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 at least one carriage, which holds the substrates in a stationary position and which transports the substrates along the transport path;

• and
• wherein:
• 1. The substrate-transport device comprises a drive system for moving the carriage along the transport path;
• 2. The substrate-transport device being equipped with at least one displacement detection system for detecting displacement to measure a displacement of the carriage relative to the transport path and at least one other displacement detection system for measuring a displacement of the carriage relative to one of the treatment stations;
• and
• 3. the carriage comprises a table for holding the substrate in a stationary position relative to the table along the transport path during the treatment(s) of the substrate;
• wherein the displacement detection system for measuring the displacement of the carriage relative to the transport path comprises at least one displacement sensor “O” comprising a movable part and a fixed part, and the displacement detection system for measuring the displacement of the carriage relative to the treatment station(s) comprises a displacement sensor “M” comprising a movable part and a fixed part, the fixed part of the displacement sensor “O” is a ruler positioned along the transport path, the movable part of the displacement sensor “O” is a reader integrated into the carriage, the movable part of the displacement sensor “M” is a ruler fixed to the carriage, and the fixed part of the displacement sensor “M” is a reader integrated in the treatment station(s).