Folding machine for an offset printing press

An apparatus for cutting and folding a web of material, comprising:

• a) a transfer cylinder including:
• a cylinder body having an external surface;
• a plurality of sets of impaling pins, each set of impaling pins selectively movable between a retracted and an extended position relative to the external surface;
• a plurality of engaging blades pivotably coupled to the cylinder body;
• a mechanism for varying an angular spacing between the engaging blades and the sets of impaling pins, the mechanism coupled to the cylinder body;
• one or more pairs of closure plates disposed adjacent to the external surface, each pair of closure plates comprising a first closure plate and a second closure plate, each first closure plate disposed adjacent to a first side of an engaging blade corresponding to the pair of closure plates, and each second closure plate disposed adjacent to a second side of the corresponding engaging blade;
• one or more pairs of complementary plates disposed adjacent to the external surface, each pair of complementary plates having a first complementary plate and a second complementary plate, each pair of complimentary plates associated with a respective set of impaling pins, each first complementary plate of a pair of complementary plates disposed on a first side of the respective set of impaling pins, and each second complementary plate of the pair of complimentary plates disposed on a second side of the respective set of impaling pins, each complementary plate slidably coupled to a corresponding closure plate to form a substantially continuous external transfer surface independent of the angular spacing between the engaging blade and the set of impaling pins;
• b) a cutting cylinder cooperating with the transfer cylinder;
• and
• c) a folding cylinder cooperating with the transfer cylinder having one or more folding jaws into which the web of paper is introduced by the engaging blades.