Device and method for transporting substrates in a printing machine

A device for transporting substrates in a printing machine comprising one or more treatment stations, including at least one printing station, along a transport path from at least one input area supplying the printable and/or printed substrates up to at least one output area receiving the treated substrates, comprising a substrate conveyor for guiding and moving the substrates through the treatment stations, the conveyor comprising:

• a. A fixed rail, which forms a transport loop;
• and
• b. Carriages, which hold the substrates in a stationary position and which move on the rail carrying the substrates along the transport loop;
• and
• wherein:
• 1. The substrate-transport device comprises a base on which at least a part of the rail is fastened, and whose surface is plane;
• 2. The substrate-transport device comprises a drive system for moving the carriage on the fixed rail;
• 3. The carriage comprises a table for holding the substrate in a stationary position relative to the table along the transport loop during the treatment(s) of the substrate;
• wherein the drive system is a linear drive system based on the principle of electromagnetic interaction between a coil assembly in the mobile carriage and a path of permanent magnets, and that a primary drive assembly of the linear drive is part of the mobile carriage, and said path of magnets being fastened on the fixed rail, and/or being an integral part thereof, and/or fastened on the base and/or forming an integral part of the base and/or fastened on a rigid structure for holding the rail, and/or forming an integral part of this rigid structure.