Patent Publication Number: US-2021170783-A1

Title: Method for separating and categorizing at least one substrate, and substrate categorizing machine

Description:
The invention relates to a method for separating and categorising at least one substrate and a substrate categorising machine. 
     For the production of security papers, for example banknotes, special substrates are usually used, for example paper substrates, polymer substrates or hybrid substrates which have a mixture of paper and polymer. Substrates made of paper for the production of security papers, in particular banknotes, are usually produced from cotton fibres and thus differ from other sorts of paper which are instead produced from lignin and/or cellulose. In order to produce security paper or banknote paper, cotton fibres are usually mixed with water, with it being possible for example to also add linen or other plant fibres thereto. Dyes are optionally added thereto. The mixture is then filtered through a corresponding mould, as a result of which watermarks can be produced. The substrate may also be provided with other security features aside from watermarks. For example, security threads are incorporated into the substrate. Alternatively or additionally, other security features are arranged on at least one side of the substrate, for example printed images and/or foil material, which is for example applied by hot-foil embossing. Further information regarding paper production can be found for example in EP 0 059 056 A1, EP 0 229 645 A1, EP 1 630 285 A2, GB 2 397 582 A and GB 2 433 470 A. 
     Polymer substrates are usually produced from a transparent film which consists for example of biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) and is provided with an opaque layer on one or both sides, for example by an intaglio printing method. In order to produce another type of security feature, particularly common in polymer substrates, this opaque layer is omitted in some regions, such that transparent regions are left behind. Like paper substrates, polymer substrates can also be provided with a plurality of further security features even as they are being produced, for example security features with optically variable surfaces, such as holograms, kinegrams, iridescent regions, etc. 
     These transparent foils are for example produced in a process by a bubble or tube first being produced, and a highly transparent and stable foil being produced therefrom, which foil is in the form of a continuous transparent material web. This is then guided through a series of printing mechanisms and other processing mechanisms, where the opaque layer and/or other security features are applied. Production of such a foil is described for example in WO 83/00659 A1. 
     In order to produce hybrid substrates, layers made of paper and of polymer are joined together, in order to combine the advantages of both materials. A method for producing hybrid substrates is described in EP 2153 988 A1. For example, a paper layer and a polymer layer can be joined together. Alternatively, at least one paper layer can be arranged between at least two polymer layers and joined thereto. Alternatively, at least one polymer layer can be arranged between at least two paper layers and joined thereto. 
     The substrates described are usually produced in the form of material webs. These material webs are then usually wound up to give rolls, or cut into sheets and thus transported to corresponding processing facilities, in particular security printing works. 
     If the substrate in question is faulty, this usually leads to security papers produced therewith, in particular banknotes, being unusable. 
     EP 0 286 317 A1 discloses a method and a substrate processing machine, wherein a material web is inspected, numbered, inspected again and then cut, and the sheets are supplied to different categories. The sheets have a gap and are then only cross-cut and packaged. 
     EP 1 932 678 A1 discloses a method in which sheets are processed and then assigned to different categories. 
     EP 3 421 663 A1 describes a method and a device wherein substrate in the form of a material web is inspected and then cut into sheets, and the resulting sheets are split into three different delivery piles on the basis of the inspection. 
     WO 03/052394 A1 and WO 2012/059861 A1 disclose inspection devices. 
     The object of the invention is to create a method for separating and categorising at least one substrate and a substrate categorising machine. 
     The object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claim  1  and the features of claim  2  and the features of claim  16  and the features of claim  17 . 
     Preference is given to a method for categorising at least one substrate, wherein sheets are each assigned to one of at least three categories in a respective assigning operation on the basis of a result of an inspection carried out in a respective inspection operation, and wherein each of the sheets is deposited on a delivery pile corresponding to its category in a respective delivery operation. The sheets are for example severed from a roll of material or originate from another sheet source, for example a sheet feeder. 
     In an alternative or additional further development, the method is preferably characterised in that the method is a method for separating and categorising at least one substrate, wherein substrate is transported in the form of a material web along a provided transport path to a cross-cutting device in a web supplying operation and wherein the material web is separated into a plurality of sheets by respective sheets being severed from the material web in a respective severing operation and wherein the respective sheets are inspected in at least one respective inspection operation in each case with regard to at least one property that the substrate already had before the respective severing operation. Preference is accordingly given to a method for separating and categorising at least one substrate, in particular security paper substrate, wherein substrate is unwound in the form of a material web from a roll of material preferably in an unwinding operation and wherein substrate is transported in the form of a material web along a provided transport path to a cross-cutting device in a web supplying operation and wherein the material web is separated into a plurality of sheets by respective sheets being severed from the material web in a respective severing operation and wherein the respective sheets are inspected in at least one respective inspection operation in each case with regard to at least one property that the substrate already had before the respective severing operation, and wherein the sheets are each assigned to one of at least three categories in a respective assigning operation on the basis of the result of the inspection carried out in the respective at least one inspection operation, and wherein each of the sheets is deposited on a delivery pile corresponding to its category in a respective delivery operation. This at least one property is preferably selected from substrate faults such as inclusions of foreign bodies and/or holes; watermarks, in particular the position and/or completeness thereof; security threads, in particular the position and/or completeness and/or width and/or possible rotations thereof; reflective window threads, for example with holographic properties, in particular the position and/or completeness and/or rotation and/or width thereof and/or a number and/or length and/or width of apertures in the window thread; applied foils, in particular the position and/or completeness thereof; printed images, in particular the colouring and/or print registration accuracy and/or registration accuracy and/or completeness thereof. 
     In an alternative or additional further development, the method is preferably characterised in that substrate is removed in the form of a respective sheet from a feed pile and is isolated in a respective isolation operation, and in that the respective sheet is transported in particular by means of at least one gripper system along a provided transport path to at least one inspection device in a respective sheet supplying operation, and in that the respective sheets are inspected in at least one respective inspection operation in each case with regard to at least one property that this respective sheet already had before the respective isolation operation. Accordingly, preference is given to a method for categorising at least one substrate, wherein substrate is removed in the form of a respective sheet from a feed pile and is isolated in a respective isolation operation, and wherein the respective sheet is transported in particular by means of at least one gripper system along a provided transport path to at least one inspection device in a respective sheet supplying operation, and wherein the respective sheets are inspected in at least one respective inspection operation in each case with regard to at least one property that this respective sheet already had before the respective isolation operation, and wherein the sheets are each assigned to one of at least three categories in a respective assigning operation on the basis of the result of the inspection carried out in the respective at least one inspection operation, and wherein each of the sheets is deposited on a delivery pile corresponding to its category in a respective delivery operation. In an alternative or additional further development, the method is preferably characterised in that the sheets are exclusively transported along the transport path from the feed pile to the at least one inspection device and in particular no material is applied to the sheets or removed from the sheets and the sheets and/or the substrate thereof are in particular not irreversibly changed. 
     The advantages which can be achieved with the invention consist in particular of printing works being able to use substrate in a targeted manner based on its quality. As a result, on the one hand the risk can be reduced or done away with that valuable substrate is used for set-up processes or the like, and on the other hand the risk can be reduced or done away with that unusable substrate is further processed in expensive processing operations, despite it being clear from the outset that no acceptable printed products, in particular security papers and/or banknotes, could be produced in this way. A further advantage consists in being able to optimise the provision of substrate sheets and in operators receiving clear indications regarding to which category sheets in front of them belong, and what they should be used for. 
     In an alternative or additional further development, the method is preferably characterised in that the material web is subjected to at least one processing operation at a processing point arranged along the transport path provided for the transport of substrate before a cross-cutting device which carries out the respective severing operation, and further preferably in that the respective processing operation is applying a security feature and/or embossing and/or applying a foil and/or printing and/or the offset printing operation and/or an intaglio printing operation and/or a screen printing operation and/or a hot stamping operation and/or a coating operation and/or a flexographic printing operation and/or a relief printing operation and/or a letterpress printing operation and/or a numbering operation and/or a varnishing operation and/or an inkjet printing operation and/or an operation for applying microlenses. 
     In an alternative or additional further development, the method is preferably characterised in that the respective sheets are subjected to at least one processing operation after the respective severing operation and before the respective at least one inspection operation and further preferably in that the processing operation is applying a security feature and/or embossing and/or applying a foil and/or printing and/or the offset printing operation and/or an intaglio printing operation and/or a screen printing operation and/or a hot stamping operation and/or a coating operation and/or a flexographic printing operation and/or a relief printing operation and/or a letterpress printing operation and/or a numbering operation and/or a varnishing operation and/or an inkjet printing operation and/or an operation for applying microlenses. 
     In an alternative or additional further development, the method is preferably characterised in that one category of the at least three categories is an approved sheet category, to which those sheets which completely meet the stipulated quality requirements are assigned, and/or in that one category of the at least three categories is a reject category, to which those sheets which are completely unusable, at least for the production of security papers, in particular banknotes, are assigned, and/or in that one category of the at least three categories is a mixed category, to which those sheets which do not completely meet the stipulated quality requirements, but only have small flaws and are at least partially usable, are assigned. 
     In an alternative or additional further development, the method is preferably characterised in that the substrate is unwound in the form of a material web from a roll of material in an unwinding operation. In an alternative or additional further development, the method is preferably characterised in that all said method operations are carried out in the same substrate processing machine. 
     In an alternative or additional further development, the method is preferably characterised in that, in the respective at least one inspection operation, the respective sheet is subjected to a one-sided reflection inspection and/or is subjected to a two-sided reflection inspection and/or is subjected to a transmission inspection and/or is subjected to a separation point inspection and/or to a length inspection. As a result, the sheets can be investigated for as broad a range of faults as possible. During their respective inspection operation, the respective sheets are preferably arranged held by at least one gripper system. By inspecting the sheets, in particular in conjunction with a gripper system, a particularly accurate inspection is possible, in particular because of the relative position between sheet and inspection device which is as exact as possible. 
     In an alternative or additional further development, the method is preferably characterised in that at least the respective sheets which were assigned to a first of the at least three categories are subjected to at least one processing operation after the respective assigning operation and further preferably in that the processing operation is applying a security feature and/or embossing and/or applying a foil and/or printing and/or the offset printing operation and/or an intaglio printing operation and/or a screen printing operation and/or a hot stamping operation and/or a coating operation and/or a flexographic printing operation and/or a relief printing operation and/or a letterpress printing operation and/or a numbering operation and/or a varnishing operation and/or an inkjet printing operation and/or an operation for applying microlenses. 
     Preference is furthermore given to a substrate categorising machine. The substrate categorising machine serves in particular to sort sheets into different categories depending on their nature. The substrate categorising machine is designed for example as a substrate processing machine, in particular if substrate is supplied in the form of a material web and/or roll of material. Alternatively to supplying the substrate in the form of a material web and/or roll of material, the substrate is supplied in the form of sheets, in particular in the form of a feed pile. 
     In an alternative or additional further development, the substrate categorising machine is preferably characterised in that the substrate categorising machine is designed as a substrate processing machine, in particular as a security paper processing machine. In an alternative or additional further development, the substrate categorising machine is preferably characterised in that the substrate categorising machine has at least one material web source and/or at least one web transport system. The at least one material web source is preferably designed as a roll unwinding device or alternatively for example as a substrate producing device and/or papermaking device and/or polymer producing device and/or hybrid substrate producing device. The web transport system preferably serves to transport a material web, in particular regardless of whether same is unwound from a roll or originates directly from a production or arrives at the substrate feed device by some other means. The substrate categorising machine, in particular substrate processing machine, has at least one cross-cutting device, in particular cross-cutting guillotine device, along a transport path provided for the transport of at least one substrate after the material web source and/or after the web transport system, wherein the substrate categorising machine has at least one sheet transport device along the transport path provided for the transport of the substrate after the at least one cross-cutting device, which sheet transport device has at least one gripper system. 
     In an alternative or additional further development, the substrate categorising machine is preferably characterised in that the substrate categorising machine has at least one sheet source, in particular designed as a sheet feeder, and further preferably in that the substrate categorising machine has at least one sheet transport device along a transport path provided for the transport of sheet-like substrate after the sheet source, which sheet transport device has at least one gripper system. 
     In an alternative or additional further development, the substrate categorising machine is preferably characterised in that the substrate categorising machine has at least one inspection device. Depending on the design of the substrate categorising machine, this at least one inspection device is preferably arranged along the transport path provided for the transport of the substrate after the at least one cross-cutting device and/or along the transport path provided for the transport of the sheet-like substrate after the sheet source. Alternatively to the sheet feeder, the material web source, the web transport system and the at least one cross-cutting device can for example be considered together as the sheet source. 
     In an alternative or additional further development, the substrate categorising machine is preferably characterised in that the substrate categorising machine has at least one delivery device along the transport path provided for the transport of the substrate after the at least one inspection device, which delivery device has at least three depositing stations arranged in particular one behind the other along the transport path provided for the transport of substrate. 
     In an alternative or additional further development, the substrate categorising machine is preferably characterised in that only sheet transport devices which act on and/or are capable of acting on the sheet-like substrate are arranged along the transport path provided for the transport of the sheet-like substrate between the sheet source and the at least one inspection device and/or in that no devices for applying material to the sheet-Ike substrate and/or for removing material from the sheet-like substrate and/or for irreversibly changing the sheet-like substrate are arranged to act on and/or be capable of acting on the sheet-like substrate along the transport path provided for the transport of the sheet-like substrate between the sheet source and the at least one inspection device. 
     In an alternative or additional further development, the substrate categorising machine is preferably characterised in that the substrate categorising machine has at least one web processing device for processing the material web and/or in that the substrate categorising machine has at least one web processing device for processing the material web which is designed as a foil application device and/or as a hot stamping device and/or as an embossing device and/or as a coating device and/or as a printing device and/or as an offset printing device and/or as a flexographic printing device and/or as a screen printing device and/or as an intaglio printing device and/or as a relief printing device and/or as a letterpress printing device and/or as a numbering device and/or as a varnishing device. 
     In an alternative or additional further development, the substrate categorising machine is preferably characterised in that the substrate categorising machine has at least one sheet processing device for processing the sheets, which sheet processing device is arranged along the transport path provided for the transport of substrate after the at least one cross-cutting device and before the at least one inspection device and/or in that the substrate categorising machine has at least one sheet processing device for processing the sheets, which sheet processing device is arranged along the transport path provided for the transport of substrate after the at least one inspection device and before the at least one delivery device. 
     In an alternative or additional further development, the substrate categorising machine is preferably characterised in that the at least one sheet processing device is designed as a foil application device and/or as a hot stamping device and/or as an embossing device and/or as a coating device and/or as a printing device and/or as an offset printing device and/or as a flexographic printing device and/or as a screen printing device and/or as an intaglio printing device and/or as a relief printing device and/or as a letterpress printing device and/or as a numbering device and/or as a varnishing device. 
     In an alternative or additional further development, the substrate categorising machine is preferably characterised in that at least one inspection device is designed as a first reflection inspection device and/or designed to detect signals reflected by a first side of a respective sheet and/or in that at least one inspection device is designed as a second reflection inspection device and/or designed to detect signals reflected by a second side of the respective sheet and/or in that at least one inspection device is designed as a transmission inspection device and/or designed to detect signals transmitted through a respective sheet and/or in that at least one inspection device is designed as a separation point inspection device and/or designed to detect signals emitted from at least one separation point of the respective sheet. 
     Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and described in more detail below. 
    
    
     
       The drawings show: 
         FIG. 1 a    a schematic depiction of a part of one of the substrate categorising machine or substrate processing machine, with components which can be omitted in alternative embodiments also being depicted; 
         FIG. 1 b    a schematic depiction of a further part of the substrate categorising machine or substrate processing machine according to  FIG. 1 a   , as continuation thereof; 
         FIG. 2  a schematic depiction of a part of the substrate categorising machine alternative to that depicted in  FIG. 1   a;    
         FIG. 3  a schematic depiction of a part of a substrate categorising machine which can be used alternatively to the parts depicted in  FIG. 1 a    or  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
    
     If reference has been made, in the preceding and/or following text, to security papers or banknotes, this is to be understood in particular as banknotes, but also alternatively other security papers, for instance identification documents or the like. If reference has been made, in the preceding and/or following text, to substrate  02 ;  03  and/or a roll of material  04  and/or a material web  02  and/or sheets  03  and/or a feed pile  46 , this is to be understood in particular as paper substrate  02 ;  03  and/or polymer substrate  02 ;  03  and/or hybrid substrate  02 ; 03 , in particular in the corresponding form as a roll  04  and/or web  02  and/or sheets  03  and/or feed pile  46 . 
     The substrate  02 ;  03  is preferably a security paper substrate  02 ;  03 , in particular paper substrate  02 ;  03  with a cotton content and/or polymer substrate  02 ;  03  and/or hybrid substrate  02 ;  03  with a cotton content and with a polymer content, wherein the polymer substrate  02 ;  03  and/or the polymer content further preferably has biaxially oriented polypropylene. The material web  02  is preferably a security paper web  02 , in particular a paper web  02  with a cotton content and/or polymer web  02  and/or hybrid web  02  with a cotton content and with a polymer content, wherein the polymer web  02  and/or the polymer content preferably has biaxially oriented polypropylene. Sheets  03  are preferably security paper sheets  03 , in particular paper sheets  03  with a cotton content and/or polymer sheets  03  and/or hybrid sheets  03  with a cotton content and with a polymer content, wherein the polymer sheets  03  and/or the polymer content preferably have/has biaxially oriented polypropylene. 
     Preference is given to a method for categorising at least one substrate  02 ;  03 . The substrate  02 ;  03  is preferably separated into categories of sheets  03 . In one embodiment, the substrate  02 ;  03  is supplied here as a material web  02 , from which sheets  03  are severed and are then categorised. Alternatively, the substrate is removed from a feed pile  46  already as sheets  03  and categorised. 
     In an additional or alternative further development, the method is preferably characterised in that the method is a method for separating and categorising at least one substrate  02 ;  03 , wherein substrate  02 ;  03  is transported in the form of a material web  02  along a provided transport path to a cross-cutting device  11  in a web supplying operation. For example, the substrate  02 ;  03  is first, or beforehand, unwound in particular in the form of the material web  02 , in particular a respective corresponding portion of the material web  02 , from a roll of material  04  in an unwinding operation. Alternatively, the material web  02  can be directly conveyed from a device which produces it to the cross-cutting device  11  without unrolling it beforehand. For example, the device producing the material web  02  is then a component of a substrate processing machine  01 . The material web  02  is preferably separated into a plurality of sheets  03  by respective sheets  03  being severed from the material web  02  in a respective severing operation, in particular a cutting operation. The respective sheets  03  are preferably inspected in at least one respective inspection operation in each case with regard to at least one property that the substrate  02 ;  03  already had before the respective severing operation, wherein the sheets  03  are each assigned to one of at least three categories in a respective assigning operation on the basis of the result of the inspection carried out in the respective at least one inspection operation, and wherein each of the sheets  03  is deposited on a delivery pile  06 ;  07 ;  08  corresponding to its category in a respective delivery operation. In particular, accordingly, the respective sheets  03  are preferably inspected in the at least one respective inspection operation in each case with regard to at least one property that the substrate  02 ;  03  already had before any severing operation and which contributed to the creation of the respective sheet  03  from the material web  02 . 
     Maintaining the order of the abovementioned operations, further operations can take place therebetween, for example processing operations. During their respective inspection operation, the respective sheets  03  are preferably arranged held by at least one gripper system  13 . 
     In an additional or alternative further development, the method is preferably characterised in that the material web  02 , i.e. in particular the part of the material web  02  not yet severed as sheets  03 , is subjected to at least one processing operation at a processing point arranged along the transport path provided for the transport of substrate  02 ;  03  before a cross-cutting device  11  which carries out the respective severing operation. The respective corresponding processing operation is for example applying a security feature and/or embossing and/or applying a foil and/or printing and/or the offset printing operation and/or an intaglio printing operation and/or a screen printing operation and/or a hot stamping operation and/or a coating operation and/or a flexographic printing operation and/or a relief printing operation and/or a letterpress printing operation and/or a numbering operation and/or a varnishing operation and/or an inkjet printing operation and/or an operation for applying microlenses. In this way, for example, those processing operations which are essential and/or less cost-intensive and hence economically viable even when substrate has to be discarded and/or which are better to carry out on a material web  02  than on a sheet  03 , are carried out at suitable locations and in suitable ways. 
     In an additional or alternative further development, the method is preferably characterised in that the respective sheets  03  are subjected to at least one processing operation after the respective severing operation and before the respective at least one inspection operation. The respective corresponding processing operation is for example applying a security feature and/or embossing and/or applying a foil and/or printing and/or the offset printing operation and/or an intaglio printing operation and/or a screen printing operation and/or a hot stamping operation and/or a coating operation and/or a flexographic printing operation and/or a relief printing operation and/or a letterpress printing operation and/or a numbering operation and/or a varnishing operation and/or an inkjet printing operation and/or an operation for applying microlenses. In this way, for example, those processing operations which are essential and/or less cost-intensive and hence economically viable even when substrate has to be discarded and/or which are better to carry out on a sheet  03  than on a material web  02 , are carried out at suitable locations and in suitable ways. It should be noted in particular that the sheets  03  are then held in the gripper&#39;s grasp during this corresponding processing operation and can thus be positioned particularly precisely. 
     In an additional or alternative further development, the method is preferably characterised in that substrate  03  is removed in the form of a respective sheet  03  from a feed pile  46  and is isolated in a respective isolation operation, wherein the respective sheet  03  is transported in particular by means of at least one gripper system  13  along a provided transport path to at least one inspection device  14  in a respective sheet supplying operation, and wherein the respective sheets  03  are inspected in at least one respective inspection operation in each case with regard to at least one property that this respective sheet  03  already had before the respective isolation operation. The sheets  03  are preferably each assigned to one of at least three categories in a respective assigning operation on the basis of the result of the inspection carried out in the respective at least one inspection operation, wherein each of the sheets  03  is deposited on a delivery pile  06 ;  07 ;  08  corresponding to its category in a respective delivery operation. In an additional or alternative further development, the method is preferably characterised in that the sheets  03  are exclusively transported along the transport path from the feed pile  46  to the at least one inspection device  14  and in particular no material is applied to the sheets  03  or removed from the sheets  03  and the sheets  03  and/or the substrate  03  thereof are in particular not irreversibly changed. 
     In an additional or alternative further development, the method is preferably characterised in that, in the respective at least one inspection operation, the respective sheet  02 ;  03  is subjected to a one-sided reflection inspection and/or is subjected to a two-sided reflection inspection and/or is subjected to a transmission inspection and/or is subjected to a separation point inspection. A separation point inspection is in particular understood to mean that an inspection is carried out at a location at which a separation took place in the severing operation and/or at which a join existed before the severing operation and/or at which a new surface was formed by the severing operation, in particular regardless of whether this inspection is carried out as a reflection inspection and/or as a transmission inspection. Here, a quality of at least one separation point is investigated in particular. Additionally or alternatively, a length measurement is carried out, for example by calculating a length of the respective sheet from the relative position of the separation points. 
     In an additional or alternative further development, the method is preferably characterised in that the results of the at least one inspection operation are used to determine to which category the respective sheet  03  is assigned. 
     In an additional or alternative further development, the method is preferably characterised in that at least the respective sheets  03  which were assigned to a first of the at least three categories are subjected to at least one processing operation after the respective assigning operation and in that the processing operation is applying a security feature and/or embossing and/or applying a foil and/or printing and/or the offset printing operation and/or an intaglio printing operation and/or a screen printing operation and/or a hot stamping operation and/or a coating operation and/or a flexographic printing operation and/or a relief printing operation and/or a letterpress printing operation and/or a numbering operation and/or a varnishing operation and/or an inkjet printing operation and/or an operation for applying microlenses. Sheets of other categories are preferably eliminated. If therefore this processing takes place within the substrate categorising machine  01  and/or substrate processing machine  01 , it can thereby be ensured that only those sheets  03  are used which are assigned to a corresponding category, in particular in order to save on costs. 
     In an additional or alternative further development, the method is preferably characterised in that in particular a first category of the at least three categories is an approved sheet category, to which those sheets  03  which completely meet the stipulated quality requirements are assigned. Said sheets are for example characterised in that they can be provided with impositions while utilising as much of their surface as possible, all of these impositions not being rejects, at least with regard to the substrate  02 ;  03 , and accordingly being able to be used. 
     In an additional or alternative further development, the method is preferably characterised in that in particular a second category of the at least three categories is a reject category, to which those sheets  03  which are completely unusable, at least for the production of security papers, in particular banknotes, are assigned. This means, for example, that none of those sheets  03  can be used to produce usable impositions, in particular regardless of subsequent processing operations and/or at least not with a reasonable amount of effort. Sheets  03  which would only produce a small number of usable impositions can for example also be assigned to this reject category, depending on the requirements of a consumer of the sheets and/or impositions. 
     In an additional or alternative further development, the method is preferably characterised in that in particular a third category of the at least three categories is a mixed category, to which those sheets  03  which do not completely meet the stipulated quality requirements, but only have small flaws and are at least partially usable for the production of security papers, for example banknotes, are assigned. For example, individual regions of such sheets  03  can be processed to give usable impositions, but they ultimately have to be separated from other regions and/or impositions from which no usable impositions can be produced before and/or after further processing operations. This is for example the case if defective locations are restricted to just a limited and/or small region of the corresponding sheet  03 . 
     In an additional or alternative further development, the method is preferably characterised in that, in the delivery operation and/or thereafter, the sheets  03  of the first category are supplied according to their respective category to a delivery pile  06  of a quality level A and/or to a further processing pile  38  of the quality level A and/or to a ream  38  of the quality level A, wherein those sheets  03  of a delivery pile  06  of the quality level A or of a pile  38  of the quality level A or of a ream  38  of the quality level A are provided for production of security papers, in particular banknotes. A further processing pile  38  here is preferably a different pile to the corresponding delivery pile  06  and for example has a predefined number of sheets  03 , in particular different to the delivery pile  06 , and/or is arranged on a different support than the delivery pile  06 . 
     In an additional or alternative further development, the method is preferably characterised in that, in the delivery operation and/or thereafter, the sheets  03  of the second category are supplied according to their respective category to a delivery pile  06  of a quality level B and/or to a further processing pile  39  of the quality level B and/or to a ream  39  of the quality level B, wherein those sheets  03  of a delivery pile  07  of the quality level B or of a further processing pile  39  of the quality level B or of a ream  39  of the quality level B are provided for production of security papers, in particular banknotes in individual processing or for printing preparations or set-up operations of a processing machine. A further processing pile  39  here is preferably a different pile to the corresponding delivery pile  07  and for example has a predefined number of sheets  03 , in particular different to the delivery pile  07 , and/or is arranged on a different support than the delivery pile  07 . 
     In an additional or alternative further development, the method is preferably characterised in that, in the delivery operation, the sheets  03  of the third category are supplied according to their respective category to a delivery pile  06  of a quality level C and/or to a further processing pile  41  of the quality level C and/or to a ream  41  of the quality level C and/or to a collecting device and/or a waste device, wherein those sheets  03  of a delivery pile  06  of the quality level C or of a further processing pile  41  of the quality level C or of a ream  41  of the quality level C are provided for example for printing preparations or set-up operations of a processing machine. A further processing pile  41  here is preferably a different pile to the corresponding delivery pile  08  and for example has a predefined number of sheets  03 , in particular different to the delivery pile  08 , and/or is arranged on a different support than the delivery pile  08 . 
     For example, sheets  03  are collected in each case on the respective delivery pile  06 ;  07 ;  08  and removed therefrom and packaged and/or transported onward in the form of a respective further processing pile  38 ;  39 ;  41  or dispatch pile  38 ;  39 ;  41  and/or ream  38 ;  39 ;  41 . A ream here is a measure of the number of sheets packaged in particular together. A ream preferably has 500 sheets  03 . A further processing pile  38 ;  39 ;  41  of the dispatch pile  38 ;  39 ;  41  preferably has an amount of sheets  03  which meets the requirements, for example 5000 or 10,000, such that the dispatch pile can be immediately processed in a printing works. Particularly the sheets  03  of the quality level A can also be further processed immediately after the inspection operation and/or after the respective delivery operation by the substrate categorising machine  01  and/or substrate processing machine  01 . 
     In an additional or alternative further development, the method is preferably characterised in that all method operations are carried out in the same substrate categorising machine  01  and/or substrate processing machine  01 . 
     In an additional or alternative further development, the method is preferably characterised in that the respective sheets  03  are inspected in the respective at least one inspection operation in each case with regard to at least one property that the respective sheets  03  only obtained after the respective severing operation. This is particularly pertinent when the sheets are subjected to processing after the severing and the result of this processing is to be taken into account. Thus, for example, semi-finished sheets  03  can be produced and inspected, which sheets for example already have all the security features to be assigned to the substrate  02 ;  03  and additionally already have a security feature printed on and/or applied as a foil, but which have not yet been subjected to a complex further processing operation to which only actually usable sheets  03  should be subjected. 
     For example, the sheets  03  are checked in the at least one inspection operation for at least one or more or all of the following security features: Cut, in particular the parallelism of cuts and/or portion lengths; substrate faults such as inclusions of foreign bodies and/or holes; watermarks, in particular the position and/or completeness thereof; security threads, in particular the position and/or completeness and/or width and/or possible rotations thereof; reflective window threads, for example with holographic properties, in particular the position and/or completeness and/or rotation and/or width thereof and/or a number and/or length and/or width of apertures in the window thread; applied foils, in particular the position and/or completeness thereof; printed images, in particular the colouring and/or print registration accuracy and/or registration accuracy and/or completeness thereof. Except for the cut and/or printed images, the respective security feature is for example the at least one property that the substrate  02 ;  03  already had before the respective severing operation or isolation operation. 
     In an additional or alternative further development, the method is preferably characterised in that, for example after the cutting and in particular before any further processing, at least one sheet  03  and/or each of at least two sheets  03  and/or each sheet  03  has a plurality of similar and/or identical security features which are arranged on each respective sheet  03  in a respective matrix made of a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns. Similar security features here are for example alike in their nature but not identical. Thus, security threads of banknotes can be arranged in each banknote with a different section but at the same location. Watermarks or holograms, on the other hand, are preferably examples of security features which are identical for all impositions. 
     In an additional or alternative further development, the method is preferably characterised in that a width of at least one sheet  03  and/or of each of at least two sheets  03  and/or of each sheet  03  is greater than a multiple of a width of an imposition and/or security paper arranged and/or to be arranged on the sheet  03 . The width is for example a dimension measured transversely to the transport direction oriented along the transport path provided for the transport of the substrate  02 ;  03 . In an additional or alternative further development, the method is preferably characterised in that a length of at least one sheet  03  and/or of each of at least two sheets  03  and/or of each sheet is greater than a multiple of a length of an imposition and/or security paper arranged and/or to be arranged on the sheet  03 . The length is for example a dimension measured in the transport direction oriented along the transport path provided for the transport of the substrate  02 ;  03 . 
     Each sheet  03  is preferably provided with an individual mark, for example by means of at least one marking device  34 . The respective individual mark is for example designed as a barcode, for example as a one-dimensional barcode or as a two-dimensional barcode or as a three-dimensional barcode. By means of such an individual mark, each sheet  03  is in particular identifiable at anytime and can for example be processed in a manner befitting its category. The respective individual mark is preferably applied in a region of the sheet  03  which is later severed and/or is no longer physically joined to any of the impositions after the security papers, in particular banknotes, have been produced. 
     There are various types of barcodes. Barcodes always form, for example, a planar arrangement of markings. A distinction can be made between one-dimensional barcodes, two-dimensional barcodes and three-dimensional barcodes. One-dimensional barcodes have a successive sequence of bars of different widths, which are usually each coloured in one of two colours, in particular either black or white. These bars are arranged one after the other along a linear direction or main orientation. Two-dimensional barcodes, in particular matrix codes, have markings which are arranged in a plurality of rows and in a plurality of columns. The rows and columns are preferably orthogonal to one another, but other angles are also possible, as for example in what is referred to as the MaxiCode. The markings thus form a matrix. The markings are usually each coloured in one of two colours, in particular either black or white. A three-dimensional barcode is understood in particular to mean a barcode which is substantially constructed like a two-dimensional barcode, but the markings of which have more than two colours overall, with the different colours conveying a further level of meaning. A two-dimensional or three-dimensional barcode, in particular a matrix code, requires less space than a one-dimensional barcode for the same amount of information. 
     The preferred substrate categorising machine  01 , which is further preferably designed as a substrate processing machine  01 , is described hereinafter. The substrate categorising machine  01  and/or substrate processing machine  01  is preferably designed to carry out the preferred method for categorising or for separating and categorising the at least one substrate  02 ;  03 . 
     In one embodiment, the substrate categorising machine  01  and/or substrate processing machine  01  preferably has at least one material web source  09  and/or at least one web transport system  26 . In an alternative or additional further development, the substrate processing machine  01  is preferably characterised in that the substrate categorising machine  01  and/or substrate processing machine  01  has at least one web transport system  26  with at least one deflecting means  24 , for example with at least one deflecting roller  24  and/or at least one deflecting roll  24  and/or with at least one deflecting rod  24 . The web transport system  26  preferably has at least one web tension regulator  28  which for example has at least one displaceable, in particular pivotable, dancer roller  29 . When rolls of material  04  are used, the at least one material web source  09  is for example designed as a roll unwinding device  09 . The material web  02  is preferably unwound from the roll of material  04  by means of the roll unwinding device  09 . In an alternative embodiment, the material web source  09  is designed as a substrate producing device  09 , for example as a papermaking device  09  and/or polymer producing device  09  and/or hybrid substrate producing device  09 . Direct or indirect connection of the substrate categorising machine  01  and/or substrate processing machine  01  to another and/or an external material web source is also possible. In conjunction with this embodiment of the substrate categorising machine  01  and/or substrate processing machine  01 , in any case the substrate is preferably first present in the form of a material web  02  and is present as such in the substrate categorising machine  01  and/or substrate processing machine  01  before it is separated into sheets  03 . 
     The substrate categorising machine  01  and/or substrate processing machine  01  preferably has in particular a roll unwinding device  09  along a transport path provided for the transport of at least one substrate  02 ;  03  after the material web source  09  and/or preferably at least one cross-cutting device  11  after the web transport system  26 , which cross-cutting device is further preferably designed as a cross-cutting guillotine device  11 . The material web  02  can thereby be separated into individual sheets  03 , which are ultimately used for the production of the impositions, in particular security papers and/or banknotes. The at least one cross-cutting device  11  is preferably designed as a cross-cutting guillotine device  11 . For example, the at least one cross-cutting device  11  has at least one cutting cylinder  36  and at least one counter-pressure cylinder  37 . The at least one cutting cylinder  36  in this case preferably carries at least one blade. The material web  02  is then preferably conveyed through a separation gap formed by the at least one cutting cylinder  36  on one side and the at least one counter-pressure cylinder  37  on the other side and cut into sheets  03  there. 
     The substrate categorising machine  01  and/or substrate processing machine  01  has at least one sheet transport device  12  along the transport path provided for the transport of the substrate  02 ;  03  after the at least one cross-cutting device  11 , which sheet transport device further preferably has at least one gripper system  13 . 
     The material web source  09  and the web transport system  26  and the at least one cross-cutting device  11  can be considered together as the sheet source. In an alternative or additional further development, the substrate categorising machine  01  and/or substrate processing machine  01  is preferably characterised in that at least one sheet source  47  designed as a sheet feeder  47  is arranged, which for example has at least one separating device  48  for isolating sheets  03  from a feed pile  46 , and/or has at least one oscillating gripper system  12 . 
     Other belt transport systems can also be used, but the use of at least one gripper system  13  is considered to be advantageous due to the precise fixing of the relative position of the sheets  03 . In an alternative or additional further development, the substrate categorising machine  01  and/or substrate processing machine  01  is preferably characterised in that the substrate categorising machine  01  and/or substrate processing machine  01  has at least one sheet transport system  27  with at least one sheet transport device  12  and/or at least one gripper system  13 . The at least one sheet transport device  12  is for example designed as at least one transport reel  12  and/or at least one transport roller  12  and/or at least one transport cylinder  12  and/or at least one chain gripper system  12 ;  31 . The substrate categorising machine  01  and/or substrate processing machine  01  has at least one inspection device  14 ;  16 ;  17 ;  18  and preferably a plurality of inspection devices  14 ;  16 ;  17 ;  18  along the transport path provided for the transport of the substrate  02 ;  03  after the sheet source  47  and/or after the at least one cross-cutting device  11  and in particular along a portion of the transport path provided for the transport of sheets  03 . A plurality of inspection devices  14 ;  16 ;  17 ;  18  can also be combined into a functional group or for example combined with one another on the basis of their analytical technology, but are nonetheless to be regarded as a plurality of inspection devices  14 ;  16 ;  17 ;  18 , in particular if independent sensors are arranged in each case. This inspection device serves in particular to enable the sheets  03  to be sorted based on quality into one of the at least three categories, and as a result to reduce costs of unnecessary substrate processing and/or unnecessary substrate consumption. 
     The substrate categorising machine  01  and/or substrate processing machine  01  has at least one delivery device  19  along the transport path provided for the transport of the substrate  02 ;  03  after the at least one inspection device  14 ;  16 ;  17 ;  18 , which delivery device has at least three depositing stations  21 ;  22 ;  23  arranged in particular one behind the other along the transport path provided for the transport of substrate  02 ;  03 . The at least one delivery device  19  is therefore preferably designed as a multi-pile delivery  19 , in particular at least as a three-pile delivery  19 . The depositing stations  21 ;  22 ;  23  are also referred to as pile deliveries  21 ;  22 ;  23 . A respective depositing station  21 ;  22 ;  23  or pile delivery  21 ;  22 ;  23  is to be understood here in particular to mean a device which serves to form a respective pile. By means of the at least three depositing stations  21 ;  22 ;  23 , therefore, at least three different delivery piles  06 ;  07 ;  08  can be formed, without in each case having to remove another pile. As a result, the sheets  03  can be assigned to at least three different categories. 
     In an alternative or additional further development, the substrate processing machine  01  is preferably characterised in that the at least one inspection device  14 ;  16 ;  17 ;  18  is arranged along the portion of the transport path provided for the transport of sheets  03  and/or in that the at least one inspection device  14 ;  16 ;  17 ;  18  is provided for inspection of the sheets  03 . In an alternative or additional further development, the substrate processing machine  01  is preferably characterised in that a plurality of inspection devices  14 ;  16 ;  17 ;  18  are arranged as the at least one inspection device  14 ;  16 ;  17 ;  18 . 
     In an alternative or additional further development, the substrate processing machine  01  is preferably characterised in that at least one inspection device  14  is designed as a first reflection inspection device  14  and/or is designed to detect signals reflected by a first side of a respective sheet  03 . This at least one, in particular first, reflection inspection device  14  preferably has at least one in particular optical sensor  14 . 1 , in particular at least one camera  14 . 1 , which is further preferably designed as a line scan camera  14 . 1 . The at least one, in particular first, reflection inspection device  14  preferably has at least one illumination device  14 . 2 . The at least one, in particular first, reflection inspection device  14  preferably interacts with at least one sheet transport device  14 . 3 , for example with at least one sheet transport reel  14 . 3  or at least one sheet transport roller  14 . 3  or at least one sheet transport cylinder  14 . 3 . This ensures an optimal position of the respective sheet  03  during the inspection, in particular if the respective sheet  03  is held in this position by means of at least one gripper system  13 . 
     In an alternative or additional further development, the substrate processing machine  01  is preferably characterised in that at least one inspection device  16  is designed as a second reflection inspection device  16  and/or is designed to detect signals reflected by a second side of the respective sheet  03 , in particular the side lying opposite the first side of the respective sheet  03 . This at least one, in particular second, reflection inspection device  16  preferably has at least one in particular optical sensor  16 . 1 , in particular at least one camera  16 . 1 , which is further preferably designed as a line scan camera  16 . 1 . The at least one, in particular second, reflection inspection device  16  preferably has at least one illumination device  16 . 2 . The at least one, in particular second, reflection inspection device  16  preferably interacts with at least one sheet transport device  16 . 3 , for example with at least one sheet transport reel  16 . 3  or at least one sheet transport roller  16 . 3  or at least one sheet transport cylinder  16 . 3 . This ensures an optimal position of the respective sheet  03  during the inspection, in particular if the respective sheet  03  is held in this position by means of at least one gripper system  13 . 
     In an alternative or additional further development, the substrate processing machine  01  is preferably characterised in that at least one inspection device  17  is designed as a transmission inspection device  17  and/or is designed to detect signals transmitted through a respective sheet  03 . This at least one transmission inspection device  17  preferably has at least one in particular optical sensor  17 . 1 , in particular at least one camera  17 . 1 , which is further preferably designed as a line scan camera  17 . 1 . The at least one transmission inspection device  17  preferably has at least one illumination device  17 . 2 . The at least one transmission inspection device  17  preferably interacts with at least one sheet transport device  17 . 3 , for example with at least one sheet transport reel  17 . 3  or at least one sheet transport roller  17 . 3  or at least one sheet transport cylinder  17 . 3 . This ensures an optimal position of the respective sheet  03  during the inspection, in particular if the respective sheet  03  is held in this position by means of at least one gripper system  13 . For example, the at least one illumination device  17 . 2  of the transmission inspection device  17  is arranged within the sheet transport device  17 . 3  of the transmission inspection device  17 . 
     In an alternative or additional further development, the substrate processing machine  01  is preferably characterised in that at least one inspection device  18  is designed as a separation point inspection device  18  and/or is designed to detect signals emitted, in particular reflected and/or transmitted, by at least one separation point of the respective sheet  03 . For example, the at least one separation point inspection device  18  is also designed as an in particular third reflection inspection device  18 . Alternatively or additionally, the first or the second reflection inspection device  14 ;  16  can also be used as a separation point inspection device  18 . This at least one separation point inspection device  18  preferably has at least one in particular optical sensor  18 . 1 , in particular at least one camera  18 . 1 , which is further preferably designed as a line scan camera  18 . 1 . The at least one separation point inspection device  18  preferably has at least one illumination device  18 . 2 . The at least one separation point inspection device  18  preferably interacts with at least one sheet transport device  18 . 3 , for example with at least one sheet transport reel  18 . 3  or at least one sheet transport roller  18 . 3  or at least one sheet transport cylinder  18 . 3 . This ensures an optimal position of the respective sheet  03  during the inspection, in particular if the respective sheet  03  is held in this position by means of at least one gripper system  13 . For example, the separation point inspection device  18  and/or one of the other inspection devices  14 ;  16 ;  17  is designed and/or operated and/or designed to be suitable as a length inspection device  14 ;  16 ;  17 ;  18 . 
     In an alternative or additional further development, the substrate processing machine  01  is preferably characterised in that the substrate categorising machine  01  and/or substrate processing machine  01  has at least one web processing device  32  for processing the material web  02  in particular before the severing and/or cutting up of the sheets  03 . For example, a plurality of web processing devices  32  are arranged one behind the other along the transport path provided for the transport of the substrate  02 ;  03 . This at least one web processing device  32  is preferably arranged along the transport path provided for the transport of substrate  02 ;  03  after the at least one roll unwinding device  09  and before the cross-cutting device  11 . This at least one web processing device  32  is for example designed as a foil application device  32  and/or as a hot stamping device  32  and/or as an embossing device  32  and/or as a coating device  32  and/or as a printing device  32 , in particular offset printing device  32  and/or flexographic printing device  32  and/or screen printing device  32  and/or intaglio printing device  32  and/or relief printing device  32  and/or letterpress printing device  32  and/or as a numbering device  32  and/or as a varnishing device  32 . This at least one web processing device  32  is for example designed to process the material web  02  on one side or two sides. 
     In an alternative or additional further development, the substrate processing machine  01  is preferably characterised in that the substrate categorising machine  01  and/or substrate processing machine  01  has at least one sheet processing device  33  for processing the sheets  03  in particular after the severing and/or cutting up thereof from the material web  02 . For example, a plurality of sheet processing devices  33  are arranged one after the other along the transport path provided for the transport of the substrate  02 ;  03 . 
     For example, at least one of these sheet processing devices  33  is arranged along the transport path provided for the transport of substrate  02 ;  03  after the at least one cross-cutting device  11  and before the at least one inspection device  14 ;  16 ;  17 ;  18 . In an alternative or additional further development, at least one of these sheet processing devices  33  is preferably arranged along the transport path provided for the transport of substrate  02 ;  03  after the at least one inspection device  14 ;  16 ;  17 ;  18  and before the at least one delivery device  19 . This ensures in particular an optimal position of the respective sheet  03  during the respective processing by means of the at least one preferably arranged sheet processing device  33 , in particular if the respective sheet  03  is held in this position by means of at least one gripper system  13 . The substrate processing device  01  preferably has at least one gripper system  13  in the region of the at least one preferably arranged sheet processing device  33 . 
     This at least one sheet processing device  33  is for example designed as a foil application device  33  and/or as a hot stamping device  33  and/or as an embossing device  33  and/or as a coating device  33  and/or as a printing device  33 , in particular offset printing device  33  and/or flexographic printing device  33  and/or screen printing device  33  and/or intaglio printing device  33  and/or relief printing device  33  and/or letterpress printing device  33  and/or as a numbering device  33  and/or as a varnishing device  33 . This at least one sheet processing device  33  is for example designed to process the sheets  03  on one side or two sides. For example, the opaque layers can be applied to polymer substrate  02 ;  03  by means of the intaglio printing process. For example, optically variable surfaces can be generated on the substrate  02 ;  03  by means of the screen printing process. 
     In an alternative or additional further development, the substrate processing machine  01  is preferably characterised in that only sheet transport devices  12 ;  14 . 3 ;  16 . 3 ;  17 . 3 ;  18 . 3  are arranged to act on and/or be capable of acting on the sheet-like substrate  02 ;  03 , and/or in particular no devices for applying material to the sheet-like substrate  02 ;  03  and/or for removing material from the sheet-like substrate  02 ;  03  and/or for irreversibly changing the sheet-like substrate  02 ;  03  are arranged to act on and/or be capable of acting on the sheet-like substrate  02 ;  03 , along the transport path provided for the transport of the sheet-like substrate  02 ;  03  between the sheet source  47  and the at least one inspection device  14 ;  16 ;  17 ;  18 . 
     In an alternative or additional further development, the substrate processing machine  01  is preferably characterised in that the substrate categorising machine  01  and/or substrate processing machine  01  has at least one marking device  34  for individually marking the material web  02  and/or preferably the respective sheets  03 . The at least one marking device  34  is for example designed as a non-impact printer  34 , in particular as an inkjet printer  34 . The at least one marking device  34  is for example arranged along the transport path provided for the transport of the material web  02 , i.e. before the at least one cross-cutting device  11 . In an alternative or additional further development, the at least one marking device  34  is preferably arranged along the transport path provided for the transport of sheets  03 , in particular after the at least one cross-cutting device  11  and/or after the at least one sheet source  47 . For example, the marks on the respective sheets  03  can already themselves contain information regarding which category the sheet  03  has been assigned to. To this end, in particular, the at least one marking device  34  is preferably arranged along the transport path provided for the transport of the sheets  03  after the at least one inspection device  14 ;  1617 ;  18 . Such information can however alternatively or additionally be stored in a database and linked to the respective mark and/or be delivered together with the respective sheet  03  and/or pile and/or ream. 
     In an alternative or additional further development, the substrate processing machine  01  is preferably characterised in that the substrate categorising machine  01  and/or substrate processing machine  01  has at least one sheet logistics device  42 , which serves for the creation of further processing piles  38 ;  39 ;  41  and/or dispatch piles  38 ;  39 ;  41  and/or reams  38 ;  39 ;  41  and/or the discharge of sheets  03  sorted in some other way. For example, the sheet logistics device  42  has the delivery device  19  and/or at least one pile device  43  for generating counted further processing piles  38 ;  39 ;  41  and/or dispatch piles  38 ;  39 ;  41  and/or reams  38 ;  39 ;  41  and/or at least one packaging device  44 . The packaging device  44  can for example be dispensed with if the further processing pile  38 ;  39 ;  41  is further processed in situ. 
     LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS 
     
         
         
           
               01  Substrate categorising machine, substrate processing machine 
               02  Substrate, web, material web, security paper substrate, paper substrate, polymer substrate, hybrid substrate, security paper web, paper web, polymer web, hybrid web 
               03  Substrate, sheet, security paper substrate, paper substrate, polymer substrate, hybrid substrate, security paper sheet, paper sheet, polymer sheet, hybrid sheet 
               04  Roll of material, roll 
               05  - 
               06  Delivery pile 
               07  Delivery pile 
               08  Delivery pile 
               09  Material web source, roll unwinding device, substrate producing device, papermaking device, polymer producing device, hybrid substrate producing device 
               10  - 
               11  Cross-cutting device, cross-cutting guillotine device 
               12  Sheet transport device, transport reel, transport roller, transport cylinder, chain gripper system, oscillating gripper system 
               13  Gripper system 
               14  Inspection device, reflection inspection device, first 
               14 . 1  Sensor, camera, line scan camera 
               14 . 2  Illumination device 
               14 . 3  Sheet transport device, sheet transport reel, sheet transport roller, sheet transport cylinder 
               15  - 
               16  Inspection device, reflection inspection device, second 
               16 . 1  Sensor, camera, line scan camera 
               16 . 2  Illumination device 
               16 . 3  Sheet transport device, sheet transport reel, sheet transport roller, sheet transport cylinder 
               17  Inspection device, transmission inspection device 
               17 . 1  Sensor, camera, line scan camera 
               17 . 2  Illumination device 
               17 . 3  Sheet transport device, sheet transport reel, sheet transport roller, sheet transport cylinder 
               18  Inspection device, separation point inspection device, reflection inspection device, third 
               18 . 1  Sensor, camera, line scan camera 
               18 . 2  Illumination device 
               18 . 3  Sheet transport device, sheet transport reel, sheet transport roller, sheet transport cylinder 
               19  Delivery device, multi-pile delivery, three-pile delivery 
               20  - 
               21  Depositing station 
               22  Depositing station 
               23  Depositing station 
               24  Deflecting means, deflecting roller, deflecting roll, deflecting rod 
               25  - 
               26  Web transport system 
               27  Sheet transport system 
               28  Web tension regulator 
               29  Dancer roller 
               30  - 
               31  Chain gripper system 
               32  Web processing device, foil application device, hot stamping device, embossing device, coating device, printing device, offset printing device, flexographic printing device, screen printing device, intaglio printing device, relief printing device, letterpress printing device, numbering device, varnishing device 
               33  Sheet processing device, foil application device, hot stamping device, embossing device, coating device, printing device, offset printing device, flexographic printing device, screen printing device, intaglio printing device, relief printing device, letterpress printing device, numbering device, varnishing device 
               34  Marking device, non-impact printer, inkjet printer 
               35  - 
               36  Cutting cylinder 
               37  Counter-pressure cylinder 
               38  Further processing pile, dispatch pile, ream 
               39  Further processing pile, dispatch pile, ream 
               40  - 
               41  Further processing pile, dispatch pile, ream 
               42  Sheet logistics device 
               43  Piling device 
               44  Packaging device 
               45  - 
               46  Feed pile 
               47  Sheet source, sheet feeder 
               48  Separating device