Dual-stage sheet stacking and dropping apparatus

A method for rapidly stacking and dropping sheets, using a stacking and dropping apparatus, the method comprising;

• receiving a plurality of sheets, discharged by a sheet delivery device, onto a landing platform of the stacking and dropping apparatus;
• lowering the landing platform, using a vertical actuator unit with a vertical piston, from an original upper position, wherein lowering comprises maintaining a drop height between the sheet delivery device and a stack of delivered sheets, and wherein the vertical actuator is configured to lower the landing platform based on a received command from a controller of the stacking and dropping apparatus;
• sending a delay signal, generated by the controller, wherein the delay signal comprises a command to delay the receiving of the plurality of sheets from the sheet delivery device and wherein the delay signal is sent in response to a detection of a predetermined stack height, detected by a stack sensor, of the stack of delivered sheets;
• sending a movement signal, generated by the controller, wherein the movement signal follows the delay signal, wherein the movement signal comprises a command to move the landing platform, using a horizontal actuator unit with a horizontal piston, such that the plurality of sheets are received by a catch tray unit;
• dropping, utilizing the catch tray unit, the plurality of sheets onto a sheet receiving device;
• returning, automatically, using the vertical piston, the landing platform to the original upper position;
• sending a resume signal, generated by the controller, that includes a command to the sheet delivery device to resume sheet delivery;
• and
• wherein the controller comprises a central processor component configured to generate the delay, movement and resume signals based on received sensor signals.