Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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A-491
~ 8.04.1986
"Printin~ machine with at least one printin~ unit"
The invention refers to a printing machine with at least
one printing unit, containing a number of adjusting
elements and sensors.
From DE-AS 27 28 738, a printing machine is known which
features several ink metering elements in the form of
control elements arranged over the printing width and
which can be set in coniunction with an adjustment
device. The ink density produced on the printed sheet is
scanned by means of suitable sensors and the setting of
the ink metering elements is corrected after a set
value/actual value comparison.
Furthermore, from DE-OS 28 30 085, a process is known for
indicating the adiustment variables in printing machines,
featuring on the printing machine zonal control elements
for metering the ink and/or fluid feed and the adjustment
variables are converted by sensory elements into display
signal such as to indicate the set ink profile.
It is also known that printing machines, for example
sheet offset printing machines, feature a further number
of sensors, for instance, for monitoring the paper run
or the paper feed and delivery or dampening solution
application, while also having a further number of
control elements for setting the register for instance.
In addition, control facilities are also necessary for
the main drive and for auxiliary drives. The disadvantage
in the case of the known versions is the decent.ral
arrangement, i.e. distributed over the entire machine, of
various electronic regulating and control devices. Each
of these devices requires at least its own power supply
and contains its own signal processing facilities
(intelligence) with limi~ed processing options.
A further disadvantage is that the data processed in the
individual electronic unit are not immediately available,
or are interchangeable on data lines between each other
or on a collective basis only with increased complexity.
In addition, due to the longer data lines, the data
exchange rate is reduced and the susceptibility to inter-
ference increased. Checking these individual electronic
units also necessitates increased time requirements.
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In accordance with the features of the main claim, the
invention is based on the fact that a combined data
processing and control device assigned to the printing
machine is provided, with which the control and signal
input and output of the functions and/or statuses of the
printing machine, as well as the measuring devices and
units which can be assigned to the printing machine are
carried oùt.
An advantage of the invention is the entire processing of
all sensor signals as well as the entire coordination of
the adjustment signals by means of the data processing
and control device, hereinafter also termed overall
electronic control circuitry. In this way, for example,
functions such as paper transport, paper feed and paper
delivery, ink and dampening solution application, ink
drying, powdering are controlled and displayed. The
statuses of the machine or of the measuring devices and
units, such as machine speed, inking-in and dampening of
the plate cylinder, register position, functional standby
of measuring instruments or quantities of auxiliary
materials and others can be evaluated by the overall
monitoring system as an indication for correct printing.
In addition, all data of the printing machine are avail-
able and can be selected centrally. Furthermore, the
entire machine control, which up until now was implemented
by means of a contactor control system and which is known
to feature confined linking options, can now be implemented
by an overall control, making possible, due to the greater
linking capacity, optimization of the printing process
under various operating conditions. The data processing
rate is increased due to the short data paths, at the same
time, a higher degree of reliability with regard to
interference is attained.
The above mentioned device, for example, consists of a
number of individual computers which, under the control
of at least one host computer, process the data supplied
by the printing machine and generate control signals.
Furthermore, it is possible with the aid of this device
to quickly indicate to the printer all data relevant for
it, or the data necessary for optimizing the printing
process.
A further advantage of the invention can be found in the
fact that the data processing and control device can be
designed on a universal basis as an overall electronic
control, i.e. printing machines of different size or
design can be controlled.
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By arranging the data processing and control unit outside
the printing machine, adaptation is rendered unnecessary
of the individual controls to different components of the
printing machine which up until now has been the case due
to given constructional conditions.
In a further configuration of the invention, it is
proposed to divide the data processing and control device
into two units, whereby the first unit processes all the
data necessary for ink control, such as ink application
and register setting, while the remaining data are
processed in the other unit. This offers the advantage
that the ink control can be carried out precisely where a
set value actual value comparison is possible between the
printed product and the preset cr:iteria based on a sample
sheet for instance.
A further configuration of the invention is achieved by
specific arrangement of the data processing and cor.trol
device. A host computer (several host computers operating
in a compound system would also be possible) is linked
with the individual computers via a common data bus. The
task of the individual computers is to control or to
monitor certain functions or statuses of the printing
machine. Under certain circumstances, it would also be
possible for one computer to take on the function of
another
An advantageous version of the invention envisages to
connect an external data line to the data processing and
control device, for instance, in order to enter via an
external input unit preparatory measures such as
determined ink profile, paper thickness, quantity and
presettïng data of the printing machine. In addition, in
conjunction with this external data line, data or
diagnostic data can be selected from the device, for
instance, by connecting a diagnostics facility or via
telephone diagnostics, since all data are available in
this device.
In a further version of the invention, it is proposed to
produce in coniunction with sensors the input signals or
at least certain input signals of the said device. In an
alternative arrangement, booster amplifiers can be
subsequently connected to the sensors in order to boots a
weak signal to a level not subiect to interference.
In accordance with a further configuration, control
elements are actuated directly by the overall electronic
control with low power. Suitable control elements, i.e.
also switched with low power, are however n~cessary for
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~~~ A-491
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j this purpose. This offers the advantage that adaptation
¦ of the output signals of the overall electronic circuitry
to the control elements with high input power is rendered
unnecessary. In addition~ the application of low power
makes it possible to use ribbon cables to transmit this
_~ power, offering the known advantages such as low space
requirements and easy handling.
The displays/indicators and the input facilities or
control elements of the device are combined in accordance
with one version of the invention in a control and
monitoring desk. This desk can form one unit with the
data processing and control device, however, it is also
possible to arrange this desk separated from the said
device and to provide a link to the device by means of
cables.
A po~der unit can also be connected for example via the
data processing and control device. Although it features
an internal control, the device also supplies it with
data or signals, e.g. the machine speed or the ink
properties.
Further advantageous configurations of the invention are
included in the description and in the subclaims.
The inven~ion is explained in more detail in the
following in the form of two version examples based on
drawings.
Fig. 1 shows the schematic layout of a printing
machine with an assigned data processing and
control device
Fig. 2 shows a version of the data processing and
control device shown in Fig. 1.
The printing machine shown in Fig. 1, a sheet offset
printing machine 1, consists of several printing units 4-
7, a sheet feed 2, a sheet delivery 3 and a drive motor ¦
8. Operation is enabled by a control panel 9 of the sheet
feeder 2. Furthermore, mounted on the sheet delivery 3 is
a control panel 10, on which, for instance, the machine
speed is indicated, while also enabling interventions in
the machine control. All sensory signals, such as set ink
profile, fluid profile, sheet run, register setting at
the individual components of the printing machine such as
printing units, sheet feed and delivery, are directed via
a signal line data processing facility 21 to a data
processing and control device of central design as an
overall electronic unit 11. At the same time, indicator
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signals necessary for monitoring directly on the printing
machine are also directed via this signal line from the
overall electronic unit 11 to the individual components
of the printir.g machine. Both actuating signals for the
r ~~ electrical control elements within the components of the
printing machine as well as the drive power for the main
and auxiliary drives are fed to the prin-ting machine via
a signal line power control 22 from the electronic power
supply circuitry 14 located within the overall electronic
circuitry 11. The overall electronic circuitry 11 is also
linked via a data line 25 to a printing plate reader 24
and via a data line 24 to a quality monitor 13 which
carries out densitometric evaluation of the printed
sheet. The overall electronic circuitry 11 is connected
to a control desk 15 via a data line 26. This control
desk 15 contains in a first section input facilities and
a display 17 for control of the inking device 19 and in a
second section input elements and a display 18 for
machine control 16. It is, of course, also possible to
combine both sections and to jointly carry out the
machine and inking control in one display and one input
control desk. As shown in the figure, the printing
machine features no additional or data processing
circuits or devices; the great number of electrical
circuits which were previously distributed over the
entire printing machine are now combined within the
overall electronic circuitry 11. This electronic control
11 is not only a simply combination of previously used
components, but rather it also enables as the result of
the interlinking of these components, optimized regula-
tion and control of the printing process. In addition,
an ~xternal data line 20 is provided which can be used,
for example, to feed data to the printing machine from
a position responsible for preparing operation. For
instance, all settings for the control elements to preset
the printing machine can be transferred via this data
line. In the same way, order-specific data such as the
number of prints to be produced, can be fed to the
printing machine or the control desk 15. Via this
external data line 20, it is also possible to output data
specific to the printing machine. To facilitate prepara-
tion of a printing process for example, specific inking-
in of the inking units can be carried out in conjunction
with the overall electronic control. It can also be used
to check the function of the control elements and
sensors. Furthermore, it is also possible with the aid of
the overall electronic circuitry 11 to monitor the wear
of susceptible parts and components of the printing
machine and to provide warning signals when certain limit
values are exceeded.
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Fig. 2 shows a variation of the version example in
accordance with Fig. 1 with respect to the desi~n of the
overall electronic circuitry. This version of course also
contains the said advantages.
The design of the printing machine corresponds to that
shown in Fig. 1. The same parts are assigned the same
reference numbers.
The overall electronic control 11 is divided into a first
unit which consists of a processing block 28 with
integrated power electronics 14 and into a second unit
which is in part arranged in the control desk 15. This
second unit only contains the inking control and register
setting and is directly linked to the printing units 4-7
via the signal line inking control register 23. This
second unit is of course also linked with the first unit
and the processing block 28 to combine the data via data
line 26. In this example, the printing plates reader 12
and the quality monitor 13 are connected directly via the
data lines 24,25 with this unit for inking control since
both the result of the printing plate reader 12 as well
as the result of the quality monitor 13 have a direct
effect on the presetting or correction of the ink
profile. The machine control section 16 of the control
desk 15 serves as an input and display panel for all
functions performed in the processing block 28, or to
display the statuses of the printing machine which do not
concern the inking control. The signal line data
processing 21 and the signal line power control 22 are
connected to the processing block 28. In the same way,
the external data line 20 is connected to the processing
block 28, of course making it possible to monitor or
influence the inking control via this external data line
20.
The structure of the overall electronic control 11 also
enables connection of several printing machines of
similar design. The individual printing machines can be
selected separately, processing and output of data from
and to the printing machines can take place in any
arbitrary mode of operation, where priority assessment of
data is also possible.
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A-491
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Parts List
1 Offset printing machine
2 Sheet feed
~ 3 Sheet delivery
,-~ 4 Printing unit
Printing unit
6 Printing unit
7 Printing unit
8 Drive motor
9 Control panel~ sheet feed
Control panel, sheet delivery
11 Overall electronic circuitry
12 Printing plate reader
13 Quality monitor
14 Power electronics
Control desk
16 Machine control
17 Display
18 Display
19 Inking control
External data line
21 Data processin~ signal line
22 Power control 5 ignal line
23 Inking control/register signal line
24 Data line
Data line
26 Data line
27 Data line
28 Processing ~lock
