Data processing: generic control systems or specific application – Specific application – apparatus or process – Article handling
Reexamination Certificate
2001-04-02
2003-03-18
Ellis, Christopher P. (Department: 3651)
Data processing: generic control systems or specific application
Specific application, apparatus or process
Article handling
C271S258040
Reexamination Certificate
active
06535789
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method for preventing limit values from being exceeded in sheet-fed printing machines, wherein values relevant to the printing process are acquired with respect to individual sheets and are processed to the effect of maintaining predetermined limit values. The invention also relates to a device for performing this method, which has at least one sensor for acquiring the values with respect to the individual sheets.
In sheet-fed printing machines, a series of values for the individual sheets must be maintained in order to guide the sheet precisely through the printing machine and to maintain a uniform print. In this regard, it is necessary to maintain limit values so as to avoid spoilage or a stoppage of the machine.
The technical specification of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG “HDM M2.1449321” teaches how to acquire relevant values of the sheets such as the sheet arrival, the inclined position or slant of sheets or the sheet alignment at the feeder, and to interrupt the supply of additional sheets or stop the entire printing machine when limit values are exceeded. A display then indicates the error that prompted the interruption in the printing. The disadvantage of this manner of preventing limit values from being exceeded is that the printing must be interrupted, and valuable operating time is lost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is accordingly an object of the invention to make available a method and a device as described hereinabove by which spoiled prints or an interruption of the printing when values are not maintained are optimally avoided.
With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, in accordance with one aspect of the invention, a method for preventing limit values from being exceeded in sheet-fed printing machines, which comprises acquiring values relevant to the printing process with respect to individual sheets, and processing those values so that predetermined limit values are maintained, detecting the development trend of a relevant value in the course of a series of sheets, and initiating measures when a change in the values occurs that would lead to a limit value being exceeded in an additional predetermined number of sheets if a continuation of the trend occurs.
In accordance with another mode, the method of the invention includes, in determining the trend, eliminating individual values deviating from the trend.
In accordance with a further mode, the method of the invention includes providing the relevant values related to the position of the sheets at a particular angle of the printing machine.
In accordance with a first alternative mode, the method includes providing the relative values related to the position of the leading edges of the sheets.
In accordance with a second alternative mode, the method includes providing the relevant values related to a lateral shift of the sheets.
In accordance with a third alternative mode, the method includes providing the relevant values related to pull errors with respect to the alignment of sheets at a side lay.
In accordance with a fourth alternative mode, the method includes providing the relevant values related to a slant or inclined position of the sheets.
In accordance with an added mode, the method includes performing the method at the feeder of the sheet-fed printing machine.
In accordance with an additional mode, the method includes displaying the relevant values.
In accordance with yet another mode, the method includes recommending possible countermeasures to an operator.
In accordance with yet a further mode, the method includes actuating controls for the purpose of correcting the relevant values.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a device for performing a method of preventing limit values from being exceeded in a sheet-fed printing machine, comprising at least one sensor for acquiring relevant values with respect to individual sheets, and an evaluation device for displaying a development trend of the acquired values for initiating countermeasures.
In accordance with another feature of the invention, the device includes at least one display whereon there are displayable values of a predetermined number of sheets of a series that were the last to pass the at least one sensor, said values being continuously incremented by a value of a then current sheet and being displayed as a series of individual values in a relation thereof to a desired or nominal value and to limit values.
In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the values of the respective sheets are displayable as bars in the one display, the bars having ends representing positions of the respective values relative to the desired or nominal value and to the limit values, the limit values being represented by lines.
In accordance with an added feature of the invention, the values of the respective sheets are displayed as a curve in the display, the curve representing a development in time of the respective values in relation to the desired or nominal value and the limit values.
In accordance with an additional feature of the invention, the device includes a signaling device activatable by the evaluation device when a change occurs in the values that would lead to a crossing of a limit value in a predetermined number of sheets if a continuation of the trend should occur.
In accordance with yet another feature of the invention, the device includes an additional display actuatable by the evaluation device for displaying stored countermeasures in a readable manner if such a change of the values should occur that a limit would be crossed in a predetermined number of subsequent sheets upon a continuation of the trend.
In accordance with yet a further feature of the invention, the display is included in a plurality of displays disposed at a console of the printing machine for displaying a plurality of types of acquired values.
In accordance with yet an added feature of the invention, the values are represented by signals, and upon the occurrence of such changes of the signals representing the values that a limit would be crossed in a predetermined number of sheets if a continuation of the trend should occur, a control serves to activate at least one actuator for modifying the trend.
In accordance with a concomitant feature of the invention, the at least one sensor is disposed at the sheet feeder, and the evaluating device serves for ensuring sheet alignment by maintaining the predetermined limit values.
Thus, the object of the invention is achieved by a method which is calls for a detection of the development trend of a relevant value in the course of a series of sheets, and an initiating of measures when a change in the values occurs that would lead to a limit value being exceeded in a predetermined number of sheets, assuming a continuation of the trend. A device which serves to perform the method has an evaluating device that represents the development trend of the acquired values for initiating countermeasures.
What is achieved by the invention is that the countermeasures can be taken the instant of time that values indicate a developing tendency moving towards the limit value. This usually prevents a crossing of the limit value, because countermeasures against this development trend can be taken promptly. Consequently, there is neither spoilage nor a stoppage of the printing machine. The productivity and thus the economic efficiency of the printing machine is thereby increased.
The invention can be realized in different ways. One possibility is for the operator to be informed of the trend of the values in a timely fashion before the limit value is reached, in order to initiate countermeasures. To this end, appropriate display capabilities are proposed. Another possibility is to counteract such a trend automatically by a control. This is particularly appropriate for high-speed printing machines, because the countermeasures must be initiated relatively quickly.
A development of the method provides that individual value
Gerstenberger Markus
Maass Burkhard
Rautert Jürgen
Crawford Gene O.
Ellis Christopher P.
Greenberg Laurence A.
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
Mayback Gregory L.
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