DE102024102872A1 - Procedure for ensuring the quality of a printed product - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for ensuring the quality of a printed product with a predetermined process sequence comprising menus, submenus and/or function keys on a computer of a printing press, wherein control steps to be processed are provided in a highlighted manner by the computer on an operating station, wherein the highlighting of control steps to be processed is individually set for an operator.

Description

Procedure for ensuring the quality of a printed product

The invention relates to a method for ensuring the quality of a printed product with a predetermined process sequence according to the preamble of claim 1.

When setting up a print job or during quality control, operators of a printing press often have to go through the same process steps. If they forget a step, this can negatively affect the quality of the printed product.

When setting up a new print job, the operator can use an automatic job change program if necessary, so that the machine is prepared, i.e. the correct colors are loaded, the printing units are switched on, the perfecting is prepared, etc. When printing starts, measurement and control systems are usually active, which provide the operator with information on the quality of the color or register setting. However, this may not be sufficient for the high demands on the quality of a printed product.

From the EP 0 095 664 B1 a control device for a printing press is known, with a control panel, with a plurality of push buttons or similar actuating devices, in which control device a first group of push buttons is provided for selecting a command or operating state to be initiated, wherein at least two manipulations are required to initiate the command execution or the change in the operating state, with at least one display field, in particular a light-emitting diode display field, wherein a second group of push buttons is provided, wherein by actuating such a push button information offered on a display field can be selected and wherein each push button of the second group of push buttons is assigned an optically switchable display, wherein this display can be activated by actuating a push button of the first group of push buttons.

From the DE 195 16 331 A1 A method for controlling an operating process on a printing press is known, wherein a display device is placed into a first state by means of a control device when an operating process to be controlled cannot be activated with a switch, wherein the display device is placed into a second state when the operating process to be controlled can be activated with the switch, wherein the display device is placed into a third state when the operating process to be controlled has been activated with the switch, and wherein a selection is made from the possible states of the display device depending on signals about the state of other operating processes.

From the DE 103 39 571 B4 A method for optimizing a job change is known, wherein the data of a first machine job are compared with the data of a subsequent machine job by means of a control computer and a sequence of the work to be carried out during the job change is created by means of the comparison, wherein the calculated sequence of work processes is visually presented to an operating personnel for carrying out the job change and wherein the operating personnel are guided through the individual steps of the calculated sequence of work processes by means of one or more display devices attached to a machine processing printing materials.

From the EP 2 517 883 A2 A method for operating a printing machine is known, whereby a computer generates a query before the end of a print job or immediately afterward, which requests inputs indicating whether and, if so, which further print runs are required within the same print job and, in accordance with the information provided there, only makes the settings on the machine and/or initiates or suggests the work steps required for the subsequent run of the already printed sheets.

From the DE 10 2018 202 749 A1 A method for operating a machine in the graphic industry is known, wherein a follow-up order is analyzed on a computer during an order running on the machine, wherein work equipment and/or work steps assigned to the follow-up order are identified and wherein an operator is provided with information containing work equipment and/or work steps of the follow-up order.

From the DE 10 2018 202 752 A1 A method for visualizing manual operating actions is known, wherein a controllable light source is arranged in the area or at the location of a possible operating action and wherein, in the event of a necessary operating action and/or a fault, the relevant light source is controlled in the area or at the location of the necessary operating action.

From the DE 10 2019 211 129 A1 A color-supported automatic operating menu navigation is known, whereby a printing machine is set up in such a way is that a computer displays the operating states of the printing press on a display device in colors that match the displays of the operating states on the optical signaling devices of the printing units.

From the DE 10 2022 117 289 A1 A control station and a method for operating a machine are known, wherein the control station is connected to a memory device for storing a sequence of functions of the machine triggered by control elements and the memory device is connected to a further control element which is designed to select the sequence of the functions.

The invention is based on the object of creating an alternative method for ensuring the quality of a printed product. In particular, the operator guidance on printing machines is to be further improved.

The object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claim 1.

The advantages that can be achieved with the invention are in particular that an alternative method for ensuring the quality of a printed product is created. In particular, operator guidance on printing machines is further improved.

To ensure the quality of a printed product, a process sequence is provided, whereby an operator is guided through all the menus or submenus, preferably in the control station, that are necessary for settings. This can be done, for example, by the next submenu to be accessed lighting up, vibrating or being highlighted in another way. For example, it is useful to check the sequence: is the pressing correct, are the dryer(s) correctly set, check the fan settings, etc. The highlighting of the control steps to be processed is set individually for each operator. For example, the operator can set the control steps to be highlighted himself.

Preferably, the control steps to be highlighted can be suggested, for example, via a higher-level system so that they are the same for several printing machines in a printing company, for example. The highlighting of control steps to be processed can be provided individually for each operator in such a way that the different levels of training of the respective operator are met. Preferably, the control steps to be processed or processed and/or the highlighted control steps to be processed or highlighted control steps must be confirmed by the operator, for example via a separate confirmation button, so that tracking and/or logging of the quality of the printed product is possible. The control steps to be processed and/or highlighted control steps to be processed can also be displayed on a mobile operating device. Alternatively or additionally, the control steps to be processed or highlighted control steps to be processed can be communicated to the operator via an audio signal, preferably via a headset.

For example, the highlighting of control steps to be processed can also be suggested or specified by artificial intelligence. This can be done, for example, from known behavior patterns of an individual operator. Information from the past that is known to an individual operator can be processed, for example "you've always done it like this or like that". Furthermore, the control steps to be processed and/or highlighted can be recognized by an optical or other system, for example, and preferably acknowledged automatically. For example, a video camera, in particular a register camera, such as an AutomaticCameraRegister (ACR) camera, can recognize the control step of checking the register of the printed sheet or record a certain gesture that is necessary for the control step and process it accordingly.

This is particularly advantageous in increasing process reliability while simultaneously meeting higher quality requirements for the printed product. Another advantage is that the process steps can be logged for the machine manufacturer (log file) or the customer (batch tracking).

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are described in more detail below.

• 1 eine Eingabemaske einer Bedienstelle nach einem Auftragswechsel an einer Druckmaschine;
• 2 die Eingabemaske mit farbig hervorgehobenem nächsten Prozessschritt;
• 3 die Eingabemaske mit dem Prozessschritt zum Bestätigen;
• 4 die Eingabemaske mit bestätigtem Prozessschritt und nächstem hervorgehobenen Schritt.

They show:

• 1 an input mask of an operating station after a job change on a printing press;
• 2 the input mask with the next process step highlighted in color;
• 3 the input mask with the process step for confirmation;
• 4 the input mask with confirmed process step and next highlighted step.

The 1 shows an input mask 01 or screen of an operating point of a printing press connected to a computer, here for example after a job change. The printing press can be, for example, a sheet-fed printing press, in particular a sheet-fed offset rotary printing press, for example in a unit and series design. The computer connected to the printing press can be a separate computer or the control computer of the printing press. Preferably, the computer is assigned to a control station of the printing press or integrated into a control station. The input mask 01 can, for example, be displayed on a display device connected to the computer, for example a display device of the printing press and/or a control station monitor. However, the operating point could also be provided directly on a component of the printing press, for example on a feeder, a system, a printing unit, a coating unit and/or a delivery of the printing press, or preferably be designed as a touch control point. Alternatively or additionally, the operating point could be assigned to a mobile operating device of the printing press.

The printing press contains a large number of elements that can be adjusted. For example, the printing units contain interacting cylinders and inking units or inking and dampening units for ink transfer and cylinders or drums for transporting the printing material. Fans are also usually provided in guide plates to guide the printing material. Dryers can be arranged as intermediate dryers or in the delivery to dry the printing material. The respective operator can log on to the printing press via the control station, for example. The operator can also be recognized in other ways, for example by the printing press.

The computer on the printing machine provides an operator via the control panel, in particular the input mask 01, with menus 02, submenus 03 and/or function keys 04 to ensure the quality of a printed product by maintaining a process sequence. The computer on the control panel, in particular the input mask 01, highlights control steps to be processed, which are individually set, i.e. specified, for a respective or specific operator. The highlighted control steps to be processed usually include a sequence of settings to be carried out or checked.

In this case, the input mask 01 shows the menu 02 of the job change on the printing press, i.e. the preparation of the printing press for a subsequent print job, for example after a running or completed print job. The sequence of settings here includes in particular a setting of the cylinder pressure, a setting of one or more dryers and/or a control of the set fans. The control steps to be processed, which are highlighted for the operator, can be displayed by illuminated and/or vibrating menus 02, submenus 03 and/or function keys 04.

The 2 shows, for example, a highlighted control step to be processed provided by the computer on the control station, in particular input mask 01, as the next process step, preferably marked in color. In particular, the function key 04 "Configuration of sheet guide" is optically highlighted in color. The optical, preferably colored highlighting can be permanent or intermittent. The operator in question is thus prompted to press the function key 04 or to carry out a control step.

The 3 shows the input mask 01 with the submenu 03 called up by the function key 04 "Configuration of sheet guide" for confirming a process step. In the called submenu 03, the next process step is highlighted by optical, preferably colored marking of the function key 04 "Pressure supply". The process or control step of this function key 04 includes an adjustable or settable value range 05 of the cylinder pressure in the individual printing units or coating units of the printing machine and, if necessary, further settings or pressure settings. The value range 05 can also be optically highlighted preferably in color. The operator will thereby confirm the values currently displayed in the value range 05.

To easily confirm the entered values and thus the processing of the process step to be processed that is particularly highlighted here, an additional confirmation button 06, for example "Process OK", can be inserted. The control steps to be processed and/or highlighted must particularly preferably be confirmed by the respective operator, especially for tracking and/or logging the quality of the printed product. Confirmation is here in particular using the confirmation button 06 "Process OK", so that the entered or visible values are acknowledged as checked. The control steps to be processed or processed and/or highlighted can also be recognized by a system in particular and preferably acknowledged automatically.

The 4 shows the input mask 01 after confirming the set values of the value range 05 with a function key 04, preferably highlighted in color, for executing an individually set, highlighted next process step. In particular, the respective operator is prompted to check the setting of the dryer(s) by highlighting the function key 04 "dryer setting" and is thus individually guided or led. The highlights can lead through any number of process steps and are identical in particular for the specific operator on the printing press, for example at the next job change.

list of reference symbols

01

input mask

02

menu

03

submenu

04

function key

05

range of values

06

confirmation button

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 0 095 664 B1 [0004]
• DE 195 16 331 A1 [0005]
• DE 103 39 571 B4 [0006]
• EP 2 517 883 A2 [0007]
• DE 10 2018 202 749 A1 [0008]
• DE 10 2018 202 752 A1 [0009]
• DE 10 2019 211 129 A1 [0010]
• DE 10 2022 117 289 A1 [0011]

Claims (10)

Method for ensuring the quality of a printed product with a predetermined process sequence comprising menus (02), submenus (03) and/or function keys (04) on a computer of a printing press, wherein control steps to be processed are provided in a highlighted manner by the computer on an operating station (01), characterized in that the highlighting of control steps to be processed is set individually for an operator. procedure according to claim 1 , whereby the control steps to be processed and/or highlighted to be processed are suggested equally by a higher-level system, in particular for several printing machines of a printing company. procedure according to claim 1 or 2 , where the highlighted control steps to be processed include a sequence of settings. procedure according to claim 1 , 2 or 3 , wherein one or the sequence comprises an adjustment of a pressing (05), an adjustment of one or more dryers and/or a control of fans to be adjusted or adjusted. procedure according to claim 1 , 2 , 3 or 4 , whereby the highlighting of control steps to be processed is set by the operator himself and/or depending on the level of training of the respective operator. procedure according to claim 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 or 5 , whereby the control steps to be processed are highlighted by illuminated and/or vibrating menus (02), submenus (03) and/or function keys (04). procedure according to claim 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 or 6 , whereby the control steps to be processed and/or highlighted to be processed for tracking and/or logging the quality of the printed product must be confirmed by the respective operator, in particular via a separate confirmation button (06). procedure according to claim 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 or 7 , whereby the control steps to be processed and/or highlighted are displayed on a mobile operating device and/or communicated to the operator via an audio signal, in particular a headset. procedure according to claim 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 or 8 , whereby the highlights of control steps to be processed are suggested by an artificial intelligence, in particular from known behavior patterns of a respective operator. procedure according to claim 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 or 9 , whereby the control steps to be processed and/or highlighted are recognized by a particularly optical system and automatically acknowledged.