Processing machine, particularly a packing machine for cigarettes or similar

A processing machine which performs various steps of processing comprising:

• a bed having an upper support and lower housing beneath said upper support;
• first and second drive units mounted to said bed which have respective first and second output members which produce respective first and second driving motions;
• and
• a plurality of upper and lower operating units which execute a step of the processing, said upper and lower operating units being synchronized with one another and following a predetermined system of operation,
• each said operating unit being of modular construction, and including:
• a) a conversion unit which converts, transfers and/or distributes an associated one of said first or second driving motions,
• b) a removable input coupling means for removably connecting an associated one of said first and second output members to said conversion unit,
• c) an operation member which performs the associated step,
• d) a removable output coupling means for removably coupling the driving motion connected to said conversion unit to said operation member, and
• e) a fixing means for removably fixing said operating unit at a predetermined position (i) to said upper support for respective said upper operating units and (ii) to said lower housing for respective said lower operating units.