Dynamic guide for a paper folding machine

A folding device (20) is provided for folding a sheet comprises a jaw cylinder (5), a folding cylinder (1), a paper guide (7), and an actuator (10). The jaw cylinder has a jaw, and the folding cylinder has a hold down element (2) and a folding blade (3). The folding blade is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The folding blade is in the extended position to transfer one or more sheets to the jaw cylinder (5) during a fold off operation, and the folding blade is in the retracted position during a collect operation. The paper guide (7) is positioned between the folding cylinder and the jaw cylinder. The paper guide includes a static guide element (8) and a reciprocating guide element (9) connected to the static guide element, the reciprocating guide element movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The actuator (10) is connected to the reciprocating guide element; the actuator configured and arranged to place the reciprocating guide element (9) into the extended position during the collect operation and into the retracted position during the fold-off operation.