EP2040937B1 - Embossing apparatus, and method for embossing cards - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an embossing device for embossing and printing of cards, especially plastic cards, such. B. smart cards, identification cards and the like.

In conventional embossing and printing systems for plastic cards one or more drums are used, which are provided with several dies. The entire drums are rotated so that one of the several dies is selected and positioned over a portion of the card to be embossed. Subsequently, the selected die is pressed onto the card, so that the embossing is made.

Such embossing systems usually have several disadvantages. Embossing cards creates a high level of vibration, as the weight of the drum is relatively large and this leads to shocks due to the positioning and rotation of the drum and its movement towards the card for embossing. Furthermore, due to the size of the drum not the entire card width can be exploited, or it can be created by repositioning using appropriate grippers marks on the card, which are not desirable. Also, the entire surface area of the card can not be embossed, since for the transport of the cards by the embossing system a certain margin width must remain unchecked.

Furthermore, plate-like embossing devices are known from the prior art. So revealed the DE 33 30 563 A1 a drive device for an embossing device, are pressed in the two opposite each other at a rest distance dies in relation to each other against an embossing plate held therebetween with an embossing pressure. In this case, the embossing dies are introduced by a first drive means relative to each other along the Verstellhubes and acted upon by a second drive means with an embossing pressure.

From the WO 2004/113054 A1 is an embossing device for embossing characteristics in plastic products, in particular containers, known, wherein in a frame of the device at least one die with a stamping unit with interchangeable characteristic data units is guided longitudinally movable. In a raised state of the embossing stamp, the supply and removal of the embossed or embossed Products made possible and in a lowered state the embossing made.

From the DE 8910915 (U1 ) discloses a device for producing labels on metal surfaces. In this device, the types are arranged on a type carrier in rows and columns. The type carrier is mounted parallel to the rows and columns slidably mounted on a frame and the selection mechanism has at least two for moving the type carrier parallel to the rows and columns certain drive units, each consisting of at least two coupled digitally controllable lifting elements whose strokes with the Distance of rows and columns are related. In at least one drive unit, the stroke of one lifting element corresponds to an integer multiple of the stroke of the other lifting element. The lifting elements consist of cylinders or of lifting magnets. The type carrier has four rows and columns of types each. The inscription surfaces of the types lie in one plane.

From the DE 1259354 B For example, an embossing machine for embossing letters or numbers on an address plate with a corresponding number of raised and recessed punches is known. The punches are arranged in two opposite sides of a channel opposite boxes, between them in this channel of the embossing plate carrier is displaceable and the stamp on intermediate organs or movable slides are actuated by a gripping member. In the stamp boxes, the punches are arranged in rows and columns, and the actuating arrangements for the punches are formed with keys in the form of a typewriter keyboard. The keys are connected to directional means, which are in turn connected to shifters for each selected pair of sliding members opposite each of these columns, as well as to latches. The latches hold selected pair of these sliders against a pair of dies. Parallel to the rows and columns of a movable in its plane in this channel address plate holder act shift arrangements, which perform the selection of the stamp corresponding primary movements and secondary movements which are superimposed on these primary movements and two amplitudes, one of which corresponds to an already embossed line number and the other the number of characters already embossed on the line in progress. In addition, locking arrangements are provided, by which the plate holder can be locked in its Prägelage, and finally with actuators for the gripping members.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an embossing device which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art, and in particular allows a vibration-free or reduced operation and allows a larger area to be embossed on the cards.

This object is achieved by the embossing device according to claim 1 and by the method for embossing cards according to the independent claim 10.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

• eine Stößeleinheit mit einem in Z-Richtung verfahrbaren Stößel zum Anfahren des betätigbaren Prägestempels; eine Stelleinheit zum Verfahren der Prägematrix im Wesentlichen quer zu einer Zuführrichtung in einer Querrichtung der Karte, um einen ausgewählten Prägestempel abhängig von der zu prägenden Position mit Bezug auf die Querrichtung auf der Karte zu positionieren; und ein Schlagwerk zum Bereitstellen einer Druckbeaufschlagung auf den Stößel zum Prägen des Prägestempels auf eine in dem Prägebereich befindliche Karte, wobei entweder das Schlagwerk ortsfest angeordnet ist, und der Stößel in X- und Y-Richtung verfahrbar ist, oder das Schlagwerk verfahrbar angeordnet ist, und der Stößel und das Schlagwerk in Y-Richtung miteinander gekoppelt sind, während der Stößel in X-Richtung unabhängig vom Schlagwerk verfahrbar ist.

According to one aspect of the present invention, an embossing device for embossing cards, in particular plastic cards, comprises: a feed unit for feeding a card into a stamping area; and
an embossing device with an embossing matrix with a plurality of individually operable embossing stamps, wherein the embossing matrix is designed to be movable in the X and / or Y direction in order to position a selected embossing stamp at a position to be embossed in the embossing region in the X and / or Y direction , and wherein the embossing device further comprises:

• a plunger unit with a movable plunger in the Z direction for approaching the actuatable stamping die; an actuator for moving the embossing matrix substantially transverse to a feed direction in a transverse direction of the card to position a selected die on the card depending on the position to be embossed with respect to the transverse direction; and a percussion mechanism for providing pressure to the plunger for embossing the embossing stamp on a card located in the embossing area, wherein either the percussion mechanism is stationary and the plunger can be moved in the X and Y directions, or the percussion mechanism is movably arranged, and the ram and the percussion gear are coupled together in the Y direction, while the plunger in the X direction is movable independently of the striking mechanism.

Furthermore, the feed unit can have mutually parallel guide grooves, along which the card can be transported in the feed direction. In particular, a transport device can be provided, which has a toothed belt, which defines card slots in which the cards to be printed are inserted in order to transport them by positive engagement along the feed direction in the guide grooves of the feed unit.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a printing tape unit may be provided which provides a printing tape between the die and the position to be embossed.

Preferably, the impact mechanism has a rotatable cam, so that depending on a position of the cam of the plunger of the plunger unit is subjected to a compressive force. Furthermore, the impact mechanism can have a pivotable impact lever, which can be pivoted by a rotational movement of the cam disc, so that depending on a position of the cam, a portion of the hammer acts on a pressure plate and thus acts on the plunger of the plunger unit with a compressive force. According to the impact mechanism is arranged stationary, wherein the plunger is movable in the X and Y directions. In a further embodiment of the invention, the percussion mechanism is arranged to be movable, wherein the plunger and the impact mechanism are coupled in the Y direction. In the X direction, the ram is still movable independently of the impact mechanism.

Several feeding units may be provided for feeding cards into corresponding embossing areas of each embossing area, wherein the embossing areas are arranged such that they can be approached successively by the embossing matrix. In this case, the feed units can be adapted so that they alternately provide a card to be embossed in the respective embossing area.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a control unit is provided in order to control the adjusting movements of the embossing matrix, the tappet unit, the feed unit and the pressurization by the impact mechanism in a coordinated manner.

It can be provided a further embossing device, which is arranged opposite to the embossing region of the embossing device with respect to, and which further comprises a further pre-matrix having individually operable further embossing dies. The further embossing matrix is designed to be movable in order to position a selected one of the further embossing stamps at the position to be embossed in the embossing area. The embossing device furthermore has a further plunger unit, which comprises a further movable plunger, in order to approach a selected one of the actuatable further embossing dies, and also has a further hammer mechanism for providing a pressurization to the further plunger of the further plunger unit on, wherein the percussion units, ram units and embossing matrices are coupled so that they simultaneously act on both sides of a position on the card in the embossing area with an embossing pressure.

• Zuführen einer Karte in einen Prägebereich;
• Verfahren der Prägematrix mit mehreren einzeln betätigbaren Prägestempeln in X- und/oder Y-Richtung, um einen ausgewählten Prägestempel an einer zu prägenden Position in dem Prägebereich in X- und/oder Y-Richtung zu positionieren, wobei die Prägematrix im Wesentlichen quer zu einer Zuführrichtung in einer Querrichtung der Karte verfahren wird um einen ausgewählten Prägestempel abhängig von der zu prägenden Position mit Bezug auf die Querrichtung auf der Karte zu positionieren;
• Anfahren des betätigbaren Prägestempels durch den in Z-Richtung verfahrbaren Stößel, wobei entweder das Schlagwerk zum Bereitstellen einer Druckbeaufschlagung auf den Stößel ortsfest bleibt, und der Stößel in X- und Y-Richtung verfahren wird, oder das Schlagwerk verfahren wird, und der Stößel und das Schlagwerk in Y-Richtung miteinander gekoppelt sind während der Stößel in X-Richtung unabhängig vom Schlagwerk verfahren wird; und
• Druckbeaufschlagen des Stößels in Z-Richtung zum Prägen des ausgewählten Prägestempels auf der in dem Prägebereich befindlichen Karte.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of embossing a card in a embossing area of an embossing apparatus, the embossing apparatus comprising an embossing matrix, a plunger and a striking mechanism, the method comprising the steps of:

• Feeding a card into a stamping area;
• Method of the embossing matrix with a plurality of individually operable embossing stamps in the X and / or Y direction to position a selected die at a position to be embossed in the embossing region in the X and / or Y direction, wherein the embossing matrix is substantially transverse to one Feed direction is moved in a transverse direction of the card to position a selected die depending on the position to be embossed with respect to the transverse direction on the card;
• Approaching the actuatable stamping die by the movable in the Z direction plunger, either the percussion to provide a pressurization on the plunger remains stationary, and the plunger is moved in the X and Y direction, or the striking mechanism is moved, and the plunger and the impact mechanism is coupled with each other in the Y direction while the tappet is moved in the X direction independently of the percussion mechanism; and
• Pressing the plunger in the Z direction for embossing the selected embossing stamp on the card located in the embossing area.

• Figuren 1 und 2 verschiedene perspektivische Ansichten einer Prägevorrichtung gemäß einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform der Erfindung; Figur 3 eine Einzeldarstellung einer Zuführeinheit der Prägevorrichtung der Figuren 1 und 2;
• Figur 4 eine Einzeldarstellung einer Prägeeinheit der Ausführungsform der Figuren 1 und 2;
• Figur 5 eine Einzeldarstellung eines Schlagwerks der Ausführungsform der Figuren 1 und 2;
• Figur 6 eine Einzeldarstellung einer Stößeleinheit der Ausführungsform der Figuren 1 und 2;
• Figur 7 eine Einzeldarstellung einer Druckbandeinheit der Ausführungsform der Figuren 1 und 2;
• Figur 8 eine weitere Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Prägevorrichtung mit zwei Zuführeinheiten;
• Figur 9 eine Draufsicht auf die Ausführungsform der Figur 8;
• Figuren 10, 11 und 12 verschiedene Ansichten einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer Zuführeinheit für die erfindungsgemäße Prägevorrichtung.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

• FIGS. 1 and 2 various perspective views of an embossing device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 3 an individual view of a feed unit of the embossing device of FIGS. 1 and 2 ;
• FIG. 4 an individual view of an embossing unit of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 ;
• FIG. 5 a single representation of a striking mechanism of the embodiment of the FIGS. 1 and 2 ;
• FIG. 6 an individual view of a plunger unit of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 ;
• FIG. 7 an individual view of a printing tape unit of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 ;
• FIG. 8 a further embodiment of the embossing device according to the invention with two feed units;
• FIG. 9 a plan view of the embodiment of the FIG. 8 ;
• FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 different views of another embodiment of a feed unit for the embossing device according to the invention.

In the FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of an embossing device 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention shown. The embossing device 1 comprises a housing 2, which carries the mechanical structure. The embossing device 1 is used for embossing of plastic cards, as z. B. in the form of smart cards, identification cards and the like in high quantities use.

The embossing device 1 comprises a feed unit 3, via which the cards to be embossed can be moved into the embossing device 1 in a feed direction X, where they are printed in a stamping area 4. By a further method in the feed direction X, the cards are removed from the embossing area 4 of the embossing device 1.

An embossing device 5 is coupled to the embossing region 4 and has an impact mechanism 6, an embossing matrix 7 and a ram unit 8. The embossing matrix 7 and the ram unit 8 are designed such that they move substantially transversely to the feed direction X (preferably perpendicular to the feed direction X) over the embossing area 4 by means of a corresponding setting unit to form an embossing punch 41 (see FIG FIG. 4 ) of the embossing matrix 7 to be positioned over the card supplied to the embossing area 4.

Thus, the desired characters can be approached individually over the desired map position and embossed accordingly. Other movements are also conceivable, with the relative movements of the movable in the X and Y directions map and embossing matrix 7 differ substantially in their speed. Depending on the stationary or movable design of the hammer mechanism 6, the card body can be moved in both the X and Y directions.

The embossing matrix 7 is fixed by means of a matrix holder 10 along transport rails 11 in the Y direction, i. H. in a transverse direction perpendicular to the feed direction X moves over the embossing region 4, so that the embossing die arranged in the embossing matrix is in the Y-direction at the position to be printed.

Between the embossing die in the embossing matrix 7 and the card to be printed, a printing tape 16 is guided along between the embossing punch 41 and the card to be printed with the aid of a first printing tape unit 15, so that it is also simultaneously embossed by the embossing die 41 Stamping symbol comes.

In addition to the embossing matrix 7, a further embossing matrix 20 opposite the embossing area 4 and the card to be printed can be provided, which is coupled in a corresponding manner to the percussion mechanism 6, in order also to emboss or print on an underside of the card to be printed to make the stamping area 4. Preferably, the further embossing matrix 20 is likewise arranged on the matrix holder 10, so that the embossing matrix 7 and the further embossing matrix 20 are moved in the Y direction with the aid of the common matrix holder 10. In this way, the embossing dies arranged in the embossing dies 7, 20 are arranged at the corresponding selected position to be embossed, preferably opposite the card to be embossed on both sides. The characters to be embossed can also be approached by a moveable impact mechanism (6).

In FIG. 3 the feed unit 3 is shown separately. The feed unit 3 serves to transport the card to be printed by the embossing device 1 in the feed direction X. The feed unit 3 has two guide elements 31, 32, which are arranged parallel to one another, and mutually opposite surfaces each have a guide groove 33, 34 through which slides the card to be printed during feeding and discharging. The guide grooves 33, 34 preferably have a Depth of 0.5 to 2mm, in particular of 1 mm, on. The guide elements 31, 32 taper in a receiving area, so that only a respective narrow web, which carries the corresponding guide groove 33, 34, remains. The receiving area serves to enable the embossing matrix 7 to be moved transversely to the feed direction X into the embossing area 4 and closely above the surface of a card located therein.

The card is driven by transport rollers 35 arranged on the guide elements 31, 32, which are rotated by a drive unit, not shown, in order to move the card in the feed direction X through the embossing device 1. The transport rollers 35 are preferably designed as rubber rollers and stored at least partially sprung to compensate for differences in height when performing the card and to ensure a certain bearing force, which is necessary for exerting the driving force on the cards. The individual axes of the transport rollers 35 are coupled to each other, for example via toothed belts or gears (not shown). The drive unit (not shown) for the transport rollers 35 is preferably designed as a servomotor. In addition to the task of feeding and discharging the card to be embossed, the feed unit 3 also has the task of positioning the card in the X direction, while positioning the correspondingly selected stamping die 41 at the position to be embossed in the Y direction.

In FIG. 4 an embossing unit 40 is shown, which has a U-shaped matrix holder 10, on whose legs the embossing matrix 7 and the further embossing matrix 20 are arranged. The common matrix holder 10 can be moved along the transport rails 11 in the Y direction, so that the embossing matrix 7 can be moved over the embossing area 4 and the further embossing matrix 20 under the embossing area 4 and thus can accommodate the card to be embossed between them. The embossing dies 7, 20 each have guide dies 41 guided in guide holes, whose stamp faces (areas with elevations and depressions according to the symbols to be embossed) are opposite one another and which are arranged, for example, in punch rows and die gaps. At the opposite end of the die surface of each embossing die 41 is the plunger surface 42 defined by the plunger 83 (see FIG FIG. 6 ) can be actuated to actuate the selected die 41 so as to make an embossing corresponding to the symbol on the stamp surface on the card to be embossed. Furthermore, it proves to be time-saving to exchange complete matrix sets against each other as each individual dies or

Exchange letters in a drum set. Also advantageous is the use of automatic font recognition, for example for matrix sentences in different languages.

One of the plural dies 41 of the dies 7, 20 can be selected by respectively moving the stamping unit 40 in the Y direction by moving a row of dies in which the selected die 41 is located in the Y direction to the position on the card to be embossed is positioned and by the feed unit 3, the X-position of the card corresponding to the position to be printed in the X-direction selects and starts, so that the selected die 41 is positioned exactly above the position to be embossed.

In FIG. 5 a section of the embossing device 1 is shown, which shows the striking mechanism 6. The striking mechanism 6 has a cam disk 61, which is rotated via a hammer mechanism drive 62. The cam disk 61 is coupled to a respective first section of a first striking lever 63 and a second striking lever 64 so that pivotal movements of the striking levers 63, 64 are exerted during a drive of the striking mechanism drive. The percussion levers 63, 64 are mounted on a respective pivot point 65, so that upon rotation of the cam 61 second ends of the hammer 63, 64 to move toward each other and then either by the cam 61 or z. B. are moved away from each other again by a spring, not shown. The second ends of the striking levers 63, 64 are coupled to pressure plates 66 which are movable in a direction perpendicular to the X and Y directions in the Z direction and which are moved toward one another in accordance with the movement of the striking levers 63, 64 and when the pressure on the pressure plates 66 is relieved are pressed back into each other in opposite directions by the hammer 63, 64 due to a (not shown) spring arrangement. The printing plates 66 each have a width substantially corresponding to the width of the embossing matrix 7, so that in a method of the plunger 83 of the plunger unit 8 they can be acted upon by the pressure plates 66 in each Verfahrzustand. Instead of the pivotable impact lever and two coupled cams may be provided which act directly on the pressure plate. The cams can be mechanically coupled together on the one hand. The cams can also be controlled with separate drives, which are controlled by the control unit in synchronized with each other or in any other suitable manner.

In FIG. 6 the ram unit 8 is shown in more detail. The ram unit 8 has a first plunger holder 81 and a second plunger holder 82, at the outer end of each of the plunger 83 is arranged. The plungers 83 have a pressure plate 84 associated with the pressure plates 66 of the hammer mechanism 6. Opposite the pressure surface 84 is in each case a plunger surface 85, which strikes the plunger surface 42 of the selected embossing punch 41 of the embossing unit 40 when a strike or pressure is exerted by the pressure plates 66 of the percussion mechanism 6, and thus the embossing plunger in the direction of the card to be embossed in the embossing region emotional. In order to release the plunger 83 from the die 41 again, a spring-elastic mounting of the plunger 83 is provided. This can be provided at the outer end of the respective plunger holder 81, 82 in a guide for the plunger 83, or the entire plunger holder 81, 82 is elastically mounted, so that when a force is applied to the respective pressure surface 84 of the plunger 83, these are pressed against each other and after removal of the force, the plungers 83 again from each other. The plunger holders 81, 82 and the plunger 83 are movable in two directions. The plunger holders 81, 82 are movable in the Y direction by means of a first servo motor 86 and in the X direction by means of a second servo motor 87. On the one hand, it is necessary to move the plunger holders in the Y direction in order to be able to print different positions in the Y direction on the card. Furthermore, the plunger holders 81, 82 can also be moved in the X direction in order to be able to select embossing dies 41 from different die gaps of the embossing matrix 7.

The embossing matrix 7 has matrix-shaped separately actuable embossing dies 41, which can be individually selected and actuated by the plunger 83 of the plunger unit 8. This is achieved essentially in that the embossing matrix 7 and the plunger 83 are movable relative to each other, so that the embossing matrix 7 is arranged above the embossing region 4 such that the selected embossing die 41 in the embossing matrix 7 is approached at the position to be embossed and subsequently (or at the same time) the selected punch 41 is approached by the plunger 83, so that with the aid of the impact mechanism 6, the plunger 83 is acted upon by an embossing, which acts on the die 41, so that the card to be printed is embossed. The embossing height or depth of the characters to be embossed can advantageously be determined by changing the travel of the impact mechanism 6 (change in stroke of the tappet changes the embossing depth).

In FIG. 7 the printing tape unit 15 is shown, which provides the printing tape 16, which is arranged during embossing between the respective stamping die 41 and the surface of the card to be embossed. The printing tape unit 15 has a supply roll 71, from which the printing tape 16 is unrolled, and a take-up roller 72, on which the used printing tape is received. For a compact construction of the printing tape unit 15, the printing tape 16 is guided over a plurality of rollers 73. In FIG. 8 a further embodiment of the embossing device according to the invention is shown, wherein the same elements or elements the same function are provided with the same reference numerals. In addition to the feed unit 3, a further feed unit 25 is provided, which is for example substantially identical to the feed unit 3 and feeds cards to a further embossing area 26. The feed units 3, 25 are preferably arranged parallel to each other. The embossing unit 40 is essentially designed such that the embossing unit 40 is fed by means of the transport rails 11 both via the embossing area 4 to which cards are fed by the feed unit 3 and via the further embossing area 26 to the cards by the further feed unit 25 , can be moved.

Since the embossing usually has to be carried out when the card located in the embossing area is at standstill, the provision of the respective embossing area 4, 26 can take place alternately when two feeding units 3, 25 are provided, so that the insertion or ejection of the cards in the embossing area has no effect has only a minor impact on the throughput of the overall system. Ie. With the aid of the embossing unit, one card can be printed alternately in the embossing area 4 and another card in the further embossed area 26, without waiting times for the embossing unit due to the removal of the printed card and the feeding of the next card to be printed. So it can already be fed a new card while a previous one is still being processed.

In FIG. 9 is a plan view of the embodiment of the FIG. 8 shown. It is clear that the ram unit 8 and the embossing unit 40 must be moved in the Y direction in order to print both cards in the embossing area 4 and also other cards in the further embossing area 26.

The FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 show various views of another embodiment of the invention with a feed unit 90, in which the transport of the cards through the guide grooves 33, 34 is not carried out by means of transport rollers 35 but by means of a toothed belt 92. The toothed belt is arranged between the side elements 31, 32 of the feed unit 3, and has driving teeth 91. The driving teeth 91 define card slots in which the cards are inserted and which are guided in a defined manner by the guide grooves 33, 34, that at any time the position of the individual cards is known. The toothed belt 92 is preferably designed as an endless belt which is driven by suitable drive means 94, for example a stepping motor, via corresponding deflection rollers 95. In this way, the cards can be moved by a positive force transmission along the feed direction, instead of a friction force transmission, as in the in FIG. 3 Feed unit shown by the transport rollers 35 is performed. Therefore, in this embodiment, there is no deterioration of the positioning accuracy of the cards due to environmental influences that change the friction coefficient of the rollers.

A control unit (not shown) is provided which coordinates the individual drives and movements according to predetermined symbols to be embossed. Thus, the drive unit of the feed unit 3, the movement of the embossing matrices 7, 20, the movement of the ram unit 8 and the operation of the impact mechanism 6 are driven according to a coordinated sequence of movements. When a card is pulled in, it is moved into the embossing area 4 and depends on the symbol to be printed, i. positioned on the embossing matrix 7 from the position of the selected embossing punch 41 to be used. Subsequently, the embossing matrix 7 is moved in the Y-direction over the embossing region 4 such that the selected embossing punch 41 is positioned above the position to be embossed. Simultaneously or in temporal proximity to the ram unit 8 is driven, that the plunger is arranged over (in the Z direction) the selected die 41. The operation of the impact mechanism 6 is usually cyclic and is adjusted so that the pressure on the pressure plates 66 on the plunger 83 occurs as soon as the positioning of the card, the matrix and the plunger 83 are completed.

The separation of stamping dies 41 and impact mechanism 6 by means of the ram unit 8 reduces the vibrations during operation of the embossing device.

Claims (10)

1. Embossing apparatus (1) for embossing cards, in particular plastic cards, comprising:

   - a feed unit (3) for feeding a card into an embossing region (4); and

   - an embossing device comprising an embossing matrix (7) having a plurality of individually actuatable embossing dies (41), wherein the first embossing matrix (7) is designed to be displaceable in the X and/or Y direction in order to position in the X and/or Y direction a selected embossing die (41) at a position that is to be embossed in the embossing region (4), and wherein the embossing apparatus further comprises:

   -- a plunger unit (8) comprising a plunger (83) displaceable in Z direction for moving forward the actuatable embossing die (41);

   -- an actuator for displacing the embossing matrix (7) essentially transversely to a feed direction in a transverse direction of the card in order to position a selected embossing die (41) on the card with reference to the transverse direction in a manner dependent on the position that is to be embossed; and

   -- striking mechanism (6) for applying pressure to the plunger (83) for embossing a card in the embossing region (4) by means of the embossing die (41),

   characterized in that
   either the striking mechanism (6) is arranged in a fixed position and the plunger (83) is able to be displaced in the X and Y directions or the striking mechanism (6) is displaceably arranged and the plunger (83) and the striking mechanism (6) are coupled with each other in the Y direction, while the plunger is displaceable in the X direction independently from the striking mechanism.
2. The embossing apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein the feed unit (3) has guide grooves (33, 34) which are oriented parallel to each other and along which the card can be transported in the feed direction.
3. The embossing apparatus (1) according to claim 2, wherein a transport apparatus is provided which comprises a toothed belt (92) which defines card compartments in which the card to be printed is placed, in order to transport said card by means of a form fit along the feed direction in the guide grooves (33, 34) of the feed unit (90).
4. The embossing apparatus (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a printing tape unit (15) is provided which provides a printing tape (16) between the embossing die (41) and the position that is to be embossed.
5. The embossing apparatus (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the striking mechanism (6) comprises at least one rotatable cam disc (61) so that a section of the plungers (83) of the plunger unit (8) is acted upon by a pressure force in a manner dependent on a position of the cam disc (61).
6. The embossing apparatus (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a plurality of feed units (3, 25) are provided for feeding cards into corresponding embossing regions (4, 26) of each embossing region, wherein the embossing regions (4, 26) are arranged such that they can be approached successively by the embossing matrix (7).
7. The embossing apparatus (1) according to claim 6, wherein the feed units are adapted such that they alternately provide a card that is to be embossed in the respective embossing region (4).
8. The embossing apparatus (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a control unit is provided for controlling adjustment movements of the embossing matrix (7), the plunger unit (8) and the feed unit (3) and also the application of pressure by the striking mechanism (6) in a manner adapted to one another.
9. The embossing apparatus (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a further embossing device is provided which is arranged opposite the embossing device with respect to the embossing region and which furthermore comprises: a further embossing matrix (20) which comprises individually actuatable embossing dies, wherein the further embossing matrix (20) is designed in a displaceable manner in order to position a selected embossing die of the further embossing dies at the position that is to be embossed in the embossing region (4); a further plunger (83) for moving forward a selected embossing die of the actuatable further embossing dies; and a further striking mechanism for applying pressure to the further plunger (83), wherein the striking mechanism, plungers and embossing matrices (7, 20) are coupled in such a way that they apply an embossing pressure to a position on the card in the embossing region (4) from both sides simultaneously.
10. A method for embossing a card in an embossing region (4) of an embossing apparatus (1), wherein the embossing apparatus comprises an embossing matrix (7), a plunger (83) and a striking mechanism (6), and wherein the method comprises the following steps:

    - feeding a card into the embossing region (4);

    - displacing an embossing matrix (7) comprising a plurality of individually actuatable embossing dies (41) in the X and/or Y direction for positioning a selected embossing die (41) at a position to be embossed in the embossing region (4), wherein the embossing matrix (7) is displaced essentially transversely to a feed direction in a transverse direction of the card in order to position a selected embossing die (41) on the card with reference to the transverse direction in a manner dependent on the position to be embossed;

    - actuating the actuatable embossing die (41) by the plunger (83) that is displaceable in the Z direction, wherein either the striking mechanism (6) for applying pressure on the plunger (83) remains stationary and the plunger (83) is displaced in the X and Y directions or the striking mechanism (6) is displaced and the plunger (83) and the striking mechanism (6) a coupled with each other in the Y direction, while the plunger is displaced in the X direction independently from the striking mechanism, and

    - applying pressure to the plunger (83) in the Z direction for embossing the selected embossing die (41) on the card in the embossing region (4).

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