Dynamic change of gang run

A method for operating a printing system for a continuous production of a plurality of gang runs from an endless web for forming individual signatures or signature packs, the individual signatures or signature packs being for producing type-specific print products in a downstream process, the method comprising:

• receiving the endless web in a non-folded state, and before cutting the endless web, executing complementary handling operations;
• cutting the endless web, by way of a specified or variable cutting length to form individual sheets, the cutting being done transversely to a running direction;
• transporting the individual sheets to a transfer section while maintaining a specified or continuously re-established mutual spacing between the individual sheets the transfer section comprising a braking apparatus configured to operate so as to correspond to the specified or variable cutting length;
• folding the individual sheets downstream of the braking apparatus, by way of at least one longitudinal air folding station or a mechanically operatable folding station, to form folded individual signatures or pre-assembled and folded signature packs;
• and
• feeding the folded individual signatures or the pre-assembled and folded signature packs to an alignment section for implementing planned operations;
• and
• transferring the folded individual signatures or the pre-assembled and folded signature packs to a print processing machine for executing the downstream process to produce the type-specific print product as a fold-glued and/or stitched brochure at least in a 2-gang run.

A method for operating a printing system for a continuous production of multiple gang runs from an endless web for forming individual signatures or signature packs, the individual signatures or signature packs being for producing type-specific print products in a downstream process, the method comprising:

• receiving the endless web in a non-folded state, and before cutting the endless web, performing complementary handling operations to the endless web, the complementary handling operations comprising scoring and/or applying fold-softening agents in folding regions;
• cross-cutting the endless web by way of a specified or variable cutting length to form individual sheets, the cutting being done transversely to a running direction
• transporting the individual sheets while maintaining a specified or continuously re-established mutual spacing to a transfer section having a braking apparatus configured to operate so as to correspond to the cutting length;
• downstream of the braking apparatus, performing a glue application in the scored and/or fold-softened folding regions, and
• gathering and subsequently folding the individual sheets in a first longitudinal air folding station to form the individual signatures or signature packs, and
• downstream of the first longitudinal air folding station, deflecting the individual signatures or signature packs in a second longitudinal air folding station prior to collating and discharging the type-specific print products as finished brochures.

A printing system for carrying out a method for continuous production of multiple gang runs from an endless web for forming individual signatures or signature packs, the individual signatures of the signature backs being for producing type-specific print products in a downstream device the system comprising:

• a perforator, a fold-softening nozzle, or a scoring wheel configured to receive the endless web in a non-longitudinally-folded state and then to perforate, apply a softening agent, or score the endless web;
• a cross-cutter configured to cut the endless web, by way of a specified or variable cutting length, to form individual sheets, the cross-cutter being arranged downstream of the perforator, fold-softening nozzle, or the scoring wheel, the cross-cutter being further configured to cut transverse to a running direction;
• a conveyor arranged downstream of the cross-cutter and configured transport the individual sheets to a transfer section while maintaining a specified or continually re-established mutual spacing between the individual sheets;
• a brake in the transfer section downstream of the, the brake being configured to operate so as to correspond to the specified cutting length;
• downstream of the brake, at least one first longitudinal air folding station or a mechanically operatable folding station, each of which are configured to execute a first longitudinal fold the individual sheets to form folded individual signatures or pre-gathered and folded signature packs;
• and
• an alignment section configurable to implement the following handling operations:
• a) an alignment of the folded individual signatures or folded signature packs in a 2-gang run for implementing auxiliary gluing in a downstream collation process;
• b) an alignment of the folded individual signatures or folded signature packs in a 3 and 4-gang run for a second longitudinal folding in a second longitudinal air folding station and auxiliary gluing in the downstream collation process;
• c) in a 2-gang run, the individual signatures or the folded signature packs are only deflected in the second longitudinal air folding station disposed downstream of the first longitudinal air folding station or the mechanically operable folding station;
• and
• d) in a 3 or 4-gang run, the individual signatures or the folded signature packs are additionally folded in the second longitudinal air folding station disposed downstream of the first longitudinal air folding station.