Importance

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Abstract

A variable velocity profile deceleration device is provided for gripping a signature from a cutting cylinder, tape system or other transporting device at high speeds. The signatures are positively gripped, decelerated through a smooth velocity profile, and delivered to a further processing device such as a single copy gripper conveyor, or a stacker. The deceleration device includes a plurality of rotary grippers mounted to a drum. The drum rotates about an axis under the control of a drive. The rotary grippers each include an upper roller in rolling engagement with a lower roller at a nip. An independent gripper drive is coupled to each rotary gripper for rotating the upper and lower rollers. A control unit monitors the angular position of the rotary grippers and the rotational speed of the rotating drum, and individually controls each gripper drive to grip a signature exiting the transporting device, slow down the signature in accordance with a selected deceleration profile, and deliver the signature to the processing device. A plurality of deceleration profiles are maintained by the control unit, and a press operator can select the appropriate deceleration profile.

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First Claim