripper exchange module 68 which may be coupled to a recirculation section 32r of any one of the previously described sheet material processing units 20 to 28 or a recirculation unit 30.

[0134] The gripper exchange module 68 comprises a gripper withdrawal section 70 which is configured for withdrawing gripper units 46 from the recirculation section 32r or the recirculation unit 30.

[0135] Moreover, the gripper exchange module 68 has a feeder section 72 which is configured for feeding gripper units 46 to the recirculation section 32r or the recirculation unit 30.

[0136] The feeder section 72 is equipped with an input buffer 74, where for the ease of representation three gripper units 46 are stored.

[0137] The gripper exchange module 68 may be used for exchanging gripper units 46 needing replacement.

[0138] Moreover, the gripper exchange module 68 is configured for adapting a number of gripper units 46 being used in the sheet material processing machine 10 and, thus, for adapting the sheet material processing machine 10 to different jobs needing different numbers of gripper units 46.

[0139] FIGS. 8 and 9 show a sheet material processing machine 10 according to a fourth embodiment.

[0140] Again, only the differences to the sheet material processing machines 10 according to the embodiment described above will be explained. Corresponding parts will be designated with the same reference signs.

[0141] The sheet material processing machine 10 of the fourth embodiment comprises three sheet material processing units 20, 22, 24, wherein the sheet material processing units 20 and 24 are configured for performing a process step on the sheet 12 to be processed. They may be of any type mentioned in the previous embodiments.

[0142] Sheet material processing unit 22 is a transition unit 76 and thus is configured for connecting the sheet material processing units 20, 24 in terms of material flow, i.e. as far as a flow of sheets 12 to be processed is concerned.

[0143] The transport system 32 of the transition unit 76 comprises a transition section 32t configured for transporting gripper units 46 holding sheets 12 or parts thereof in a direction from the input end 22i to the output end 22o of the transition unit 76.

[0144] The transition section 32t is associated with a handover mechanism arranged on the input end 22i and being configured for receiving a gripper unit 46 from sheet material processing unit 20 and coupling the received gripper unit 46 to the transport system 32 of the transition unit 76.

[0145] Furthermore, the transition section 32t is associated with a handover mechanism arranged on the output end 22o and being configured for decoupling the gripper unit 46 from the transport system 32 of the transition unit 76 and providing it to sheet material processing unit 24.

[0146] Both handover mechanisms are configured as in the previous embodiments. For the ease of representation they are not shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0147] The transports system 32 of the transition unit 76 comprises four belt drives 78a, 78b, 78c, 78d.

[0148] Belt drives 78a, 78b are positioned on the same side of the sheet material processing machine 10 and are arranged one above the other such that a gripper unit 46 may be received between belt drives 78a, 78b.

[0149] Similarly, belt drives 78c, 78d are positioned on a side of the sheet material processing machine 10 which is opposed to the side where belt drives 78a, 78b are located. Also belt drives 78c, 78d are arranged one above the other such that a gripper unit 46 may be received belt drives 78c, 78d.

[0150] During the operation of the sheet material processing machine 10 a gripper unit 46 being provided by the handover mechanism at the output end 20o of the sheet material processing unit 20 may be received by the transport system 32 of the transition unit 76, i.e. between belt drives 78a, 78b and belt drives 78c, 78d.

[0151] Upon actuation of the belt drives 78a to 78d, the gripper unit 46 and a sheet 12 connected therewith may be transported from the input end 22i to the output end 22o of the transition unit 76.

[0152] At the output end 22o the gripper unit 46 and the sheet 12 may be provided to a handover mechanism at the input end 24i of the sheet material processing unit 24.

[0153] As can for example be seen when comparing the sheet material processing machine 10 of the fourth embodiment to the transition zone 48 shown in FIG. 4, the transition unit 76 renders sheet material processing units 20, 24 compatible which both comprise transport systems 32 wherein belts 38 are arranged with substantially equal transversal distance. In this configuration it is not possible to arrange the belts 38 in an overlapping manner with respect to the processing direction 18.

[0154] For recirculating gripper units in a direction opposed to the processing direction 18 either a recirculation module 30 may be provided or the sheet material processing units 20, 22, 24 may be equipped with recirculation section as has already been described before.